The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Chapter 178 Playing Bartender
After her offer, Hera noticed the change in everyone’s expressions and knew they were indeed interested. She shook her head in resignation, chuckling softly, before leading them upstairs. Next to the gaming room was the entertainment room, designed for people to drink and have fun. In the center, there was a billiard table, dart boards on the walls, and a huge wine cabinet filled with different liquors arranged by category. There was also a fully stocked bar.

The entertainment room was arranged similarly to a high-class bar, featuring a modern minimalist design with a black and white theme that felt relaxing rather than gaudy. As Hera led everyone in, she strode straight to the back of the bar. “Hello, everyone! For the soft opening of my bar, I will treat everyone to drinks,” Hera said playfully, acting as though she were hosting a real event and her ‘customers’ were standing around, admiring her entertainment room.

The first one to react was Victor. He laughed out loud as he walked straight to the counter in front of Hera, ready to play along with her antics. “Miss Manager, please give me your best whisky on the rocks,” he said with a broad smile.

Hera, playing the role of manager in her bar, kept a professional demeanor as she gave Victor a curt nod. She turned to the impressive display of whiskies behind her, her hand grazing each bottle as she examined their labels. There were The Emerald Isle Collection, The Macallan 1926, The Macallan Michael Dillon 1926, Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series, The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926, The Macallan Peter Blake 1926, The Macallan Lalique Legacy Collection, The Macallan Red Collection, and The Macallan M. Finally, her hand stopped at Isabella’s Islay whiskey.

Its sophisticated bottle, exuding luxury, had a narrow opening and neck, with a body designed like a wide, round saucer. What truly caught Hera’s attention was the bottle’s surface, studded with crystals that sparkled under the cabinet lights.

She didn’t hesitate, selecting the Isabella’s Islay whiskey and placing it on the counter before leaning down to open the small fridge beneath. Seeing her choice, Victor let out an amused whistle. “Excellent pick! It looks like coming here was a fantastic decision. I’ll get to taste this $6.2 million masterpiece!”

Hera, crouched under the counter to retrieve a block of ice as large as her fist, almost bumped her head in surprise at Victor’s comment. She had chosen the whiskey nonchalantly, attracted by its beautiful bottle, unaware of its staggering price. Now, knowing its value, she felt her heart tighten. ‘Why is it so expensive? Was it made out of diamonds or something?’ she wondered.

She cleared her throat, calming her nerves with slow, deliberate breaths. After living in the village and embracing a simpler lifestyle for a week, her mindset had shifted, momentarily forgetting the luxury of her urban life as Hera Avery. With a mental readjustment, she composed herself once more.

She slipped on a pair of black gloves before carefully lifting the ice block. Standing tall behind the counter, she faced Victor, with Luke, Dave, and Rafael now gathered around the bar, watching her every move. Hera deftly shaved the ice into a diamond shape using an ice shaver, displaying a surprising skill. Once finished, she placed the ice into an elegant glass and gave it a gentle spin before elegantly pouring the Isabella’s Islay whiskey into the glass.

The aroma wafted up to Hera’s nostrils, intriguing her senses. Unlike the overpowering scent of typical whiskey, this one was lighter, yet fragrant. Even from the smell alone, she could discern its potential for a smoother, lighter flavor profile—a mellowness close to delicate. However, she knew its alcohol content remained as robust as any other whiskey, if not stronger.

As Victor swirled the glass and took in the fragrance, a small smile graced his lips, followed by a sip that elicited merry laughter. “This is truly exceptional! Absolutely worth the price!”

Hera returned the smile, pleased to see Victor enjoying the drink. “I’m delighted that my first customer appreciated my choice.” With practiced poise, she began to tidy her station, maintaining her role as the bartender.

Luke joined in their play, addressing Hera with a playful tone. “Miss Manager, could I trouble you for a stellar recommendation of a red wine?” His gaze swept over the impressive wine collection, each bottle seemingly worth a small fortune. Luke, a wine enthusiast himself, couldn’t help but marvel at the array before him. Despite his own wine collection and custom-built cellar, it paled in comparison to Hera’s selection. His curiosity piqued, he attempted to gauge Hera’s reaction but found her expression inscrutable.

Hera gracefully stepped away from the bar, her gaze scanning the exquisite wine racks adorning the room’s side. Her keen eye sought out the bottle that exuded the aura of age and refinement, a testament to the adage that older wines often held superior flavor. With a gentle touch, she selected the Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1992, cradling it with utmost care. Because now that she knew that one whiskey in her bar was about $6.2 million, it only meant that everything in this room was expensive and she was not going to be foolish enough to be as clumsy as letting one break in front of her or she might even vomit blood from heartache.

Luke observed Hera’s cautious demeanor as she returned with the bottle of wine, her movements delicate and deliberate. It seemed as though she held a priceless artifact in her hands, her caution palpable in every step she took. When she finally placed the red wine before him, Luke’s throat tightened, a surge of understanding flooding over him as he realized the significance of her earlier actions.

For years, Luke had pursued a bottle of the same wine, but it remained an elusive prize. Despite offering substantial sums, he found himself thwarted by the limited supply and fervent competition among collectors. The Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1992 commanded a base price of half a million, but in the hands of collectors like Luke, its value soared into the millions. He vividly recalled a recent auction where a single bottle from the same year fetched a staggering $12 million. As he observed Hera deftly uncorking the bottle, a tantalizing thought crossed his mind. ‘Was this the bottle that was sold that time?’

Luke shook his head, dismissing the thought as mere speculation, and refocused his attention on Hera. With practiced elegance, she retrieved a wine glass from the cabinet and poured a generous measure before presenting it to him. Luke acknowledged her with a smile and a word of thanks, then proceeded to assess the wine. Swirling the glass, he inhaled deeply, allowing the complex bouquet to envelop his senses. The wine’s intricate layers of fermentation imparted a rich yet subtle aroma that lingered tantalizingly in the air. Savoring the moment, Luke took a sip, relishing the velvety texture and nuanced flavors like a seasoned sommelier. As he savored the lingering taste on his palate, a contented smile graced his lips, and as he sighed he could still taste the wine through his breath. He met Hera’s gaze with a meaningful expression, brimming with satisfaction and appreciation.