Chapter 193
Chapter 193
Lionel waved his hand at Oneida, ready to start another round with her.
“Don’t hold back!” Lionel narrowed his eyes at her, emphasizing again with seriousness.
Oneida saw the earnestness in his gaze, and her eyes grew stern. “Alright, Grandpa. This time, I won’t hold back.”
The game board was set up for a new round.
As she stared intently at the chessboard, Oneida gracefully placed a piece between her fingers, her gaze serene.
Lionel was skilled at chess.
But compared to Oneida, there was still a significant gap.
Oneida could predict not only the moves of his pieces but even his inner thoughts.
Lionel’s move on the chessboard was within Oneida’s expectations.
When Lionel launched an attack, Oneida would effortlessly counter it.
In the end, Lionel found himself trapped with nowhere to go.
At first, Lionel didn’t feel anything, but eventually, he realized Oneida firmly trapped him.
He had no chance of winning anymore.
This sensation was unbearably oppressive.
Without a doubt, Lionel had lost.
He lost utterly and completely.
“I admit defeat.” Lionel placed his chess piece down, sighing in resignation.
It left everyone else in attendance stunned.
To make the usually unbeatable Lionel submit, probably only Oneida could achieve such a feat!
‘How could a seemingly simple country bumpkin possess such masterful chess skills?‘ they wondered.
She defeated Lionel with such ease that it appeared effortless.
Oneida’s lips curved into a smile, “Grandpa, you wouldn’t let me give you the win.”
“You really,” Lionel chuckled, shaking his head, “have a talent for chess. No wonder Jade appreciates you.”
“Ida,” Lionel looked at Oneida with a burning gaze. It was the first time he addressed her as “Ida,” and his tone was even more affectionate, “From now on, you must come here often to play chess with me.”
At this point, he disdainfully grumbled, “The rest of the family is just useless!”
The others, upon hearing this, looked visibly uncomfortable.
However, they were also quite astonished-
It seemed that Lionel took a liking to Oneida.
Although Lionel’s personality was not exactly distant, he was strict and not easily approachable.
Yet, he was so favorable towards Oneida at their very first meeting.
This was absolutely a special treatment that no one else received.
To catch Lionel’s eye was challenging!
Everyone present had diverse thoughts at the moment.
1/3
Chapter 193
Chapter 193
Lionel waved his hand at Oneida, ready to start another round with her.
“Don’t hold back!” Lionel narrowed his eyes at her, emphasizing again with seriousness.
Oneida saw the earnestness in his gaze, and her eyes grew stern. “Alright, Grandpa. This time, I won’t hold back.”
The game board was set up for a new round.
As she stared intently at the chessboard, Oneida gracefully placed a piece between her fingers, her gaze serene.
Lionel was skilled at chess.
But compared to Oneida, there was still a significant gap.
Oneida could predict not only the moves of his pieces but even his inner thoughts.
Lionel’s move on the chessboard was within Oneida’s expectations.
When Lionel launched an attack, Oneida would effortlessly counter it.
In the end, Lionel found himself trapped with nowhere to go.
At first, Lionel didn’t feel anything, but eventually, he realized Oneida firmly trapped him.
He had no chance of winning anymore.
This sensation was unbearably oppressive.
Without a doubt, Lionel had lost.
He lost utterly and completely.
“I admit defeat.” Lionel placed his chess piece down, sighing in resignation.
It left everyone else in attendance stunned.
To make the usually unbeatable Lionel submit, probably only Oneida could achieve such a feat!
‘How could a seemingly simple country bumpkin possess such masterful chess skills?‘ they wondered.
She defeated Lionel with such ease that it appeared effortless.
Oneida’s lips curved into a smile, “Grandpa, you wouldn’t let me give you the win.”
“You really,” Lionel chuckled, shaking his head, “have a talent for chess. No wonder Jade appreciates you.”
“Ida,” Lionel looked at Oneida with a burning gaze. It was the first time he addressed her as “Ida,” and his tone was even more affectionate, “From now on, you must come here often to play chess with me.”
At this point, he disdainfully grumbled, “The rest of the family is just useless!”
The others, upon hearing this, looked visibly uncomfortable.
However, they were also quite astonished-
It seemed that Lionel took a liking to Oneida.
Although Lionel’s personality was not exactly distant, he was strict and not easily approachable.
Yet, he was so favorable towards Oneida at their very first meeting.
This was absolutely a special treatment that no one else received.
To catch Lionel’s eye was challenging!
Everyone present had diverse thoughts at the moment.
1/3
Chapter 193
“Alright, let’s continue with our meal.” Lionel stood up from his chair, his face beaming with a relaxed smile. “My apologies; I got overly engrossed in chess and caused everyone’s dinner to be delayed.”
That was what he said, but nobody dared blame him.
So, everyone resumed their seats at the table.
Lionel glanced at the tableside where Roderick was sound asleep, and his brows furrowed in displeasure; he spoke loudly, “Roderick!”
Roderick was jolted entirely awake from his deep slumber with that authoritative shout.
He swayed, nearly tumbling off his chair.
Lionel snorted disdainfully at his appearance, his expression indifferent, “If you’re not feeling well, just go back to sleep so you don’t ruin the atmosphere here.”
Roderick heard this but didn’t argue against Lionel.
He still sat in his chair, saying, “Dad’s birthday, I naturally should stay.”
“You can stay if you want, but don’t stir up trouble, and be nice to your son!” Lionel was aware of what Roderick had just done to Jackson.
This was a warning to Roderick.
Upon hearing this, Roderick glanced at Jackson with displeasure.
Looking at his son, who was calm and indifferent, Roderick felt a sudden surge of anger.
But with Lionel present, he couldn’t lash out.
He could only remain silent.
The birthday dinner was relatively subdued.
Lionel interacted only with Oneida and Jackson throughout, making everyone else seem like mere background.
Claude looked annoyed by this.
This was definitely not a good sign.
If Lionel started favoring Jackson, it would not be good news for him and Jonas.
At that moment, Jonas, sitting to the side, also observed Jackson and Oneida.
His eyes gave a glimpse of the rage to come.
After dinner, Lionel intended to go back to his room to rest for a while.
The others also returned to their own rooms.
。
Oneida and Jackson weren’t planning on staying long at the Bane manor. They planned to take a break and then drive back to Garrison Mansion.
In the bedroom.
After Oneida emerged from the restroom, she realized Jackson was nowhere to be seen.
He was supposed to be in the bedroom.
‘Where’s this guy gone?‘ With a slight frown creasing her brows, she decided to go out and check.
After all, Jackson had trouble with his legs, so she couldn’t be assured about leaving him alone.
Oneida pushed open the bedroom door and stepped out.
She walked down the long corridor.
Unfortunately, she still didn’t catch a glimpse of Jackson, until she arrived at the doorway of a coffee lounge.
マウ
This coffee lounge, rumored to be Lionel’s exclusive spot for indulging in coffee and hosting guests, is adorned in an antique and lavish style, exuding immense charm.
2/3
4:36 PM
Chapter 193
However, at this moment, Oneida suddenly heard Jackson’s voice coming from inside the coffee lounge, and even the voice of Bella.
Oneida couldn’t hear enough to make out precisely what they were saying.
But realizing that Jackson was conversing with Bella and had explicitly ventured out to this secluded coffee lounge.
A strange emotion suddenly surged in Oneida’s heart.
She unconsciously tightened her fingers, her expression darkening.
Inside the coffee lounge.
Jackson sat in his wheelchair, his features sharp and his expression indifferent.
Standing opposite him, Bella wore a complex expression, looking at him intently.
Those round, beautiful eyes brimmed with profound emotions.
“Thank you for agreeing to come out,” Bella murmured, “to see me this once.”
“Speak your mind,” Jackson replied indifferently, his aloof eyes seemingly warmthless. “This is the last time.
Jackson looked at her with a distant expression.
Upon hearing that, Bella’s pupils suddenly shrank.
Her face turned pale as she looked at him, unconsciously biting her lips tightly. ‘Well, what more can I possibly hope for? Jackson, being willing to see me is already a tremendous gift, she thought.
“How have you been?” Bella finally asked, lifting her gaze to trace Jackson’s features.
“Great,” Jackson replied casually.
A hint of bitterness surged in Bella’s heart.
‘Are you so happy with Oneida, Jackson? If time could rewind, and I had worked harder and been more courageous, would I be the one standing next to you now?‘ she thought.
Bella had known Jackson for a long time.
Even before she knew Claude.
Back then, she was a carefree young lady of a wealthy family.
3/3
S
