Esther rolled her eyes and said, “Dear, if you want to go, then go! After all, we can’t disrespect Mr. Vance!”
Although Esther was somewhat annoyed, she knew the influence Caspian Vance held in Amerosia. If Chris Shelby didn’t meet with Caspian Vance, it would be detrimental to Chris Shelby’s future prospects.
Hearing this, Chris Shelby nodded at Candace and said, “Alright, then I’ll go see your grandfather.”
Following that, Chris Shelby accompanied Candace to the backyard study.
There, they saw Caspian Vance with a chessboard set out in front of him.
Caspian Vance was frowning deeply, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Chris Shelby didn’t interrupt but stepped forward to look.
Caspian Vance glanced at the board, still unsure of his next move.
Unable to hold back, Chris Shelby remarked, “Mr. Vance, it looks like you’re about to lose!”
Caspian Vance looked up at Chris Shelby and asked with a smile, “Chris Shelby, do you know how to solve this game?”
The chess problem was left by Archer Wintersong, and Caspian Vance had been pondering it for an hour without finding a solution.
Chris Shelby smiled and said, “The person who left this chess game is a practitioner; ordinary people can’t solve it.”
Hearing this, Caspian Vance’s face fell with disappointment.
Just as Caspian Vance was about to give up, Chris Shelby spoke up, “I can help you solve this game.”
“Really?” Caspian Vance looked at Chris Shelby in surprise.
Chris Shelby ignored his reaction and moved a chess piece.
Seeing this, Caspian Vance was puzzled.
To Caspian Vance, Chris Shelby’s move seemed like a blunder.
Caspian Vance said irritably, “Chris Shelby, what kind of terrible move is that?”
“Mr. Vance, take another close look,” Chris Shelby replied calmly.
Caspian Vance inspected the board again and was suddenly stunned.
“So, this is how you solve the game!”
Moments later, a look of realization dawned on Caspian Vance.
Indeed, Chris Shelby was worthy of being Archer Wintersong’s disciple, solving such a difficult game.
Caspian Vance, smiling, said, “Chris Shelby, how about we play a game together?”
“Sure!”
Caspian Vance wanted to play chess with him, and Chris Shelby didn’t refuse.
In the next half-hour, Caspian Vance lost over a dozen games to Chris Shelby.
Caspian Vance said in annoyance, “Chris Shelby, have you no respect? I am your elder, and you show me no face at all?”
Chris Shelby chuckled and said, “Mr. Vance, we both know we’re warriors; playing chess is just like battling. Would you expect respect from your enemy on the battlefield?”
At this, Caspian Vance had nothing to say.
“You’re formidable!” Caspian Vance grunted, not holding a grudge.
Chris Shelby picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table and started smoking, saying, “Mr. Vance, these cigarettes are good!”
Seeing Chris Shelby take all his cigarettes, Caspian Vance grumbled, “Obviously! Do you know what these are? These are specially supplied cigarettes, smoked by only a few besides Master William.”
Chris Shelby laughed softly, saying nothing.
In fact, Chris Shelby knew they were special supply cigarettes; he had often taken a few packs from Master William’s stash.
As the Amerosia Primus, Chris Shelby naturally had access to special supply cigarettes.
However, these cigarettes were graded, and with Caspian Vance’s seniority, he smoked the highest grade.
Even someone as eminent as Caspian Vance only had two or three of these special supply cigarettes a month. Now, with Chris Shelby taking away a pack, Caspian felt a pang in his heart. Chris Shelby took a puff and asked nonchalantly, “Mr. Vance, what did you want to see me about?”
Caspian glanced back at Candace and said, “I wouldn’t have sought you out, but my granddaughter insisted I meet you. She wants me to help you increase your influence at court.”
“Eh?” At this, Chris turned to look at Candace.
Candace stood expressionless, her face cold, lost in thought.
With a sigh, Caspian continued, “Chris Shelby, she is my only granddaughter and she is deeply infatuated with you. If you divorce your wife and marry her, you’ll become my son-in-law. With my influence in Amerosia, even Daniel Williams couldn’t touch you.”
Chris smiled faintly and said, “Mr. Vance, I appreciate your kindness. But I’m sorry, I won’t be divorcing. My wife is the only woman in my heart, irreplaceable by anyone else.”
Despite knowing the likely response, the disappointment on Candace’s face was evident. Caspian’s expression turned grim; he hadn’t expected such a blunt refusal.
Chris stood up and said, “Mr. Vance, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now.”
“Oh, and Mr. Vance, since it’s your birthday, I’ve prepared a small gift as a token of respect.” Suddenly, he pulled out a gift box from his coat and placed it on the table.
Caspian’s face darkened. “Chris Shelby, don’t you know I never accept gifts?”
Chris chuckled, “I’m not like the others; they give gifts to curry favor with you, but I don’t need to.”
Caspian was taken aback for a moment before he realized that Chris, as the Amerosia Primus, indeed had no need to ingratiate himself. Although Caspian was the legendary military god of Amerosia, he had been retired for nearly twenty years; his remaining influence was merely superficial. Chris’s gift was simply out of respect.
“Mr. Vance, this tea is excellent; I’ll take a box back to try,” Chris said, picking up a box of tea and leaving.
Watching Chris walk away with his tea, Caspian was stunned. After a moment, he roared, “Chris Shelby, you scoundrel! That’s from a thousand-year-old tree, a collection I’ve maintained for years, and you just take it like that? Get back here!”
But by then, Chris was already far away, and Caspian’s anger was futile. He couldn’t help but feel the sting; after all, it was tea from a thousand-year-old tree, with only so many kilograms available each year. This box had been a gift from Master William himself, and now Chris Shelby had taken it all.
Caspian realized inviting Chris Shelby to his birthday banquet was a colossal mistake. Not only had he taken a pack of his special supply cigarettes but also a box of tea from the thousand-year-old tree.