Chapter 209 Success
With a radiant smile on his face, Josiah left happily with Hans.
Right then, Arielle peeked at Vinson, who gave her a congratulatory look. They exchanged no words, but the look itself told Arielle everything.
They had succeeded.
With a nod, Arielle then led Vinson to join Hans in a room for tea.
Hans had several chess clubs and tearooms in the country. Those popular tearooms were all his. That was why the tea he served them would definitely be the best in quality.
After taking a sip of the tea that Hans served her, Arielle gave the eager man a thumbs-up and praised, “This is amazing.”
Hans sighed in relief. “I’m glad that you like it. By the way, weren’t you abroad? Why did you suddenly come back here?”
Arielle tensed up for a brief second, but she soon relaxed. With a smile, she replied, “I’m born here, so of course, I have to come back. But I have to ask, why didn’t you come and find me?”
Hans sighed again. “It’s because of your Lightspring Maneuver, Ms. Moore. I’ve said you I won’t meet you until I solve it, but I never thought that… in the end, you’re the one who solved it.”
The way Hans spoke to Arielle was of utmost politeness.
Noticing that, Josiah kept quiet, unsure of how he should address Arielle.
Exasperated, Arielle mumbled, “Didn’t I say that if you’re adamant about making me your mentor, we’ll stand on equal grounds? I’ll address you normally, and vice versa. If I call you old boy, you’ll call me Arielle. So let’s call each other by names, all right?”
It was then Everett and Josiah finally realized why Arielle could address Hans so impolitely.
In fact, Hans would have been the rude person to call Arielle by her given name.
After their tea session, Hans was the first to leave. He was old, so he tired out quickly.
After Hans and Everett left, Arielle called out to Josiah to stop him.
“Mr. Doyle, may I have a few words with you?”
Despite the confusion he felt, Josiah’s reply was quick. “Sure.”
When Arielle looked at Vinson, the latter said, “Actually, we were here to meet you as well, but we couldn’t find a good opportunity to speak to you.”
A straightforward man, Josiah said, “Speak your mind. There’s no need for courtesy and such. I have great respect for Ms. Moore, and if there is anything I can help with, I’ll definitely do it. However… I just hope that you’ll be able to play chess with me if you’re ever free.”
Without hesitation, Arielle promised him that she would do so.
Vinson then continued, “We’d like to find out if you know Maureen Moore.”
Hearing that name, Josiah shuddered. He then averted his eyes and mumbled, “Why do you ask about my long-deceased friend?”
Straightening her back, Arielle divulged, “Mr. Doyle, Maureen Moore is my mother.”
At that, Josiah’s head whipped back in her direction. Then, with a frown, he muttered, “No wonder you were excellent in chess. Talent is needed to excel in it. Your mother was a brilliant chess player. It is a pity that she…”
Josiah sighed.
After a pause, Arielle queried, “Mr. Doyle, what I wanted to ask was whether my mother had someone she loved before she got married.”
There was a brief moment of silence before Josiah answered, “Maybe.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean…” Josiah trailed off as he worried his lips. “I don’t know that man, and your mother has never introduced him to me formally.”
Arielle’s eyes widened, bright with hope. “Then, do you know his name?”
Josiah shook his head before nodding. “I don’t know his full name, but I know he’s a foreigner.”
