My Extraordinary Wife

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.

favorite thing in the world

and living away from his family, the checkers set before him gave him more comfort than anyone

subtle change in his

glanced at her and ran his finger over one of the beautifully carved Cat’s

and settled her

complete odds with her cutthroat skills at

and shrewdly, attacking while defending her

during her match with Ian, who was

would easily defeat Ashlyn in

upped his game and planned his moves

won the tight match by one

as he reorganized the checkers, asking, “You could’ve won by a wider margin. Why did you choose to win by such

“One is more than enough. Old Mr. Leno, I hope you’ll stand by your promise. And I promise I’ll help you to solve the matter that has been the source of

his feet, visibly tensing before his expression paled. He asked, “How could

long as you cure my friend, I promise I’ll solve

abruptly as he stopped before his vegetable patch. “I swore never to treat another patient again, but since I have lost this bet, I’ll keep my promise and treat your

stepped into the vegetable patch and began pulling

seemed like a pampered socialite to him. He asked gently, “Is