Chapter 315

Sebastian Blackwood leaned against the wall, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maximilian, perhaps we should pause for a moment?"

Maximilian Blackwood shot him a sharp glare. "Silence during chess. Have you forgotten the most fundamental rule?"

Sebastian pressed his lips together and turned his attention to Evelyn Carter.

She sat perfectly composed, her expression unreadable. Even with her entire future at stake in this game, not a single tremor shook her steady hands.

Sebastian smirked inwardly. She was putting on quite the performance.

"Wait! You can't take my bishop!"

Maximilian suddenly reached out, stopping Evelyn's move mid-air. "That was a mistake."

He snatched his piece back with a scoff. "Sebastian distracted me. Ms. Carter, surely you'll allow me to retract that move?"

Evelyn didn't speak, but her raised eyebrow spoke volumes.

Maximilian shifted uncomfortably in his seat. After decades of playing, he knew better than to ask for such concessions.

He clenched his jaw. "Fine. Take it then."

As he removed his piece from the board, the tide of the game turned decisively in Evelyn's favor.

Beads of sweat formed on Maximilian's brow. In all his years, he'd never faced an opponent like this.

Evelyn's skill was nothing short of remarkable.

The game intensified, each move calculated with precision. An hour passed without either player gaining clear advantage. The tension in the room was palpable.

"Ms. Carter, you're the first to ever challenge me like this. I'm impressed you've lasted this long."

Maximilian had played chess for over twenty years.

Most opponents didn't survive thirty moves against him, yet Evelyn was clearly his equal.

"You flatter me, Maximilian. My grandfather taught me as a child. I rarely play these days."

Maximilian's eyes widened at her words.

A casual player was matching him move for move?

"Your modesty does you credit, Ms. Carter."

Evelyn's hand hovered over the board before making the decisive move. "Checkmate."

Maximilian's fingers trembled. His king stood trapped, surrounded on all sides. His mouth fell open in disbelief.

He had lost.

Sebastian rushed forward, scanning the board frantically. "This can't be right! How could you lose?"

But the evidence lay before them, undeniable in its finality.

Evelyn leaned back, perfectly at ease. "Well, Maximilian? Your verdict?"

Maximilian closed his eyes, swallowing his pride.

Then he straightened his shoulders and exhaled sharply. "I concede defeat."

The room fell into stunned silence. Even Sebastian stood frozen, his face draining of color.

Maximilian had lost.

Which meant Evelyn would now take control of the organization.

And she would certainly settle accounts for his past actions. Sebastian could already feel cold sweat trickling down his spine.

"Maximilian! It's just a game! This doesn't count!"

Maximilian rubbed his temples before fixing Sebastian with an icy stare. "A man's word is his bond. Ms. Carter won fairly."

Rising to his feet, Maximilian extended his hand toward Evelyn.

"Ms. Carter, I yield to you. You have my respect."