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.
Leaning in, Marcia whispered to Fowler, “Grandpa’s always been the best player in the family, hasn’t he?”
Fowler nodded. Aside from Lyman, no one else in the house could ever beat him.
Once the initial shock faded, everyone started to suspect Lyman had helped Effie win.
Effie, still a bit embarrassed, said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to win.”
Bancroft slowly gathered himself, trying to appear unfazed. “No need to
apologize. That’s the way chess goes-sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Perfectly normal.”
He paused, then added, “Let’s have another round.”
Effie hesitated. “Maybe someone else should play? You must be bored playing with me, Grandpa.”
Bancroft shook his head firmly. “No! No switching.”
He’d planned to let her win, but this time he’d lost for real-and he hated the feeling of losing control.
“…Alright then,” Effie agreed.
Because Effie had beaten Bancroft once, everyone was on high alert as the second game began. No one wanted to miss a single move.
Healy shot Graham a knowing look, and Graham immediately caught on.
He walked over to Lyman and said, “Hey, can I ask you something? Mind coming over here for a second?”
Lyman instantly saw through their little scheme. Effie’s victory hadn’t been his doing, but none of them knew that.
Let them suspect what they want, he
thought. Effie would win with or
nex
without him-and when she did, it
would wipe the smug looks off their faces.
Lyman followed Graham out of the room.
As soon as Lyman left, even Bancroft seemed to breathe easier.
But he didn’t let his guard down; if anything, he became more cautious, scrutinizing every move.
Still, despite his careful play, Effie managed to capture his most valuable pieces in quick succession.
He frowned. Was he getting too nervous? Was that why he’d lost his favorite pieces so easily?
No, he had to be even more careful now.
Everyone could see it—Bancroft moved as if he were walking on eggshells, as though Effie had him dancing to her tune.
Was he really taking it seriously, or was he just humoring Effie?
Meanwhile, across town, Jacques Crawford was so furious at the prospect of a blind date that he was ready to pack his bags and leave home He couldn’t believe that in this day and age, he was still being subjected to such ridiculous tráditions.
He rounded on his mother, venting his anger in a storm of protest.