Barely a minute had passed, and the outcwas painfully clear. Arabella kept gobbling up Phyllis's pieces, which left her
opponent's defenses in tatters.
Even Mr. Gardner couldn't believe his eyes. His granddaughter, the pride of his lineage, was being utterly trounced by the girl?
Another minute ticked by, and Arabella had won.
It was now apparent to everyone: Arabella hadn't been coached by smaster in secret; she genuinely possessed the skill!
There she was, casually sipping lemonade, served by a hovering butler, taking delicate bites of pastries when Phyllis was lost in
thought; so effortlessly, so insouciantly, she had conquered Phyllis.
Phyllis sat stunned, her gaze fixed on the scene that had unfolded on the chessboard, unable to cback to her senses for a
couple of long seconds.
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Eugene's laughter boomed with delight, "This birthday bash is absolutely delightful! It's not your granddaughters fault. Bella is
simply leagues above us."
His words made everyone do a double take. They looked from him to Arabella, their eyes wide with disbelief.
What was Mr. Albright saying?
Arabella's skill surpassed everyone's, including Mr. Albright himself?
Impossible!
"Phyllis's losing to her doesn't surpriseone bit. | lost to her last ttoo, hahaha." Eugene's admission sent another shockwave
through the crowd.
What did that mean?
Arabella's chess prowess was greater than Mr. Albright's?
But if that weren't so, why would Mr. Albright humble himself to heap such praise on her?
"She has been my chess protege for over a decade." Eugene said with a broad, proud smile, "She's surpassed her mentor, which
fillswith immense pride. Her level of play could give any artificial intelligence a run for its money, and as her mentor, | couldn't
be happier."
The people in the room was petrified, having never heard a whisper of Mr. Albright taking on a protege, let alone teaching her for
over ten years.
This girl had earned Mr. Albright's favor and even outshone his expertise. There could be no other explanation - she was a prodigy.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Does that mean this young lady has long been the chosen one in your eyes, Mr. Albright?" Vivian, Roxanne's mother, maintained a
gracious smile as she queried, "Are you planning to pass on your legacy to her?"
"I'd like nothing more." Eugene chuckled again, "But the girl hasn't given her consent. You don't know how long I've been asking
her that, and yet she hasn't said yes."
Again, astonished gazes turned to Arabella. Was she out of her mind?
To be so highly regarded by Mr. Albright, to be his sole protege - this was a dream many would kill for.
It signified a future soaring to great heights, a life beyond ordinary.
And yet for years, she hadn't given her assent!
Sin the room were green with envy, while others were practically breathless with incredulity.