Chapter 1267: That’s not in the plan!

As the night deepened, the nightlife grew even livelier. Glasses were emptied by the minute, and alcohol intake increased. Laughter harmonized with the loud music as people danced, letting loose for a night of escape.

Known for throwing unforgettable parties, Lily was in her element.

"Ahh... I’m drunk!" Lily announced, flopping down next to Ginnie. Turning to her with a mischievous grin, she exclaimed, "Ginnie, hug!"

Without hesitation, Lily threw herself into Ginnie’s arms. "Ginnie, you’re so soft... how can you be so soft when your chest is flat?!"

"What?!" Ginnie, equally tipsy, gasped. "Lily, you’re drunk, but that’s mean!"

"But you are soft!" Lily persisted, tightening her embrace. "Ginnie, let’s get married. Even though I said I’d be the rich aunt on holidays, I wouldn’t mind not being the rich, single aunt!"

"Hey!" Hugo interjected, pointing at Lily. "Lily, are you crazy!? You promised to be the godmother of my kids!"

"Pffft —!" Grace stifled her laughter, watching Lily with amusement.

"Senior Hugo, don’t worry," Lily replied, frowning at him. "Ginnie and I would divorce before you even find someone willing to have kids with you!"

"Oh..." Hugo blinked, scratching his head. "Well, you might have a point. I don’t think Ginnie would last long as your lover."

"That’s mean!" Lily pouted, looking up at Ginnie. "Ginnie, I think Senior Hugo is bullying me!"

Ginnie, with effort, opened her eyes and glanced between Lily and Hugo. "Oh," she nodded slowly, then changed the subject. "So, what’s going on between Hugo and Grace?"

"She’s my aunt," Hugo pointed at Grace with his thumb, then turned to her. "Aunty, you know I make bad financial decisions. Can you lend me a penny?"

"I would," Grace nodded, "but only after I get married."

"Oh, wow..." Hugo shook his head, turning back to Lily and Ginnie. "Hey, Lily!"

Lily, barely keeping her eyes open, looked up. "What?"

"Help Grace get married!" he exclaimed, pointing at Grace. "You’re good at this!"

"Hmm..." Lily hummed thoughtfully, then frowned. "Forget it. I’m not good at that at all."

Lily sighed deeply, looking up at Ginnie with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Oy... why do you look like you’re about to cry?" Hugo panicked. "Hey! Don’t let that tear fall!"

"Lily, why are you suddenly sad?" asked Grace, genuinely curious.

Ginnie furrowed her brows, concerned. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing!" Lily huffed, hugging Ginnie’s arm. "It’s nothing, Ginnie. Don’t worry. When we turn thirty and are still single, I’ll pursue you and give you a love the world would envy!"

Ginnie, Grace, and Hugo exchanged puzzled glances, rendered momentarily speechless by Lily’s dramatic turn. After a moment, Ginnie laughed and turned to the others.

"I might just marry her when I turn thirty," Ginnie said with a chuckle. "At this rate, I might pursue her instead."

"..." Hugo glanced between the two women, his expression unreadable.

"Not a bad idea," Grace chimed in, feeling the effects of the alcohol. "And maybe consider someone a bit older while you’re at it. There are plenty..."

Grace trailed off when Hugo interjected, "Just not your Haines."

"Uh." Grace looked back at Hugo, playfully tousling his hair. "Good call, nephew. Just not MY Haines."

"Grace, are you serious about this?" Lily, who they thought had fallen asleep, suddenly opened her eyes. "Do you really like Haines, or are you messing with everyone?"

"Why would I mess with everyone when all I want is to be messed with by someone else."

Lily sat up abruptly, shocked, while Ginnie almost choked on her drink. Hugo frowned and looked at them, utterly confused.

"You want my uncle to mess with you?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"That’s weird," Hugo wrinkled his nose. "I thought you liked him."

"Oh my god..." Lily looked at Hugo in awe and disbelief. "How can you be so innocent after gunning people down on the battlefield?"

"Lily, maybe don’t mention that," Ginnie murmured to her friend, then turned to Hugo. "Senior Hugo, what she meant was—"

Ginnie was interrupted when Lily suddenly covered her mouth, and Grace faced Hugo directly.

"Never mind, Nephew. You’re too young to understand—let’s just drink more." Grace picked up her glass and Hugo’s, handing his to him before clinking hers against his. "Cheers!"

"Women are so strange," Hugo muttered before taking a sip from his glass. His brows furrowed as he spotted someone in the crowd. "Uh-oh."

"What?" Grace tilted her head, curious. She followed Hugo’s gaze and saw him covering his face awkwardly. "What’s happening?"

Lily and Ginnie also furrowed their brows, watching the scene unfold.

"Hey, Lily, why is that guy here?" Hugo whispered urgently, pointing in a direction while covering his face with his hand.

"Who?" Lily frowned, searching the crowd until she spotted Max getting a drink from the server. "Oh, Max!"

’He finally showed up!’Lily’s eyes lit up, and she raised her hand to call out, "Max!! Over here!"

Hugo quickly hushed her.

"Hey! Shh!" Hugo’s reaction made Lily and the other women turn to him. "Why are you calling him?"

"What’s wrong?" Grace wondered, and Ginnie added, "Did you two have a fight?"

"No!" Hugo sighed heavily, glancing at Max who was now looking their way. He lowered his voice. "It’s complicated."

"How complicated?" Grace tilted her head. "Come on, spill it."

Hugo winced, watching Max approach their table, then turned back to the ladies.

"Thing is... it’s awkward," he admitted, glancing nervously at Max. "Max... he’s into me, but he’s my friend. I don’t want to hurt his feelings by saying I don’t like him in that way."

Ginnie, Lily, and Grace exchanged surprised glances. When they set their eyes back to Hugo, they bore different expressions. But the most surprised about this was Lily, who didn’t expect this outcome.

’How... did he jump to that conclusion?’ Lily wondered, feeling a bit sober after hearing this ridiculous assumption. ’That’s not in the plan!’

Just as Lily’s mouth fell open, Max already reached their table. Grace, Ginnie, Lily, and Hugo slowly and reluctantly turned their attention to Max. Seeing their forced smile, Max’s brows rose.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked. "Don’t tell me you were talking bad about me?"

Yes, they were and if Max heard what had just Hugo said, he would