Chapter 236
Vesta began to focus more on Charlene’s situation.
Watching Charlene navigate the tricky scenario Thorne had set up, in ways she hadn’t expected, made her heart skip a beat. And when she heard Quintin’s cheers, it sank like a stone.
Charlene was intensely focused, her attention solely on the chessboard in front of her.
The situation was steady for now, but she knew winning was nearly…
She paused, glancing at Thorne.
Thorne made his move.
Charlene halted her hand mid-movement.
Campbell observed with a smile, saying, “This is truly impressive. I never thought I’d witness such a captivating chess match in a place like this, especially between two young players. Quite remarkable.” Quintin, irritated by the noise, snapped, “Keep it down!”
Campbell fell silent.
Several tense minutes ticked by before Charlene finally made her move, managing to slightly even out the tilted board once more.
Two minutes later, Thorne responded with another piece.
Charlene placed the piece she was holding back onto the board and said, “I lost.”
Though she could have continued for a few more moves, the outcome was inevitable. It wasn’t necessary.
She stood, intending to leave, when Thorne suddenly spoke up, “Another round?”
Charlene paused but eventually sat back down.
Campbell chuckled and said, “This girl, who seems so quiet, actually stood up to challenge a Henderson kid ig a match here. She probably doesn’t often run into opponents as tough as the Henderson boy, does she? Looks like she’s keen not to let this opportunity slip by.” He was speaking to Stewart.
Stewart nodded in agreement. “Indeed.”
Campbell speculated, “You probably wouldn’t stand a chance against her.”
Despite Stewart being another prodigy in their circle, second only to Thorne.
Stewart admitted frankly, “I wouldn’t.”
After all, Charlene had been Kenton’s chess partner before.
Even though she had never won against him.
Kenton’s reactions and praises made it clear that Charlene was actually a formidable opponent.
And she was so young.
Kenton, as the story went, hadn’t lost a match since his teens.
There weren’t many who received such accolades from Kenton, regardless of age or gender.
It was evident that Charlene’s chess skills were commendable.
As they chatted, Charlene and Thorne had already reset the board.
Thorne suggested, “Do you want to start?”
“You go first.”
She had lost more than one piece to him earlier.
She wanted to understand her limitations.
Like Campbell guessed, besides Kenton, she hadn’t faced many formidable opponents in a while.
She certainly didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
Now, in her eyes, Thorne was nothing more than a chess opponent.
She wouldn’t back down from playing him just because he was Thorne.
Hearing her response, Thorne didn’t argue.
He made the first move.
They continued playing in silence, without any conversation.
Yet somehow, as Campbell and Quintin watched, they sensed an unspoken understanding between them.
As if they weren’t strangers, but rather old acquaintances.