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Novel Catalog
Chapter 39
Bonnie took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever might come next. She wasn’t about to let herself be intimidated by Ivor or anyone else. With a firm knock, she opened the door, stepping into the dimly lit room.
Ivor was seated at his desk, his back to her as he stared out the window. The tension between them had been palpable all day, and she wasn’t sure whether to expect another confrontation or an unexpected turn. His gaze lingered on her as she closed the door behind her.
“You’re here,” Ivor said, his voice low but sharp.
Bonnie kept her distance, crossing her arms. “You said you wanted to play chess. I’m here, aren’t I?”
Ivor turned to face her, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “You really think this is just about chess?” He stood up slowly, his imposing figure casting a shadow in the room. “You think I would ask you to come here just for a game?”
Bonnie raised an eyebrow. “If not, then what?”
Ivor took a few steps toward her, his eyes never leaving hers. “Let’s just say I’m curious. You keep talking about being a free woman, but I wonder how much of that is true.” His tone was laced with an edge of challenge.
Bonnie’s eyes narrowed slightly, her posture tense. “You’re not going to intimidate me, Ivor.”
His smirk widened. “Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try.”
She met his gaze head-on, undeterred. “You can try all you want. But let’s get this over with. I’m here for the chess game. If you have other plans, well, I’m not interested.”
Ivor paused for a moment, taking in her defiant stance. His expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—a hint of respect, or perhaps curiosity. “Fine. Chess it is.”
Bonnie walked over to the table, where a chessboard was set up, the pieces perfectly arranged. She sat down and began adjusting the pieces, her fingers brushing over the cool wood. “I’ve been playing chess for years, Ivor. Don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re the heir to the family business.”
Ivor chuckled darkly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The game began in silence, both of them focusing intently on the board. The only sounds were the soft clicking of the pieces as they moved across the board. Bonnie could feel the weight of the atmosphere, the tension between them hanging in the air like a storm waiting to break.
As the game progressed, Ivor’s earlier aggression seemed to dissipate. His demeanor was still cold, but there was something else in his eyes—something calculating. Bonnie had seen this side of him before, but it was rare. She couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on in his mind.
She made her move, a quiet click of a piece as she advanced. “You’re quiet tonight. Something on your mind?”
Ivor didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he watched her move, his gaze sharp. “I’m just trying to figure you out,” he said after a pause. “You’re not like other people. You don’t play by the same rules.”
Bonnie glanced up at him, her expression unreadable. “What makes you think I’m playing by any rules at all?”
The words hung between them, charged with unspoken meaning. Neither of them was willing to show weakness. Neither of them was willing to back down.
The game continued, each move more deliberate than the last, but Bonnie couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just about chess anymore. It was about something else entirely. And as the tension between them thickened, she couldn’t help but wonder how much longer they could keep pretending that nothing had changed.