Emanuel, apron tied tightly around his waist and cooking sleeves rolled up, came out brandishing a cleaver like an old warrior ready for battle.


    His gaze locked on Colton, seething with fury.


    “Who taught you to talk like that? Some ill-mannered creaturees in here and thinks they can make a scene? Get out of here! Right now.


    ”


    In his younger days, Emanuel’s reputation was the stuff of legend.


    He once got into a fistfight with another artist over a disagreement about ceramics, in front of the media, no less.


    Even now, well into his sixties, that same fire still burned fiercely inside him.


    And when it came to Allison, his protective instincts red like a bonfire.


    After all, he’d convinced her toe along, and now this arrogant jerk dared to cause trouble under his roof!


    “Careful, Emanuel,” Allison said, rushing to his side, sensing danger in his rising anger.


    He was no fledgling, and thest thing she wanted was for him to step out of line.


    “Don’t worry,” he barked.


    “No one bullies you in my house.


    You’re too soft.


    You should go p him.


    And if his parents were here, I’d p them too!” His temper hadn’t calmed down one bit as he spoke.


    Mny, realizing she was in the presence of the legendary master potter, nervously took a few steps back.


    Emanuel waved his knife around to increase her panic.


    She hurriedly pulled an invitation out of her bag, hoping to calm the situation.


    “Sir, please let’s not escte things.


    This is all for the sake of your good name,” she said in her most innocent tone, shing a tight smile.


    “We just won this pottery exchange spot at an auction, and we came here out of admiration for you.


    But in the heat of an argument with Colton, Allison… she, well, she slipped up and imed to be your teacher.


    ”


    Mny''s voice wavered, a mix of meekness and caution.


    "She was angry, and although it was disrespectful, she didn''t mean it.


    "


    Emanuel cut her off abruptly.


    “Allison didn’t make any mistakes.


    She really is my teacher.


    ”


    He stood up straight, pride brimming in his voice.


    “It took me three long days and three long nights to get him to reveal his secret techniques to me.


    ”


    Mny''s smile faltered, fading.


    "You''ve got to be joking.


    .


    .


    "


    “Who do you think you are?” Emanuel replied, his voice booming.


    “Do you doubt me? Get out.


    And let me tell you something: I’ll talk to that auction houseter.


    So what if they have a lot of money? They let anyone in these days.


    ”


    Colton and Mny froze, their faces filled with disbelief and humiliation.


    Emanuel''s statement had left them bbergasted, and Allison''s calm demeanor only made the pain worse.


    “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, like a mountain.


    Tension hung in the air, neither side willing to back down.


    “Mr.


    Welsh, I respect your talent,” Mny 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 rumors.


    ”


    Mny let out a resigned sigh.


    “It may sound harsh, but that is the reality of the situation.


    ”


    When he finished speaking, a few people entered the courtyard, carrying gifts.


    “Who is making all this fuss and disturbing Mr.


    Welsh?” The neers respectfully shook Emanuel’s hand one by one, before casting cold, contemptuous nces at Mny and Colton, clearly considering them to be pretentious intruders.


    “It’s all because someone wants to tarnish Mr.


    Welsh’s good name,” Mny said as she saw the new arrivals and felt relieved.


    After all, creating a bit of chaos in the crowd was her specialty.


    “Mrs.


    rke says she’s Mr.


    Welsh’s teacher.


    ”


    Emanuel grumbled, “It is just like that! There is no arguing with it.


    ” The neers exchanged surprised nces, their skepticism evident as they scrutinized Allison.


    Despite her striking appearance, the im 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 assumed that Emanuel was firm in his defense of the young woman, but it seemed that this farce might have crossed the line.