Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 419

Gradually, Bancroft began to feel the game slipping from his grasp.

He glanced over at Lyman, who sat calmly on the sidelines, barely moving a muscle, unfazed and unreadable.

Could it be...

Bancroft didn't dare underestimate his opponents any longer. He sat up straighter, sharpening his focus.

In the end, it was Effie who broke the silence with a soft, "Checkmate."

Bancroft blinked and stared at the board in disbelief he was out of pieces.

He'd lost. To Effie.

The room, which had been filled with casual conversation, suddenly quieted as Bancroft's surprised exclamation drew everyone's attention. Heads turned, curiosity piqued.

"Did Grandpa let Effie win on purpose?" Marcia whispered, her voice barely audible.

The others looked just as bewildered. None of them had paid much attention to the match, so no one really knew what had happened.

No one answered Marcia, but every gaze drifted to the chessboard. It was obvious-Bancroft had only a handful of desperate pawns left, no hope of turning the tide.

Fowler, "Grandpa's always been the best player in the family, hasn't

Aside from Lyman, no one else

initial shock faded, everyone started to suspect Lyman had helped

"I'm

slowly gathered himself, trying to

That's the way chess goes-sometimes you

paused, then added, "Let's have another

play? You must

shook his head firmly. "No! No

her win, but this time he'd lost

"...Alright then," Effie agreed.

beaten Bancroft once, everyone was on high alert as the second game began. No one wanted to miss a single

look, and

"Hey, can I ask you something? Mind

victory hadn't been

them suspect what they want,

Effie would

nex

when she