Chapter 60

Henry brought over a plate of fruit and sat down beside Elise, offering her a piece. She shook her head. "You eat. I'm still full." Michael glanced at them, his eyes dark and unreadable, but he said nothing. "It's been a while since you last played chess, hasn't it?" he asked after a pause. There really wasn't anyone else for Elise to play with. She had tried teaching Lucas once, but he'd lost interest immediately. At Hilltop Manor, there was only Wanda, and when she occasionally visited the Holt residence, no one there ever welcomed her. It had been six years since she last touched a chessboard, so she was a little out of practice. She said lightly, "You're too good, Mr. Grayson." Michael's playstyle mirrored his personality–direct and relentless, leaving no room for mercy. Elise, on the other hand, preferred patience and precision, defending first, then striking with certainty. Even after six years, she had only lost by a single piece. Henry knew the basics of the game but lacke