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Chapter 68: A Wager of Dignity
🕑 Added 2025-08-28 10:02:38 +0000 UTCThe Saturday morning sun shone down on the long road leading to the Titans' Oasis Country Club. Owen drove his white SUV calmly, but inside, his heart was filled with a fiery determination. He knew that today's match wasn't just a sport; it was a psychological war with his entire mission on the line.
As the car was about to turn into the familiar marble archway, he closed his eyes for a moment, cutting himself off from the outside world. In the void of his mind, the image of the "Scales of Covenant" appeared. He was using his power for the last time this month... He sacrificed his sense of taste for seven full days in exchange for the [Golf Genius] ability once more, which would last for only one day.
'This is the last of my quota…' Owen thought as he accepted the blandness that spread across his tongue. 'For the next two weeks... no matter what crisis occurs, I won't be able to use this power as a crutch…'
The thought underscored the risk of today's bet, but at the same time, it made his mind sharper and more resolute. He would not fail. Owen opened his eyes again, his gaze transformed... it was the gaze of a cool professional, ready for any situation. He stepped out of the car and onto the stage his enemy had prepared for him.
When Owen walked through the doors into the opulent lobby, he found the atmosphere was completely different. Where there had once been only a few members relaxing on a holiday, it was now filled with groups of luxuriously dressed high-society members. They were all chatting in hushed tones, but the moment he appeared... all conversation ceased as if a switch had been flipped.
Every eye... was fixed on Owen.
Those gazes were filled with a mixture of curiosity and contempt, as if looking at a clown about to perform a pathetic show. They whispered among themselves, sending mocking smiles his way periodically. These were the "spectators" Victoria had invited to witness her revenge, and they were eagerly awaiting his downfall.
And then, the queen of the event made her entrance…
The clicking of high heels echoed rhythmically from the curved staircase descending from the upper floor. All eyes turned as one. Victoria walked down with the grace of a monarch. She was in a pure white, custom-tailored golf dress from a famous brand that perfectly accentuated her every curve. Her face was flawlessly beautiful, adorned with the confident smile of a victor. She walked straight to Owen, stopping in front of him amidst the silence.
"I was starting to think you wouldn't dare to show up... Gentleman," she said, her voice sweet but laced with a sharp, cutting mockery.
She surveyed the room like someone in complete control before announcing the rules to everyone in a clear, loud voice.
"To make today's match more entertaining... we will play 9 holes," she paused for a moment, her blue eyes looking deep into Owen's. "And the loser... must announce their defeat, and praise the winner as the best golfer in this club... in front of all the members... without argument."
Owen stood motionless, listening to every word without letting any emotion show on his face. He simply looked back with a calm, unreadable gaze.
It was a wager of dignity, designed to leave him no room to escape or make excuses. Victoria had created the perfect stage for his social execution... and she was eagerly waiting to see him crushed before her.
…..
The match began amidst a gentle breeze and the whispers of the spectators who stood watching from a distance, like a pack of wolves in silk waiting to see the prey slaughtered. Victoria started first, as was customary. Her swing was elegant and powerful, befitting the queen of the course. The golf ball shot out beautifully and landed in the middle of the fairway. But Owen knew that beneath the beauty lay a subtle deception.
She began to use her telekinesis to cheat, more and more continuously and discreetly. On a par-3 hole, a ball that should have landed in a sand bunker miraculously floated over it as if it had invisible wings. On the next green, a putt that should have stopped short of the hole rolled just a little further as if it had a life of its own and dropped in softly. Every one of her miraculous shots was met with gasps and fake praise from the audience.
"That was amazing, Vicky! Luck is really on your side!"
"Your swing is always flawless!"
Victoria just smiled gracefully, but the corner of her eye glanced at Owen with pity.
Meanwhile, Owen began his "performance." He feigned being pressured and visibly upset. Every time Victoria made a miraculous shot, he would curse softly or shake his head in disappointment. Sometimes he would hit the ball too hard, missing the target pathetically. All of this made the match look incredibly close and exciting to the spectators.
"It seems luck isn't on the gentleman's side today," Victoria taunted as they walked to the next hole.
"Luck, you say?" Owen replied with a strained smile. "I'd call it 'magic' more than anything." Of course, he wasn't talking about himself, but her.
The double-edged comment made Victoria flinch slightly, but she laughed to cover it up. She was enjoying the feeling of completely controlling the game and the emotions of the young man before her. She began to use her power more and more, creating even more incredible shots, unaware that with every use… the "Specter Scanner" watch on Owen's wrist was vibrating slightly, silently recording the unique waveform of her mana.
When the match reached the fifth hole, Owen decided he had gathered enough evidence. After Victoria had just used her power to subtly "push" his ball down a slope, Owen feigned a sigh of defeat.
Bzzzt… Bzzzt…
He pretended to take out a (fake) vibrating phone, his expression surprised, which then turned serious and grim. He stepped away slightly, pretending to talk on the phone in a low, respectful voice.
After a moment of "talking," he hung up and turned back to Victoria and the spectators, his expression polite but urgent.
"My deepest apologies, everyone. An urgent matter has come up from the governor. I must request a short break in the match... Ms. Victoria, would you be so kind as to grant me a moment of your time in private? It directly concerns Governor Alex."
The statement made Victoria frown, annoyed at having her victory interrupted. But hearing that it was an urgent matter concerning her husband, she couldn't refuse in public.
"Fine," she said, her voice slightly irritated. "But I hope it won't take long. I was about to win."
"It won't take long at all," Owen smiled meaningfully, before gesturing with his hand. "This way, please."
He led her away from the golf course to a secluded corner of the clubhouse, leaving the spectators confused and speculating, unaware that… the real match… had only just begun.
Owen led Victoria to a private terrace hidden behind the clubhouse. It was a quiet space paved with clean white marble, furnished with only a small tea table set and a beautifully decorated garden. The faint scent of roses and the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves created a relaxing atmosphere, but beneath the calm, an invisible tension was building.
"Alright, what's this urgent matter? Spit it out," Victoria said impatiently the moment they were alone. She crossed her arms and faced him like a queen about to pass judgment. "I don't have all day to play your pointless games."
Owen's friendly and polite smile vanished instantly, replaced by a gaze so cold and impassive it was chilling. "I think it's time we stopped playing games as well… Victoria."
The fact that he called her by her first name, so familiarly and without a title, made Victoria frown with displeasure.
Owen didn't wait. He activated his "Specter Scanner" watch. On the black crystal face, a bright blue mana energy graph flashed to life. It displayed the time and the spikes in energy levels, which perfectly corresponded with every one of Victoria's miraculous shots on the course, along with her unique "mana signature" recorded below.
"I have to say, our game was very enjoyable. Especially the little bits of 'magic' you used on the course," Owen said, his voice flat and cold.
Victoria's face went pale in an instant! Her arrogant smile froze, then twisted into undisguised panic.
"That's... that's my mana signature!" she shrieked, her voice trembling as she tried to regain control. "How do you have a mana detector!?"
She didn't wait for an answer… Fear and the rage of being exposed made her decide to use force! She unleashed her telekinetic power at full strength. A wave of green energy shot towards Owen at high speed, intending to either snatch or destroy the watch on his wrist!
But then, she stared, her eyes wide with shock…
Her power, which had always bent everything to her will, stopped dead in mid-air, as if it had hit an invisible wall! The air around Owen shimmered slightly… It was the mana radiating from Owen's body, which had effortlessly resisted her power… like an adult stopping a child's tantrum with an outstretched hand.
The watch on Owen's wrist didn't move or suffer any damage at all…
"Nice try," Owen said coldly, as if praising a small child.
Victoria gritted her teeth, pouring all her remaining power into the attack, but it was useless… Her power was like a 'giant hammer made of clouds,' hoping to crush everything with sheer mana volume, but Owen's power was expertly controlled, a 'small, thin, razor-sharp sword.' It didn't clash with the hammer directly but slipped past to the weakest point in her power and dissipated it with ease. The invisible resistance was as strong and steadfast as a mountain. She felt like she was pushing against a steel wall… it didn't budge an inch.
She realized in that instant… the man in front of her… wasn't just a skilled golfer, not just a lucky commoner… but an Awakened far stronger than she was! All her confidence shattered in an instant, leaving only a cold fear running down her spine…
"What… what do you want?" Victoria asked, her voice trembling. She tried her best to maintain her arrogant tone, but it sounded weak and pathetic.
Owen deactivated his watch, the black face hiding all the evidence. His cold eyes looked at her like a game master about to decide a prisoner's fate. "I only want two things, Victoria…"
He continued, his voice as flat and heavy as a judgment. "First… for the rest of this match, you will not use your power again. We will compete with real skill."
He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. "And second… after this match is over, regardless of who wins or loses, you will grant me one 'request,' without argument."
"And if I refuse?" Victoria shot back, a final attempt to negotiate.
Owen gave a cold smirk, devoid of any amusement. "Then I'll have no choice but to send this interesting data to every member of the club… And of course… I'll have to send another copy to 'Governor Alex'."
He stepped one step closer and whispered, his voice chilling. "I wonder how he would feel, knowing his wife used her powers to cheat in a prestigious golf match just to save face. It would surely affect the Ashford family's reputation, wouldn't it?"
The threat was a sharp knife that cut deep into her prideful heart. Victoria bit her lower lip so hard it bled. Her eyes were red with hatred and shame, but she had no choice but to nod slowly. "Fine… I accept your terms."
The two returned to the match, much to the confusion of the waiting spectators. But the atmosphere of the competition had changed completely.
Now that Victoria could no longer use her "magic," her true skills were revealed. She became just an ordinary amateur golfer, filled with pressure and anger. Every swing was stiff and hesitant. She began to miss shots and lose points continuously. Her ball went into the water and into the woods, drawing soft chuckles from the spectators who had once praised her.
Meanwhile, Owen, who had fully unleashed his [Golf Genius] ability, played flawlessly. Every shot was perfect. His form was as elegant and cool as a golf god. He left her in the dust, a pathetic sight.
The match ended with Owen's overwhelming victory on the final green. Victoria stood motionless in the middle of the green, trembling with such shame she could barely stand. She had been utterly defeated… in front of everyone she had invited to see her win…
As per the rules she herself had set… she had to walk back into the now-crowded clubhouse and announce her defeat. Every step on the grass that had once been her royal red carpet now felt like walking on hot coals. The gazes of everyone were no longer filled with admiration, but with suspicion, pity, and a disgusting curiosity.
She walked stiffly, like a robot, into the luxurious dining hall. The once-classy sounds of conversation and clinking glasses fell silent the moment she appeared. All eyes were on her… waiting for the final act.
Victoria stopped in the middle of the room. The light from the crystal chandelier shone down on her like a spotlight on an execution stage.
"I… Victoria Ashford…" she forced the words out, each one like a piece of glass scraping her throat. "...declare that I have been defeated in today's golf match…"
She took a deep breath, gathering her last ounce of strength to say the most humiliating sentence of her life. "...and I would like to praise… Mr. Owen Marlowe… as the best golfer in this club."
At her words, a moment of silence fell, before applause erupted from all around. It wasn't applause of respect, but applause for the unexpected victory of the mysterious young man. Victoria's group of girlfriends, in particular, were now looking at Owen with unconcealed admiration and fascination. Their queen was dead, and they were now looking for a new king.
Owen walked through the crowd that parted for him like the Red Sea. He stopped in front of Victoria, who was shaking with shame. His face was adorned with a friendly smile… but his eyes held no joy. There was only the coldness of a victor looking at his own handiwork. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, so softly only she could hear.
"It's time for my 'request'… Follow me to a private room, now."
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