Lionel could only stare at the board in disbelief. This upstart had beaten him. Yes, he may be an admitted Grandmaster, but it was still a blow to Lionel's ego.

He may have been able to live with that, until Lex cleared his throat. Being humiliated in front of his son...his hand was twitching to get at the cell phone in his pocket and dialing Morgan's number. They needed to be taught a lesson.

But none of this showed on his face as he looked up, with a polite look, that turned into a flinch when Lex kissed the man. So emotional...but perhaps this would finally be Lionel's way of breaking him of that. He nodded to the two as he stood, sweeping his coat around him. "You didn't tell me your newest bed warmer actually had a brain Lex. It's a step up from your usual. And you are right, I must be going." With one parting glare at the two men, his fury plain and terrifying in his eyes, he turned and left, cellphone to his ear before he left the front door of the mansion.

Yes, he had to be in Chicago tonight. But he knew if he entrusted this to Morgan, his old friend would come through just as if he himself had done it. And he had the added bonus of an alibi.