At nine in the morning, the first reporter arrived at the winery.
Claire Duval.
Deputy editor of the Paris magazine "Art & Wine".
She was thirty-two or thirty-three years old.
Short hair, a dark green shirt, white trousers, and carrying a calfskin bag.
As she walked into the main building, she glanced at the family portrait on the wall, then looked at the vineyard outside the window.
Her gaze landed on Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang, you are younger than you look in your photos."
Jiang Lin shook her hand.
"Miss Claire, you are also more charming than the photo in your email."
"Mr. Jiang, French men usually say that I am prettier in person than in my photos."
"Saying it too much makes it cliché."
When Isabella came down the stairs, she happened to hear this.
Claire turned around immediately.
"Mrs. Montclair, it is an honor to meet you."
Isabella shook her hand.
"Miss Claire, welcome to Montlais Winery."
Claire looked at her, then at Jiang Lin.
"It seems today's interview will be more interesting than I imagined."
Isabella smiled.
"I hope you are referring to the art and the wine."
"Of course. But art, wine, women, and ambition are inseparable."
Isabella maintained her smile.
"Let's go to the reception room."
The reception room had already been prepared.
On the long table sat a bottle of 2005 Montlais wine.
Two crystal glasses.
A copy of Auguste's preliminary observation notes.
Several processed detail photos of the painting.
Claire brought a photographer and an assistant.
They filmed the interior of the winery and the entrance to the wine cellar.
Shots of Isabella in profile, and Jiang Lin standing by the window looking at the vineyard.
Claire sat down and turned on her voice recorder.
"Mr. Jiang, how did you figure out that 'the lady in the grey dress by the window' was problematic?"
"The hands."
"The hands?"
"The woman in the painting is holding a book, the face is ruined, and the clothes are covered in grime, but the lines of the hands are different."
"An average copyist can imitate composition and light, but it is very difficult to imitate the control of the hands."
Claire's eyes brightened.
"Have you studied art history?"
"I worked as a handyman at an auction house."
"A handyman?"
"Moving paintings, organizing catalogs, pouring coffee for buyers."
"Yet you managed to acquire a suspected Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres at a small auction."
"Standing outside the door for long enough, sometimes you can see things that people inside miss."
"Did you buy this painting with Mrs. Montclair's private mortgage funds?"
"The loan is legal, the interest is clear, and the redemption deadline is defined. Auguste's preliminary observations also prove that this investment is worth continuing."
"That sounds very commercial."
"It is commercial."
Claire glanced at Isabella.
"Mrs. Montclair, how do you evaluate this investment?"
Isabella picked up her wine glass and swirled it gently.
"Expensive, risky, and unsettling."
"And then?"
"As of now, it is very valuable."
Claire gave a meaningful smile.
"I feel that you might be evaluating more than just a painting."
"Miss Claire, I am accustomed to evaluating works, investments, and people all at once."
"Which category does Mr. Jiang belong to?"
"He belongs to all of them."
The photographer pressed the shutter.
The scene was beautiful.
Isabella sat on the wine-red sofa, holding a glass of wine.
Jiang Lin sat in a chair slightly behind her.
Sunlight shone in from the window.
There was no intimate physical contact between them, yet there was a tacit understanding of fighting side by side.
Claire watched them.
"Mr. Jiang, rumors say you are very good at saving women in trouble. Is Mrs. Montclair the first one?"
Before Jiang Lin could speak, there was a soft knock on the door.
Chen Qian stood at the door, holding documents.
"Sorry, Madam, Mr. Alain asked me to bring you the revised bank response."
She had changed into a simple black suit today.
Her hair was tied up, and there was still a hint of nervousness on her face, but she was much calmer than yesterday.
Claire's gaze immediately fell on her.
A reporter's intuition told her that this young girl also had a story.
Isabella did not avoid it.
"Come in."
Chen Qian placed the documents on the table and was about to leave when Claire asked.
"Is this young lady also a winery employee?"
Chen Qian paused and instinctively looked at Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin spoke up.
"Chen Qian, temporary Financial Assistant at Montlais Winery."
"Someone introduced by Mr. Jiang?"
"I brought her back from Paris."
Isabella gently set down her wine glass.
"Miss Chen joined the winery on the recommendation of Mr. Jiang."
Claire raised an eyebrow slightly.
"That sounds like another story."
Isabella's tone was calm.
"If Miss Claire is interested, you may interview her separately, provided she agrees."
Claire looked at Chen Qian.
Chen Qian gripped the folder tightly and took a deep breath.
"I can talk about it."
Jiang Lin glanced at her.
"Think it through."
"I have thought it through."
She stood a little straighter.
"My passport was confiscated, and I was forced to sign a usury debt note. Mr. Jiang helped me get my passport back, and Mrs. Montclair gave me a job opportunity. I work here as a Financial Assistant."
The assistant came over with a mobile phone and whispered a few words.
Claire looked at Jiang Lin, then at Isabella.
"There is a new development in the interview."
Isabella asked.
"What development?"
Claire handed over the phone.
On the screen was a newly released anonymous tip.
"Montlais Oriental Consultant frequented grey basements in Paris, took away young Chinese girls, true identity a mystery."
It implied that he was using the name of Montlais Winery to interfere in the grey market of illegal immigration.
The assistant whispered.
"A few small media outlets have already reposted it."
Jiang Lin took the phone, and after reading it, his expression did not change.
"Slower than I imagined."
Claire was stunned for a moment.
"You knew this would be published?"
"Yes."
Isabella looked at him.
"You were waiting for it to be released?"
"Yes."
Chen Qian looked up abruptly.
Jiang Lin glanced at her.
"Don't be afraid."
Claire's reporter instincts were completely ignited.
"Mr. Jiang, how do you plan to respond?"
Jiang Lin did not answer; he took out his phone and dialed Zhao Hong's number.
He turned on the speakerphone.
Zhao Hong's voice came through, clearly nervous.
"Boss Jiang."
"Is the stuff ready?"
"It's ready."
"Send it to Miss Claire."
"Now?"
"Now."
There was a second of silence on the other end of the line.
"Understood."
In less than half a minute, Claire's email received a file.
Photos of the basement of the laundry in Belleville.
Passports in the iron cabinet.
Usury debt notes.
Chat logs of Zhao Hong and his henchmen confiscating documents.
Anonymous testimonies from several victims.
Transaction records of referral fees between Zhao Hong and certain warehousing labor companies.
Transfer records of Lemaire Wine's affiliated logistics company hiring illegal low-wage workers introduced by Zhao Hong.
Proof of a consulting company under Pierre's name receiving a 200,000 Euro consulting fee from a Lemaire-affiliated account.
Jiang Lin looked at Claire.
"You should know very well how to write the story."
Claire looked up at him.
"You were prepared all along."
"If Pierre can attack me using my background, I can certainly investigate down that line as well."
"Is Zhao Hong willing to cooperate?"
"He has no choice."
Just as Claire was about to continue asking questions, the sound of a car came from outside the main building.
Martin walked in.
"Madam, Mr. Pierre is here."
Isabella's eyes turned cold.
"He came just in time."
"He also brought a lawyer from Lemaire Wine, as well as two reporters."
Claire smiled.
"Today is truly a good day for an interview."
Jiang Lin said: "Let them in."
Isabella looked at him.
Jiang Lin nodded.
"Since they brought reporters, let the reporters take more pictures."
A few minutes later, Pierre walked into the reception room aggressively.
He was followed by a middle-aged lawyer and two tabloid reporters.
The people from Lemaire Wine did not show up, having sent a lawyer instead.
Pierre said.
"Isabella, as a member of the Montlais family, I formally demand that you immediately remove Jiang Lin from all his positions at the winery."
Isabella sat on the sofa without rising.
"Reason?"
Pierre pointed at Jiang Lin.
"He has close ties with grey intermediaries in Belleville, Paris. Keeping such a person at Montlais Winery will ruin the family's reputation."
Jiang Lin smiled.
"Mr. Pierre, you are late."
Pierre was stunned.
Claire pushed the files she had just received onto the table.
"Mr. Pierre, we have received some materials involving financial dealings between Lemaire Wine's affiliated companies and grey labor intermediaries in Paris, as well as a 200,000 Euro consulting fee received by a consulting firm under your name. How do you explain this?"
Pierre's face changed instantly.
"The source of these materials is unknown and cannot be used as formal evidence."
Jiang Lin nodded.
"That is why we will hand them over to the police, tax authorities, and labor inspection departments."
The lawyer's face also changed.
Pierre said angrily:
"Jiang Lin, stop trying to change the subject! We are talking about your status right now!"
"My status is very clear."
Jiang Lin took out his passport.
"Legal passport."
He then took out his employment contract.
"Special Consultant for the Asian Market at Montlais Winery."
He then took out a copy of the equity framework agreement.
"Core Partner of Montlais Winery."
Finally, he placed Isabella's handwritten guarantee letter on the table.
"And a handwritten guarantee from Mrs. Montclair."
Jiang Lin looked at Pierre.
"What about you? In what capacity are you standing here right now? As a family member who took 200,000 Euros from a potential acquirer?"
"A relative who helps a bank pressure a widow to sign, or a temporary mouthpiece for Lemaire Wine?"
"You have no right to humiliate the Montlais family!"
Isabella stood up.
"Pierre, you cannot represent the Montlais family."
Pierre looked at her.
"Isabella, are you willing to give up the family for this man of unknown origin?"
Isabella walked up to him step by step.
"Pierre, the person who is truly ruining the family's reputation is you."
The lawyer from Lemaire Wine immediately stepped forward.
"Mrs. Montclair, Mr. Jiang, we only hope to clarify some issues that may damage the winery's reputation. We will formally investigate the labor referral fees and consulting fees."
Jiang Lin said: "Very good."
He picked up another file.
"Please also check whether the warehousing company under Lemaire Wine has used undocumented labor in the past three years."
"Whether referral fees were paid through Zhao Hong."
"Whether they participated in the acquisition plan after suppressing the valuation of Montlais Winery."
The lawyer's face stiffened.
Jiang Lin continued.
"Miss Claire is right here, you can publicly deny it."
"I do not admit to these things!"
"That's fine, the police will ask slowly."
"You dare to call the police?"
"Alain is already preparing the materials."
Jiang Lin looked at Martin.
"Show them out."
Martin stepped forward.
"Mr. Pierre, please."
Pierre stood still, looking at Isabella.
"You will regret this."
Isabella said calmly.
"You have said this many times."
Jiang Lin took over the conversation.
"Change your line next time."
Pierre was so angry his face turned blue, and he was half-dragged, half-persuaded out by the lawyer.
The two reporters also followed them out.
As they left, they looked at Jiang Lin and Isabella.
They had originally wanted to film a consultant scandal.
Now they had a much bigger topic in their hands.
"French wine acquirer involved in grey labor chain? Internal strife in the Montlais family escalates."
After the door to the reception room closed, Chen Qian finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Isabella looked at her.
"You did very well."
Chen Qian pursed her lips and nodded forcefully.
"Thank you, Madam."
Claire also looked at her.
"Miss Chen, if you are willing, you can include your part. Unnecessary personal information will be omitted."
Chen Qian instinctively looked at Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin said: "Decide for yourself."
Chen Qian thought for a moment.
"You can write it. Please write that I am the Financial Assistant at Montlais Winery."
Claire smiled.
"Of course."
Isabella looked at Chen Qian, her expression softening a little.
This girl was learning to stand tall.
This was a good thing for the winery.
And a good thing for Jiang Lin, too.
It was just that the way she looked at Jiang Lin with such reliance and admiration made her feel a little uncomfortable.
Claire packed up her voice recorder and walked up to Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang, today's interview is enough to write a very exciting article. I have one more private question."
Isabella looked over.
Claire asked with a smile.
"Mr. Jiang, women are very willing to stand up for you—Mrs. Montclair, Miss Chen, and Mrs. Wendell. How do you do it?"
Jiang Lin looked at Claire.
"You missed one."
"Who?"
"You."
"Me?"
"You will also write an article for me today."
"Mr. Jiang, you are really something."
Isabella spoke up.
"Miss Claire, it is better not to include this sentence in the article."
Claire looked at her.
"Of course, I know what is suitable for the public and what is suitable to be left at the dinner table."
"You are very smart."
"In Paris, women who are not smart find it hard to stay."
Claire packed up her bag and said goodbye to Isabella.
Before leaving, she took one last look at Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang, I hope we can arrange a separate interview."
Isabella smiled.
"Miss Claire can contact my office first."
"Very well, Madam."
Chen Qian clutched her documents, feeling that it was dangerous to continue standing here.
"I... I will go find Mr. Alain."
Isabella looked at Jiang Lin.
"You did that on purpose just now."
"Which part?"
"You missed one."
"Madam, you have been very sensitive lately."
"Jiang Lin, the women around you will only increase, right?"
"Yes."
"Victoria Wendell, Claire, Chen Qian, there will be others in the future."
"There will."
"You aren't even willing to deny it?"
"Denial is meaningless."
"Then why do you think I will always stand by your side?"
"Because you will not stand behind me."
"People will fight for the position beside you too."
"Then let them fight."
"You are very bad."
"I am very honest."
"Jiang Lin, Mrs. Wendell will like this sense of danger from you."
"What about you?"
"I will guard against you, and I will continue to invest in you."
At this moment, Martin knocked on the door again.
"Madam, a new email has arrived from London."
"Read it."
Martin unfolded the document.
"Mrs. Wendell confirms that she will receive you and Mr. Jiang at Wendell Castle at ten o'clock in the morning three days from now. She says that Mr. Jiang can rest assured, as there are many guest rooms in Wendell Castle and it can accommodate all the ladies who are willing to accompany him."
Isabella took the email from Martin and scanned it.
"Reply to her."
"Please go ahead, Madam."
"Thank Mrs. Wendell for her thoughtfulness. Montlais Winery will arrange the accompanying personnel. She can count for herself how many ladies are accompanying Mr. Jiang."
"Yes, Madam."
Jiang Lin looked at Isabella.
"Who do you plan to take with you?"
"Chen Qian."
"Her?"
"Pierre just used her to make a point; leaving her in France would be dangerous."
"That works."
"Claire will not be accompanying us."
"I haven't asked yet."
"That's why I said it first."
Zhao Hong sent a message in the evening.
【Boss Jiang, the people at Lemaire are panicking】
【Pierre's phone is unreachable】
【The name Zhao Hong is dangerous now too, should I run away?】
Jiang Lin replied:
【Not yet, back up the evidence, wait for my instructions】
【Boss Jiang, I am really working for you now, you have to protect me】
【Depends on your performance】
At night, Chen Qian moved into the guest room on the second floor closest to the small meeting room.
After showering, she sat on the edge of the bed for a long time without lying down.
She looked out the window.
The light in the study in the distance was still on.
Jiang Lin should still be there.
She gently hugged her knees, feeling a very complicated emotion in her heart.
Gratitude.
Awe.
Reliance.
And a palpitation she dared not admit to herself.
In the study, Jiang Lin finished reading the last page of the Wendell Family asset list.
System text appeared.
【Montlais Winery reputation crisis counterattack complete】
【Target trust level: 87 → 90】
【Chen Qian's fate line activated】
【Character positioning: Financial Assistant, Chinese channel node, potential harem side-quest character】
【Isabella's emotional change: possessiveness increased, willingness to go to London strengthened】
【Countdown to Wendell Castle meeting: three days】
【Hint: The core conflict of the London arc is about to begin】
Jiang Lin closed the file.
The wind of Bordeaux blew through the vineyard.
He picked up a fountain pen and wrote three names on the London itinerary.
Jiang Lin.
Isabella.
Chen Qian.
He paused, and wrote another name in the blank space.
Victoria Wendell.