Chapter 63: Promoting the Grape Brick

Naturally, Clay was also very curious about Vincent's whereabouts over the years.

However, since Vincent hadn't even told Ethan, it was even less likely that he would confide in Clay.

For a moment, Clay was left speechless with frustration.

"You two brothers really..."

He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. Finally, he drained a glass of whiskey and shook his head, as if to say, *Fine, I forgive you both.*

"Actually, I came here tonight for something important."

"Oh?"

"The way you guys took out Lewis today was truly satisfying; everyone is thrilled. Lately, Lewis has cost everyone way too much money, but... this is definitely not the end."

Ethan was well aware of this fact.

Lewis was merely a mad dog unleashed by the Prohibition Bureau; they would never be afraid or back down just because a dog had died. On the contrary...

"The Prohibition Bureau will definitely make a move. I've already heard that Marvin has brought in someone very formidable from the capital."

Hearing Clay's words, Ethan thought of the Ebelin Court he had seen earlier today.

That was indeed a man to be wary of.

"In any case, you must be careful. Also, Sandro is planning to hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss our next steps and the recent distribution of profits."

Ethan nodded.

He had just been planning to meet those people anyway, and incidentally promote his newly developed grape bricks.

After that, the three of them drank for a while longer before parting ways.

Early the next morning, just as Ethan was planning to head to the factory in the southern suburbs to pick up his goods and then rush off to the meeting, he unexpectedly received a phone call.

The caller surprised him—it was none other than Poper himself.

"Master Poper, to what do I owe the honor of your call?" Ethan asked, feigning flattery and surprise.

"Because I want to visit you. When are you free?"

Although Ethan already knew that his painting had been highly praised by Poper, he hadn't expected Poper to hold him in such high regard.

El had indeed called last night to mention that Poper was planning to pay a visit in person.

Ethan had simply assumed the man was just being polite; after all, for a so-called master, theatricality was a very important part of daily routine.

In his original plan, he would find a day to visit Poper's residence and ask for his guidance, which would make for a charming anecdote.

Who could have expected that this Master Poper was actually so genuine and spontaneous?

"I'm afraid I won't be free until the afternoon, Master."

"Then the afternoon it is. Two o'clock this afternoon, how does that sound?"

Poper sounded eager and impatient.

Ethan could only sigh, thinking that this must be the very charm of Dalí.

When he had received the designated theme, the first thing that came to his mind was Dalí's famous masterpiece, *The Persistence of Memory*.

Coupled with the fact that Poper's artistic style happened to be somewhat close to Dalí's, he had casually produced that final draft sketch.

Not only had it passed smoothly, but looking at it now, there was still enormous potential for exploitation.

Perhaps the key to unlocking the upper crust of Winster society lay right here.

However, he had to attend the meeting first.

Following his original schedule, Ethan first went to the handicraft factory to pick up his goods and checked in on Walter's research progress.

Motivated by the six-percent royalty incentive, Walter's progress was astonishing. In just a few short days, his product had rapidly iterated.

The production cost of the current grape bricks had dropped to roughly the equivalent of a little over one bottle of moonshine, while the flavor was even better and more consistent.

If such a product were to be mass-produced and sold, people out there would go wild.

At twenty past ten in the morning, on the third floor of the North Star Hotel, inside the very same large conference room.

When Ethan arrived, everyone was already seated.

Yet, no one voiced any complaints about Ethan's tardiness.

Mainly, it was because he had eliminated Lewis—the trouble that had plagued them all for so long.

"Let us toast to Ethan, to celebrate his elimination of the scourge that has harmed our interests for so long."

Sandro even stood up of his own accord, leading the others in applause.

Everyone was in high spirits, especially George, whose Evans family had suffered heavy losses due to recent targeting; if Lewis hadn't been killed, George would have had to take matters into his own hands.

Once the applause subsided, the meeting began.

In truth, over the past month or so, their business had generally run smoothly.

Even with the Prohibition Bureau meddling and interfering, it merely meant earning a little less. Even for the Evans family, who suffered the heaviest losses, they were still turning a profit when everything was calculated.

However...

"The upcoming situation will only become more severe. While Lewis's death is certainly cause for celebration, the Prohibition Bureau will not sit idly by. According to my latest information, Marvin has brought in a man named Ebelin Court. This man single-handedly purged the underworld of Redrock City within half a year. He is by no means an ordinary character, so everyone must be cautious."

After the joy of victory, John Holt poured the first bucket of cold water on the gathering.

"Moreover, the Prohibition Bureau's inspections are becoming more frequent and meticulous. Many previously hidden stash locations and liquor distribution schemes are no longer effective. Does anyone have any good ideas?"

Danny seized the opportunity to take over the conversation.

This was clearly a problem everyone was facing.

Ethan had also caught wind of the rumors that Prohibition agents had recently acquired a batch of specially trained dogs—possibly even empowered by True Name magic—capable of sniffing out alcohol from a great distance and pinpointing the exact location of illicit spirits.

Yet, Danny's words played directly into Ethan's hands.

He didn't speak up immediately. Instead, waiting until the room fell silent, he gave a gentle clap of his hands.

"Gentlemen, perhaps I can offer you all a little assistance."

First, he had someone bring over a glass of water, and then, right in front of everyone, he dropped in the latest generation of the grape brick.

In moments, the grape brick dissolved in the water, turning it into a sea of purple.

Ethan also passed the glass around for everyone to smell. Aside from a faint, fresh fragrance of grapes, there was no other scent whatsoever.

The people seated around the table exchanged confused glances, failing to grasp what Ethan was driving at.

"Gentlemen, if I were to tell you that this glass of water will ferment into grape wine in three days, what would your thoughts be?"

At these words, everyone's breathing hitched.

"Is that true?"

"How is that even possible?!"

Ethan had anticipated this reaction. He simply brought out more samples, placed them neatly on the table, and said, "True or not, each of you can take one piece back and try it for yourselves. But I must remind you, you only have three days. After three days, if anyone comes to me, I will still offer them a preferential thirty-percent-off friendship discount. After three days, it will be strictly full price, and I will not wait for anyone."

Seeing Ethan display such absolute confidence, everyone was left suspended between doubt and astonishment.

After all, if what Ethan said was true, then the value of this product would be beyond imagination.

It was not only utterly covert, completely capable of evading the Prohibition Bureau's investigations, but if operated well, it could even be run as a completely legitimate business.

After all, before it underwent fermentation, it was not alcohol at all.

Could such a crazy thing truly exist?