Quintin chuckled, “Not bad at all.”

Then he asked, “Why aren’t you busy with your painting?”

“I’m just here to make sure you feel well taken care of, didn’t want you thinking I was neglecting you.”

“Go on, get back to your work, and stop interrupting my chess game.”

But Campbell didn’t budge.

The Hawkins and Spencer families lit up with smiles when they heard Quintin and Campbell praising Vesta.

Everyone around was well aware of Vesta.

She was a figure who inspired both admiration and envy.

After all, Vesta had it all-beauty, brains, and now, thanks to her chess skills, she had caught the attention of both Campbell and Quintin.

Not to mention, Vesta’s charm had won Thorne’s affection, elevating the Spencer and Hawkins families in the social ladder.

Who wouldn’t want a daughter like that?

Someone couldn’t help but express their envy to the Hawkins and Spencer families, “Katie, Mr. Hawkins, Mrs. Hawkins, you really have a wonderful granddaughter and daughter.” “Absolutely,” others chimed in, eager to know, “How do you raise such an outstanding child? We’re all friends here, Mrs. Hawkins, could you share some of your secrets with us?” The Hawkins and Spencer families were soon surrounded by several society ladies.

With so many people praising and envying Vesta, Rhoda couldn’t help but feel proud too.

She glanced over at Charlene, who was standing nearby, and with a smug smile, she whispered to Maureen, “Compared to Vesta, she really has to take a backseat.”

Maureen’s expression turned frosty, clearly displeased by the comparison between her daughter and Charlene.

Katie and Henley also overheard Rhoda’s comment. They glanced over at Charlene.

Indeed, Vesta seemed to outshine Charlene in every way.

With that thought, they turned their attention back to Vesta, their eyes filled with warmth and gentle smiles.

Just then, Vesta stood up and said to Quintin, “Sorry, I lost.”

Quintin gave a kind smile and replied, “Even if you lost, you did very well. After all, not everyone is like Thorne. You’re already a remarkable young person with both academic and chess skills.” Vesta smiled at the compliment, “You’re too kind.”

Quintin asked, “Want to play another?”

Vesta shook her head with a smile, “Once is enough for me, let someone else have a turn.”

With that, Quintin asked, “Anyone else want to give it a go?”

Silence fell over the room.

Granger glanced at Thorne and noticed him holding a chess piece, looking back at him.

Just then, Charlene stepped forward, looking at Thorne and asking, “How about a game with me?”

Thorne paused, chess piece in hand, and lifted his gaze to her.

Granger looked away, taken aback by Charlene’s bold move. He truly hadn’t expected Charlene to step up and challenge Thorne in such a public setting.

Even more surprised than Granger were the Hawkins and Spencer families, including Vesta.

Like Granger, she hadn’t anticipated Charlene making such a bold request.

Because she assumed that with Charlene’s personality, even if she wanted to play chess with Thorne, she wouldn’t dare to ask so openly.

Who would’ve thought-

Members of the Hawkins and Spencer families frowned.

Laverne Hawkins muttered, “If I had known she’d pull a stunt like this, I would have warned her earlier.”