The house instantly split into two camps.


    Effie leaned in and whispered to Lyman, "Whew, the pressure''s on."


    A sly grin tugged at Lyman''s lips. "Ignore them. Let''s just focus on our game."


    "Right."


    Healy chimed in, "No secret plotting, you two. All of us Etheridges y fair and square-honest to the core."


    Fowler nodded. "That''s right."


    Normally, you''d never see them so united, but today, they stood together like a true team.


    Effie sat across from Lyman, feeling the tension for the first time. Chess had always been easygoing with her grandfather—more about learning than winning, with him gently guiding her moves.


    But ying against Lyman was a whole different story. The stakes felt real. It was as if they were waging a silent battle-she, the indomitablemander, and Lyman, her equally formidable rival.


    They traded moves back and forth, neither side gaining the upper hand. As the match dragged on, every y grew more cautious, every decision more deliberate. One wrong move could mean defeat.


    The spectators hardly dared to breathe. It felt less like watching a board game and more like witnessing two generalsmanding armies on the battlefield-so intense it sent shivers through the onlookers.


    "Check," Effie dered.


    Lyman''s brow furrowed. In his rush, he''d made a mistake.


    "Wait, hold on-"


    Effie quickly put a hand over his, stopping him from taking back his move. "No take-backs, Lyman. You lost."


    Lyman gave a sheepishugh, barely believing he''d actually lost a game.


    Seeing Lyman''s defeat, Healy and Fowler stared in disbelief.


    "Lyman, you didn''t let her win on purpose, did you?" Healy asked.


    Lyman shot him a look. "Are you doubting Effie''s skill, Uncle?"


    "N-no,


    "


    not what I meant, I


    bet


    y hesitated, realizing he''d too soon. The others n''t.


    had a chance to chime in.


    "I mean, you''re really amazing, Effie," Healy added quickly.


    Effie shook her head. "I just got lucky. If we yed again, I might not win."


    Everyone thought she was being


    modest. Only Effie knew Lyman was


    every bit her equal. She''d just


    managed to keep her cool when


    Lyman started to lose his


    Lyman grinned. "How about another round?"


    "Again?" Friedman groaned. "I''m going to end up broke at this rate."


    Lindyughed. "Come on, let''s have another game!"


    Bancroft, too, perked up. "Don''t forget, that''s my chessboard you''re using."


    Seeing he was outnumbered, Friedman made a quick escape.


    Even after some of the others drifted off, Effie and Lyman kept at it, both intent on the game. And just as Effie had predicted, the wins went back and forth-neither of them dominating every match.


    But in the end, the oue hardly mattered to anyone else.


    "Grandpa''s asleep," Effie whispered, nodding to Bancroft, who was dozing in his chair.


    Lyman nced over at Bancroft, mischief sparkling in his eyes. He called out, "Grandpa!"


    Bancroft jolted awake, blinking blearily. "What? Is it morning already?"


    Effie and Lyman burst outughing. “Grandpa, why don''t you go to bed? You look ready to drop."


    Bancroft insisted, “Nonsense, I''m wide awake. Keep ying."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!