(Chapter 103) The Continuation

"Mm... You win." Elder Guilliano stated as he looked at the position he had ended up in.

He thought he might have had a small chance to win the game, so he went with a strategy that would throw off methodical thinkers the most, the least unlikely moves he could make.

But he was impressed, it seemed that Astrid read his moves 20 moves ahead, what he thought was the best chance to win. Just became an easy win for Astrid.

"Mm." Astrid just hummed in response, she wouldn't say it. But she was holding back a little, she wanted to give Lewis's grandfather some face...

But Elder Guilliano was quite happy. A chess game was one of his tests he had. He couldn't arrange a marriage with a woman that wasn't smart enough to be alongside his grandson. But this was the first time he lost in one of his tests... So he was quite happy with the outcome.

'She is a genius, that is without doubt... But my grandson doesn't only need a genius. But also a woman beside him, someone more virtous...' Elder Guilliano then glanced over to his daughter.

Mrs. Guilliano slightly smiled and stood up. "Astrid... May I talk to you for a second." She addressed Astrid, as she calmly smiled.

Astrid nodded and stood up. Little did she know, every single action she had made since she entered the mansion was being watched by Mrs. Guilliano.

'Her manners and etiquette is extraordinary. It took me years to do what she already can... She is only in her early twenties as well...' Mrs. Guilliano smiled happily, as Astrid followed her into an adjacent room.

Elder Guilliano's face then became stern, as her looked over to Mr. Tuhs, who seemed to be enjoying himself with his tea.

"She knows more than you about Hanxi? What does she mean by that?" Elder Guilliano was no fool, if Astrid said that to him... It was probably true, so that must mean she had a lot of influence on the company...

Mr. Tuhs chuckled. "Old Master... Have I ever mentioned that I'm half retired? Ever since my daughter started going back to school, she started to take over the business already. You might not have noticed since you never went into the meetings, but there was a new direction Hanxi is going in... And it is headed by my daughter."

Elder Guilliano was stunned. 'She was still in school? Wasn't she still ill then? Lewis could control the company when he was 16. But taking a relatively established company into one of the most reputable and noticeable in the entire world in only 4 years? No, he couldn't do that back then.'

Elder Guilliano then looked back down at the chess table. He thought he had a chance... But was she holding back against him? He might never know...

"But Old Master, she might pass your tests, but remember, you do have other candidates in mind. And if there are more than one, it would ultimately be your grandson's decision to pick one." Mr. Tuhs took Elder Guilliano about his thoughts.

He looked at Mr. Tuhs with a strange look. "You are that confident she will pass my tests?" Yes, the chess game was a test. And his daughter would also be testing her with various knowledge. All the other candidates did the same thing. Just in variance with each other to hide the fact they are tests.

Mr. Tuhs chuckled as he put down his cup. "Confident? I know she will pass those tests." Elder Guilliano just raised his eyebrows at the man.

'There is his pride... He just kept her hidden...' Elder Guilliano then frowned.

"You were hiding your family. Why?" Elder Guilliano asked, a serious tone in his voice.

Mr. Tuhs lost his smile as he looked down at his cup. Hiding his family... Sure, he did that. But both he and his wife knew it would be for the best. Her family was falling apart to the Yuke family, while he didn't have a strong enough background. They were going to live quietly, and try and get evidence to get Veronica away from the Yuke family.

She also was working against her captors, although in deep, hidden secrecy. But then came along Astrid... Who seemed to be a bright light, and an opportunity to take back what they deserved.

"I'm afraid I can't answer that Old Master. At least not yet." Mr. Tuhs was deadly serious in his reply, making Elder Guilliano think heavily.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Guilliano was watching Astrid sit in front of a piano, with a look of astonishment on her face.

'Such clean and unfiltered music... She is very good. I now believe Leone, she might be a genius beyond our world.' Mrs. Guilliano couldn't believe what she was hearing.

The room adjacent to the living room was normally where Mrs. Guilliano spent most her time. A room full of musical instruments, he enjoyed the sounds of music. Ever since she was a child, she loved playing and listening. But when her father-in-law came home, he quickly shuffled the room to get Astrid to do some of his tests in here.

She only casually told her to play the piano, she only expected a song to be rehearsed, as long as the playing wasn't horrible, she would be happy. Some of the other ladies that did this were great, playing classical pieces clearly chosen to please the Old Master.

But Astrid took a different route. She instead asked for pen and paper, and started to write down musical notes. After just 30 seconds, she then started to play... An original tune she had made in front of her.

Mrs. Guilliano was entranced by the sad and lonely music. Astrid just based the song on her past life in comparison to her life now. It was simple for her, she had learned the piano in her past life when she was young. She wasn't that good because she didn't have the hand speed to play at the time. But now she did...

After she finished, Astrid took the paper and made some more adjustments. Then looking at Mrs Guilliano, who had a tear falling.

"Um, I apologize for making you cry Madam." Astrid was inwardly panicking, but her voice was calm, but also apologetic.

Mrs Guilliano smiled and shook her head. "No... Don't worry about it. Did you learn how to play before?" She asked as she used a tissue to wipe her tear.

Astrid nodded. While Mrs. Guilliano smiled in response. 'She was brought up to be virtuous in high society, but she also has the characteristics father-in-law is looking for... She would probably be the top candidate.' Mrs. Guilliano then went beside Astrid.

"Can I have a look?" She asked gently, as her eyes were looking at the paper Astrid rushed a score on.

Astrid nodded, as she gave her the paper.

"... Mm, go back into the living room. I think you are smart enough to know why you are doing all of these things. But don't worry, if you don't want to marry my son, then you won't." Mrs. Guilliano said as she put the paper back down on the piano.

Astrid nodded, but was quite surprised hearing Mrs. Guilliano be so honest. 'Was my piano that emotional for her?' Astrid didn't understand, it was only music...