Raphael Gauthier would have chosen to pick any other closest staff in The Lion Winery Industries but he went for Celine.[Why?]Could it be because of how their friendship has bonded over the past months? Or because he felt Celine was indebted to him after saving the day against Gaston Boucher or he felt more connected with her?[What reason could that be? Why didn't he choose Pierre instead?]Yes! Pierre? After all, Pierre was first his friend before he met Celine, and above that, he was his tutor while mastering his skills in Martial arts! Why didn't he request Pierre instead?[Raphael Gauthier knew why he chose Celine instead and meeting Efa Afonso at 10:00 am would reveal all of that!]Raphael Gauthier had the documents and presentation before him all read while he proffer corrections for his secretary to effect as soon as possible.“I need you in the office,” Raphael Gauthier quickly instructed his secretary before he forgets and leaves for the meeting.The secretary knew why he
The secretary couldn't hold her emotions strongly as she gushed out tears that shimmered down her sweaty cheeks. It was one of the best days at work that she wouldn't forget in a hurry.She had never received an increment even while working under HR; Mrs. Elise's administration. However, Raphael Gauthier's policies brought about a change and threw away lackadaisical behavior to work.The secretary wasn't the only staff whose salary has been increased. This gesture cut across to other staff who one way or the other had put in efforts to add tremendous value to The Lion Winery Industries.“Thank you, Sir. Sir-sir. I promise you won't regret this decision.”The secretary managed to wipe off some particles of tears from her eyes while making those promises. She had her left finger placed on her chest to express how sincere she was with her words.Raphael Gauthier saw nothing but passion and determination to push one's self in doing better. He did not doubt that the secretary would do as s
Benoit as instructed had the car engine revving. When Raphael Gauthier gives such an instruction it's most likely that he would soon leave the winery office.Raphael Gauthier represented in gentlemanliness when he quickly went ahead of Celine heading directly to the backseat door of the car. Celine at some point wondered why he suddenly didn't utter a word but put in a bold smile while leaving for the backseat door.All eyes were enthralled in smiles and surprise when they beheld Celine beautifully sauntering along the hallway at the basement floor.[There was something distinguishably striking about her]The fact they once saw her alongside The MD signaled certain questions in their minds that were unavoidable.Raphael Gauthier wasn't surprised by how Celine's outlook posed a lot of questions starting from Pierre to some awe-struck staff in the elevator and also the staff and clients on the basement floor.He knew why he needed Celine beside him for the business meeting. He didn't j
Raphael Gauthier needed to work on her to get her cooked up properly before the business meeting would commence.It was 9:55 am on the clock and in less than five minutes Ralphael Gauthier and Celine should be seated facing Efa Afonso.Beniot alighted from the car and had the backdoor seats promptly opened. He didn't need to be told as he seamlessly understood his job.The staff personnel who had beheld Raphael Gauthier's whip didn't hesitate in running their way towards the car to have them properly welcomed.Efa Afonso was already seated about a minute ago and when she noticed a troop of staff ambling from the Restaurant, she knew the wealthiest handsome bachelor had arrived.Eyes echoed in shock when they fixed their popping eyes on Celine as she alighted from the car. She sat in the right wing of the backseat. Hence it was only normal for her to be revealed first.Efa Afonso had acquired the show five minutes ago when she left her hotel room all well-dressed for the business deal
Efa Afonso had a question about Raphael and Celine living rent-free in her heart. Right from the very moment, she beholds the man she most wished to entangle with walking alongside another woman.She didn't know how exactly to ask and not sound unprofessional or too direct. However, while getting seated she pondered how best to divulge her heart thoughts.There were some seconds of silence after the soon-to-be business partners got seated; at least if the business deal became successful. The sequence of events would determine if they'd become business partners or just business enthusiasts.The General Manager, Hotel manager, and other highly rated staff of Raphael Gauthier Hotels and Suites could already feel the awkward state activated and knew it was about time for their exit.The General Manager cleared her throat before she uttered a few words:“Ma'am please do enjoy your business meeting. We would be willing and ready to attend to any of your needs. We care deeply for you.”She i
Raphael Gauthier, wearing a charming smile, reached out to Efa Afonso with those lined-up questions. He needed to know how well the staff and management adhered to his words of admonishment.Efa Afonso breathed out sharply as she didn't anticipate those questions from him, given the fact he had been meticulously silent for the past two minutes while the waitress was doing her job.Raphael Gauthier and Celine anticipated a response with a mild expression engulfed on their faces. Raphael Gauthier was strategic in how to convey a business transaction from one spot to another. It was only fair that he asked questions that would intrigue relatable responses.Efa Afonso, despite striving to get along with what was before her, wouldn't deny the fact she appreciated Raphael Gauthier inquiring to know how her stay has been thus far. It clearly shows how intentional he was with his clients and overall how business-oriented he is.“The staff have been impeccably top-notch in their services, espe
Raphael Gauthier had an aside conversation with Celine to decide on the partnership review.“Excuse us, beautiful. Just a moment aside.”Raphael Gauthier made it necessary to relate with Efa Afonso before stepping out with Celine.Efa Afonso winked at him and beamed in alignment while continuing to sip her wine as usual.“You can have the whole time in the world. But don't keep a beautiful lady waiting for so long.”She sensually responded with her tongue gently rolling down her lips.Celine beheld her gesture and lowered her gaze a little bit. Efa Afonso didn't hide the fact she would want something more than the proposed partnership.Raphael Gauthier maintained a mild expression and didn't intentionally respond to her flirting gestures. He believed he had sent an implicit message by inviting a plus one to the business meeting.Raphael Gauthier couldn't properly engage with Celine when Efa Afonso was staring into their faces. A moment to deliberate and come up with an amount was para
Raphael Gauthier couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Efa Afonso's proposition for a five-year partnership with mouthwatering amounts.Could she be too desperate to have him at all costs despite how interrupting Celine's attention had been?Celine gradually began to understand why Raphael Gauthier needed her alongside him. He should have noticed how fondly Efa Afonso conversed with him through phone calls.As far as Celine could remember she hadn't seen a damsel who would boldly imply that Raphael Gauthier was in any form of relationship with her aside from once being married.Efa Afonso could be intentional in her endeavors but her level of goal-setting could arouse questions about whether she would want to further her intentions for Raphael Gauthier.“Of course. Let's have the documents signed.”Celine decided to utter a word aside from doing more of keeping mute while the meeting unfolded. Efa Afonso stared at her and nodded her head. She purposely stared at her to trigger
“In the course of the investigation, the president of France and other ambassadors from five South American countries got involved when they learned the esteemed Grand Lord, Raphael Gauthier, was also in the contest with The Ultimate Branded Champagne.”“I’m here to announce to y'all that we've acquired implicating evidence that over the last half a decade, Alexandre Petit has continually connived with twenty high-ranked staff of the European Winery Exhibition Contest to condemn justice and fairness, which has made him the winner in consecutive occasions!”The crowd slammed their voices in anger as they booed at Alexandre Petit with disdainful tongues.“In this year's edition, he had an accomplice by the name of Lucas Moreau, months back in agreement, they attempted to assassinate Raphael Gauthier and his stepbrother, Hugo Lambert. We have all the evidence and there's no hiding and running for them.Immediately his voice echoed. Multiple police officers who had strategically positione
THREE MONTHS ON… “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it's an honor to have y'all in attendance for over two hours at the European Winery Exhibition Contest, the world's most rated Winery contest ever to breathe!” The host exclaimed in profound esteem The crowd responded in a shriek of happiness and coherence. It was indeed an honor to be invited, and I would always go down memory lane. “This year’s edition has been for over one month and today being the final, y'all stayed till the last month when the winner would be announced!” “Today’s event commenced in four, the semi-finals, and down to two finalists: The Ultimate Branded Champagne and The Lion Winery Industries. Thank you for staying till when it mattered most!” Jubilation entrapped the distinguished guests as they shone their teeth in profound excitement. They couldn't wait to see who would go home with the esteemed prize of the decade. In great attendance were Raphael and Celine with a group of devoted supporters; t
“I don't care if I die the next minute or get arrested and pay for my crimes. As long as I divulge what has been hidden for decades, then my part has been done,” Hugo mouthed with a short gasp breath, his face gripped with sweat as he held onto his step-older brother.All along, Raphael had presumed his younger stepbrother was bluffing about having information to spill. It seemed like he had finally gotten his attention.“Really? You got any information?” his brows raised in keenness.Agathe waved at the medical personnel who sheepishly departed from the room. They had already overstayed. It's family time!“Yes, I do, dear brother…”“I know none of my words would change the past and the evil I've done to you, which led to the death of your mother, banishment, and many others, including sleeping with your ex-wife,” he spilled those hard words out. And once again, the ugly past flashed before Raphael’s face.Agathe strode towards him and patted his shoulder; she understood how painful i
For the greater good of his power and what it believes in, Hugo Lambert should be saved by his older stepbrother despite the pains he has inflicted. GrandLord Raphael Gauthier, in a state of pain and anger, understood that and had to do the needful.‘Hugo you've fought so hard against death. Time to come back to us,’ GrandLord Raphael Gauthier communioned with the deteriorated state of Hugo Lambert.He believed he could hear his words. One of the containers had a well-prepared honey with herbal ointment in it as his inner power whispered what he should do.Agathe Lambert muttered a thousand prayers in her heart as her hands shook in fear. She might not be a great fan of Hugo from inception but she wouldn't want him dead either. The medical personnel stood in disorientation as they beheld the unprecedented movie being played before their eyes.GrandLord Raphael Gauthier signaled Agathe Lambert, who assisted in slightly opening Hugo's mouth to enable him to pour the herbal medicine insi
Agathe Lambert was struck in a state of slight confusion and vibrantness. She quickly strode towards where Hugo Lambert had laid for over a week as his health deteriorated. The medical renowned doctors followed behind to witness what would unfold sooner.It wasn't a pretense that the medical experts had little or no hope of what the GrandLord could do differently. They engaged in indistinct communication amongst themselves while their faces were etched with doubts, disbelief, and slight confusion.Grand Lord Raphael Gauthier stood face to face before his stepbrother. He exhaled deeply with his eyes intentionally closed while he trailed his oil-soaked right finger on his chest towards his abdomen back to his chest and throat.Agathe Lambert instantly wondered what Raphael's right finger was doing on Hugo's chest. She somewhat feared that he might want to avenge what happened to his late mother. The medical personnel maintained their indistinct conversations with their heads and eye gou
She knew GrandLord Raphael Gauthier was quite an intentional human and wouldn't mouth those unexpected words if he didn't mean them. Nonetheless, she couldn't control how astonished she seemed.For a moment she gave up on GrandLord Raphael Gauthier ever believing her about Hugo Lambert or what he had to tell him. She believed the past ugly incident would cloud his judgment on believing her.“The more time we waste the less chance he has to survive the poison,” GrandLord Raphael Gauthier quickly spoke out.He promptly offered Agathe Lambert his right hand as an aid to lift herself off the ground. He went ahead and offered her a white handkerchief to wipe off her tears while she made efforts to stand.The driver had his mouth slightly opened at how he thought he'd soon head back to the mansion or the office. However, his boss had other plans for the day.“Why the sudden change of heart? I could swear you would have zoomed off without looking back,” Agathe Lambert hinted as her eyes popp
He tutted his lips even more in disagreement and displeasure with his lips curved in disbelief and contempt. He shook his head more often while anticipating what Agathe Lambert would say next.She wasn't making any single sense with her words about Hugo Lambert's poisoned state and his request to speak with him. Agathe Lambert temporarily went speechless while glancing at him and other gatekeepers who could grasp the building conversations.“Drop this trick to get me to heal him 'cause that's not happening. He caused the death of my mother. You wasted your time in making me come over,” GrandLord Raphael Gauthier blurted out while taking a step backward.He felt there were no more words left unsaid with his younger step-sister and got to head back to the mansion or, better still, see how Pierre was handling business in his absence.It was better than being at the wrong time at the wrongest time. Driving from the mansion on Agathe Lambert's request seemed like a waste of time.“Good day
“Several medical professionals have conducted several diagnoses, but he's none responsive to their treatments,” Agathe Lambert, after a few moments, uttered more words to establish clarity.She had anticipated to bark at her immediately when she uttered the last words or even an immediate response which he didn't. Hence, she had to delve back to words that would build stamina to whatever his thought organs were entertaining.GrandLord Raphael Gauthier intentionally kept mute and steadily set his sight on her believing she got more words unspilled. His eyebrows were raised more with his two hands placed across his waist while trying to make sense of where Agathe Lambert was driving.“Hugo?” he somewhat mouthed with his eyes blinking. “Poisoned?” His last words followed with a question. “By who?” GrandLord Raphael Gauthier promptly inquired with a somewhat calmer tone. “When?” he went further in striding towards the path of questions.Questions engrossed in inquiries which was all Grand
GrandLord Raphael Gauthier hastily mouthed with his eyebrows raised in building annoyance. He kept his sight steadily on Agathe Lambert striving to make meaning to her last statement. He knew she wasn't joking but needed a form of clarity in her speech.Agathe Lambert vividly remembered all that transpired between Grandlord Raphael Gauthier and Hugo and should be the last person to make such statements when the GrandLord is concerned.Agathe Lambert was somewhat confused about what to respond with as her gaze quickly dropped off. She reactively took two steps backward in perplexed thoughts. GrandLord Raphael Gauthier was swift enough to understand his younger step-sister's last action. He positioned his hand in an akimbo posture while still glaring at her.“I left my mansion for Hugo? That betrayer? You're kidding huh?” GrandLord Raphael Gauthier mouthed once more but his voice heightened this time.Still maintaining his body posture, he took one step forward in search of a response f