Birmingham, 1919
Dinner

The atmosphere of dinner in the dining room was currently so quiet. There was only the sound of eating utensils and chewing mouth. Anne kept watching the man before her who was eating quietly and seemed to be enjoying the dish. I don't know what was inside the man's head, until he thought of marrying the sister from the opposing camp. With such a face, of course the man can marry any woman. Why should Anne?

Anne knew for a moment that Thomas was not a fool. From behind those blue eyes, there must be another meaning.

"Am I going to be killed shortly after the wedding night?" anne thought in her mind.

"Akhla!" William broke the silence.  "Now you've met Thomas Scott, Anne. You want to ask her something?"

Anne picked up her wine glass, then looked at Thomas. The person he stared at, then wiped his lips with a cloth on his lap and did the same with Anne.

"Do you play chess?" ask Anne.

Thomas gulped down his wine, then smiled faintly. "What's rare is does a young woman like you play chess?"

"Young woman? ****! Did he underestimate me?" anne's turmoil in the heart. "You're done eating? Let's play chess in the study."

William and Charlotte look at Anne, afraid that her sister might ruin the plan.

Thomas moved from his seat. "We should not waste time."

Everyone got up from their seats. But Anne stopped William and Charlotte from moving. "Allow me to have some alone time with my future husband, sister," Anne said, glancing at William. "Let's follow me, Mr. Thomas!"

Anne and Thomas went into Wiliam's office, not forgetting Anne closed the door so her sister wouldn't interrupt. In front of the desk, there is a table with chairs facing each other with a chessboard on it.

"Please!" said Anne, please.

Thomas sat in front of Anne. Thomas chose the black piece, while Anne was white. Thomas let Anne go first. Anne runs her pawn as a prefix.

Thomas begins to run his pawn without showing any resistance. "Sounds you want to say something?" thomas asked, as if he knew what Anne meant to play chess.

"What's your real purpose? Are you gonna kill us?" ask Anne without making any questions, while continuing the game.

"It's too bad that I kill you and your family." Thomas replied, as he walked on without showing any resistance.

"Then? You want to seize the market for my family's business?"

"It was like that before, but your brother fought back and I had no choice but to retaliate."

'TAP' Anne conquers Thomas's horse pawn.

"Hem.. London is so strategic, capital. I need to be able to get into this market. But because your brother wouldn't give it to me. I'm generous to give you peace offers."

"By marrying me?"

'Sreet.. TAK' Pion belongs to Thomas managed to kill the opposing camp with checkmate.

"By marrying you. A win-win solution isn't it?" thomas said, then looked at Anne with his blue eyes. His gaze was not sharp, but deep.

Anne was silent at her losing position.

"Are you willing to marry me, Miss Maria Anne?"

"First, I don't love you. But I will do anything to protect my family" Anne replied.

"Smart enough."

Thomas stood up from his chair and opened the door. Anne came from behind. Outside the study, William and Charlotte were already standing.

"What's going on?" william whispered to Anne.

"Sister, I'm willing to marry Mr. Thomas" Anne said loudly and was heard by Thomas.

Thomas grabbed his rain coat, then turned to Anne and her two older brothers.

"The wedding will take place tomorrow the day after dinner we will return to Birmingham" Thomas said, ending the dinner.

"Huh? That fast?"

Thomas also opened the door of the house and saw a line of his men who were ready to stand in front of William's men. Thomas and all his men left William's residence.

In the car, Thomas patted the driver on the shoulder. "Tomorrow morning, you pick up my family. We're going to have a wedding in London!"

"Okay, sir," the driver replied, then drove to the hotel where he was staying in London.

***