Chapter 215
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the editing bay where Evelyn Roland sat. Her fingers hovered over the playback button.
Blake Sherwood's cinematography made her eyes brighten.
"Your framing has remarkable tension." She turned to the lanky director standing beside her. "This narrative pacing—it's innate talent."
Blake's ears flushed pink. He rubbed his palms together, remembering the camera equipment gathering dust in storage.
Had Evelyn not sought him out, those forgotten tools might never have seen daylight again.
"Ms. Roland..." His voice caught.
Evelyn inserted a flash drive into her computer, lips curving gently.
"Your commission will be deposited on schedule." She paused. "You deserve a better platform."
Only the rhythmic tapping of keyboards filled the studio. Blake watched her focused profile and quietly clenched his fist.
Three days later, Château Laurent's official account updated.
The hashtag #VintnersLegacy spread like wildfire.
[I'm in tears! My grandfather was exactly this kind of craftsman]
[This is true artisan spirit]
[Order placed—supporting ethical businesses]
Live footage from the winery showed crowds flooding the tasting room.
Sebastian Valdemar tapped his fingers against the mahogany desk. His screen replayed Evelyn's documentary on loop.
"Fascinating," he murmured.
Theodore Ashcroft noted with surprise how his CEO's brow had relaxed three degrees more than usual.
When Sebastian reached for his phone, Theodore discreetly exited the office.
The call connected to a cacophony of car horns.
"Busy?"
"Mr. Valdemar?" Evelyn's breathless voice crackled through. "If this is about your follow-up appointment—"
"Excellent work," he interrupted. "I wanted—"
"Apologies, we've got a situation at the vineyard." Footsteps pounded in the background. "I'll call you back."
The dial tone hummed. Sebastian stared at the darkened screen, then chuckled unexpectedly.
Outside, Theodore nearly spilled his coffee.