Chapter 1245:
Geltayâs words left Melany and Colton feeling humiliated.
âMr. Norwood, thatâs unfair,â Melany said, her voice carrying a note of frustration. âJust because weâre from Ontdale doesnât mean weâve ever wronged you. I hope youâll give us a chance to discuss the order.â
She looked at him with a hurt expression. âI donât know if Ms. Clarke or the others have offended you, but weâre different. We believe in respect.â
Before she could finish, Geltay cut her off. âTo me, everyone from Ontdale is incompetent. Doing business with you is a complete waste of time.â
He sneered as he casually swung his golf club. âTake golf, for example. I once played with a client from Ontdale â he hit the ball softer than an old lady.â
It sounded like a simple taunt, but his words carried an unmistakable insult aimed at everyone from Ontdale.
The people behind him erupted into laughter.
âThatâs right! I still remember that guy â his attitude was just as bad as his game. He played like he was performing slapstick comedy! He even fell flat on his face. Mr. Norwood is pure elegance when he swings, but some people? They just flail around like theyâre shadowboxing, and the ball doesnât even move.â
âThis is why Ontdale hasnât produced a single real expert in years. That place doesnât breed strong people.â
The jeers continued, their faces dripping with mockery. Even Colton, usually patient, had a rare frost in his expression. This was getting out of hand.
But before he could react, Melany gave his sleeve a subtle tug â a silent signal for him not to take the bait.
She knew that Geltay wasnât someone they could afford to cross. It seemed they would have to let this go, but Melany wasnât ready to give up so easily.
gâ²ð ððνðð ð.kððº â ðð²ð»ð¼ð½ ð¬ð±ð®ð¬ð´
âMr. Norwood,â she began, her voice steady but tinged with defiance. âI admit Ontdale isnât known for its golf scene. But Colton knows a little,â she said, trying to remain agreeable, hoping to show their worth.
âWe could play with you â more players make it more exciting.â She wasnât particularly bothered by the insults. After all, even Allison and Kellan had been dismissed.
Even if they had a black card, it didnât seem to matter. In Geltayâs eyes, they were all in the same boat.
But before Melany could say anything else, Geltayâs people burst into laughter again.
âItâs not impossible to add another player. But Mr. Norwood has a rule â losers get punished.â
Geltay nodded, licking his dry lips as his eyes scanned the group before him.
Although they were all from Ontdale, Geltay could sense the divide between them. There were two rivaling sides, and that made things even more interesting.
Competition was his favorite game.
âIf you lose to me, youâll have to bark like a dog as a forfeit â and pick up the golf ball with your mouth,â he said, his smile dripping with ridicule.
âSo, Miss Johnson, are you up for it?â
âThis is outright humiliation,â Colton muttered, his hands clenching into fists. âIâm not agreeing to such a ridiculous demand.â
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