CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198: DEADLOCK

She thought there’s no way Summer Monroe, a girl from the countryside, could play chess. She must be just putting on a brave face.

But, is that really the case?

Two minutes left until the competition starts.

Estelle Alden noticed that quite a few people were looking her way.

To show her graciousness and ability in chess, she put on a slightly reluctant look and said, "Let me still go over the basic rules with you. The chessboard is already set up, I don’t need to teach you that. I’m playing black, you’re playing white, I’ll move on black squares, you’ll move on white squares. According to the rules, white moves first. If you want to resign, just lay down your king..."

Estelle Alden explained the basic rules to Summer Monroe slowly and carefully, maintaining the demeanor of a skilled chess player.

Summer Monroe didn’t interrupt Estelle Alden, just quietly listened to her showing off.

In the eyes of others, Summer Monroe seemed to be earnestly learning.

Finally, the match began.

Estelle Alden, with great courtesy, gestured with a hand to indicate "please go ahead".

Summer Monroe smirked slightly and made the first move.

Without even thinking, Estelle Alden made her move right away, capturing Summer Monroe’s pawn.

Summer Monroe leisurely made the second move...

The third move...

The fourth move...

Estelle Alden’s expression gradually changed from calm confidence to disbelief, her eyes widened as if they would pop out.

Impossible... Summer Monroe actually... captured a large number of her pieces.

She rubbed her eyes, convinced she had seen it wrong.

But upon looking again, the chessboard was exactly as it appeared — her queen had been captured!

Estelle Alden’s hand started trembling.

Summer Monroe raised her eyes to look at Estelle Alden, smiling gently, "Shall we continue?"

Estelle Alden stared intently at the chessboard.

If she moved there? Dead end!

If she moved here? Dead end!

No matter what move she made, her king would inevitably be captured, losing was only a matter of time.

Large droplets of sweat formed on Estelle Alden’s forehead.

She never could have imagined that she, with such an illustrious record as an amateur chess player, would lose to a country girl!

"Tap, tap."

Only Summer Monroe’s finger tapping the table could be heard, as if urging her.

This was humiliation!

But, her chessboard was beyond saving.

Estelle Alden paled as she closed her eyes and laid down her king —

This meant she resigned.

Summer Monroe stood up and extended her hand to shake with Estelle Alden.

Estelle Alden left in humiliation straightaway.

Summer Monroe gazed at Estelle Alden’s fleeing figure, the smile on her lips deepening.

Sometimes, when faced with others’ ridicule and provocations, there’s no need to say anything, just defeat them outright.

Round one, Summer Monroe won — in just two minutes, making Estelle Alden concede defeat on her own.

The scorekeeper wrote Summer Monroe’s points on the big blackboard.

In a round robin, players are eliminated based on their scores.

According to Estelle Alden’s score, if she loses the next match, she might very well be "invited" to leave The Elite Society’s venue.

Meanwhile, Rachel Ross also finished her game.

She glanced at her opponent’s laid-down "king," and with a casual smirk at the corner of her mouth, walked toward the scoreboard — she wanted to see how many moves Estelle Alden took to beat Summer Monroe.

Maybe... not even one move was needed?

Because Summer Monroe couldn’t possibly play chess!

However, Rachel Ross had only taken a few steps when she ran into Estelle Alden, whose face was as pale as a sheet.

Estelle Alden was holding her small purse, looking like she was about to leave.

She was astonished and grabbed Estelle Alden, asking, "Are you not feeling well? Where are you going?"

Seeing Rachel Ross, Estelle Alden forced a stiff, sheepish smile and said, "Y-Yeah, I’m not feeling well. I have to leave early and see a doctor."