When His Nauseous Sweetheart Frowns, the Tycoon's Family Takes Turns Pampering Her-Chapter 19: A Love Rival Comes Knocking
When Luna Axton arrived at Pinehurst Estate, Blaze Fairchild and Julian Fairchild were playing Go.
Julian Fairchild played with the black stones, Blaze Fairchild with the white.
At that moment, Julian Fairchild was holding a black stone, his eyes fixed on the board as he studied it. Just as his hand was about to place the stone, he quickly shook his head and drew it back, deeming the move unwise.
A move once made cannot be taken back; he had to be exceptionally cautious.
When Julian Fairchild saw Luna Axton arrive, he looked as if he had found his savior and beckoned her over. "Luna, quick, help Grandpa out. Where should I place this?"
"Grandpa..." Luna hesitated, glancing at Blaze Fairchild. "A true gentleman watches a game in silence."
Julian Fairchild waved his hand dismissively. "It’s fine. You’re not a gentleman."
Luna chuckled at Grandpa Fairchild’s words and looked toward Blaze Fairchild. Only after receiving a nod of approval from Blaze Fairchild did Luna take a black stone and place it on the board.
Grandpa Fairchild’s eyes lit up. "Well, I’ll be! My old eyes are getting dim, so dim! I didn’t even see this white stone with only one liberty left."
Grandpa Fairchild captured a white stone, taking it gleefully in his hand. "Luna, you know how to play Go?"
"My mother taught me."
All of her skills were taught by her mother. She never had any outside tutors. Sometimes, she’d play with her to help pass the time.
Blaze Fairchild wasn’t annoyed that Luna had captured one of his stones right away. Instead, his gaze held a newfound appreciation for her.
He held a white stone in his hand. His fingernails were neatly trimmed, revealing healthy pink nail beds with clearly visible moons. It was obvious at a glance that he was a man accustomed to a life of privilege.
His dark eyes swept over the board before he placed a white stone.
Luna sat ramrod straight, her expression placid as she stared at the board.
Julian Fairchild picked up a black stone, hovering it here and there over the board, completely at a loss for where to play. He examined the white stones one by one, but there were no easy captures like the last one. His own black stones were almost completely surrounded by Blaze’s. He turned to Luna, who was sitting quietly. "Luna, where should I move?"
Luna looked at Blaze Fairchild again.
Grandpa Fairchild grew anxious. "Don’t look at him! Quick, save your grandpa!"
Luna didn’t move, but she offered a hint to Julian Fairchild. "Don’t panic, Grandpa. Instead of trying to expand your territory, look for a spot. If you place a stone there, you can capture several white stones in one go."
Julian Fairchild immediately perked up at her words. He took Luna’s advice and stopped trying to expand, focusing all his attention on finding the spot she had mentioned.
Luna’s hint had been obvious enough.
Blaze stared at a corner of the board. Nine of his white stones were arranged in a C-shape, surrounded by black stones from both the inside and out.
All Grandpa has to do is place a stone in the single open spot inside, and all his white stones there would be captured.
Grandpa hadn’t seen it because he was only thinking about his overall formation, constantly trying to expand his territory.
It looked like Grandpa was on the attack, but he was actually the one on the offensive, following his moves and slowly devouring his black stones.
As soon as Luna arrived, she shifted Grandpa’s strategy to defense. After capturing one white stone, this next move would let him capture several more.
Knowing when to attack and when to defend—that was the mark of a true player. Blindly focusing on only one or the other was a recipe for passivity.
"Aha!" Julian Fairchild found the spot Luna had mentioned. His tone triumphant, he placed the black stone and burst out laughing. "Hahaha..."
His laughter was hearty. "Foster, bring me my phone! I need to take a picture of this board."
Seeing his grandfather’s delighted smile, Blaze’s own well-defined lips curved into a smile.
Luna lifted her gaze just in time to see Blaze’s smile. His teeth were very white, and the smile softened his entire face considerably.
Without warning, Blaze looked over, and their eyes met. She immediately lowered her head, avoiding his gaze and pretending to study the Go board.
Luna could actually tell that Blaze could have won long ago. He was just humoring Grandpa Fairchild, letting him win.
Grandpa Fairchild was too proud to ask his opponent for help. That’s why Blaze had allowed her to join Grandpa Fairchild’s side. Her presence allowed his grandfather to win and be happy.
Winning or losing wasn’t important to Blaze. His only goal was to spend time with his grandfather, play Go, and make him happy.
After cheerfully snapping his photos, Grandpa Fairchild announced, "Let’s stop here for today. It’s time to eat, and I’m hungry."
It was good enough to get a couple of satisfying wins. If they kept playing, he’d end up losing miserably.
When Luna saw Blaze heading to the dining table, she rose and followed, taking the seat opposite him.
"Luna, how is your mother’s health?" Grandpa Fairchild suddenly asked at the dinner table.
"She seems to be in better spirits, and her complexion looks healthier than before. She was moved to a private room, so she has the quiet environment she needs to recuperate."
"That’s good. We’re all family here. If you need anything, just say so. Don’t be afraid to ask."
Luna replied, "I know, Grandpa."
After replying to Grandpa, she lowered her head and ate, not daring to look at Blaze, terrified their eyes would meet again.
Joy Coleman’s words echoed in her ears: after the baby is born, you’ll be in a very passive position. Was there any way to avoid that fate?
Lost in thought, Luna barely tasted the nutritious meal in front of her.
"Old Master, Young Master, Miss Rhodes is here," a servant announced from the doorway.
Blaze’s handsome brows furrowed in clear displeasure. "Have her wait in the parlor. I’ll go over after I’ve finished eating."
"But..." The servant hesitated, looking troubled.
Luna was just wondering who this Miss Rhodes was when a woman with an exquisitely curvaceous figure emerged from behind the servant, walking in on high heels.
Her every step was a mesmerizing sway, a sight that even Luna, another woman, found beautiful.
But in the moment the woman appeared, besides her beauty, Luna only felt a chill.
Miss Rhodes was wearing a strapless, high-slit blue gown studded with diamonds that sparkled brightly under the lights.
But in early December in Valoria, especially in the evening, the temperature was only around ten degrees Celsius, and it would feel even colder.
Wasn’t this Miss Rhodes afraid of catching a cold, dressed like that?
Miss Rhodes reached the dining room, her gaze landing on Blaze before shifting to Julian Fairchild. She placed a hand over her chest and dipped her head slightly. "Good evening, Grandpa Fairchild." Her voice was coquettish and alluring.
As she bowed her head, her thick, long hair slid forward over her chest, revealing a slender, bowed neck and a large expanse of her bare back.
As she lifted her head, she casually flicked her long hair back. The simple gesture left Luna staring, completely mesmerized.
So this is what Joy Coleman meant by a "woman’s woman," Luna thought. She’s so incredibly feminine. You can tell just by looking at her that she’s brimming with vitality.
Julian Fairchild maintained his benevolent expression and said nonchalantly, "Oh, Yvonne. Do you have an event tonight? You’re dressed so beautifully."
"Not at all. My aunt mentioned that with the end of the year approaching, there will be more occasions where I’ll need to accompany Blaze, so she told me to prepare some beautiful gowns. I just wore this over to let him see if this style works."
Julian Fairchild saw right through her but didn’t expose the ploy. After all these years, how could a man with his life experience not understand Yvonne Rhodes’s intentions?
He didn’t like Yvonne Rhodes; she was full of too many petty schemes. But when he glanced at Luna, he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. That naive girl. Her love rival has already stormed the gates, and she’s still looking on with a face full of admiration.
Blaze was on the verge of losing his temper. He hated it when people showed up at his home for work-related reasons, especially when it involved unimportant people and trivial matters.
Julian Fairchild spoke before he could, introducing her to Luna. "This is the daughter of your uncle-in-law’s sister. She was raised in your aunt’s home since she was a child—the same aunt who took you shopping for clothes yesterday."
"Oh. In that case, Uncle Foster should probably find her a shawl or something," Luna said. "We wouldn’t want her to catch a cold."
Luna wasn’t an idiot. She had seen right away that Yvonne Rhodes was interested in Blaze.
The moment Yvonne walked in, she had stared at Blaze so intensely it was a wonder her eyes didn’t pop out of her head.
Hearing Luna’s words, Blaze pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Interesting, he thought. She’s playing dumb.
Julian Fairchild then introduced Luna. "Yvonne, this is Blaze’s new wife, Luna Axton."
