Chapter 123 Worthy Opponents

Yvonne showed a keen interest in the food before her, far more than in Benson's recent explanation. Each carefully prepared dish seemed like a small joy in her world, softening her usually melancholy gaze. The dining room was filled with the light sounds of forks and spoons touching plates, but the silence only increased the tension in the air. Benson watched her cold demeanor intently: she was like an isolated island, surrounded by icy waters he couldn’t cross. He felt an inexplicable sense of defeat, which quickly turned into anger. He wanted to say something to break the oppressive atmosphere, but his voice caught in his throat. He frowned deeply, clearly expressing his displeasure. Despite the anger Yvonne stirred in him, he couldn’t deny the thrill he felt in matching wits with her. Facing her, everyday moments easily turned into games, each day filled with unknown puzzles waiting to be solved. He had often found her too plain, but now realized her unpredictability made