Chapter 33:

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Emanuel, with an apron snugly tied around his waist and cooking sleeves rolled up, marched out wielding a cleaver like an old warrior ready for battle. His glare was fixed on Colton, seething with fury. “Who taught you to run your mouth 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 fiery reputation was the stuff of legends. He had once gotten into a fistfight with a fellow artist over a disagreement on ceramics — right in front of the media, no less. Even now, well into his sixties, that same fire still burned fiercely within him. And when it came to Allison, his protective instincts flared up like a bonfire. After all, he had persuaded her to visit, and now this arrogant fool dared to cause trouble under his roof!

“Careful, Emanuel,” Allison said, rushing to support him, sensing the danger in his rising anger. He was no spring chicken, and the last thing she wanted was for him to push himself too far.

“Don’t you worry,” he barked. “No one bullies you in my house. You’re too soft. You should go slap him! And if his parents were here, I’d slap them too!” His temper hadn’t cooled one bit as he spoke.

Melany, realizing she was in the presence of the legendary pottery master, nervously took a few steps back. Emanuel waving that cleaver around only added to her panic. Hurriedly, she pulled out an invitation from her bag, hoping to calm the situation.

“Sir, please, let’s not escalate things. This is all for the sake of your good name,” she said in her most innocent tone, flashing a strained smile. “We just won this pottery exchange slot at auction, and we came here out of admiration for you. But in the heat of an argument with Colton, Allison… she, well, slipped up and claimed to be your teacher.”

Melany’s voice wavered, a mix of meekness and caution. “She was upset, and while it was disrespectful, she didn’t mean it.”

Emanuel cut her off sharply. “Allison didn’t slip up. She really is my teacher.”

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He stood tall, pride brimming in his voice. “It took me three long days and nights to get her to reveal her secret techniques.”

Melany’s smile faltered, stretching thin. “You must be joking…”

“Who do you think you are?” Emanuel shot back, his voice thunderous. “Doubting me? Get out! And let me tell you something — later, I’ll have a word with that auction house. So what if they’re rolling in money? They’re letting just anyone in these days!”

Colton and Melany stood frozen, their faces a mix of disbelief and humiliation. Emanuel’s claim had struck them dumb, and Allison’s calm demeanor only made the sting worse.

“Willing to gamble but not face the consequences? Where’s your honor?” Allison’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she mocked them, her voice steady and unyielding, like a mountain.

The tension hung thick in the air, neither side willing to back down. “Mr. Welsh, I respect your talent,” Melany began again, her voice rising as she noticed more people gathering outside the door. “But that doesn’t mean you can deceive everyone. Colton knows Allison inside and out. Besides, all of this is just hearsay.”

Melany let out a resigned sigh. “It might sound tough, but that’s the reality of the situation.”

As she finished speaking, a few people strolled into the yard, bearing gifts.

“Who’s making all this racket and bothering Mr. Welsh?” The newcomers shook hands with Emanuel respectfully, one by one, before casting cold, dismissive glances at Melany and Colton, clearly regarding them as pretentious intruders.

“It’s all because someone’s out to smear Mr. Welsh’s good name,” Melany said, catching sight of the new arrivals and feeling a sense of relief wash over her. After all, creating a bit of chaos in a crowd was her specialty. “Mrs. Clarke claims she’s Mr. Welsh’s teacher.”

Emanuel grumbled, “That’s the way it is, plain and simple! It’s not up for debate!” The newcomers exchanged surprised glances, their skepticism evident as they scrutinized Allison.

Despite her striking appearance, the assertion that she was Emanuel’s teacher seemed far-fetched. Just as one of them was about to voice his doubts, another quickly tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to keep quiet.

This person figured Emanuel was steadfast in his defense of the young woman, but it seemed that this farce might have crossed the line.

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