Chapter 446

The house instantly split into two camps.

Effie leaned in and whispered to Lyman, "Whew, the pressure's on."

A sly grin tugged at Lyman's lips. "Ignore them. Let's just focus on our game."

"Right."

Healy chimed in, "No secret plotting, you two. All of us Etheridges play fair and square-honest to the core."

Fowler nodded. "That's right."

Normally, you'd never see them so united, but today, they stood together like a true team.

Effie sat across from Lyman, feeling the tension for the first time. Chess had always been easygoing with her grandfather—more about learning than winning, with him gently guiding her moves.

But playing against Lyman was a whole different story. The stakes felt real. It was as if they were waging a silent battle-she, the indomitable commander, and Lyman, her equally formidable rival.

They traded moves back and forth, neither side gaining the upper hand. As the match dragged on, every play grew more cautious, every decision more deliberate. One wrong move could mean defeat.

The spectators hardly dared to breathe. It felt less like watching a board game and more like witnessing two generals commanding armies on the battlefield-so intense it sent shivers through the onlookers.

"Check," Effie declared.

his rush, he'd made

"Wait, hold on-"

quickly put a hand over his, stopping him from

a sheepish laugh, barely believing

Healy and Fowler

you didn't let her win on purpose, did you?"

"Are you doubting

"N-no,

"

what I

bet

he'd too soon. The others

a chance to

amazing, Effie," Healy

just got lucky. If we played again, I might not

she

Effie knew Lyman

her equal.

to keep her

to lose

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