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Chapter 5 - A Cousin's Counsel

"Étienne," Amélie answered the call, leaning back in her chair. Étienne had been managing one of the smaller vineyards in the Loire Valley, but he had a mind for business that Amélie admired. He had always been someone she could turn to when things got tough.

"Amélie, how are you?" Étienne's voice was warm but tinged with concern, as if he already sensed something was wrong.

"I'm managing," she replied, running a hand through her hair. "I could use your advice though. Something came up."

"I'm listening," he said.

Amélie hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain the situation without sounding desperate. "I received an email from an American company. They're interested in buying the vineyard."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Buying? As in… a full acquisition?"

"Yes," Amélie confirmed. "Midtown Ventures. They want to meet to discuss it."

Étienne's exhale was slow, as if he were carefully choosing his words. "That's… significant. I've heard of them. They're big in the wine industry, especially in the U.S."

"I know," Amélie said, standing up from the table and pacing the room. "But you know what they do to the estates they buy. They turn them into commercial operations. Mass-production. They'll destroy everything that makes Beaumont Vineyards special."

Étienne was quiet for a moment before speaking. "It's not that simple, Amélie. I understand your hesitation, but look at the bigger picture. The vineyard is in trouble. You can't ignore that."

"I'm not ignoring it!" Amélie's voice grew sharp, though she immediately regretted it. "I just don't know if I can hand over everything we've built to some corporate machine."

"I get that," Étienne said softly. "But think about what the vineyard needs. It's not just about tradition—it's about survival. And you can't do this alone, Amélie. The market is different now. You need help."

Amélie stopped pacing and leaned against the counter, her shoulders slumping. "I know. But selling the vineyard feels like admitting defeat. Like I'm letting everyone down."

Étienne's voice softened. "No one would see it that way. You've done everything you can to keep the vineyard going. But sometimes you have to make tough decisions to ensure its future. Maybe selling isn't about giving up—it's about finding a way forward."

Amélie sighed heavily, her mind swirling with thoughts. Étienne was right. The vineyard couldn't survive on pride alone, and she couldn't keep fighting an uphill battle with no resources. But the thought of selling to Midtown Ventures filled her with dread. How could she balance saving the vineyard with protecting its legacy?

"There's something else," Étienne added, his tone shifting. "I've heard that Jack Reynolds is the one behind Midtown's interest. He's one of the biggest players in the game right now."

Amélie frowned. "Jack Reynolds? The billionaire?"

"That's the one," Étienne confirmed. "He's been buying up properties all over Europe. He's aggressive, but he gets results. If he's involved, you should be prepared. He'll come at you hard, and he'll want an answer fast."

The name sent a chill down Amélie's spine. She had heard of Jack Reynolds—everyone had. He was ruthless, a shark in the business world, and he always got what he wanted. The idea of sitting across from a man like him, negotiating the fate of her family's vineyard, was overwhelming.

"What do you think I should do?" Amélie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Étienne was quiet for a long moment before replying. "I think you should hear them out. But don't make any decisions until you're sure. This is your family's legacy we're talking about. Just… be careful."

"I will," she promised.

As she ended the call and stood in the quiet kitchen, Amélie's mind raced with possibilities and fears. The vineyard's future was hanging by a thread, and the weight of that responsibility pressed down on her like never before. She wasn't just fighting for her family's legacy—she was fighting for her own future.

And now, a ruthless American billionaire had entered the fray.