Dinner concluded.
Scott managed to squeeze in two more rounds of chess with Emma before the others urged him to get some rest.
"The doctor said you need to get plenty of rest. It's late; you can play more tomorrow."
Scott, like a stubborn child, was reluctant to leave.
"Scott, I'll be staying here tonight. I can play with you again tomorrow," Emma offered with a warm smile when she noticed Hunter and his friends were out of ideas.
"Really?"
Scott's eyes brightened, but suspicion quickly clouded them. "You're not just trying to fool an old man like me, are you?"
"Really, I promise!"
Emma nodded earnestly. "You're Scott—Hunter wouldn't dare lie to you, so why would I?"
Reassured by her words, Scott finally agreed to head to bed.
"You're quite the charmer," Hunter remarked in his de
