The Million-Dollar Heart

Arthur's face was alight with unbridled joy and triumphant pride as he swept Karen off her feet, spinning her around in a celebratory swirl. Karen, far from shy, boldly wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck and planted a big kiss on his cheek, showing none of the reserve you might expect from someone in their forties. They were as smitten as any pair of young lovers.

"Take it easy, love. This is just the start. Wait until I win this shining and bright, and she'll be crying out, begging to call me Mrs. Linklater!" Karen declared with fiery confidence, playfully lifting Arthur's chin. Arthur, blushing yet bold, managed to shout out, "Babe, you're amazing! Absolutely smashing!"

Percival captured every moment live, his face beaming with amusement as he glanced over at Vivienne. Vivienne merely glanced their way before quickly looking away. She supported Karen and Arthur's union, but that didn't mean she wanted to watch their public displays of affection.

The live chat exploded with comments.

"OMG, I can't handle this cuteness!"

"Love in the twilight years, and Arthur's just a big softie!"

"Hearts, hearts, hearts!"

Alyssa's nails dug into her palms, green with envy at their affection, seething with jealousy. Kate shot Karen a glare, comforting Alyssa, "Don't let it get to you, Alyssa. The competition's hardly begun. We haven't even gotten to the literature and art challenges. She won't be gloating for long."

"I suspect she cheated with that piano performance. Probably had the instrument rigged."

Alyssa's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Exactly, Yorick must have given her a grand piano to save the Linklater family from embarrassment. That's the only reason she could've beaten me."

The next challenge was Go. Karen and Alyssa sat opposite each other at the Go board, Karen with the black stones, Alyssa with the white.

with confident ease. Alyssa countered, but with each move, her frustration grew. Karen

trick are you playing? I'm a Go master!" Alyssa exclaimed, her anger

already

red with rage. "You're lying! There's no way I could lose to you.

stormed off, Karen called out nonchalantly,

was stunned. A

you're a 10-dan like it's supposed to impress us? Think you can fool

you lost to me," Karen quipped, barely

went wild

challenge was calligraphy. The Linklater estate had prepared two sets of traditional calligraphy tools for Karen and Alyssa. They each had half an hour

determined to make a comeback, chose a complex piece to emulate. Karen, poised and graceful, finished her

calligraphy master, approached to judge their work. He praised Alyssa's effort but noted

your piece? I'd pay handsomely," a guest offered, impressed by Alyssa's skill but clearly more taken with the mastery

to mask

disappointment with grace, offered

a

crowd. But it was clear, even amidst the polite compliments, that Karen's tatent had truly

by Karen, his brows furrowed deeply, his face twisted in a knot of