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    The atmosphere around the table grew charged with concentration andpetitive energy. Even casual observers could sense they were witnessing something exceptional.

    Hisment was directed toward Dario, who recognized the truth in the observation.

    “I’ll defer to you again.”

    Her record against him showed no victories, yet Malcolm’s responses and critiques revealed that Veronica possessed exceptional talent.

    “Your opening move?” Cullen offered.

    Niall’s attention becameser–focused on Veronica after that moment. Every gesture, every calcted move the younger woman made was now under careful scrutiny.

    Neal observed with growing amusement. “She projects suchposure and control, yet here she sits, engaging Cullen in this match under these circumstances. Opportunities to face an opponent of his caliber don’t present themselves often. She’s reluctant to walk away from such a rare chance.”

    Felix’s words of admiration only deepened the hollow feeling spreading through her chest.

    Malcolm had maintained an unbroken winning streak since his adolescent years.

    Neal raised his hands in mock surrender.

    Her youth made her skill level even more remarkable.

    Her chess abilities were undeniably impressive.

    Veronica ced her final piece and spoke quietly. “The game is yours.”

    Felix leaned forward slightly,pletely absorbed in the tactical exchanges happening before him. The level of y had elevated beyond what he had witnessed in their first game.

    Cullen had transformed in her mind into simply another chess yer, stripped of all

    other associations.

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    Something indefinable passed between them during the match that both Neal and Felix noticed from their observation posts. The two yers seemed to share an understanding that transcended their brief acquaintance, as though they had been testing each other’s minds for years rather than minutes.

    Continuing would serve no purpose. She rose from her chair, preparing to step away

    from the table.

    They yed inplete silence, neither offeringmentary nor casual

    conversation.

    Veronica’s previous chess experiences had been limited primarily to matches with Malcolm.

    This opportunity felt too valuable to abandon.

    Though Dario held the distinction of being the second most skilled yer in their social circle, trailing only Cullen, he epted the assessment without defensiveness.

    Neal’sughter broke the tension. “Extraordinary. I never expected to see such masterful y in this setting, particrly from yers so young. Truly impressive

    work.”

    Several minutes psed before Veronica finally moved, executing a subtle maneuver that tilted the board’s momentum back toward her favor.

    Niall watched this dynamic unfold with growing difort. The connection she witnessed between Cullen and Veronica felt more intimate than mere gamey. Their silentmunication spoke of apatibility that made her feel like an outsider looking in.

    A moment of stillness passed before she lifted her gaze to Cullen. He advanced another piece with deliberate precision. Veronica’s hand froze mid–reach.

    Few individuals, regardless of their age or background, had ever earned the kind of recognition that Malcolm consistently showed Veronica.

    She understood her position clearly. Maintaining the current bnce was possible, but achieving victory seemed beyond her grasp.

    After a moment’s consideration, Veronica returned to her seat.

    The second game was revealing depths to bothpetitors that their first encounter

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    had only hinted at. Neither was holding back now.

    Veronica had withdrawnpletely into her own world, shuttering out the murmured conversations and shifting bodies around the table. Her focus was absolute.

    Cullen’s voice stopped her immediately. “Another round?”

    Dario offered a confirming nod. Neal continued his analysis. “You wouldn’t stand a chance against her either.”

    Cullen epted her decision without argument and initiated the game.

    While the others discussed her capabilities, Veronica and Cullen had already reset the board for their second encounter.

    Additional moves remained possible, but the inevitable conclusion was already written in the positioning.

    Neal found himself holding his breath during particrly tense sequences, while Dario studied both yers with professional interest.

    She refused to avoid the match simply because of his identity.

    Her earlier performance had cost her several key pieces, and she wanted to

    understand exactly where her limitationsy.

    Veronica was pushing herself harder now, taking greater risks and exploring more aggressive strategies. Cullen responded in kind, their moves bing increasinglyplex and ambitious.

    Felix shot him an irritated nce, his concentration shattered. “Quiet, please.”

    “You’re absolutely right,” Dario responded without hesitation.

    When Veronica navigated through Cullen’s deliberatelyplex trap with an approach that caught everyone off guard, Niall felt her stomach twist with anxiety,

    Cullen responded within two minutes, his counter swift and decisive.

    The quality of their y suggested a familiarity that shouldn’t have existed between rtive strangers. Each anticipated the other’s strategic preferences with uncanny

    uracy.

    Neal’s assessment had been urate. Chess matches had be infrequent in her

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    routine. Beyond Malcolm, she rarely encountered opponents who could truly challenge her strategic thinking.

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