?Chapter 545:


    Elena approached with an easy grace and seated herself across from them. Turning slightly, Gerald gestured toward his chess opponent, making the introduction. “This is Kirby Garrett, ever eager for a good game.”


    Kirby, his hair tinged with gray, maintained a keen gaze that hinted at his storied past in high circles. His stance bore the unmistakable mark of a man ustomed tomand.


    Elena nodded to him, her manner respectful yet unassuming. “Pleasure to meet you, Kirby.”


    Kirby’s face softened into a smile, evidently taken with Elena’s demeanor. In his many years in the military, he was used to seeing young recruits falter under his scrutiny, yet Elena stood her ground with quiet strength. She had a gracious demeanor, but no trace of shyness. Gerald, a man of quick temper and sparing praise, had onlymendations for Elena. Such endorsements from him were rare and spoke volumes.


    Kirby, intrigued, leaned in slightly, his voice tinged with respect. “You’re a Harper, aren’t you? Word is you yed a key role in saving Gerald here. To possess such medical prowess at your age is truly astounding.”


    With a modest tilt of her head, Elena responded, “I appreciate your kind words, Kirby.”


    After a brief pause, Kirby burst outughing, thoroughly charmed. “Remarkable! Not just skilled but spirited too. Gerald, how did youe across such a gem?”


    Kirby had expected Elena to be quiet and humble, but she was far from it.


    Gerald seized an opportunity when Kirby was momentarily distracted and deftly captured one of his pieces. “You should’ve been at my birthday party,” he said with a yful smirk. “Then you would’ve met her.” Elena caught Gerald’s sly maneuver and chuckled. “Kirby, being excessively humble can actually make you seem insincere.”


    Gerald gave an earnest nod. “That’s right. And you can’t argue with Elena’s skills. Her medical expertise is genuinely ster.” Trained under a celebrated healer, Elena’s capabilities seemed almost innate.


    Kirby, now alert to Gerald’s trickery, caught him red-handed. “Gerald, don’t think I didn’t see that. You didn’t move there.”


    Caught in the act and sensing imminent defeat, Gerald hastily said, “No way, you must’ve seen wrong.”


    Every tale finds a home at g?lnσν???s


    Kirby promptly returned the piece to its original position. “That’s it. You’ve lost this round. Trying to cheat right in front of Elena?”


    In a desperate bid to turn the game around, Gerald mmed his piece down defiantly. “Who says I’ve lost? Don’t get ahead of yourself, Kirby. Elena, win him for me.”


    Suddenly thrust into the middle of their game, Elena raised an eyebrow in surprise.


    Kirby burst intoughter. “Can’t stomach the thought of losing, so now you’re dragging her into this?”


    Gerald huffed defiantly, “The game isn’t over till it’s over.”


    “Elena, show him how it’s done—win this game for me!” Gerald pleaded. Elena, both resigned and amused by their antics, nodded in agreement. “Alright, let’s see what I can do.”


    Kirby hadn’t given Elena much thought, but the deeper they got into the game, the more uneasy he became. Elena’s moves, initially perceived as defensive, had cleverly ensnared his ck pieces in a subtle yet deadly trap.


    Kirby’s heart sank as she confidently lifted a captured piece from the board, her eyes meeting his with a triumphant sparkle. “You’ve lost, Kirby.”


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