Chapter 63 I must have this person!
Seventy clay pigeons shattered into pieces under Elbert's expert aim within a mere two minutes. As the dust lazily descended with the breeze, it settled in front of the mesmerized onlookers.
Elbert, the central figure of the spectacle and the driver for the Brown Family, calmly expelled the final two shells from his shotgun. Using the now-red-hot barrel, he casually lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"You all carry on playing. I'll go check on the elderly gentlemen," he uttered slowly before strolling away nonchalantly.
Aldrich took a shaky breath. Such marksmanship was simply inconceivable. With skills like that, he could easily have excelled in the Olympics, winning gold medals by the sackful. Yet here he was, serving as a mere driver for the Brown Family. And now, he was Aldrich's rival.
Aldrich had thought he could hold his own in shooting, but now he realized it was a trap. Even the equestrian competition seemed like a setup. Eyeing Rex with suspicion, Aldrich noted Rex's expression, a mix of disbelief and defeat. Who would have guessed that Elbert possessed such a multitude of talents?
While Mary and Susan cheered exuberantly, indifferent to victory or defeat, captivated solely by Elbert's effortlessly cool demeanor while holding the gun, Lori delved into deep contemplation. Elbert had consistently astounded everyone along the way. It was unfathomable that someone with such ordinary appearances could harbor such a wealth of skills—discipline, physical prowess, culinary finesse, horse whispering abilities, and sharpshooting skills.
Individually, these traits were not uncommon, but combined in one person, they presented a baffling enigma. It was all shrouded in mystery. Lori had made up her mind; she would unravel the enigma that was Elbert.
Meanwhile, Melissa observed the scene contentedly. She struggled to articulate her feelings. Unsurprised, she simply felt that, as Mr. Paul White, all of this was par for the course.
Under the shade of an umbrella, General Jeffery eagerly rubbed his hands together, making a move on the chessboard.
Alan hesitated repeatedly, facing off against Mr. Brown with the chess pieces. Mr. Brown, playing as white, found himself in a precarious position.
"Alan, you're on the brink of losing this game," Jeffery grinned. "So, about that request, I won't beat around the bush."
As Jeffery seemed on the verge of victory, Leonard, observing the game, seethed with anger. The fact that Jeffery, due to his higher rank, seemed poised to claim Elbert irked him. Even in a game of chess, Jeffery had the upper hand, leaving Leonard with nothing.
"Jeffery, I don't understand. As a distinguished general, what could you possibly want from a businessman like me?" Mr. Brown frowned, still contemplating the game, searching for a way to reverse his fortunes.
"There is indeed something," Jeffery admitted. "The Brown Family estate is teeming with talent, making me envious. To be frank, my request pertains to a specific individual."
Mr. Brown seemed to grasp Jeffery's intentions and raised his gaze. "I was wondering about your peculiar behavior today. So, you desire someone. Are you regretting releasing Iron Four? Do you wish to have them return?" Mr. Brown felt a tinge of resignation.
Years ago, upon Iron Four and the other orphans reaching adulthood, he had requested Jeffery, then a special forces instructor, to send them for military training. To his surprise, the Iron Family Brothers excelled, swiftly becoming elite soldiers. After much persuasion, Jeffery had allowed them to retire and return to safeguard the Brown Family.
"You went through all that trouble only to regret it now?" Mr. Brown arched an eyebrow.
"No, I have no intention of recalling Iron Four. I seek someone else, just one individual," Jeffery clarified.
"Who?" Mr. Brown leaned forward, sensing a shift in the conversation.
Jeffery pursed his lips and gestured towards the young man in a white shirt approaching them.
Mr. Brown stared in disbelief before comprehension dawned. "Elbert? You want to recruit Elbert?" Mr. Brown exclaimed excitedly, then reined in his enthusiasm, realizing his outburst. "Jeffery, you misunderstand. Elbert is an ordinary person with certain limitations. He's delicate and frail. Why would you want him on your team? To drive for you? That's preposterous."
"You claim he's frail? If he's frail, then my soldiers are mere shadows of men," Jeffery retorted, swiftly executing a move that cornered Mr. Brown completely.
"Mr. Brown, you've been checkmated," Jeffery declared.
"This isn't fair. I disagree," Mr. Brown protested anxiously.
Suddenly, a slender arm extended from beside Mr. Brown, making a subtle move with a chess piece. "Elbert?"
Mr. Brown realized it was indeed Elbert, who had joined them under the shade, wiping his hands with a white towel.
"General Jeffery, please reconsider the game," Elbert smiled.
Jeffery was taken aback. As he scrutinized the chessboard, he grew increasingly impressed. Elbert's move had thwarted Jeffery's chances, opening up a multitude of possibilities.
It seemed to offer Mr. Brown a chance to mount a counteroffensive. With proper handling in the subsequent stages, a comeback for the white pieces appeared plausible. It was a truly brilliant move.
"That's remarkable," Leonard interjected, while General Jeffery, now more resolute than ever, resolved to recruit Elbert. "Mr. Brown, let's continue. We must determine a victor."
Rising slowly, Mr. Brown interjected, "Let's stop here. I'm famished. Let's prepare for lunch."
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