Chapter 314

"Ms. Carter, what's your decision?"

Evelyn could see right through Maximilian's scheme, but she stood her ground. "Maximilian, before we play, you owe me an explanation."

Maximilian reset the chessboard with practiced ease. As each piece clicked into place, his voice remained steady. "Simple. This game decides everything."

"If you win, Sebastian walks free with no interference from me. Lose, and we pretend this never happened."

The unspoken message was clear - this chess match carried higher stakes than any casino.

Sebastian's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. He knew this was Maximilian's way of protecting him.

After all, in all of Sterling City, no one could match Maximilian's strategic brilliance at chess.

Evelyn didn't stand a chance.

"Well, Ms. Carter? Do we have a deal?"

Sebastian smirked, already anticipating Evelyn's inevitable defeat.

Evelyn shook her head.

Maximilian's face darkened, assuming she was refusing - until she countered, "These stakes seem... inadequate for a gamble of this magnitude."

Interest flickered in Maximilian's eyes.

"What do you propose?"

Evelyn met his gaze unflinchingly. "Let's raise the stakes properly, shall we?"

"I've noticed you've held power for quite some time. Perhaps it's time for a regime change."

Sebastian exploded. "Evelyn! You dare challenge Maximilian's leadership? You'd have to go through every one of us first!"

Evelyn ignored his outburst, keeping her focus on Maximilian.

"Lose, and I take control of your little empire. How's that for stakes?"

Maximilian's expression turned thunderous as he weighed her words.

Seeing her deadly seriousness, he suddenly grinned. "Very well, Ms. Carter. Should you win, I'll surrender my position. I'll acknowledge you as our new leader and follow your every command."

Gasps rippled through the room.

No one had expected their leader to wager their entire organization on a chess game.

The fate of their syndicate now rested on sixty-four squares.

As murmurs spread, Maximilian added, "But if I win, not only do we forget this unpleasantness... you'll become my wife."

The room erupted.

Chants of "Maximilian! Maximilian!" filled the air.

Evelyn's knuckles turned white with suppressed fury.

She silently vowed to make every single one of them regret this moment.

"Well?" Maximilian prompted.

After a tense pause, Evelyn gritted out, "Begin."

The crowd roared as attention shifted to the chessboard.

Evelyn chose white, Maximilian black. Her first move launched their high-stakes duel.

Every spectator held their breath as the game unfolded.

At first, Maximilian played with casual confidence. But as the match progressed, his smirk faded, replaced by deepening concentration.