Chapter 217

Alexander broke the silence first. "Alright."

Isabella sat opposite him, her posture composed.

After the initial shock faded, Victoria's expression smoothed into its usual mask of calm.

She greeted Walter before moving to stand beside Alexander.

It wasn't just Julian who was surprised—the entire Kensington and Montgomery families were stunned. Even Sebastian and Walter hadn't seen this coming.

Though Nathaniel had introduced Isabella earlier at the gallery, they still knew very little about her.

Given her quiet, reserved demeanor, they assumed she wasn’t the type to seek attention.

So even if she knew chess, they never expected her to openly challenge someone like this.

Gregory didn’t know Isabella well, but he had noticed her presence.

With her striking beauty and poised manners, she seemed the epitome of an elegant, well-bred young woman.

To him, she appeared to be the perfect match for his grandson.

He never imagined she could play chess—let alone like this.

Alexander studied her. "You want to go first?"

The first move often held a strategic advantage.

Without hesitation, Isabella made her opening play.

Alexander countered swiftly.

At first, their moves were cautious, neither revealing too much.

No words were exchanged.

Isabella’s focus remained entirely on the board, barely sparing Alexander a glance.

Soon, Walter and Gregory realized her playing style mirrored her personality—calm, deliberate, and methodical.

She wasn’t just thinking a few moves ahead—she was orchestrating the entire game.

The realization left them speechless.

Earlier, they had praised Victoria for her quick reflexes and solid strategy. But in truth, she had merely been following Alexander’s lead—while he let her win.

That match had dragged on because Alexander had been guiding her, making it feel more like a playful exchange than a serious game.

Still, Victoria’s adaptability was impressive for her age.

But now—

Alexander quickly noticed Isabella wasn’t following his lead. Instead, she was steering him into her trap.

When he eased his attack, she didn’t relent. She seized the moment, defending flawlessly before launching a counterattack that forced him to hesitate.

He looked up at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Gregory couldn’t help but applaud. "Brilliant!"

Nathaniel smirked, clearly amused.

Julian and Sebastian, however, were completely floored.

They had lost track of Isabella’s strategy long ago.

Her composed, defensive play had lulled them into overlooking her subtle maneuvers.

By now, it was clear—Isabella wasn’t just familiar with chess. She was a formidable player.

Victoria stood beside Alexander, mostly watching from his side.

Like Julian and the others, she had already lost track of his moves.

She had assumed Isabella would lose quickly.

But as she watched Alexander’s growing intensity—his focus sharper than when he played with her—she realized the truth.

When Walter and the others leaned in, fully engrossed, it hit her.

Isabella wasn’t just good.

She might even be better.