Chapter 800


    Bianca anxiously asked the family doctor, “How is Penelope?”


    “She has a fever, but she’ll recover in a couple of days. Don’t worry, Old Mrs. Yates.” As he spoke, the


    doctor packed his bag and soon left.


    Meanwhile, Mary fell to her knees and wailed, “I’m sorry, Mom! I’ll never do such despicable things and


    disappoint you again! Please forgive me, Mom! I was too foolish in the past.”


    Bianca’s anger melted as she stared at the disheveled and pallid Mary. It was such a pitiful sight that


    even aplete stranger would have felt sorry for Mary.


    Atst, the old woman shook her head and said, “Stop kneeling. I hope you’ve learned your lesson and


    will avoid any activities that could harm the Yates family’s good name. Penelope is sick, so go and take


    care of her. And clean yourself up too.”


    “Yes, of course!” Mary agreed swiftly, yet her hatred for Bianca had soared to frightening levels.


    Just wait and see, you old hat!


    At the same time, in a small house in Maredania, a man in his sixties was busy removing weeds from a


    vegetable patch in his yard.


    The variety of leafy greens and cucumbers in his yard made for a refreshing view.


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    Grapevines snaked along the arbor in the corridor, and under the natural shade of the tangled vines, he


    ced a wicker chair and table. The scene was as beautiful as a picture.


    Someone knocked on the front door just then, and the elderly man answered the door after cing his


    hoe on the ground.


    A devastatingly beautiful and fair-skinned young woman stood outside his house, exuding an


    iparable sense of elegance.


    The elderly man stared at her calmly and asked, “Who are you looking for?”


    Ashlyn shot him a stunning smile and exined, “I heard you were living here, Old Mr. Leno, and I


    decided to visit you and try my luck.”


    Ian Leno’s expression darkened, and he immediately moved to close the door. “Go away! I don’t


    entertain strangers.”


    “Please don’t reject me so hastily, Old Mr. Leno.” Ashlyn presented a set of checkers to him and said,


    “This checkers set is made from the finest Cat’s Eye Emerald. Are you sure you don’t want it?”


    Ian scoffed and retorted, “You may look young, but you’re generous, I’ll give you that. I’ve seen all sorts


    of excellent chest sets over the years. What makes you think I missing one made from Cat’s Eye


    Emerald?”


    Despite the nonchnce in his tone, his gaze had not moved an inch from the checkers set.


    A checkers set made from Cat’s Eye Emerald was undeniably tempting, but it was scarcely enough to


    convince him to forgo his principles.


    As that thought crossed his mind, Ian retracted his gaze and replied firmly, “Are you going to stop me


    from closing the door? Fine! I won’t close it then!”


    He spun on his feet and stubbornly headed to his yard.


    Ashlyn followed him, hugging the checkers set to herself. “Old Mr. Leno, I’m like to ask you toe out


    of istion and treat a patient. Would you consider that?”


    “I’ll never treat another patient again. Now, leave.” Ian’s tone seemingly left no room for negotiation.


    Ashlyn’s hair billowed gently in the morning breeze before settling against her waist. Her long white


    hoodie covered her ck shorts, and her legs seemed to stretch for miles in a pair of simple, ck Doc


    Martens.


    Ian’s firm rejection did little to affect her mood, as evidenced by her small smile and the hint of


    amusement in her almond shaped eyes.


    Instead, she suggested, “Before I leave, Old Mr. Leno, could we y a round of checkers?”


    Surprised, Ian asked, “You know how to y checkers?”


    “A little.” Something shed through Ashlyn’s eyes as she added, “We can y with the set I’ve


    brought along.”


    Ian continued staring at her in shock. He rarely interacted with neighbors, having lived alone in the


    mountains for many years.


    He spent his days tending to his vegetable garden, cooking simple meals, and taking long walks.


    While he loved ying checkers, he did not have anyone to y with. When his boredom was too


    much to handle, he would y checkers alone, using one hand each to control opposing pieces.


    Now, this youngdy is boldly suggesting to y a checkers match with me?


    He narrowed his eyes and replied, “Don’t cry too hard when you lose and use me of bullying you.”