Chapter 5

Cass's POV

Right when Dominic's about to sign the contract, I can't hold back anymore.

I grab some papers from the table and push the door open.

"Mr. Callahan, there's an urgent document you need to look at."

Dominic looks up and takes the papers without expression. The supplier's clearly annoyed that I just walked in, but he doesn't say anything with Dominic sitting right there.

I reach for the poured glass on the table and take a sip before he can stop me.

"Huh. Wine."

The man lights up immediately. "This is top-shelf French red, 1982. I imported this entire batch straight from Europe—"

I frown and take another sip, then shake my head. "No. This isn't real."

His expression shifts. "Excuse me?"

"My father was in the wine business before he died. I've been tasting wine since I was a kid." I study the liquid in the glass. "Real '82 should have oak notes, a long finish. But this..."

I look up at him. "This is cheap wine with flavoring and coloring added. You're trying to pass this off as vintage?"

"That's bullshit!" He shoots to his feet. "My wine's completely legit! What the hell do you know—"

Dominic leans back in his chair. Doesn't stop me. He looks entertained, actually.

That makes me bolder. "If it's real, you willing to verify it right now? Take any bottle for professional testing, see if it's actually from '82."

Sweat breaks out on his forehead. He opens his mouth but can't get the words out.

Dominic finally speaks, voice flat. "Well, if my wife says there's a problem, then there's a problem."

"I'll give you two options. First, leave now. Second, I'll pay a hundred fifty thousand for this batch, but you're signing an agreement guaranteeing you'll hook me up with real import channels later."

The guy clenches his jaw. "I'll take the second one."

"Good." Dominic gestures toward the contract, then adds casually, "And apologize to my wife."

The man reluctantly bows his head. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Callahan."

After he signs and leaves, I let out a breath.

At least I stopped the scam. Five hundred thousand might not mean much to the Callahans, but getting conned by someone like that still pisses me off.

"Lucky I caught it in time," I say, feeling a bit smug. "Otherwise you would've gotten scammed."

Dominic pours himself coffee. His tone is matter-of-fact. "I already knew."

I freeze. "You knew?"

"Of course. I could tell it was fake the second I tasted it."

Now I'm really confused. "Then why were you going to buy it?"

Dominic glances at me, the corner of his mouth twitching. "What do you think I was buying?"

"The wine?"

He shakes his head. "I was buying his connections."

He walks to the window and turns his back to me. "Guy might sell fake wine, but he knows people in the supply chain. People with actual import channels. I spend a hundred fifty thousand, he owes me a favor. When I need suppliers later, he'll make introductions."

"Plus," Dominic continues, "now I've got proof he peddles fake merchandise. He won't dare refuse me anything. As for this fake batch, I'll repackage it and sell it to some nouveau riche idiot who doesn't know better. Costs me a hundred fifty, I'll make three hundred back."

It all clicks.

Dominic never cared whether the wine was real or fake. He wanted the resources behind this guy.

But then Dominic's tone shifts suddenly, eyes sharpening. "Though from what I know, your father wasn't actually in the wine business, was he?"

My stomach drops. Everything I just said was completely made up. "I..."

Dominic stares at me for a few seconds. "Forget it. You're smart. Sometimes a little too smart for your own good."

He turns back to the window, leaving me standing there.

For the first time, I feel genuinely uneasy.

I can read minds, but with Dominic, that ability doesn't seem to matter. His perception might be even scarier than mind reading.

I shake off the thought.

"Mr. Callahan," I take a deep breath, "I want to ask you something."

Dominic raises an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"You said before that I had to prove myself." I keep my voice steady. "I want to manage one of the family businesses."

In my past life, Adrian wouldn't give me anything. He treated me like a trophy, an accessory.

This life is different.

If I can manage a business and make my own money, once I save up enough, I can leave this family and live the life I actually want.

Dominic stays quiet for a few seconds.

Then he asks suddenly, "Which business?"

"I haven't decided yet," I admit. "But I'll work hard to learn."

Dominic's mouth curves into an amused smile. "Ambitious."

He pauses. "You planning to save up and bail on the Callahans?"

My heart jumps.

Damn it, how does he read everything?

"Of course not," I say quickly. "I just want to be useful. I don't want to be some useless trophy wife."

Dominic just smiles. "Fine. But there's a condition."

"What's the condition?"

"You learn from me first. When you're ready, I'll give you something to run."

I nod. "I understand. I'll learn."

Dominic stands and walks to the window, turning his back to me again. "I hope so."

He pauses. "Because in this family, incompetent people don't last long."