219 Chapter 219- Tactical Illusion
219 Chapter 219 – Tactical Illusion
The game’s intensity ratcheted up another notch.
His pointed look toward Edric, who stood nearby, conveyed the unspoken message clearly.
Initially, they had been impressed by Niall’s abilities. However, after witnessing Veronica’s two performances, they recognized she operated on an entirely different
level.
The shift caught Cullen off guard. Suddenly, his comfortable advantage evaporated.
From their vantage point, Veronica’s decision to engage in chess with Cullen had been a calculated move–a desperate attempt to capture his interest and derail his divorce proceedings.
She refused to take the bait, maintaining her concentration on the intricate pattern of pieces before her. The position looked grim. Cullen had crafted what appeared to be a straightforward opening, but she could sense the hidden danger lurking beneath his seemingly innocent placement. His pieces were positioned like predators, waiting to spring their trap.
Darcy eagerly claimed her vacated position.
“Go for it!”
Niall’s lips pressed into a thin line at his suggestion. Before Veronica could respond, an encouraging voice chimed in, “Absolutely, the outcome was so close. One more game and victory could be yours.”
The subtle shift in dynamics hadn’t escaped their notice. Where Cullen typically treated Veronica with barely concealed contempt, the chess game had somehow elevated her status in his eyes, if only temporarily. The competitive element had awakened something in him that resembled actual respect.
Following their brief rest in the pavilion, Huxley and Isaac made their way over to join the group.
The recent match had appeared evenly contested, as though she had successfully penetrated Cullen’s strategic thinking midway through. However, she suspected that
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her supposed breakthrough might have been an illusion he had deliberately constructed.
“They complement each other well,” Neal remarked meaningfully.
A slow smile spread across his face as he contemplated his response. After an extended pause, he placed his piece with deliberate precision.
Her poised and sharp–minded presence clearly reflected excellent breeding and education. The thought of inquiring about her romantic availability had crossed their minds, but Dario’s protective proximity made their interest pointless.
He watched Veronica and Dario retreat together with a wistful smile, then deliberately
shifted his attention elsewhere after a few moments.
He turned toward Felix with conviction. “She would demolish you on this board.”
Yet beneath the surface politeness, undercurrents of tension still flowed. The chess match had been more than a simple game–it was a battle of wills, intelligence, and strategy that revealed layers of their complicated relationship. Each move on the board had carried weight beyond the game itself, speaking to larger patterns of advance and retreat, attack and defense that characterized their interactions.
But Veronica shook her head firmly. “I’m finished for today.”
With that realization, she walked away without a backward glance, clearing the space
for the next challenger.
In terms of chess mastery, there was simply no contest between them–they belonged to separate leagues entirely.
The silence stretched uncomfortably until Cullen broké it. “You haven’t touched a chess set in ages.”
Neal observed the easy familiarity between Veronica and Dario with interest. “That youngest Reid certainly struck gold.”
“Your skills have gotten rusty,” Cullen observed, his tone carrying an edge of superiority,
Veronica rose from her seat after clearing away the pieces. Sensing her intention to leave, Cullen made another attempt. “Care for a rematch?”
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219 Chapter 219- Tactical Illusion
“Unfortunate,” Neal commented thoughtfully. “Though this match proved far more captivating than their previous encounter. Despite lacking the first–move advantage, she demonstrated remarkable adaptability in that initial game. She decoded portions of his tactical approach, consistently mounting defenses against his offensive while simultaneously deploying her own concealed strategies to undermine his position. Such keen perception, memory retention, and game management in someone her age is truly extraordinary.”
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She studied the board for several long minutes, her fingers hovering over her piece. Then, rather than walking into his carefully laid snare, she made an unexpected move to a completely different section of the board.
Neal and Felix exchanged glances, their eyes shifting between Cullen and Veronica before settling on Niall with furrowed brows.
“Sure.”
Move after move, they engaged in silent warfare across the checkered battlefield. Eventually, Veronica found herself cornered, but the margin of defeat was razor–thin.
If he had been the one facing Cullen across that chessboard, he wouldn’t have survived half as long as Veronica had managed.
Moreover, during their match, Cullen had displayed unprecedented courtesy toward her, his demeanor markedly more civil than his usual cold indifference.
The observers had witnessed something significant unfold, though the true implications remained unclear. Whether Veronica’s performance would have any lasting impact on Cullen’s intentions, or if it was merely a momentary diversion in their ongoing marital dissolution, remained to be seen.
“No argument there,” Felix admitted reluctantly.
Edric caught the implication immediately.
Felix voiced his agreement with a nod.
Veronica kept her focus on the board, studying her position with careful precision. A simple nod and soft hum were her only acknowledgments, her eyes never lifting to
meet his.
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Chess had become a forgotten pleasure after their marriage began.
Dario approached Veronica as she distanced herself from the chess area. “How about we grab some refreshments?”
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220 Chapter 220–Festive Isolation
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