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

family, the checkers set

the subtle change in his expression and invited him

ran his finger over one of the beautifully

his offer and settled her slender fingers

complete odds with her cutthroat skills at

and shrewdly, attacking while

did not panic during her match with Ian, who was totally surprised by

easily defeat Ashlyn in a

game and planned

won the tight match

he reorganized the checkers, asking, “You could’ve won by a wider margin. Why

replied, “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

could a young lady

“As long as you cure my friend, I promise I’ll solve it for you.

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

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