Matt's hesitation lasted only a heartbeat before desperation propelled him forward. He practically stumbled in his haste to join Derek, both men now crouched beside the infinity pool like supplicants before an altar.
"Jason, I... I was completely out of line earlier," Matt's voice trembled with a mixture of shame and barely controlled panic. "I want to apologize sincerely for my behavior."
Jason's response was devastating in its complete indifference. He didn't even glance in their direction, continuing his conversation with Peter as if the two men were invisible fixtures of the poolside furniture.
He had come to Blue Ridge Hot Springs Resort for one purpose—to relax and enjoy Holly's company. The cheap shots and juvenile posturing from Matt and Derek earlier had been beneath his notice then, and they remained so now.
Peter, with the refined instincts of someone who had navigated high society for decades, immediately understood the dynamic. He maintained laser focus on Jason while treating Matt and Derek as if they had simply evaporated. Even Butler Lee adopted the same studied blindness, his professional smile never wavering as he completely ignored the crouched figures.
The two men remained frozen in their humiliating positions, trapped between the social impossibility of standing without acknowledgment and the physical agony of maintaining their prostrate poses. Their faces burned with the particular shame that comes from public humiliation.
Yet neither dared complain. They had spoken out of turn, challenged someone far above their station, and now faced the consequences. When even Butler Lee—who had previously treated them with polite professionalism—regarded them as nonentities, the message became crystal clear: Jason Carter was untouchable.
Minutes crawled by like hours. Their legs began to tingle with numbness, then progress to sharp pins and needles, but Jason and Peter continued their animated discussion about resort amenities as if the two men were decorative statues.
Josh, Lily, Megan, and the other onlookers offered no assistance. Matt and Derek had strutted around like conquering heroes earlier; this comeuppance felt like cosmic justice in action.
Chloe finally broke. Watching her boyfriend Matt struggle to maintain his degrading position became unbearable. She approached Holly with carefully measured steps, her pride warring with desperation.
"Holly," Chloe's voice was soft but urgent, "could you possibly speak to Jason for me? Matt's attitude was inexcusable earlier, but I've already given him a serious talking-to about it."
Holly's perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched with mild curiosity. This drama belonged to Matt, Derek, and Jason—she was merely an observer to their masculine posturing. Still, she had no desire to create unnecessary tension with Chloe.
She turned toward Jason with languid grace. "They offended you," she stated simply, her tone neutral as Switzerland. "Whether you forgive them is entirely your choice."
Chloe quickly pressed her advantage. "Jason, could you find it in yourself to let this go? They understand their mistake now."
Jason considered the request with the same casualness he might give to choosing a wine. He had no interest in prolonging this tedious situation—they were classmates, after all.
"I never threatened to do anything to them," Jason replied with serene indifference. "I simply don't care enough to waste energy on it."
The words hit Matt and Derek like a royal pardon. They finally struggled to their feet, legs so numb they nearly collapsed again, leaning on each other for support like wounded soldiers.
But Jason never acknowledged their presence. He continued his conversation with Peter as if nothing had occurred.
In that moment, Matt and Derek felt like the universe's greatest fools. From the beginning, Jason hadn't considered them worth his attention. Yet they had postured and provoked, only to grovel when reality demolished their delusions.
Manager Peter's smile carried the warmth of genuine business opportunity as he leaned forward slightly. "Jason, there's actually something I wanted to discuss with you."
He gestured toward the sprawling resort grounds visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. "You've been staying in one of our Blue Ridge villas, so you know the property well. The scenery is spectacular, the hot springs are literally at your doorstep, and it's only a fifteen-minute drive to your campus." His pause was perfectly timed. "Have you ever considered purchasing one of the villas?"
The suggestion electrified the assembled group. Holly's eyes sharpened with interest, while Aly, Meg, and the others exchanged glances of pure disbelief.
Buying one of those villas? The mere concept existed beyond their financial stratosphere. Even renting one for a single night required splitting costs among large groups, and only for the most special occasions.
Matt and Derek, still recovering from their humiliation, suddenly understood the true scope of their earlier misjudgment.
"I'm not interested," he said flatly.
The words landed like a physical blow. Peter, who had been warming up for an elaborate sales presentation, froze mid-breath. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again like a fish discovering air.
But before the atmosphere could turn awkward, Jason set down his cup.
"Look, the villa concept has merit," Jason continued, his voice carrying the bored authority of someone accustomed to evaluating luxury properties. "Great location, hot springs access—that's definitely appealing. But the tourist traffic has become excessive. No privacy whatsoever. And honestly?" He shrugged. "The interior design feels incredibly basic. Almost cheap."
Holly, Aly, Meg, Amelia, and the others stared in thunderstruck silence.
When they first heard his rejection, they'd assumed it was about price. After all, they were discussing millions of dollars—hardly pocket change for normal people.
But no.
He was rejecting it for being insufficiently luxurious.
A villa worth over three million dollars, and Jason was calling it low-end.
Peter's expression shifted like a man suddenly seeing opportunity in disaster. His eyes lit up with the particular gleam of a salesman sensing a much larger commission.
"Mr. Carter," he said, leaning forward with renewed enthusiasm, "would you perhaps be interested in the luxury estates at Summit Ridge instead?"
Jason paused, his coffee cup halfway to his lips. For the first time in the conversation, he looked intrigued.
"Now that's worth considering," he admitted. "Summit Ridge has quite a reputation. You must have some serious properties in your portfolio, Peter."
Summit Ridge sat just a few hundred yards up the mountain road, a private gated community perched above the Pacific like a crown jewel. Surrounded by protected forest land and offering unparalleled privacy, it represented the absolute pinnacle of local luxury real estate.
Not quite Malibu beachfront, perhaps, but the combination of exclusivity, natural beauty, and architectural grandeur was legendary throughout the region.
Peter's humble smile couldn't quite hide his excitement. "Ah, hardly worth bragging about! I purchased the development rights when the market was booming, took out substantial loans..." His expression grew rueful. "Then the economy shifted, and let's just say the mortgage payments have been rather crushing ever since."
Jason offered no sympathy, so Peter pressed forward with growing confidence.
"There's one particular estate—five thousand square feet of living space on four pristine acres. Easily one of Summit Ridge's crown jewels. The asking price is in the tens of millions." He paused for dramatic effect. "After we finish here, perhaps I could show it to you?"
Summit Ridge estates existed in local mythology—mansions glimpsed only in luxury magazines or celebrity reality shows. None of them had ever set foot on such hallowed ground.
The price alone was enough to cause vertigo.
"Market values have been declining lately," he observed with casual expertise. "But sure, let's take a look after this."
The group stared at him in collective disbelief.
Was he actually considering it? A mansion worth over ten million dollars?
Peter practically vibrated with excitement. "The price is absolutely negotiable! Cash payment could probably reduce it by two million. Financing is available too, though the discount wouldn't be quite as generous—"
"I only pay in full," Jason interrupted with the same tone.
For a moment, Peter looked like he'd been struck by lightning. Then his grin spread wide enough to split his face.
Cash payment? For a property of this magnitude? That would eliminate months of paperwork and instantly solve his crushing mortgage situation.
Even among the ultra-wealthy, most buyers financed properties of this scale. Few people tied up tens of millions in real estate unless they possessed truly extraordinary liquidity.
But Jason didn't even hesitate.
Holly, Aly, Meg, and Amelia looked like they'd witnessed someone casually purchase a small country.
Full payment. For a Summit Ridge mansion.
Just how wealthy was this man?
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