Bianca expected Noreen to back down, but it was Halley who pushed her. "Go on, have some fun. I could use a little peace and quiet."


    "All right, then," Noreen agreed. This was a good chance to build a rapport with Ron, so she didn''t refuse.


    An idea sparked in Bianca''s mind. "To keep things fair," she proposed smoothly, "let''s bnce the teams. I''ll partner with Mr. Archer, and Ms. Gilmore can team up with Seth. We can have a littlepetition."


    Her motives were twofold: to quickly establish a connection with Ron, and to unt her confidence in her rtionship with Seth. She had no qualms about him being on a team with Noreen.


    She added, as if an afterthought, "Seth is practically a pro, and I''d hate for Mr. Archer to be at a disadvantage. This way, we can even out the skill levels."


    The implication was clear: Noreen was the weak link.


    Ron didn''t object, and Seth naturally had no issue with Bianca''s arrangement.


    But Noreen saw right through her. "That doesn''t seem quite fair either," she said with a faint smile.


    "Then how would you like to y, Ms. Gilmore?" Bianca asked, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.


    "Mr. Archer and Mr. Harcourt willpete," Noreen stated inly. "And you and I will have our own match."


    Bianca froze for a second. *Is she serious?* During her time as an investment banker abroad, golf had been her primaryworking tool; her skills were exceptional. For Noreen to challenge her directly was an act of supreme overconfidence. It was time to put her back in her ce.


    "Fine," Bianca''spetitive streak red. "Let''s y." She was certain she would win.


    Even Ron was intrigued. "This is getting interesting! Let''s flip a coin to see which pair goes first."


    "Works for me," Seth said.


    The coin toss decided the men would y first. "Just to set an example for thedies," Ron joked.


    Both were skilled yers. Ron was a seasoned enthusiast who yed whenever he had a spare moment But he was up against a natural talenttike Seth, whose power and technique were simply superior. The match ended with a clear victory for Seth. He sank the ball in three shots on a par five hole, an eagle, It was i an impressive feat, and Ron, though defeated, was gracious and immediately invited Seth to y again, their rtionship instantly warmer.


    When it was thedies'' turn, even Halley came over to watch.


    "Use my clubs," Seth said, handing them to Bianca. "For good luck."


    Bianca looked up at him, her eyes shining with happiness. "Okay." She shot a quick, triumphant nce in Noreen''s direction. Against anyoně else, she might have gone easy on them, allowed them to save face. But against Noreen, she would show no mercy.


    "Ms. Gilmore, after you," she said with a sharine smile.<fn3364> Content originallyes from FindN()vel</fn3364>


    Noreen didn''t hesitate. She stepped up and swung, her movement as clean and decisive as when she had solved the math problem.


    Bianca was momentarily stunned. She hadn''t expected Noreen''s form to be so perfect, her shot so precise.


    Ron was already apuding. "A beautiful drive, Ms. Gilmore!"


    When Noreen''s second shotnded perfectly on the green, Bianca''s expression soured.


    "Another excellent shot!" Ron cheered. Halley pped in


    appreciation Seth remained silent, but his dark eyes followed Noreen''s every move.


    ?


    On her third stroke, the ball rolled directly into the hole.


    "Another eagle! Absolutely incredible!" Ron was beside himself. Today had been full of surprises.


    Noreen collected her club, turned to Bianca, and said with coolposure, "Thank you for the game, Ms. Lowell."