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Thalia’s crying was so heart–wrenching, and since she was clearly the victim here, everyone started giving Maya the stink eye.
An old–timer piped up, “Shouldn’t you give Thalia an explanation? This engagement involves both families, not just the Phillips.”
This guy was from a secretive family known for meddling. Once he spoke, others joined in.
“A woman’s rep is everything. You can’t just get engaged and then bounce, leaving her high and dry. That ain’t right.
“The Fairchild family might not be as powerful as the Phillips, but you can’t just push them around like this.”
Maya suddenly got how Zoey felt by the fountain yesterday, her ange bubbling up, “Thalia, do you really want me to explain?”
Thalia kept sobbing, not saying a word.
The old–timer snapped, “Is that even a question? If you got something to say, just spit it out. Either give her a status or compensation, but don’t use shady tacticst”
Henry’s face turned icy, and he was about to step in, but Maya stopped him, “Thalia, I made it clear to your dad yesterday. Today, you should help me put on a show to make Zoey back off, and I agreed to invest in the Fairchild Group. It was a simple deal, What do you want now? Think the money’s not enough?”
Everyone was floored.
Thalia’s eyes flickered, “I didn’t know you made a deal with my dad. I thought you really wanted me to be with Mr. Henry Phillips!”
“Did you really not know?” Zoey smirked, catching Thalia’s lie.
Thalia gritte
gritted her teeth, I didn’t know.”
Maya was fed up. She felt like shoving Thalia into the water to clear her head, “I can call your dad right now and ask if he told you about this,”
Thalia went silent immediately.
Everyone got the picture now, even the old–timer who had spoken up earlier shut up.
Henry glanced at Thalia indifferently, “If you think my mom’s offer isn’t enough, I can add mone.”
Thalia couldn’t say anything now. Asking for more would expose her knowledge of the deal between her dad and Maya. She shat Henry a resentful look, covered her face, and ran off crying.
The engagement party went on. Henry and Zoey exchanged rings in front of everyone, getting a found of applause and congratulations.
Alter the engagement, Maya asked Zoey to stay and even set up a room for her. The room was big and cozy, totally different from the small one at the King Family’s place.
Henry leaned against the door, looking at the slender, cold figure in the room, “Our one–month agreement still stands,”
Zoey turned around, “Of course.”
Henry was at a loss for words. This was what he wanted, but seeing ey agree so easily annoyed him.
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“Glad you get it,” he said.
“Don’t worry, I’m not interested in you, Zoey said seriously, and Henry gave her a cold look before turning and leaving.
Hmph! As if I’m interested in her Henry thought.
That night, Zoey slept with Maya, who asked a ton of questions about Saul until their conversation faded into the night.
On the day of the Grandmaster’s Gambit Invitational, the weather we perfect.
It was a Sunday. Zoey turned down Roy’s offer to drive her and went on her own.
The
e event was at the central
and since it was a big deal in Emerald City, it drew a huge crowd of all ages.
Zoey wore a baseball cap, keeping a low profile, and slipped in without drawing attention.
She started by checking out other people’s games and happened to catch an interesting scene.
“I told you not to come. Your chess skills suck, why embarrass yourself?”
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Chapter 20 Chess Sage–2
“She just can’t quit, losing year after year.”
Chess takes talent. If you lose every time, It means you’re not cut out for it. Stop embarrassing yourself.”
“Playing against you is a joke,”
Mocked by a surrounding crowd, the young girl’s trembling hand heated over the white piece, unable to make a move,
Wherever there were people, there was always competition. Once someone was seen as weak, ridicule and contempt followed.
Zoey quickly scanned the hoard.
The player with the black pieces was a pro, setting traps, while the girl with the white pieces was inexperienced but fought back tenaciously, though she ultimately lost. Her lack of skill wasn’t the issue; it was the ridicule and mockery that rattled her.
The girl stood up dejectedly, rubbing her eyes, not crying, just silently giving up her seat.
Zoey glanced at her and stepped forward to sit down.
The opponent saw another girl and sneered, “Are you girls bored? Why not put on some makeup, go shopping, or have afternoon
tea?
Zoey said calmly, “Stop talking, let’s play.”
The opponent laughed coldly, “Don’t cry when you lose.”
*Just don’t cry yourself
The opponent laughed angrily, determined to teach this arrogant woman a lesson.
Two tall figures blended into the crowd. Benjamin glanced at the exetement in Henry’s eyes, puzzled, “I don’t get why you love chess so much.”
Henry looked ahead, ignoring him. Benjamin followed his gaze and guely saw Zoey’s back, “That back looks familiar.” Then he dismissed the thought. “Impossible, why would Zoey be here?”
Henry moved forward, unable to push through the crowd, so he used his height to look over, immediately captivated by the chessboard.
Black and white pieces interwoven. The white pieces attacked fiercely, mercilessly crushing the black pieces, forcing them to r and defend their last stronghold. Too late, the black pieces fled across the board, unable to counterattack, resulting in a mise defeat.
The onlookers started to chatter among themselves.
“This style is so familiar.”
I remember three years ago, Thad the honor of seeing Chess Sage at a tournament. She was al aggressive style.”
also a young woman,
with a unique,
“Could this girl be Chess Sage?”
Someone looked at Zoey, but her baseball cap covered half her face, revealing only her rosy lips and delicate chin. Everyone was
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itching to see her face.
The girl who had been taunted earlier flushed, her eyes bright, “You you’re Chess Sage, right? I’ve studied your games and watched. your videos a ton. I’ve tried to copy your style, but I keep losing stem.
Zoey looked up at her, “You’re doing well, you have talent.“”
She didn’t deny it! The girl was ecstatic, clutching her trembling hands, “You’re my idol! I started playing chess because of your videos, even though I’ve never seen your face… Chess Sage, can you ign an autograph? No, can you give me some pointers?”
Benjamin finally squeezed to the front, seeing, Henry staring intently he quickly looked ton
soon as Zoey spoke, he recognized her, but what were the others saying? Chess Sage? Zoey couldn’t be.
He nudged Henry, “Hey, stop staring. I don’t know why Zney is here, but she can’t be Chess Sage.”
Zoey’s ears twitched slightly.
Benjamin kept rambling, “Your fiancée is mysterious, but Chess Sage has been famous for ten years. How old was she then?”
Just a kid.
Benjamin continued, “If she’s Chess Sage, I’ll eat all the chess pieces here!”
Zoey put down the white piece, stood up, and everyone thought she was leaving, but she just adjusted her cap, revealing a flawless face. She turned, looking directly at Benjamin.
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