Chapter 74 - 74: Manipulating Innocent Person

Under those circumstances, she had beaten him twice. Now, it felt a lot more stressful. 

They played two long matches. Sophia lost the first and won the second.

Mitch smiled, "It's so fun to play chess with you! Are you sure you don't want to go pro?"

"No!" Sophia said, "I like chess, but it's not my passion, and it's not what I want to do with my career. I have more plan for my future,"

"Fair enough." Mitch smiled, "There is one other thing I'd like to ask you today. I need to ask you for a favor, Miss Green."

"What is it?" Sophia asked, and a hint of curiosity added to her voice. 

"Well, there's a competition coming up. I have to go back home for just over a week. Would you mind looking after my son? I don't know many people here, and all the ones I do know are also going to this competition." Mitch explained.

Sophia was confused, "Your… son? How can you entrust your child with someone you barely know? Aren't you afraid something might happen to him? I mean, I could sell him! Or maybe I will ignore him,"

Mitch smiled, "No. I don't think that's something I have to be worried about! I know you are a good person. I hint nothing harm to your aura," 

Sophia didn't understand. Was he really so relaxed?

She thought about it and said, "No, I can't do it, I'm afraid. I'm going back to class in a few days, and my mum has to go to work, so there is no one at home during the day."

"Oh, that's alright. You just feed him when you're available, once in the morning, once in the evening. My son's easy to look after. He's a good boy." He forcibly explained to Sophia. 

"That is really easy." Sophia was surprised.

"He's here now actually. I just left him at the reception desk." Mitch said, standing up with a smile and walking to the counter.

Sophia was even more confused.

"He left him at the desk? How could he do it easily?" She asked herself silently. 

Mitch walked over, and everything suddenly made sense.

He was accompanied by a big dog, "Here he is. My son! Doesn't he look cute?"

He was a golden retriever, but his fur looks dull and uneven in length. There were some bandages on his body. He was clearly in recovery from wounds that had not yet healed fully. 

She got up from the seat and went to stroke the dog's head. The dog was very docile. As she patted him, he lifted his head slightly and gave her hand a lick. The dog shakes the tail as if pleased with what she had done.

Mitch said proudly, "What do you think? Isn't he a good boy?"

"Yes, he is. Where did you get him from?" Sophia asked. He clearly hadn't come from a pet store, or he wouldn't look so battered and abused.

"He's a stray I picked up. I hadn't planned on looking after him. But he has been following me since the first day I met him. So, it just seems right that I take care of him now." Mitch patted the golden retriever's head and said, "When I met him last week, he was a mess. He was covered in mud, thin and bruised… He looked like he might have had a fight with other dogs. I took him to the vets and vaccinated him. He hasn't fully recovered yet, but he is much better now."

Sophia warmed up to the dog immediately. She patted his head and asked, "What's his name?"

"Pierre!"

She gave Pierre a slight pull of the chain around his neck, and he followed her cleverly.

"Are you going to take him back home with you later?" Sophia asked. After all, Mitch was a foreigner. He is practically strangers for Sophia. But because of his dog, Sophia learned to appreciate him immediately. 

Mitch smiled, "I'm actually planning on living here for two or three years. Originally, I just came here to play chess with you. But, when I got here, I realized there is so much fun to be had here! There is so much delicious food and fun things to do. I'm even going to improve my English."

"So, you are attracted by the delicious food here," Sophia concluded.

She knew of another foreigner who had been bewitched by the food.

"Actually, there are other reasons. Mr. Damon took me to someone who is said to be able to predict the future. The man told me that I…" Mitch continued.

He bowed his head slightly as a blush rose in his cheek, "would find a partner here, my soul mate! I'm really looking forward to it. Someone who is a gentle and caring person to become my future wife,"

"Is that the man who lives under the pedestrian bridge?" Sophia asked.

"Yeah! I often talk to him!" Mitch nodded excitedly.

"Is he a blind man who wears sunglasses?"

"Yes, exactly! He said he had become blind only when he opened his Inner Eye! This country is amazing, full of interesting and strange people. Aside from learning different cultures and languages, I realized that most people here are hospitable, " Mitch said.

"Has Mr. Damon ever asked you to do anything for him?" Sophia probed.

"Mr. Damon is very nice. Now that I want to stay here for a while, he's suggested that we set up a chess training academy together." Mitch said.

Sophia could see what Toby Damon was up to.

Toby wanted to take advantage of Mitch's reputation to start a training school to recruit students and make money. This is purely an act of evil. 

"Did he not feel guilty? Manipulating Mitch like this and using his ability to attract more people?" 

She suddenly felt sorry for Mitch at this moment. Someone took advantage of his kindness. For her, this kind of act is unforgivable. Toby was using an innocent person to get personal benefits. 

"She must stop this," she thought to herself.