Chapter 207
“Effie, this is wonderful-we finally get to compete together again!” Suzan’s voice was bright with excitement.
Randell’s eyes gleamed with interest as he glanced between the two sisters. So, there’s some history between Effie and Suzan, he thought.
Effie turned to Randell, her tone calm and direct. “Mr. Hoffman, just now you only said you’d consider partnering with us. In that case, I’m not interested in competing.”
She paused, her gaze steady. “Unless you can give me a clear answer: If I win, you have to agree to work with me.”
Shirley’s eyes widened in surprise. Only Effie could be this bold, she thought. Didn’t she worry about offending people with such bluntness?
Even Randell found Effie’s forthrightness intriguing.
He couldn’t help but wonder what sort of charm Effie possessed to win over someone as stoic as Lyman.
“Effie, isn’t your demand a bit much?” Suzan interjected, feigning concern. “You’re making things difficult for Mr. Hoffman.”
Inside, Suzan was uneasy. Why is Effie so confident? Does she really think she can win? Or is she just putting on a show?
Either way, Suzan was determined not to lose to her sister.
“Mr. Hoffman, let’s just treat this as a friendly match,” Suzan added, her voice gentle and considerate. “We would never pressure you.”
Randell shot Suzan a cool glance. Who does she think she is? Why should he take her advice?
“Alright, I accept your terms,” he said, turning back to Effie.
His response stunned everyone except Effie.
Randell studied her, curious. How could Effie remain so composed? In that moment, she reminded him a little of Lyman.
The group made their way to the stables.
Randell entered first, then signaled for the attendants to close the gate behind him.
“Mr. Hoffman, we’re not inside yet!” Suzan called out anxiously.
Randell paused, turning back with a distant smile. “That’s odd. Weren’t you all here to spend money?”
The crowd fell silent. Was he deliberately making things difficult? Who actually came here to spend that kind of cash? Just the membership alone cost half a million dollars.
People began to murmur uneasily.
None of them were skilled riders; they’d only come along for the opportunity. Now, they couldn’t even get through the door.
No one’s company would approve a gamble like this without certainty. A $500,000 membership fee? They’d need to get approval from their bosses first.
Just like that, a good number of people dropped out.
Effie watched Randell, thinking he was clever. Not only was he negotiating business, he was running the club well-charging admission at every turn.
“And what about the rest of you?” Randell asked, surveying the stragglers.
He was sizing them up. If a company couldn’t even afford the club’s entry fee, how could they possibly handle a project of this scale?
So when some left, he didn’t care in the slightest.
Effie reached into her purse, ready to pull out her own card. But before she could speak, Suzan interjected, “I have a membership card.”
She’d gotten it from Mitchell, who’d handed it over knowing she’d be coming to discuss business.
The attendant checked her card and let Suzan through.
Suzan turned to Effie with a saccharine smile. “Don’t have one, sis? Want to use mine?”
She knew perfectly well Effie would never accept her help. And if she did, well- Suzan would have plenty of ammunition to mock her for it.
Effie replied coolly, “I have my own.”
She handed her card to the attendant, who received it respectfully. But almost immediately, his expression changed.
“Miss, your card is identical to the one the previous guest used. Our policy is one card per entry. So, which of you is the real owner of this membership?”