Chapter 81
"Yes," Arthur agreed, his tone surprisingly compliant.
He gestured slightly toward the chessboard, offering Caroline a faint smile. "Ms. Hamilton, please."
Gareth glanced thoughtfully between them. "You two know each other?"
"Yes," said Arthur at the exact moment Caroline said, "No."
Their contradictory answers hung in the air as puzzled looks crossed the faces of everyone in the courtyard.
Though it was spring, the evening air carried a penetrating chill that seeped through the wooden doors. A servant went to close them.
Arthur explained coolly, "Ms. Hamilton is the chief consultant at the neuroscience laboratory. We occasionally cross paths in business."
"I see." Gareth nodded, seemingly satisfied with this explanation.
The servants quickly set up the chessboard as the room fell silent.
Heidi sat beside Arthur, pressed so close they were nearly touching. Arthur's friends stood behind him, eager spectators to the match. Behind Caroline stood no one.
"After you," Arthur gestured.
Caroline didn't refuse. White had the advantage of the first move, and she was curious whether she could actually beat him this time.
The game began, both players exchanging moves with mounting tension that made it difficult to predict a winner.
Fifteen minutes in, Arthur gave Caroline a contemplative look. She remained composed, unhurriedly moving another piece.
"Excellent!" Gareth exclaimed. "It's truly more interesting watching young people play."
He looked at Caroline with delighted surprise. "Young lady, your style changes remarkably fast. You were so aggressive when playing against me, but now you're subtly capturing Arthur's pieces without him noticing. Impressive!"
Caroline smiled slightly but said nothing.
Heidi and Clinton barely understood chess—they couldn't read the playing styles or determine who had the advantage.
If not for Gareth's commentary, they would have been completely lost.
"I didn't expect Caroline to be so good at chess," Clinton muttered. "She's holding her own against Arthur—they almost look like a good match."
Heidi fell silent. Clinton immediately realized his mistake and quickly apologized.
"Heidi, I'm sorry, I didn't mean they make a good couple. You and Arthur are obviously meant for each other."
Heidi ignored him, biting her lip with a forced smile. "Caroline really is impressive, suddenly so skilled at chess. I never knew before."
"She was obviously hiding her talents and now she's showing off to attract attention," Clinton scoffed. "So calculating!"
Caroline remained expressionless, deaf to their comments, her eyes focused solely on the chess pieces.
In the end, she narrowly defeated Arthur. She wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead and smiled. "Thank you for the game, Mr. Windsor."
Arthur's lips curled into an enigmatic smile. "Ms. Hamilton, you've been hiding your talents."
Having witnessed such a brilliant match, Gareth couldn't stop praising Caroline.
He genuinely found this young woman intriguing—about the same age as his grandson.
At his advanced age, he enjoyed matchmaking for the younger generation, but thinking of his grandson's stubborn temperament, he abandoned the idea.
"Someone bring my things," he called. A maid brought out a long wooden box from the inner room, and Gareth instructed her to give it to Caroline.
"Young lady, in all these years, this is the first time I've seen this boy bested. You're remarkable."
"I heard you came to The Aurelia Gala Auction to find a gift. I have a calligraphy piece here—one of my better works. Please take it if you don't mind."
Caroline was startled, especially when she noticed the Griffith signature. She stepped back. "Mr. Griffith, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."
Gareth waved dismissively. "Take it when I say so. No need for courtesy."
He glanced at Heidi before adding, "I have some connection with the owner of The Aurelia Gala Auction. From now on, you can come directly—you'll be their most honored guest, no questions asked."
Caroline hadn't expected such an unexpected reward from a chess game.
Currently lacking connections, she wouldn't refuse Gareth's offer to establish a relationship with the Griffith family.
She accepted the box with a grateful "Thank you very much, Mr. Griffith."
Gareth chatted with them a bit longer before his butler came to escort him away for his medicine.
Before leaving, he invited Caroline to visit the Griffith Manor sometime, who agreed happily.
Heidi's eyes reddened with envy. What she envied wasn't Caroline receiving Gareth's precious calligraphy or her newfound access to the auction house.
She was jealous that Caroline had established a connection with the Griffith family after just one chess game.
The Griffith family was Sovereign City's renowned scholarly clan.
Gareth's students were spread throughout the country, his eldest son held a high position, his second son was a business genius, and even his grandson Oliver Griffith was famous as the country's youngest artificial intelligence expert.
Whether in business or politics, the Griffith family was among Sovereign City's most prestigious families.
How could Caroline possibly deserve such connections?
With Gareth gone, Caroline had no reason to stay. She thanked the maid and prepared to leave with the wooden box, only to be intercepted at the courtyard gate by Stanley, who looked her up and down.
"She wants to see you," he said simply.
Caroline understood immediately. "She" referred to Becky. Apparently, Stanley hadn't come with Arthur but had been sent by Becky specifically to find her.
She nodded slightly and followed Stanley, quickly departing.
From a distance, Heidi observed this scene with a slight smile. "I was just thinking it's too late for Caroline to go home alone and was about to offer our driver. But it seems she already has someone to take her."
Seeing Caroline walking with Stanley, Clinton spat out a harsh "Tsk!" and added, "Who knows what tricks she used to hook Mr. Powell so quickly! This Caroline is dangerous—Heidi, you need to be careful!"
Heidi smiled faintly without responding, but she noticed Arthur's gaze following Caroline's retreating figure, hiding some indescribable emotion.
Her heart tightened, and just as she was about to speak, Arthur's cold voice broke the silence.
"I'll have the driver take you home first."
Heidi paled slightly but maintained her composure. "Arthur, are you going to find Caroline?"
Arthur didn't deny it. "The housekeeper messaged that Logan isn't feeling well. Caroline is better at taking care of the children."
Heidi sighed in relief. So it was for the children. She initially wanted to say she could help too, but remembering the time she took the children to their enrichment classes, her expression stiffened.
She forced a smile. "Indeed, Caroline is their mother after all, more attentive to details. I tend to be careless—I couldn't even pack properly when taking the children to their classes."