Chapter 196
Chapter 196:
A servant, pre-instructed, brought out a beautiful antique chess board and placed it on a center table.
“We have with us tonight Brenda Jones, the three-time national champion!” Vivian announced.
Applause rippled through the room. Brenda stepped forward, bowing theatrically.
“I need a volunteer,” Brenda said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Or a victim p>
Vivian turned to Aurora. “Cousin! You claim to be smart. You corrected my French earlier. Why not play p>
The crowd laughed. It was clearly a setup. A lamb being led to the slaughter.
Aurora looked at the board. She looked at Brenda.
“I don’t play games,” Aurora said dismissively. She turned to leave.
“Afraid?” Brenda taunted. “Typical. The uneducated always run when logic is involved p>
Aurora stopped.
Vivian upped the ante. She walked to a display case near the wall and unlocked it. She pulled out a brooch. The Kensington Emerald Brooch. It was a massive, glittering stone surrounded by diamonds. A family heirloom.
“If you win,” Vivian said, holding it up, “you get this. It was supposed to be mine. But if you’re truly a Kensington, earn it p>
Matriarch Kensington, who had returned to the room, looked up from her chair. Her eyes narrowed. That brooch was significant.
“And if I lose?” Aurora asked slowly, turning back.
“You leave the estate tonight,” Vivian said, her voice hard. “You pack your bags. You admit to Monica that you were wrong. And you disappear p>
The room gasped. The stakes were impossibly high. Exile vs. Heritage.
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Harper rushed to Aurora’s side. “Don’t do it, Aurora. She’s a pro. She’s ranked. This is suicide p>
Aurora looked at the board. It was a standard Staunton set. The squares were black and white. Simple. Logical. A world she understood better than this one.
“I’ll take the bet,” a deep voice cut through the noise.
Elias Thorne stepped out of the shadows.
He walked into the circle of light. He held his glass of scotch casually, but his presence was heavy.
“I’ll back the bet,” Elias said. He looked at Vivian. “If she loses, I cover the apology. I’ll donate a new wing to the hospital in Noah’s name p>
The room buzzed. The recluse billionaire was involved. He was betting on the outcast.
“But if she wins,” Elias continued, turning his cold gaze to Brenda, “I want the board. That antique set. It’s 19th century, isn’t it? I like it p>
Vivian was thrilled. Defeating Aurora now meant embarrassing Elias too. It would be a double kill.
“Done,” Vivian said.
Aurora looked at Elias. “You trust me that much p>
Elias didn’t smile. He took a sip of his drink, his eyes warm over the rim of the glass. “Always p>