Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

FFor a moment, Nicole simply stared, the question hhanging in the air before she finally replied, “Of course I hhave a family!”

EEthan continued, her voice low, “Then your family must bbe healthy. But my mother has cancer. Her medication coosts 28 thousand dollars a month, not including cheemotherapy or surgery. My father died young, and I also support my grandmother. Every competition I enter hasa a registration fee between 500 and 1000 dollars. Youree from a world of privilege, where money is never a conceern. You could never understand what a h

dollars sneeans to someone like me.”

The lengthy explanation only grated on Nicole’s nerves stirring noopity within her.

“Enough. Alththis talk just circles back to one thing-you want more nooney! Fine. I’ll give you 100 thousand.”

“Your 100 thousandd comes with strings, from shadows I don’t know. Thbegolthousand for winning the championship woldd be earned, fair and square.”

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Chapter 146

icole’s frustration boiled over. “Don’t push your luck. ›u can’t have both the reputation and the money. Tie orld doesn’t work that way.”

han merely shrugged, turning his attention back to his ess manual as if the conversation was over.

anding rigidly. Nicole clenched her jaw. swallowing her ide. “Two hundred thousand. That’s my final offer.

han glanced down, a faint, humorless smile touching s lips. “Interesting. So my price for throwing a match is e same as that influencer’s hush money.”

How much do you actually want?” Nicole demande mmposure fraying.

lence was his only answer. pushing her to pace Dously in the small space.

umiliated recently in front of Killian and Stephanie. e was desperate for a chance to prove herself, to regain one footing for Austin’s sake. The thought made her ince, but she had little choice.

hree hundred thousand,” she uttered, the words tasting

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bitter.

This time, Ethan looked up, his gaze finally meeting hers directly.

*****

Olivia emerged from the restroom, planning to head to the venue early to prepare.

In the hallway, she nearly collided with Mia, one of her scheduled opponents for the afternoon, who was rushing past with a pale, frantic look.

“Mia?” Olivia called out, offering a friendly smile.

Mia seemed barely present, her eyes darting toward the restroom door as if seeking refuge.

“Mia, what’s wrong?” Olivia asked, her concern genuine.

Mia turned, her eyes red-rimmed and teary, regarding Olivia with a mix of confusion and something akin to fear.

Gently, Olivia guided her to a quieter corner, ensuring

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they were alone. “It’s just us here. You can talk. What happened?”

Mia bit her lip, her voice a trembling whisper. “If someone offered you money… a lot of money… to lose a match, would you take it?”

The question landed like a physical blow, its implication instantly clear to Olivia.

Someone was trying to corrupt the tournament, to insult the very spirit of the game.

She asked no further questions, needing no details from

Mia.

A quick check of her watch confirmed that time was short. Solutions were needed, and fast. She had to find

Calista and Evander.

She found them together and relayed the unsettling news.

Their reactions were grim but unsurprising; where high stakes were involved, shadows often followed.

4 cold smirk curved Evander’s lips.

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So it was a game of money, was it?

Two could play at that.

With a brief nod to Calista and Olivia, he turned and strode off in the opposite direction, a new plan already forming in his mind.

Olivia hurried after him.

“Mr. Hayes, what exactly are you planning? Investigating this will take time, and the matches are about to begin. If the players catch wind of something, their focus could be ruined…”

That was precisely why she hadn’t pressed Mia for more

details.

Evander gave a light flick to Olivia’s ponytail. “When I handle things, it’s always aboveboard. Don’t worry-no one’s focus will be broken. If anything, they’ll be even more motivated.”

With that, he strode off to find Bradley.

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He laid out the situation plainly.

“To prevent any attempts to bribe players, I need you to make an announcement. The Hayes family will be sponsoring additional prize money for this youth chess tournament.”

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