The Sprawling 219 - My Coldhearted Husband’s Regret

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, hisfortable advantage evaporated.

From their vantage point, Veronica’s decision to engage in chess with Cullen had been a calcted 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 cement. His pieces were positioned like predators, waiting to spring their trap.

Darcy eagerly imed 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 oue 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. Thepetitive 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 sessfully prated Cullen’s strategic thinking midway through. However, she suspected that

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219 Chapter 219 Tactical Illusion

her supposed breakthrough might have been an illusion he had deliberately constructed.

“Theyplement each other well,” Neal remarked meaningfully.

A slow smile spread across his face as he contemted his response. After an extended pause, he ced his piece with deliberate precision.

Her poised and sharp–minded presence clearly reflected excellent breeding and education. The thought of inquiring about her romantic avability 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 revealedyers of theirplicated rtionship. Each move on the board had carried weight beyond the game itself, speaking torger 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 nce, 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 ufortably 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,” Nealmented thoughtfully. “Though this match proved far more captivating than their previous encounter. Despitecking 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 carefullyid snare, she made an unexpected move to apletely different section of the board.

Neal and Felix exchanged nces, 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 disyed 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 anysting 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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219 Chapter 219 Tactical Illusion

Chess had be a forgotten pleasure after their marriage began.

Dario approached Veronica as she distanced herself from the chess area. “How about we grab some refreshments?”