Chapter 1485


    As Mr. Gardner and his granddaughter were warmly greeted by the butler and eight servants, they


    responded with polite smiles and nods.


    After all, these were Eugene''s staff, and no detail could be overlooked.


    Having exchanged pleasantries with the servants, they looked up to see the well-dressed Eugene


    standing before them, uncharacteristically ying the host.


    Mr. Gardner approached with a hearty chuckle, "Eugene, after all these years, you''ve finally decided to


    throw a birthday bash. As an old friend, I''m thrilled to finally wish you a happy birthday in person. Today


    is truly a special day, andter, we must toast properly to it!"


    "In ce of liquor, let''s stick to water, since a young girl frowns upon me drinking," Eugene replied, his


    eyes twinkling with mirth.


    Mr. Gardner assumed Eugene was referring to a rtive and said with augh, "Blessed you are, to


    have youngsters keeping you in check. I''ve got my own whip-smart whipper-snapper at home, this one


    right here. Allow me to introduce my granddaughter, Phyllis Gardner. Come on, say hello to Mr.


    Albright."


    "Mr. Albright, on this special day, wish you a healthy long life," Phyllis said, presenting her gift with both


    hands.


    "Oh, you brought a gift?" Eugene extended his hands to receive it, "Thank you, thank you."


    "Phyllis has been passionate about chess since she was little, with over a decade of practice. For all


    these years, she''s admired you the most. I''ve told her about our friendship, but she wouldn''t believe it!"


    As Mr. Gardner spoke, he didn''t forget to nudge his granddaughter, "See, Phyllis? I wasn''t spinning


    yarns. Mr. Albright and I really do go way back."


    Phyllis chuckled yfully, "Grandpa, for once you''re not exaggerating."


    "Hey now, what kind of talk is that?" Mr. Gardner grinned, "Eugene, we''ll go on in and wait for you."


    "Great."


    As soon as Mr. Gardner left, more guests approached to exchange pleasantries with Eugene.


    Seizing the moment, Mr. Gardner whispered to Phyllis, "Phyllis, when the time is right, try to catch


    Eugene''s attention. Find a way to make him take you on as his mentee. He''s a tough cookie, you know.


    Old friends'' rmendations don''t sway him; he has to see something in you himself, you get me?"


    "Don''t worry, Grandpa, I''ve got this in the bag," Phyllis assured him confidently. She had won her fair


    share of chesspetitions, and it seemed that today''s birthday guests were from the older


    generation, with hardly any young people.


    She was sure to stand out!


    "Mr. Albright, it''s been too long since west met. You''re looking younger by the day!" A gracefuldy


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    approached, her smile impable as she took Eugene''s hand, "May you happy every day, and get


    better with each passing year."


    "Vivian, thank you," Eugene''s gaze drifted to her daughter, noting the absence of her father, despite his


    name on the invitation.


    Sensing his thoughts, she exined with augh, "My dad wanted toe himself, but he took a


    tumble and hurt his leg. He''s bedridden now and didn''t want to worry you, so he kept mum. He made


    me promise to bring his granddaughter to your birthday party. Oh, and here''s the present he picked for


    you. You must ept it."


    "Thank you, you''re too kind," Eugene said, his face a mask of gratitude though he anticipated what


    woulde next.


    "Oh, and this is my daughter, my dad''s adored granddaughter. Say hello to Mr. Albright."


    As expected, another attempt at a rmendation.


    "They grow up so fast, don''t they?" Eugene smiled affably, hiding any trace of his feelings.


    "Mr. Albright, my name is Roxanne. On your birthday, I wish you evesting life and all the happiness in


    the world," Roxanne said with ease and confidence.


    "Thank you."