Chapter 159

hapter 159 Chess Prodigy.
s
The live stream chat exploded with comments, soaring to a whole new level.
“Now that’s what my dream guy should look like!”
“Oh my gosh , he’s on par with Mr. Eric!”
“Three minutes! Dig up every contact he hast
“That man was born to put in work. No question about it.
“You okay, girl? That thirst’s gonna throw your back out.”
“Forget the tournament–he’s already the winner in my heart.”
“He’s going up against Gary? I don’t think he can win . ”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s destined to be the one beside me every night.”
The camera crew hadn’t expected Venom to cause such a sensation.
They had originally planned to keep the lens focused on Gary , but now, the angle shifted, giving more and more screen time to Venom
Inside the lounge . Alice finally got a closer look at him.
Daniel, still worried, stared at the screen–until he got a text from Eric .
“Three minutes. I want everything you can find on Venom.”
Daniel blinked, speechless.
a second
Just a
he didn’t even care. But now?
Typical. So much for staying cool.
Daniel grabbed his phone and rushed out, even doing a little hop like a giddy kid.
On screen, Venom and Gary sat across from each other.
They smiled politely and exchanged brief introductions.
Venom’s voice was calm and smooth, like a late–night radio host telling bedtime stories.
Naturally, that just made the viewers fall even harder, everyone said his voice alone was enough to get them blushing.
When the host asked how a newcomer with zero competitive experience had made it to the finals, Venom
smiled.
A pair of soft dimples appeared on his cheeks , his smile warm enough to melt frost.
173
159 Chess Prodigy
“I started learning chess because of a woman”
The host gasped dramatically.
“She must’ve meant a lot to you, then?”
“Yes, she’s everything, Venom said. “She’s my sister. Without her, there wouldn’t be a me
The host’s expression dimmed a little. He’d been hoping for some juicy story–a crush, maybe a first love.
But it was just an sister.
Disappointed, he wrapped up quickly. “Well then, I hope you win and she gets to see you shine.”
“No,” Venom replied, smile widened.
There was a quiet confidence behind it–like he already knew how this would end.
“Oh, she’ll show up, he said. “If I win, I know she won’t be able to resist playing me herself.”
The host caught something odd in his tone.
“Wait–so you’re saying your sister is also a chess expert?”
Venom nodded and explained, “She was the one who taught me everything I know.”
Now even the host was surprised.
Venom’s performance had been nothing short of unstoppable.
He had steamrolled his way through the tournament with unorthodox moves that left even the seasoned players baffled. His strategy was unpredictable, almost spooky–and every win left the audience stunned.
The entire tournament was being streamed live. And by now, several veterans from the National Chess Federation were practically drooling to take him on as their protégé.
Rumor had it, things had gotten so heated backstage that a few of them almost came to blows over who would get to mentor him.
“I do have a question,” the host said with curiosity. “She only introduced you to chess, right? What made her stand out so much that you still remember her so clearly?”
Venom went quiet, lost in thought.
Then, he said softly, “She’s the
ly teacher I’ve ever had.”
The host’s jaw nearly dropped
“Wait. are you saying she just got you started, and the rest. you figured out on your own?”
Venom lifted his chin proudly.
“What she gave me
was enough
2/3
08:37 Mon,
159 Chess Prodigy
The host gave a slow, respectful nod . “You’re a genius, then”
Next to them, Gary sat stiffly. Once the star of the show, lie was now completely ignored.
His face had turned so dark , it could’ve passed for charcoal,
Back in the lounge, Daniel laughed when he caught a glimpse of Gary’s frustrated expression.
“He look so miserable! Man , that makes my day! Serves him right, blind fool.”
Clearly, he was standing up for Alice.
But Alice didn’t react. Her eyes were still locked on the screen, watching Venom with unwavering focus
Daniel glanced at Eric, who was busy scrolling through Venom’s background. And then it hit him.
Great. Now both husband and wife are obsessed with the same guy?
That’s just weird.
The match began.
Venom played like always–bold, aggressive, and sharp
Gary played gently, his moves calm and elegant.
All other finalists had already been eliminated or placed.
Whoever lost this match would be completely out–no shot at the top three.
But the winner? At the very least, third place.
Both
h men were going all in.
Meanwhile, Linda walked out of the lounge and headed upstairs to the VIP suite.
These rooms were reserved for Gary’s
Luests–people of power and influence.
Among them? The Chancellor of Riverview University .
She had done her research after receiving that anonymous email. And it turned out the man mentioned- the one at the heart of it all–was none other than Byron.
Linda had hesitated.
Byron, despite his age, was still a household name, wealthy and powerful–every bit as influential as Eric.