Carl Gillies was clearly targeting Jessica Daimler with his words.

As expected, the latter fumed as soon as she heard that. 'He expects me to go against his disciple? He's clearly looking down on me. Does he think that he's too good for me and that I'm only worthy of a match against his disciple?'

Yet, she never once stopped to think that she was the one who had made this proposition first. "Carl Gillies, are you saying that your disciple is worthy of playing against me?"

"What do you mean by that, Ms. Daimler? It's just guiding our juniors. Don't you think you're going too far with your words?"

Although all of San Francisco Chess Association's members respected Jessica Daimler, they had spent much more time with Carl Gillies. Naturally, they felt disgruntled that he was being bullied.

"Ms. Daimler, if you're unwilling to teach Mr. Gillies's disciple, why should he teach yours? Don't you think you're having double standards?"

Jessica Daimler was furious. 'I'm the most powerful person in the whole country when it comes to chess. All chess players ought to listen to me. How dare they all rebuke me today?'

She was terribly displeased, but she had no choice but to give in when facing the angry crowd. "Fine. Since that's the case, let's have our disciples play against each other first. The one who loses will be replaced by his or her master. How's that?"

Although Jessica Daimler's suggestion still put Carl Gillies at a disadvantage, he didn't seem to be in any place to refuse.

"Fine." Left with no other choice, Carl Gillies could only agree to it.

But now, there was a huge question: Who was the disciple that Carl Gillies was talking about?

Everyone in San Francisco's chess association could be considered as Carl Gillies's disciple, but not a single one of them would be a match for Megan Daimler.

This would mean that Carl Gillies would still have to play against the latter eventually. Then, his reputation would still be tarnished.

It would be fine if he won. But if he lost, he might even have to resign from his position as the chess association's president.

"Who's the disciple he's talking about?"

"It's not me, for sure. I'll definitely lose to Megan Daimler."

"You're making it seem as though I'd be able to win against her."

The members were all discussing the matter, but even after scanning through all their members, they didn't see anyone who had even the slightest chance of winning.

Just then, Finn Taylor seemed to stroll in without knowing what had happened.

Carl Gillies finally relaxed when he saw Finn Taylor. "Ms. Daimler, my disciple is finally here. Tell your disciple to get ready to be wrecked."

Jessica Daimler's gaze narrowed. She had to resist the urge to slap Carl Gillies. 'I'm not one to be trifled with.'

"You must be Mr. Gillies's disciple. Come on; let's have a round." No sooner had Finn Taylor arrived than a beautiful girl named him as Carl Gillies's disciple.

'This… What's going on? I don't think we agreed on this. Forget it. I'll ask Carl Gillies about this after this person leaves. I'll just go with the flow for now.'

"Er… I guess so."

Finn Taylor's appearance had caught the attention of everyone, especially those from San Francisco's chess association. They couldn't help but wonder where this man had come from. 'Why have we never met him?'

"Who is he?"

"I don't know. I've never seen him in my life."

"Is he Mr. Gillies's new disciple?"

"That can't be. This is such an important match, and he's letting his newest disciple represent him?"

Through their words, it seemed like Finn Taylor was a nobody to everyone.

This made Jessica Daimler understand one thing: Carl Gillies could never beat her.

He was disgusting her with a new disciple.

'How despicable!' Of course, Jessica Daimler had never thought that her actions were despicable as well.

Finn Taylor and Megan Daimler took their respective seats.

Although Megan Daimler was a young girl, she was arrogant and haughty. Seeing that she had the advantage, she allowed Finn Taylor to make the first move.

While others always gave in because of their own advantage, Finn Taylor would never. He made his first move and declared war on his opponent.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the board. Even Third Master Gold and Carl Gillies couldn't tear their eyes away from the board.

Only Jessica Daimler couldn't be bothered to spare the chessboard even one glance. 'Finn Taylor doesn't deserve my attention. They're insulting me!'

The game went on, and Megan Daimler was gradually taking longer to make every move.

Her expression of disdain had turned into a serious one. She had thought nothing of Finn Taylor just moments earlier, but now, she had been proven wrong.

In less than ten minutes, she was already on the losing end.

She had given her all, but she knew in her heart that the result was already set. All her efforts only served to delay the end of the game.

Eventually, Megan Daimler made her move with a loud thud.

She shook her head. "It's over—it's finally over."

"Yes, it's game over."

Jessica Daimler harrumphed and sneered. "It's normal to lose. Like master, like disciple. Carl Gillies, since your disciple lost, don't you think it's time for you to give Megan some guidance?"

Nobody agreed with her.

She was greeted with only silence. 'What's going on?'

But she heard Carl Gillies say, "Ms. Daimler, it's your disciple who lost."

"What?" Jessica Daimler was in complete disbelief. 'Did I hear that wrongly?'

She turned to the chessboard but clearly saw that her disciple had lost—the latter had been completely defeated.

At that moment, Jessica Daimler felt so embarrassed that she was at a loss for words.

Just then, Finn Taylor pointed at the chessboard. "I'd appreciate your guidance, Ms. Daimler."

Finn Taylor had been exceptionally respectful with his words, but it sounded nothing more than ridicule to Jessica Daimler.

She had set the rules. Now that her disciple had lost, she would be going back on her word if she didn't play against the other. Yet, it would be no different from losing even if she were to win this match once she sat down.

Given her position as the American Chess Association's president, she had to play against the disciple of San Francisco Chess Association's president instead of the president himself.

That would be a huge stain on her reputation.

Jessica Daimler couldn't help but feel as though she had just shot herself in the foot, yet she couldn't say that.

After giving it much thought, Jessica Daimler eventually took her seat.