“See, Laura's incredible!" Marlene couldn't help but exclaim.

It looked Like Lilah's defeat was imminent.

Laura glanced at Lilah, feeling a twinge of guilt. "I didn't mean to join. I'm sorry, Lilah."

Yet, her eyes betrayed a flicker of smugness.

Lilah, composed as ever, responded softly, "The game isn't over yet."

Marlene scoffed internally, believing Lilah was just feigning confidence.

She watched Laura's moves eagerly, anticipating Lilah's reaction to her inevitable loss.

As Laura neared victory, Marlene's smile grew, and she glanced at Gerard who sat aside, his dignified presence undisturbed.

Marlene was convinced that once Gerard witnessed Laura's intelligence and beauty, he would lose interest in Lilah.

In Marlene's eyes, Gerard's infatuation with Lilah was fleeting.

"I'm about to checkmate," Laura announced with a victorious smile, believing the win against Lilah was at hand.

However, Lilah just chuckled and said softly, "Take a closer look."

Laura was taken aback as she meticulously scrutinized the chessboard.

A sudden shift in her expression and the onset of perspiration betrayed her realization. She had believed victory was within her grasp, only to discover, unwittingly, that she had stumbled into a cleverly laid trap. No matter how she navigated the pieces, it seemed she was inevitably heading toward a checkmate.

In the culmination, Lilah executed the checkmate, triumphantly proclaiming, "My apologies but I've emerged victorious!"

"Remarkable! I can't fathom how you pulled off that win!" one guest exclaimed.

“Lilah truly possesses remarkable skills! She confounded her opponent without our awareness!" another remarked.

“Could you enlighten me on that move?" Someone present was genuinely impressed.

Laura's trembling fingers betrayed her unexpected defeat to Lilah in the realm of chess, a domain where she consistently excelled.

Marlene's surprise was palpable upon comprehending the unfolding events.

“Laura momentarily dropped her guard. How about another round?"

Marlene pondered internally and voiced her suggestion.

Lilah arched an eyebrow at Laura, remarking, "Certainly, but it's one hundred thousand for each lost match. Care for another round?"

Regaining her composure, Laura acknowledged her earlier lapse in attentiveness. Recognizing that Lilah might struggle against her if she played earnestly, Laura offered a smile and responded, “Certainly, I believe I was a bit lax before. Let's engage in another match.”