?Chapter 588:


    “Nope. It’s my turn.”


    The group bickered lightheartedly.


    Ellis’s eyes were deep and intense. His elegant fingers danced across the chessboard with precision and grace.


    He sped up his pace, curious to see how Freya would react when she saw him.


    Back at Josiah’s ce, Freya focused fully on the chessboard, aware that when he yed seriously, he was no easy opponent.


    Twenty minutes ticked by. Their game reached a tense, pivotal moment, just as Ellis finished his own match.


    Freya and Josiah were so locked into their game that they didn’t notice the tall, striking man in a ck coat andbat boots walking quietly along the garden path.


    Freya leaned in, checking Josiah’s piece.


    Right then, Ellis came to a stop behind her.


    His mesmerizing gaze swept over the back of her head, then dropped to the chessboard, a faint smile curling on his lips.


    Freya sensed someone standing behind her but thought nothing of it, assuming it was someone from the Russell family or a curious neighbor.


    Josiah, equally absorbed, didn’t nce up.


    Another twenty minutes passed.


    The game finally ended.


    Josiah exhaled, thoroughly impressed. He felt a growing fondness for Freya. “Youid out one clever move after another, nearly…”


    But before he could admit she’d almost beaten him, his eyesnded on Ellis—and he paused.


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    That rascal! When did he sneak in?


    Freya rarely saw Josiah make such a face and instinctively turned to follow his line of sight.


    When Freya caught sight of the person standing behind her, she froze for a moment, her expression a mixture of confusion and surprise.


    Her captain?


    “You little rascal.” Josiah’s voice snapped her out of her trance. “I thought you weren’t showing up.”


    “When have I ever broken a promise to you?” Ellis’s voice was low and rich, pleasing to the ear. He was tall, striking, and undeniably attractive.


    “Alright,” Josiah said with a grin, not wanting to y third wheel. “Save the pleasantries. I’ll go check if the food’s ready. You two catch up.”


    Ellis gave a slight nod, carrying himself with effortless grace. “Alright.”


    The moment Josiah left, silence settled over them like a nket. Freya wasn’t the type to get flustered—she’d kept herposure even when meeting Kristian’s parents. But right now, she was genuinely rattled.


    “Am I really making you that nervous?” Ellis teased, catching her slightly stunned look.


    Freya didn’t respond. How could she not be nervous?


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