Raphael's voice sent goosebumps across their shoulders. They stood at one spot in disbelief.Their eyes dance in profound awe. Celine wished not to be told Ralphael we mistaken just like she was the previous Wednesday.“Chevalier? You said what?” Pierre asked with his heart lifting in joy.“You're certain about those documents?” Celine finally gutted what had been on her mind all this while.Raphael instead of responding to their question burst into deep laughter and fell against the floor in relief. Celine and Pierre joined him in the happy quest and the atmosphere was engrossed with excitement.What a day!Celine was striving to control her breathing pace as she chuckled so hard. Tears gradually shimmered down her silky cheeks and found their way across her mouth and held up on her chin.Pierre stood and glanced at her as she expressed her undeniable emotions. Just when she gave up.Raphael made her realize it wasn't over yet. Pierre managed to gently hold her towards his embodied c
“What the hell are you all spilling? A board meeting is ongoing? And most of the staff have been called upon?” Mrs Elise confusingly inquired with her eyelid blinking for prompt answers.She inhaled and exhaled in more confusion with hitch breathing, her right palm on her waist with her eyes narrowed in thoughts. “This meeting is happening right now at Hall 3? It was scheduled ten minutes ago this morning? Are you all joking with me?”“This must be some sort of Wednesday early morning joke. What? Like you all seemed serious right now?” she continually questioned whilst she fixed her gaze on her family cohorts.Mrs Louise who had been making efforts to respond to Elise's incessant questions opted in clearing her throat. Mr Josue; the Account officer had been dumbfounded for over five minutes and wasn't in the right state of mind to proffer answers to any asked questions.Mr Chase; the inventory officer wasn't taken out of the ongoing confused drama. He had just resumed work only to beh
{FLASHBACK_38 HOURS EARLIER_} Raphael finally got to The Lion Winery Industries entrance gate after he successfully navigated from the basement floor with the evidence still intact in his work bag.He calmly turned and stole a little glance at the company and he breathed out in relief while feeling the ambience of the atmosphere.He vividly remembered the first day he set foot on his grandfather's company with a plan and it pretty much seemed like the essence of the disguise mission would soon yield productivity.As usual, he ensured footsteps weren't trailing him when he completely exited from the residence. His mind was on the next play of action.A certain luxurious car gently drove and halted in front of him. Raphael narrowed his eyes and stared at the driver's seat.“Hop in,” he calmly instructed.Raphael didn't hesitate but obliged and headed to the front seat. Wondering who the driver was? Could it be Benoit?After that, Ralphael convinced his allies to believe in him once aga
{_PRESENT TIME_}Mrs Louise, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Josue sauntered further to have their seats. They haven't met the founder for a long time. They suspended the uncontrollable questions in their hearts and did as being told; “Sit Down”Mrs Elise slightly sighed and continuously rolled her eyes in anticipation whilst heading to the seat. She felt uneasy and had a weird feeling about the impromptu meeting.Most Staff and Management of The Lion King Winery Industries were inarguably seated.Some couldn't drop off their bags at their respective units that morning. They quickly got notified of the meeting accompanied by the unexpected presence of Jacques Claude Gauthier.Jacques Claude Gauthier was seated beside the staff. He ensured his eyes would be on the well-fixed screen projector.The media department had exhausted over ten minutes in preparing the necessary projecting materials at the same time Mrs Elise and her cohort were contemplating the unverified purpose of the meeting.Celine, B
Jacques Claude Gauthier quickly winked at the Media department personnel who grasped what the hint was all about. They shone their camera on the document for it to reflect on the screen projector for all to behold.An indistinct conversation began amongst the staff and management as everyone got something to spill after Jacques Claude Gauthier brought forth those documents.All eyes went to the screen projector to grasp a better view of the documents. Mrs Elise meticulously went through and smirked out deeply. Her family cohorts hands were profusely shaking as they beheld their names boldly written on it. Would they go ahead and deny it?“On your feet!” Jacques Claude Gauthier vigorously mouthed.Mr Chase, Mr Josue, and Mrs. Louise quickly arose with their palms sweaty, their heads barely above the downward position.The guilt was damn etching on their faces, they didn't hide how perplexed they were. But the anchor schemer scoffed more in her heart and stood her ground of non-involvem
Jacques Claude Gauthier firmly voiced out and threw the documents before her eyes. The media team wasted no time capturing it on the screen to remove doubts and numerous questions in everyone's thoughts.All should have a look and affirm for themselves.Mrs Elise slowly arose with the notion of reading through the documents slammed by Jacques Claude Gauthier.She had no guts to stare at the screen.The staff and management had already gone through documents and grasped all the shady business she'd been into for the past ten months.The different companies she had business dealing with and the percentage at which was involved. There's absolutely no place to run or hide.Moments ago she fiercely denied being involved in such dealings and a few minutes later evidence of her involvement was completely shown. Would she go ahead and deny claims of being fabricated?Mrs. Elise gently read through the documents because it's been a while since she set her eyes on them after safeguarding them i
“Raphael!” Jacques Claude Gauthier's voice echoed.Indistinct words built up the more. The staff and management got more confused about who Raphael was as no staff of theirs goes by such a name.Pierre, Blaise, and Celine leaned further and rested their palms across their knees to deduce who the new Managing Director was.Elise, Louise, Josue, and Chase didn't do otherwise as they all glanced around to behold whoever this Raphael was.The interest of the staff and management grew every single second for evidence of what they needed to know. It seems like the more they glance around the more confused they become.‘Who's this Ralphael of a guy? Do any of us bear Ralphael as a last name?’ they kept asking themselves as the atmosphere got intrigued with more confusion.Suddenly, a certain man conveniently sat beside Jacques Claude Gauthier in a white suit with a black tie.His face was undoubtedly new and none of the staff had seen him before that very moment but because he ambled into th
Jacques Claude Gauthier together with the staff and management beheld true friendship experimented in their eyes. Blaise was rather thrown into emotions that he was the last to join the Allies and had most of the doubt on how successful they would become.For a second he reminisced on that very day Pierre did all he could to convince him to help. He wouldn't have forgiven himself if he hadn't played his integral part.The Allies without Raphael uttering further words quickly understood the weight of responsibility that rested on his shoulders all these while.They understood why he couldn't tell them he was “Raphael and not Chevalier” They would possibly have done the same if they happened to walk in his shoes.You probably could be wondering about the choice of Skin Mask that Raphael and his grandfather employed to cause a diversion in the sight of the staff.The answer has been closer all this while. Raphael spent a couple of reasonable hours divulging the fund embezzlement scheme t
“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