Emanuel, apron tied tightly around his waist and sleeves rolled up, emerged brandishing a cleaver like an old warrior. His gaze locked onto Colton, seething with fury.
“Who taught you to talk like that? Some ill-mannered creature comes in here and thinks they can make a scene? Get out! Now!”
In his younger days, Emanuel's reputation was legendary. He once fought another artist—over ceramics, no less—in front of the media. Even now, well into his sixties, that fire burned fiercely within him. And when it came to Allison, his protective instincts flared. After all, he'd convinced her to come, and this arrogant jerk dared to cause trouble under his roof!
"Careful, Emanuel," Allison said, rushing to his side, sensing the danger in his rising anger. He was no fledgling, and she wanted to prevent him from overreacting.
"Don't worry," he barked. "No one bullies you in my house. You're too soft. You should slap him! And if his parents were here, I'd slap them too!" His temper remained unbridled.
Melany, realizing she was in the presence of the legendary master potter, nervously stepped back. Emanuel waved his knife, increasing her panic. She hurriedly pulled an invitation from her bag, hoping to de-escalate the situation.
"Sir, please, let's not escalate this. This is for your good name," she said in her most innocent tone, flashing a tight smile. "We won this pottery exchange spot at auction and came here out of admiration for you. But, in an argument with Colton, Allison she, well, she claimed to be your teacher."
Melany's voice wavered, a mix of meekness and caution. "She was angry, and although disrespectful, she didn't mean it."
Emanuel cut her off. "Allison made no mistake. She is my teacher." He stood tall, pride brimming in his voice. "It took me three days and nights to get him to reveal his secret techniques."
Melany's smile faltered. "You've got to be joking."
"Who do you think you are?" Emanuel boomed. "Do you doubt me? Get out! And let me tell you something: I'll talk to that auction house later. So what if they have money? They let anyone in these days."
Colton and Melany froze, faces filled with disbelief and humiliation. Emanuel's statement left them flabbergasted, and Allison's calm demeanor only intensified their pain.
"Willing to gamble but not face the consequences? Where is your honor?" Allison's eyes sparkled with amusement as she mocked them, her voice firm and unyielding.
Tension hung heavy. Neither side would back down.
"Mr. Welsh, I respect your talent," Melany began again, raising her voice as more people gathered at the door. "But that doesn't mean you can fool everyone. Colton knows Allison inside and out. Besides, this is all just rumor."
Melany sighed. "It may sound harsh, but that's the reality."
As she finished, several people entered the courtyard, carrying gifts.
"Who's disturbing Mr. Welsh?" The newcomers respectfully shook Emanuel's hand, then cast cold, contemptuous glances at Melany and Colton, clearly viewing them as pretentious intruders.
"Someone's trying to tarnish Mr. Welsh's good name," Melany said, relieved by the arrivals. Creating chaos was, after all, her specialty. "Mrs. Clarke says she's Mr. Welsh's teacher."
Emanuel grumbled, "That's just how it is! There's no arguing with it." The newcomers exchanged surprised glances, their skepticism evident as they scrutinized Allison. Despite her striking appearance, the claim seemed far-fetched. Just as one was about to voice his doubt, another quickly silenced him, sensing Emanuel's unwavering support for the young woman, but also recognizing that this farce might have gone too far.