Je… Je…

"Ten dudes and planes in the women eagerly prove that—read, he just asked them candy," any of you know how to play churrung?"

"Don't know how to pity that…"

"That land of old-fashioned? Something only old people play still…"

"Exactly! My grandpa used to like it. Who even plays shatranj anymore?"

It was unclear whether Jason genuinely had an interest in shatranj or if he was just using it as a polite way to drive these women away.

Rachel hadn’t stepped forward yet. She was standing a short distance away, quietly observing.

Still, someone eventually took the bait.

"Mr. Denzel, could we take a look at the board?"

"Sure."

Jason pulled out his phone, and the other women leaned closer to look as well.

"This board looks like someone stopped halfway through."

"Yes, looks like it's headed toward a dead end. Basically, someone needs to try and turn the situation around."

Some of the women might not have been experts, but they understood enough to give it a try.

After all, a basic understanding was good enough. It was a chance to impress Jason. Not only was he handsome and came from a powerful family, but word had it that he was close friends with Tyler as well.

As for Tyler? They had all given up.

That man was practically a priest.

Over the years, many had tried to pursue him, but nothing ever worked. He wasn’t moved by anyone.

Eventually, rumors began to spread in their circles. People speculated that Tyler’s sexual orientation might be unconventional.

How else could someone that attractive, that successful, and in his thirties still be single? He never even had a girlfriend.

It was hard not to wonder.

Rachel took a serious look at the board and finally couldn’t resist stepping forward.

"Mr. Denzel, if I manage to solve this puzzle, is there any kind of reward?"

The moment she said that, the others followed up quickly.

Chapter 432 +25 BONUS

"Yes, there should be a reward. We can't just sit around cracking puzzles for free. This one looks seriously hard to solve."

"If the prize is worth it, I'd be willing to give it my all."

Jason’s dark gaze landed on Rachel. He was clearly a little surprised.

There was something different about her–something refined, cool, and almost otherworldly.

More importantly, she wasn’t like the others who had thick makeup on. Hers was light and freed her delicate features of any artificial glamor. There was a quiet elegance to her, like she didn’t even belong in the same world as the rest of them.

Still, Jason couldn’t shake the feeling that he had seen her somewhere before.

He spoke without thinking, "Excuse me, but have we met before?"

Rachel responded graciously, "Hello, Mr. Denzel. I'm Rachel Lloyd."

"Rachel…"

Jason murmured her name, then suddenly seemed to recall something. He looked at her with a stunned expression.

"You're—"

He was just about to say it, but then his gaze drifted to a man standing not far away. Instantly, he held back.

He couldn’t say it.

Tyler had kept this under wraps for years. He hadn’t said anything five years ago, and now that she was back, he still wasn’t saying a word.

If Jason exposed anything now, who knew what kind of trouble he’d bring on himself?

Tyler might just skin him alive!

But as Tyler’s longtime friend, Jason figured perhaps this was the perfect opportunity. Maybe he could finally do something to push these two back together. Even as a bystander, he couldn’t keep watching this play out any longer.

He just didn’t get it. Tyler was always the decisive type, so efficient and no-nonsense. Why was he dragging his feet so much when it came to this?

She was only a woman. Given Tyler’s charm, shouldn’t he have locked this down long ago?

But still, if Rachel wasn’t going to Tyler, why had she suddenly come looking for him?

Jason crossed his arms and stared at Rachel like he was watching a spectacle.

"Ms. Lloyd, do you know how to solve this?"

2/2 Chapter 433