Jeremiah gave Charles a casual glance. An inexplicable feeling of pressure overcame Charles, momentarily leaving him breathless. He looked at Yvette, who was calmly enjoying her pierogies, and thought, "How calm Yvette is! If Kaiden knew she was here, would he dare show up?"

Samantha and Andrew made a disdainful face, ignoring Charles completely. After all, Ybaulla was their least favorite country.

Andrew nodded. "Mr. Chavez, are they trying to challenge our Clusian students at the exchange banquet again? That's all they can manage. Such a tiny country, thinking they can compete with us. Ridiculous!"

Samantha glanced at Andrew sideways, thinking, "I almost forgot that, though sometimes foolish, Andrew is an outstanding Betrico University graduate." She was familiar with the two family names: the Harper family, Ybaulla's notorious mafia, and the Jenkins family, renowned in the art world. It wasn't difficult to guess their intentions in sending representatives together.

Jeremiah took a sip of black coffee. "Yes, they do have a plan."

Andrew snorted coldly. "Mr. Chavez, do we know their skills?"

Without speaking, Yvette sipped the milk Jeremiah offered, her eyes calm yet flickering slightly.

"Fencing and chess," Jeremiah replied.

Samantha frowned, thinking, "It seems they've prepared adequately!" Andrew's expression also grew serious. "Mr. Chavez, are we still choosing contenders from Betrico University?" The last competition ended in a draw.

Jeremiah's thin lips pressed together. His voice was cold. "Yes, I've already made my choice."

"Mr. Chavez, should I check on these two?" Samantha offered. She had a branch in Ybaulla, making information gathering easy.

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, setting down his coffee cup. "No need." Samantha knew he'd already learned everything about Kaiden and Robin.

Andrew asked curiously, "Mr. Chavez, what's their background? Personalities? Weaknesses?"

Jeremiah glanced at the three across from him. His voice was deep and cold. "Robin Jenkins is twenty-eight, a three-time world chess champion, and the eldest son of the prominent Jenkins family. He's gloomy, calculating, unpredictable, and ruthlessly malicious."

Andrew, upon hearing these adjectives, thought, "A pain in the ass. World chess champion? That's no small feat. It must have cost Ybaulla a fortune to bring him." He said, "Mr. Chavez, they've even brought a world champion. Does Betrico University have anyone who can match him?"

Samantha shared his concern.

Jeremiah said expressionlessly, "Simon recommended a chess prodigy, Louis Colten, discovered in this year's national competition."

Relief washed over Samantha and Andrew. They thought, Since Simon recommended him, he might stand a chance against Robin.

Andrew continued, "And what about Kaiden Harper?" Anyone familiar with gangster films knew the name "Harper."

Jeremiah paused, his expression darkening. "Kaiden Harper is the third son of the head of Ybaulla's Steel Serpents gang, and has never appeared publicly. He returned six years ago from Mysonna, now being groomed as heir. They call him the Underworld Prince, and his father values him highly. We haven't found much on him, as he's reclusive. Rumor has it he's a kind gentleman."

Samantha laughed derisively. "Mr. Chavez, do you believe that? A kind gentleman valued by Larry Harper? Impossible! I'd rather believe he's excellent at hiding his true self. That kind of enemy is the most dangerous; we must be vigilant."

Charles listened, a mix of indescribable emotions on his face. He could only mask his unease by repeatedly refilling his coffee cup.

Just as he reached for more, Andrew spoke. "Charles, you've had five cups of coffee. Are you alright? Sorry, we're absorbed in a conversation you and Yvette might not understand. Is it boring?"

Charles glanced at Andrew, thinking, What? Not understand? Yvette once swept through Mysonna's underworld, founding the infamous Seventy-Two Chambers, terrifying all gangsters, and reshaping the landscape. No one knows the underworld better than her.

Samantha chimed in, "Charles, what do you think of Kaiden Harper? Share your insights."

Yvette finished her pierogies and looked up. Glancing at Charles with aloofness, she said calmly, "I'm finished. Take your time."

Jeremiah gently pinched her fingertips. "I won't be home tonight. I might be late. Mom's taking you shopping. Go if you want, otherwise, say no. Don't feel pressured."

Yvette nodded slightly. "Okay," she replied, her voice cool as always.

Passing Andrew, Yvette paused, studying him for a moment. His heart pounded wildly. He thought, Does Yvette want to put me through drills even when she's sober? Oh god. I'd rather die.

He instinctively moved away, asking in a trembling voice, "Yvette, what are you doing? Why are you staring at me like that?"

Yvette didn't answer, putting her hand in her pocket. Andrew sprang from his chair, hiding behind Samantha. "Yvette, please have mercy! Don't make me go through last night again! I have family! And if I'm gone, poor Jeremiah will have no friend! Can you bear that?"

Raising an eyebrow, Jeremiah picked up a fork, eyeing Andrew as if selecting a stabbing point.

Samantha rubbed her temples, kicking Andrew. How embarrassing! Is such a fool really my brother?