Chapter 619 Blown Away
Maximilian felt a sharp pain in his arm as Kaleb gripped it tightly, keeping his eyes fixed on the chessboard. He didn't even notice Kaleb's nails digging into his flesh.
Maximilian couldn't bear the pain and had to remind Kaleb to let go gently.
Surprisingly, Kaleb glared at him but then continued to "observe" the game.
Maximilian fell silent.
At first, Arnold was confident that he would win without a doubt and didn't even consider Patricia a threat.
But after just two moves, he realized that reality was far from what he had expected.
Surprised, he glanced at Patricia and readjusted his posture, ready to put up a good fight.
Time was slipping away, second by second.
Gradually, Arnold's forehead became covered in a dense sweat.
He wiped his brow and fanned himself by tugging on his collar. With his right hand, he held a chess piece above the board and hesitated for a long time, unsure of where to place it.
It seemed like no matter where he placed it, he was destined to lose this game.
Kaleb finally seized the opportunity and exclaimed excitedly, "Arnold, you're done for! Haha, you're finally having a taste of defeat."
The elderly onlookers wore expressions of disbelief.
They never expected a young woman to defeat the undefeated general.
Patricia gracefully decided to end the game, not wanting Arnold to lose face. With a courteous gesture, she said, "Thank you for the game. I understand that you let me win because you didn't want a younger person to lose face. I appreciate your concern for us younger folks."
Her words not only diffused the awkwardness but also saved Arnold's reputation.
Arnold took the opportunity to grip the chess piece in his palm, retracting his hand with a smile. "You're the younger one, so I naturally have to let you win. Otherwise, others might think I'm bullying the younger generation."
As he spoke, he rubbed his sweaty palm on his pants leg.
"This is not..." Kaleb was about to protest, but Maximilian covered his mouth and pulled him outside the pavilion.
"Uncle, that's enough! If you keep talking nonsense, I won't help if they beat you up," Maximilian scolded.
Kaleb huffed and tried to break free, but Maximilian wouldn't give him a chance.
Inside the pavilion, Arnold admired Patricia and said, "Young lady, you have impressive chess skills. It has been a long time since I've come across such a formidable opponent. It's quite challenging! How about we schedule another match to test our skills further?"
Patricia readily agreed and exchanged contact information with Arnold.
The old men continued to stay in the pavilion and play while Patricia walked out and smiled. "We meet again."
Kaleb whimpered twice.
Maximilian immediately let go of the hand covering his mouth.
"Uncle, please stop talking nonsense! Otherwise, someday, we will all be driven out together," Patricia said smilingly.
They didn't live in the halfway-up-the-mountain villa for nothing. They specifically came here because many retired older adults were the same age as Kaleb.
They could play together, keeping Kaleb company and relive him of boredom.
Kaleb immediately affectionately grabbed Patricia's hand and smiled. "Patricia, you're amazing! You're so young. How can you be so skilled? How about you teach me? Can I become your disciple?"
In fact, he had always been afraid to sit down and play chess because he was afraid of losing.
He didn't expect to encounter a real master now.
After she became his master, he could challenge Arnold.
Patricia was about to agree but was stopped by Maximilian, who said, "This is not the place to talk. Let's discuss it when we get back."
While speaking, he intentionally made a gesture to Patricia.
Patricia fell silent.
Kaleb didn't notice their secret communication and excitedly nodded. "Great! After we go back, I'll have a good match with Patricia."
A hint of amusement flashed in Maximilian's eyes.
He didn't bring them back to the Villa No. 15.
Instead, he directly went to No. 28.
Kaleb was still in the excitement and only thought about how to get Patricia to agree to be his disciple later, completely forgetting about tricking Patricia yesterday.
It wasn't until Patricia entered the villa and deliberately showed a surprised expression. "No. 28? Uncle, didn't you tell me yesterday that you live in No. 15?"
Kaleb's recollection snapped into sharp focus, his confusion dissipating as he stuttered, "Ah, that's right, I... I reside at both addresses... Number 15 and number 28, they're both my homes. I alternate between them."
Patricia chose not to call him out, her nod conveying understanding. "That explains it then! No wonder there was no answer when I stopped by yesterday."
Feigning ignorance, Kaleb echoed, "You were here yesterday?"
With a solemn expression, Patricia affirmed, "Indeed I was! Didn't your butler pass on the message?"
Kaleb maintained his feigned ignorance. "No, I heard nothing of the sort!"
Speaking, he deliberately shouted at the butler, "Someone came to see me yesterday. Why didn't you tell me? Is it because you're old and forgetful?"
The corner of the butler's mouth twitched. "Yes, I'm sorry! I'm old. I forgot!"
Kaleb laughed and teased Patricia, "Oh well, he's getting old. Please don't blame him! Didn't we plan to meet today?"
The butler fell silent.
Patricia smirked, with no intention of letting him fool her. "I remember Mr. Reed said that Dr. Tate was staying here on the 28th! Are you Dr. Tate by any chance?"
Kaleb's face showed no change in expression, and he denied without hesitation, "He's talking nonsense. How could I be Dr. Tate? I'm just an old man! I don't know any Dr. Tate; you must have got it wrong."
As he spoke, he glared at Maximilian.
It was a warning for him not to talk nonsense.
Maximilian seemed to ignore his gaze. He gestured for Patricia to sit on the sofa in the living room, crossing his long legs elegantly and leaning back comfortably on the armrest.
"Uncle, someone's husband is seriously ill and hopes you can help save him!"
Patricia's eyes widened in surprise.
Although this answer was expected, she was still surprised when it was confirmed.
She had always thought that Dr. Tate was around the same age as her senior brother, Frank Taylor.
But she didn't expect him to be an older adult.
And she certainly didn't expect him to be Mr. Reed's uncle.
Should she consider herself lucky or unlucky?
"Uncle, you are Dr. Tate!"
After saying that, she grabbed Kaleb's hand firmly and pleaded sincerely, "Dr. Tate, please save my husband. I have inquired for a long time, and everyone says only you can save him."
The smile on Kaleb's face faded, and he said sternly, "I already said I'm not Dr. Tate!"
"Uncle..."
Maximilian looked helpless.
Kaleb looked displeased. "Do you remember what I told you?"
Maximilian replied, "Of course, I remember, but now it's a matter of life and death, not to mention that Sullivan is my friend. Just help out and save her husband. Don't you also like her?"
Kaleb had an exceptionally firm attitude. "I may like her, but I cannot violate my vows and principles," he said.
Patricia pleaded, "Uncle, saving lives is a good thing. What are these vows and principles you're talking about? Can you please tell me? Maybe I can find a way."
Kaleb shook off her hand and stood up. "If you came to see me for this matter, then I'm sorry, I don't have time to entertain you! Butler, see the guests out!"
With that, he went upstairs without looking back.
"Uncle..."
Patricia had finally found him and didn't want to lose this opportunity so easily. She wanted to chase after him but was held back by the butler. "Miss, please don't make things difficult for me!"
"Mr. Reed, I..."
Patricia was so desperate that she almost cried, wanting to seek help from Maximilian.
Maximilian gestured at her. "Don't worry, let's take it slow! My uncle has a strange temper. If you provoke him, it'll backfire."
"But..."
Patricia was unwilling, but she also feared that she would truly anger Kaleb. In the end, she chose to leave with Maximilian.
Just as they walked out of the villa, Patricia couldn't wait to ask, "Mr. Reed, why did Kaleb suddenly withdraw from society? What are the vows and principles he mentioned?"
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