Chapter 436

“Do you want the solution to this puzzle? Dream on!” Rachel said.

“You!” Yvette shrieked–she finally realized Rachel had been toying with her. Her expression darkened instantly.

Rachel’s expression grew cold as well. Her words were harsh and unfiltered, hitting Yvette like a volley of bullets.

“You said I had my eyes on Mr. Denzel, that I wanted to solve this puzzle just to spend the night with him. But aren’t you the same? Putting on this holier-than-thou act when deep down, you’re thinking the exact same thing. No one here is stupid, Yvette. There’s no need to pretend. If you want something, then at least have the guts to fight for it on your own merit.”

Yvette was rendered speechless. Her cheeks flushed bright red as she stood there, stiff and embarrassed.

She hadn’t expected Rachel to humiliate her right in front of so many people with no mercy whatsoever.

That was when Sasha stepped in to smooth things over.

“Alright now, sisters bicker from time to time. No need to get upset. Rachel, you’re the older one. Can’t you let a little teasing slide?”

Rachel didn’t even bother to glance at Sasha. She walked straight up to the board and moved a piece on the upper right section.

Everyone had been so focused on the center of the board, they hadn’t noticed that position at all.

It was only now that they realized the center was just a decoy.

Whoever had set up the game wanted everyone trying to solve it to believe the only chance for victory lay in that narrow sliver of hope.

But just like in life, what seemed like salvation might turn out to be nothing more than a distraction.

People around them gasped with admiration.

“Ms. Lloyd truly is extraordinary! She actually cracked this board wide open!”

“Right? That move she played was so subtle. I didn’t even think of it. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the center.”

“Incredible! I’ve seen top-tier players online struggle with this one, and yet she figured it out.”

“I don’t believe any of those rumors anymore. A woman this brilliant wouldn’t need to cozy up to men for anything.”

“Exactly. Even if she were involved with Mr. Hunt or Howard, who’s to say they weren’t the ones chasing after her?”

“Good point.”

Yvette stared as Rachel turned the whole game around with just a single move. Just one move changed everything. She couldn’t believe it.

“You all must be mistaken! There’s no way! None of you could solve it, and now my sister just magically did?” Yvette screeched.

“What are you saying, young lady? Even if one person was mistaken, do you think an entire ballroom full of people would be wrong?”

“You know so much about your sister’s private life, but you didn’t know she could play shatranj?”

“Yvette is a Lloyd too. Could it be that you’re just jealous of your sister?”

Yvette’s face flushed with shame and fury. Veins stood out at her temples, and her fists clenched so tightly her fingertips turned red from the pressure.

Jason quietly lowered his head and texted Tyler.

[I can’t believe someone actually solved your puzzle!]

Tyler glanced at the message but didn’t respond. Still, the smile on his face was impossible to hide.

Jason had scoured the internet, reaching out to experts, but not a single one had managed to solve the puzzle.

Jason made a prompt decision.

“Well then, since Ms. Lloyd has cracked the puzzle, I’ll honor the deal. We’ll spend the night together as promised.”