chapter 15 Lafite in 1982 ===

Ten years had passed and the Grand Palace had undergone significant changes. Both its interior and exterior were luxurious.
It was like the taxi driver said: if one didn't have two thousand dollars, it would be impossible to afford anything here.
In fact, even two thousand dollars wouldn't be enough to get a glass of wine in the Grand Palace.
Dunstan went up the stone steps leading to the Grand Palace. There were four burly men wearing suits and leather shoes at the door. They glanced at Dunstan with a bit of disdain.
How dare someone visit the Grand Palace in such shabby clothing?
Did he think this was where the poor could come and go as they wished?
He must be extremely ignorant.
After Dunstan entered the Grand Palace, the four men sneered. One of them said, "Perhaps there will be a sensation tonight. I haven't seen such an ignorant person in a long time. I bet that bastard will be chased out in less than a minute."
After entering the luxurious Grand Palace, Dunstan arrived at the bar with loud music playing in the background.
He took a glance at the young men and women dancing in the middle of the dance floor and proceeded to the bar counter.
Typically, the bartender would enthusiastically introduce various famous wines to any customer who approached him. After all, he could get a higher commission from every expensive wine he sold.
However, the bartender's enthusiasm fell after seeing Dunstan. To those unaware, they might even think that Dunstan owed the bartender a lot of money.
After all, Dunstan didn't look wealthy at all.
The bartender compared Dunstan's outfit to that of those wealthy youngsters who were enjoying their family's wealth.
Dunstan seemed to be wearing a shirt and jeans that cost no more than one or two dollars.
Lumping Dunstan with those youngsters from wealthy families would be an insult to them.
Or so the bartender thought.
He looked impatient and asked, "Sir, are you here to apply for a job as a cleaner?"
Dunstan glanced at the bartender in front of him. This bartender must love to belittle others, he thought.
Seeing that Dunstan didn't reply, the bartender continued, "We don't hire people who do not care about their image. I advise you to go as far as you can. Don't wait to be chased away by security. It won't be very pleasant."
Dunstan ignored the bartender and glanced at the top of the wine cabinet. "Open me a bottle of Lafite from 1982."
Since he intended to cause a scene, he must have the attitude to do so.
Regardless of whether the bartender would hand him the drink, he was determined to make a big fuss.
The bartender couldn't believe his ears and asked Dunstan to repeat his words with uncertainty in his tone.
When he confirmed that what he heard was right, the bartender said with disdain: "Are you treating Lafite as beer?"
A Lafite from 1982 was a top-quality liquor, and it cost no less than five thousand dollars.
Even a typical wealthy second-generation youngster would not be willing to spend so much money on alcohol, much less someone ordinary like Dunstan.
"I won't say it again. Are you going to open it or not?" Dunstan asked with a faint smile as if he were talking about something very ordinary.
Watching Dunstan's calm demeanor, the bartender was a little confused. Could it be that he had misjudged Dunstan?
After all, many affluent people liked to be low-key, deliberately hiding their wealth and skills so that they could turn the tables and laugh at those who suspected their identity.
The bartender had been working for several years and had seen many such people.
After some thought, the bartender's attitude changed. He asked cautiously, "Sir, a bottle of 1982 Lafite costs five thousand dollars. Are you sure you want to open it?"
"Why are you asking so much? Is this how the Grand Palace treats its guests? Are you still trying to run a business?" Dunstan asked as he withdrew his smile.
His temper was growing worse and worse.
One of the reasons was that he was dying to meet Miasma.
If he didn't cause a big scene, how could lure the owner of the Grand Palace out?
Considering Miasma's personality, if Dunstan's guess was right, Miasma would be wild and pleasure-seeking after he came out from years of prison. It wasn't impossible for Miasma to seek pleasure in a place like this.
The Grand Palace was the largest property under the Lopez family. If someone made a scene here, Dunstan believed that its owner wouldn't turn a blind eye.
After detecting the change in Dunstan's tone, the bartender became more convinced that Dunstan Flores was not an ordinary person. After all, ordinary people would not have such confidence when speaking.
Besides, the aura that Dunstan exuded further convinced him that his hunch was right.
Dunstan looked like someone who had experienced many setbacks. He was unlike those dudes who only knew how to enjoy life.
At that moment, the bartender carefully took out the aged wine from the wine cabinet.
The other bartenders watched in envy when they watched the seal on the wine break.
The commission for selling a bottle of Lafite from 1982 was no less than a hundred dollars.
It was an amount they had to work hard to even earn.
Observing the bartender nervously clenching his fists, the corners of Dunstan's lips raised. He picked up his wine glass and gently swirled it a few times.
The bartender was finally relieved when he saw the way Dunstan drank. His actions were something only those who regularly drink would take note of.
If Dunstan was truly ordinary, how would he know how to enjoy a glass of red wine?
However, Dunstan's following action was something no one would have expected.
He threw his wine glass on the floor after taking just a sip!
There was a huge clang.
All the bartenders were stunned.
What was going on?
"This is not a Lafite from 1982. Is it a common practice to sell fake wine to your customers here in the Grand Palace?" Dunstan demanded as he raised an eyebrow.
And judging from his anger, it didn't look like he was pretending at all.
It was as if the bartender had really given him a fake Lafite from 1982.
The bartender also panicked. He was at a loss and didn't know how to handle such situations.
Those nearby who were on the dance floor were attracted by the commotion at the bar.
Some of them stopped dancing and made their way to the bar counter.
"What's going on?"
"What's the commotion about? Is someone trying to cause trouble in the Grand Palace?"
"It seems like something interesting is about to unfold."
Within minutes, the scene became rowdy. Everyone was interested in the young man who was causing trouble, but no one stepped forward to help.
The bartender felt a mix of emotions as he stammered, "Sir, all the wine in the Grand Palace is imported from France. There is no way for them to be fake."
In any case, the bottle of Lafite from 1982 was already opened. It was impossible to seal it back and sell it again.
If Dunstan wanted to leave without paying the bill, the bartender might share the same fate as Dunstan, or even worse.
Five thousand dollars. Even if the bartender were to skip his meals, how long would it take him to earn the five thousand dollars?