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.

If you beat him, I’ll hand over my title

you to hand it over. I used to beat you when I was working. Now that I’m

talk. You just beat him and I’ll concede,” Lucas

sat down and took a moment to assess

not the type to

made sense – 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 run the

business well?

handle being married to such a

with

started off strong, playing swiftly as if without

on the other hand, was deliberate, always planning several moves

20 F 29

in silence. The onlookers were equally quiet.

later, the tide of the game began to

for your king,” Lucas couldn’t help

“A true gentleman never comments during

lose!”

at Calvin, who was deep in thought and hesitating to

came from Melvin, nor reminders and

Lucas couldn’t contain himself.

shook his head. “If I move the knight, he’ll advance his pawn and

that mean a loss?” Lucas was frustrated.

looked at Melvin who was unfazed. “Yes, it’s a loss.”

Lucas was hooked and desperate

“Kid, how are

pieces. “Learned a bit when I was

master,” Lucas mused.

went on to play four more rounds, but

showed no mercy, leaving

the base of the tree and approached to see Calvin and Melvin deep in their game that the atmosphere shifted. “Calvin, what time do you think it is? Aren’t you coming

and Melvin, both too stubborn to admit defeat,

said, his heart racing with the prospect of finally checkmating

final match was tense for Calvin.

placed his piece, Calvin swiftly moved his “cannon” to Melvin’s

in with an incredulous face and asked Melvin, “Did you just let him win?”

mere suggestion of “letting win” irked