The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game

Chapter 164

The weather was warmer in recent days, and the elderly residents of the old neighborhood were making the most of it. They gathered downstairs, engrossed in a variety of leisure activities. Some played chess, others engaged in card games. A few rallied at tennis, while several groups danced.

Underneath the shade of an old oak tree, a crowd had formed. All of their eyes fixated on a chessboard where an intense game was unfolding..

One of the players, visibly frustrated and unsure how to turn the game around, sighed repeatedly. He cast a glance at the young man sitting calmly across from him, determined not to be beaten again.

He had already lost five times in a row.

“Hey, Calvin, get over here!” someone suddenly yelled out. “Come give Lucas some backup. He’s been getting crushed the whole afternoon.”

Everyone turned their heads toward the voice.

Calvin just returned from the grocery store on his bicycle. Hearing his name, he pulled over and propped his bike against a nearby fence. “What’s up?” he asked.

“Some hotshot kid has shown up and he’s playing chess like a cold-blooded shark, not giving Lucas a moment’s breath. Around here, you and Lucas are pretty evenly matched, but we can’t seem to figure out who’s the top dog. Today’s the day to settle it – beat this young man and you’ll be crowned the chess king of our block.”

Curious, Calvin made his way through the crowd. “Who around here could possibly outplay Lucas?”

When he reached the inner circle and caught sight of the young man facing Lucas, his brow furrowed.

Wasn’t this the boyfriend of Jocelyn, his former boss, Melvin?

Upon noticing Calvin, Melvin stood up as a sign of respect. “Hi.”

“Do you two know each other?” Lucas asked, intrigued.

Calvin’s face was stern. “No.”

Melvin was silent, a hint of discomfort in his pause.

“It doesn’t matter if you know him or not. Come on, Calvin! I need you to get revenge for me.” Lucas stood and pulled Calvin down into his seat. “I’ve never beaten this guy.”

“No respect for your elders,” Calvin remarked dryly, eyeing Melvin,

Lucas countered, “You can’t be too respectful in a game. Sure, we’re playing for fun, but the spirit of competition is important too. If he lets me win, where’s the fun in that? Nowadays, young people are too deferential. They make us old folks feel good, but it waters down our skills as well.”

“Exactly. There are no kin in battle.” someone else agreed.

“Come on, will you play? If you beat him, I’ll hand over my title

I used to beat you when I was working. Now that I’m retired, I can defeat you in minutes.

You just beat him and I’ll

down and took a

business, not the type to patronize the elderly.

back in the office, his presence was something few could stand up to. It’s understandable though, given that he was the boss of a big company. Without a strong demeanor, how could he

business well?

wondered if Jocelyn could handle being married to such

chess game began with Calvin moving first.

playing swiftly as

was deliberate, always

20 F 29

silence. The onlookers

later, the tide of the game began to

for your king,” Lucas couldn’t help but

true gentleman never

lose!” Lucas was anxious.

who was deep in thought

rush came from Melvin, nor reminders

the knight,” Lucas

head. “If I move the knight, he’ll advance his pawn and it’ll be game over.”

mean a loss?”

Melvin who was unfazed. “Yes, it’s a

Calvin,” Lucas was hooked and desperate to beat

Melvin, Lucas asked, “Kid, how

pieces. “Learned a bit

a master,”

on to play four more rounds, but Calvin

leaving

approached to see Calvin and Melvin deep in their game that the atmosphere shifted. “Calvin, what time

stubborn to admit defeat, ignored her.

to win,” Calvin said, his heart racing with the prospect of

match was

placed his piece, Calvin swiftly moved his “cannon” to Melvin’s “king”. He was exuberant, “I

leaned in with an incredulous face and asked Melvin, “Did you just let

“letting win” irked