THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 361: A Great Cup Of Coffee Helps

"So, how’s the competition been?" Killian asked, glancing at her as they navigated through the morning traffic.

"Intense," Lauren admitted. "But it’s been fun. The second day’s Signature Drink Challenge was a blast. Our team won with full marks with great feedback from the judges."

"Congrats sis" Killian ruffled Lauren’s hair. "Grandpa would be so proud of you if he gets to know one of us is actually following in his footsteps."

"Yeah. But I don’t intend to let him know yet. I don’t want him flying over and disrupting the whole show with his presence.

They both shared a laugh, when they recalled the old man’s character.

Before heading out to the Expo Centre, they dropped by the cafe where the rest of the team were waiting. After making sure everything was set, they left.

Lauren rode with Killian while the rest followed in the company van as they left for the Expo Center.

"Today’s going to be even tougher, though. It’s the final day, and everyone’s bringing their A-game," Lauren said, looking out the window as the city rushed by.

"Just remember, you’ve got this. You’ve always been the best at what you do," Killian encouraged, his voice filled with brotherly pride.

What he didn’t reveal was that he had been following the show from day one and also knew about Peggy’s underhanded means in each of the events. There were even things Lauren as a participant was not aware of that he was privy to know about, but that would be revealed to her at the right time.

Lauren smiled. "Thanks, Killian. It means a lot having you here."

"Anytime, sis. I’m making up for lost time," he replied, giving her a reassuring grin. "And besides, it’s not every day I get to be the chauffeur for my superstar sister."

They both laughed, and resumed their chat about their grandfather as they continued their journey.

After about a twenty minute drive, The Expo Centre loomed into view, its glass facade gleaming in the morning sun.

"Here we are," Killian announced as he pulled up to the entrance. But we’ve got quite the crowd out here," Killian said as he found somewhere to park.

"It’s expected, being the last day," Lauren said as her gaze also swept over the crowd.

Today, not only the contestants were in the venue but the place was packed full with supporters who had come to watch the final showdown.

In addition, reporters have also been given access to give updates of the event although it was still going to be live-streamed.

They didn’t pay any attention to Killian’s Chevrolet since it wasn’t too catchy, giving Lauren the privacy and peaceful entry she craved.

"Go show them what you’re made of," Killian said as he opened the central lock.

Lauren took a deep breath and opened the door. "I will. Thanks for the ride, Killian."

"Good luck, sis, I’ll be in the audience," he announced, causing Lauren’s hand that was on the car handle to freeze.

"What?!" You’re staying?" she asked in disbelief. Was she hallucinating or had her hearing been tampered with?

"Mm-hmm," Killian replied casually as if it was the normal thing to do.

"That’ll be great, but aren’t you busy?" Lauren probed, not daring to believe it yet.

"I guess you don’t want me here? I might as well go back, I have more important things to attend to. Now get your ass off my car," Killian ordered.

"Tsk!! So short tempered! Can’t you indulge your little sister a bit. Which elder brother behaves the way you do?" Lauren pouted.

"Of course it can only be me. You can’t find a brother as awesome as me anywhere else," Kilian boasted.

Lauren snorted and without another word, got out of the car and headed to where the other team members were getting off from their car and regretted it immediately as she was instantly swamped by reporters who had already started their job.

Killian chuckled to himself and went off in another direction to look for someone, leaving his stubborn sister to deal with the reporters.

"We are here reporting live from the Expo center where the annual competition is being hosted."

"Today, being the last day, so many coffee enthusiasts have come out in their thousands as could be seen from the massive crowd here."

"And just arrived is none other than the leader of Empress Brew, Ms Lauren Holmes."

"Ms. Holmes, what are your thoughts on Empress Brew’s chances of winning this year?" one reporter asked, his notepad ready.

Lauren smiled confidently. "We’ve put our heart and soul into our preparations this year. Our chances are strong, but the real victory for us is in the journey and the improvements we’ve made as a team."

"How do you feel about the competition so far? Any particular teams you see as strong contenders?" another reporter queried.

"The competition has been fierce and motivating," Lauren replied. "Every team here has something unique to offer, but we’re confident in our own abilities and are here to showcase our best."

"Can you tell us about any new techniques or blends Empress Brew has introduced for this competition?" a third reporter asked, leaning in. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Absolutely!" Lauren said with a hint of enthusiasm. "We’ve integrated some cutting-edge roasting techniques and have been working on a few exclusive blends that highlight rare and exotic beans. As you already know, they’ve impressed even the most discerning palates."

"Are there any challenges your team faced leading up to today?" another reporter inquired.

"Definitely. From sourcing the best beans to perfecting our brewing methods, every step came with its own set of hurdles," Lauren said, her tone becoming more reflective. "But overcoming these challenges has brought us closer as a team."

"What would you say sets Empress Brew apart from other competitors?" the first reporter asked again.

"Our relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation," Lauren replied confidently. "We strive to create unique coffee experiences that go beyond the ordinary, combining tradition with modern techniques."

"There has been speculation that you learned under Sir Olivier Rousseau. How true is that?" another reporter asked, causing a slight tension in the air.

Lauren maintained her composure and smiled. "We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and introduce new products. We’re also exploring sustainable practices to ensure our growth benefits both our customers and the environment."

"Everyone: "..."

That was a clever way to dodge the question, they never knew the seemingly innocent barista was this slippery.

They all saw that Laureen didn’t want to talk about her relationship with the renowned coffee master, leaving them to endless guessing, so the reporter had no choice but to move on to the next question.

"How do you manage the pressure and expectations as the leader of such a renowned team?" she asked.

"Staying grounded and focused is key," Lauren said, her voice steady. "I rely on my team’s support and remind myself that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. And of course, a great cup of coffee helps!"

This caused the listeners to burst out in laughter and soon, the hashtag "a great cup of coffee helps," started trending.

Just as the reporters were concluding with Lauren, Peggy arrived with her team from Café Solstice. The reporters immediately shifted their attention to her, eager for the next round of questions.