Arielle’s lips parted, and she muttered, “Don’t kneel. I wouldn’t dare to let you. If you do that, the others will say that I’m crossing the line and being mean to you.” Hearing that, Kelsea began gritting her teeth. If I kneel, but Arielle doesn’t accept it, Hans would be furious. Hence, she had to put on a smile. “Ms. Moore, of course not. I’m your student’s student. It’s normal for me to be respectful.” “Oh,” Arielle mumbled with a nod.
“So you’d like to kneel now? But it’s too late. I don’t want to accept it.” The colors drained out of Kelsea’s face as she cast a pleading look toward Hans. Unfortunately, Hans was not looking at her; his eyes were fixed on Arielle as if he was looking at the most precious treasure in the world. Right then, a thought entered Arielle’s mind. “There’s something else. Although I don’t mind others talking behind my back, I hate being slandered the most.
Therefore, I’d like to clarify something.” As she spoke, she took out her phone. An ominous feeling began to grow in Kelsea.. In the next second, after a few rapid taps, a female voice sounded out from the speakers. “You’ve always won because your opponents are all third-rate chess players and hobbyists. You’ve never encountered a real player.
In fact, you won’t even be able to defeat my friends.” The moment that voice sounded out, the expressions of several individuals around them darkened. “If I haven’t gotten this wrong, this must be Kelsea’s voice. So, Ms. Kelsea Morgan, am I a third-rate chess player to you? Didn’t you lose to me last year at the tournament?” Just then, someone at the side voiced, “I thought Ms. Moore was the one who lacks manners, but as it turns out, Kelsea’s the one who’s rude.
How vile can her words get?” Paling even further, Kelsea hastily explained, “N-No! I-I didn’t mean to say that to you—” However, the playback of the recording had yet to end. “Is that so? What if I win against you?” “If you win against me, I’ll get on my knees and admit my defeat! However, if you lose, you’ll have to apologize on your knees for your ignorance and ill-manners.” That was when the recording ended. Quiet gasps sounded out from the crowd.
“So the one who suggested for the loser to get on their knees isn’t Ms. Moore but Kelsea herself.” “She’s the one to suggest it, but she can’t even stick to her words. My, she’s the most shameless person on earth.” “I dare say that if the one who lost was Ms. Moore, Kelsea would certainly force her to kneel.” In fact, some even began urging Kelsea to get on her knees. “Kelsea, hurry up and kneel. You were the one who proposed that the loser has to kneel, so why aren’t you on your knees yet?”
“I was siding Kelsea earlier but turns out I was the clown. Kelsea, hurry and go down on your knees now.” The pressure was evidently getting to Kelsea, for her eyes were red by now. She was still casting pleading looks at Hans, but the latter only gazed at her with cold eyes. “I can’t believe I had a student like you. From now on, I’m no longer your mentor. Do not refer to me as your mentor, for I don’t have a student like you.”
“Mr. Jewell…” Hans’ words had taken her aback. If she were to be dismissed as Hans’ student, her parents would definitely punish her severely for embarrassing them. However, instead of sparing Kelsea another glance, Hans muttered respectfully, “Ms. Moore, it’s been a long time. I had just obtained some premium tea. Please, come with me and have a taste.” Arielle nodded. Then, she turned to Vinson and asked, “Do I need to finish the competition before leaving?”
Vinson gave her a sweet smile and said, “You’re Mr. Jewell’s mentor. How could I possibly win against you? Come on, let’s have some tea.” Right as those words left his mouth, another elderly man stepped forward and lowered his head at Arielle. “Ms. Moore, would you mind having me join you for tea?”
All Arielle needed was a glance before realizing that was the chairman of Noah Group, Josiah Doyle. When Hans saw Arielle stiffening, he thought she did not recognize Josiah. Hence, he introduced, “Josiah is an old friend of mine in chess. Let’s go. Josiah, come along. I’ll treat you and my mentor to tea.”
