All Chapters of The Final Checkmate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

I smiled slightly, pretending not to notice anything amiss.Later, Yvonne made herself comfortable beside me, acting like she was in her home. It was a far cry from the timid scholarship student she had once been."Goodness, Candice, you look terrible!" she exclaimed dramatically, reaching for my arm, but I shifted away just in time to avoid her touch."Mr. Yeager, just look at how much Candice has sacrificed for you," she continued with mock concern. "Her complexion is so sickly, and her figure is completely gone—she's hardly the glamorous socialite she used to be."Yvonne scooted away from me with obvious distaste, making eyes at Zayn when she thought I was not looking, her words dripping with contempt.Before I could respond, Zayn frowned and snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? Candice is still as beautiful as always!""Oh, I'm so sorry, Candice," Yvonne apologized with fake remorse. "I speak without thinking sometimes. You won't hold it against me, will you?"Then

Zayn leaned in cheerfully, gently tapping Lucas's tiny nose. "My smart boy knows that his mommy is the better-looking one! Lucas, I can't wait for you to grow up and take over your mom's responsibilities so she can relax!"I smirked to myself. Lucas was not even a month old, and Zayn was already so eager. I could not help but wonder how he would react when he realized I was the one in control, not them.After Lucas was born, Yvonne visited more frequently, happily running errands despite my demands. She would occasionally mutter, "Why doesn't he look anything like me? He's like Candice's carbon copy."Zayn always reassured her, saying, "Well, Candice carried him for nine months. It's normal that he looks like her now."Soon, Lucas began showing signs of exceptional intelligence. Zayn proudly told everyone that Lucas had inherited his brains while ignoring how much the boy increasingly resembled me.In elementary school, Lucas skipped three grades. He completed all his high school

"Let go of me, you little bastard!" Zayn struggled against Lucas's grip.I stepped forward and, with all my strength, slapped Zayn across the face with a resounding crack.As he reeled from the blow, I shook my stinging palm and warned him, "Watch who you're calling names."I mocked him, saying, "Zayn, do you actually believe you're someone just because you've been mingling with upper-class society for the past 18 years?During those years, Zayn had transformed from the humble CEO who had once groveled before me into someone who thought he could order me around, drunk on the flattery of clients, employees, and his devoted mistress.That slap was his wake-up call, a reminder of his proper place. The shock on his face was almost comical—he had grown too accustomed to his perceived superiority.He wanted to fight back, but the crowd's condemning stares made him realize he had no ground to stand on. After all, from switching the eggs to trying to seize control and push me out, he was

Zayn exploded in rage. "Do you know who I am? I'm the CEO of this company! You're just a security guard—how dare you treat me like this? You're fired!"Most people would have panicked at such a threat from the CEO, but the guard merely rolled his eyes. "Maybe figure out why the system won't recognize your face first."It was then reality hit Zayn. He had been standing outside for 15 minutes, and though dozens of employees had seen him, not one had offered to help him inside.He pulled out his phone and checked the Summers Group's website, finding an announcement from two days ago.[CEO Zayn Yeager and his secretary, Yvonne Rogers, have been terminated due to personal misconduct severely damaging the company's reputation.]Zayn's hands shook so badly that he almost dropped his phone. Yvonne peered at the screen and shrieked, "We've been terminated?!"In a fury, Zayn tried calling Lucas, only to find he had been blocked. He spat, "Ungrateful brat!"He screamed in anger and attempt