Ashlyn smirked, her eyes sparkling with confidence. She asked Ian, “What happens if I win? Will you promise to treat my friend then, Old Mr. Leno?”

Her confidence piqued Ian’s curiosity.

Young people don’t have the patience to sit through a checkers match. He did not believe she knew how to play at all.

“Fine. If you win, I’ll treat your friend.”

As he spoke, Ian stepped onto a stone path in his yard and strode toward the round table under the shade of grapevines. His white hair fluttered in the breeze.

Ashlyn followed closely behind and sat opposite him.

Then, she placed the board on the table and arranged the intricate emerald checkers pieces on it.

Sunlight dappled on the checkers through the thicket of grapevines. The soft illumination brought out the stunning glow of the Cat’s Eye Emerald.

Ian’s cold face seemed to soften a fraction as he observed the scene.

thing in

that he was alone and living away from his family, the checkers set before

smiled at the subtle change in his expression and

one of the beautifully carved Cat’s Eye Emerald checkers. “You’re younger.

offer and settled her slender fingers on

complete odds with her cutthroat skills at

her pieces swiftly and shrewdly, attacking while defending her ground

her match with Ian, who was totally surprised by her exceptional skills

thought he would easily defeat Ashlyn in a

opponent’s talent, Ian upped his game and planned his moves

won the tight

could’ve won by a wider margin. Why did you choose to win by such

is more than enough. Old Mr. Leno, I hope you’ll stand by your promise. And I promise

paled. He asked, “How could a

expression admirably stoic, Ashlyn vowed, “As long as you cure my friend, I promise I’ll solve it for you. I may

his vegetable patch. “I swore never to treat another patient again, but since I have lost this bet,

rolled up her sleeves. Then, she stepped into the vegetable patch and began pulling out weeds. Her fingers were covered in dirt in

Ian since she seemed like a pampered socialite to him. He asked gently, “Is it

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