Chapter 546
Elliot’s words were enough to flush Arthur out of hiding.
Arthur: [Elliot, you know you’re out of line, right?]
Elliot @Arthur: [Come on, Arthur, you’re just too principled. If he wants to marry our little sister, he has to show us he’s serious.]
Arthur @Elliot: [That’s not what I mean, Elliot. I meant, if we don’t think he’s good enough, we can just swap him out. It’s not like our sister can’t find someone even better.]
Blake: [Arthur’s got a point.]
Garrett: [Arthur’s right.]
Elliot: [Arthur, you’re a legend. *thumbs up*] Googlá´‡ search.net
Meanwhile, Connor had no clue that the four Norwood brothers were secretly discussing his fate. Since it was still early, Mr. Norwood invited him to play a game of chess.
Cameron and Kylie watched from the side while Lydia quietly sat down next to Connor.
“Connor, your grandfather tells me you’re a real chess pro. Don’t hold back, alright? Play your best,” Mr. Norwood said with a warm chuckle, worried Connor might go easy on him.
Connor smiled, all humility. “You flatter me, Grandpa Wayne. I’ll do my best.”
Lydia watched as the game began. Fifteen minutes in, neither side had the upper hand. She was surprised. She knew Connor was good at martial arts, but she hadn’t expected him to be sharp at chess too. Her grandfather’s skills were impressive as well.
As the game went on, the tension grew. The pieces on the board looked like two armies locked in a fierce standoff, every move carrying weight.
When Connor placed a black piece, Mr. Norwood, playing white, frowned and hesitated, stuck for a move. Connor hadn’t held back, just like he was told, and now the old man was in trouble.
Seeing his worried look, Connor wondered if he should’ve let up a bit.
“Right here,” Lydia’s clear voice chimed in, and she pointed at a spot on the board.
Mr. Norwood’s eyes lit up instantly like she’d opened a secret door for him. He looked at Lydia completely surprised he had no idea she could play chess, let alone be this good.
“Well, Connor, I’m not going to hold back now,” Mr. Norwood said, dropping his piece down with a confident tap. Just like that, white took control.
Cameron leaned in, amazed. “That was genius!” He stared at the board, then at Lydia, grinning. “Wait, Lydia, you play chess too?”
Kylie laughed. “What do you mean ‘too’? I think Lydia’s got you all beat!”
She was already impressed that Connor was so skilled, but her own daughter was even more of a surprise.
Lydia just shrugged, smiling. “I know a little.”
Connor raised an eyebrow. If that was “a little,” what did she call being a pro? Her one move had flipped the whole game.
Mr. Norwood, who’d been tense for a while, now looked relaxed. When Connor paused over his next move, Mr. Norwood laughed, sounding fighter than before. “Looks like Lydia’s got you stumped, Connor.”
Lydia shook her head. “He’s just being nice. He’s letting you win.”
Connor just sat there, holding back a chuckle. She really did know how to give him an out.
From then on, every time Connor made a move, Mr. Norwood glanced at Lydia, hoping for a hint. They were all family, after all. A little help wasn’t going to hurt anyone, right?
Whenever Lydia suggested a move, Connor would pause and think it through, but he still found ways to break through her strategy. Even Lydia was surprised by how much he knew.
Connor, for his part, was blown
away by Lydia. She was so low-key about it. Who would’ve guessed she was a chess genius? If his own grandfather found out, he’d never let her leave the chess table.
By the time lunch was ready, the game was still tied.
Mr. Norwood was in awe. “Connor, Lydia, I have to admit, I’m no match for either of
you.”
He’d spent half his life playing chess and always thought he was pretty good. But compared to these two, he really didn’t stand a chance.