Chapter 1343: If this is life’s way of pranking me, then it is very cruel.

"It’s okay," Grace’s soft voice stopped Haines, making him look back at her. "You’re a guest, so you don’t have to take your plate to the sink."

"I don’t think that’s proper, considering my mischievous niece has already bothered you enough."

Her lips stretched into a smile. "It’s a treat, not a bother at all."

"Grace, please stop this madness." This time, Haines spoke kindly. "Tell me—what can I do to put an end to this?"

"Stop... what?" A flicker of confusion glistened in her eyes as she tilted her head to the side.

"You know what."

"Well, if you’re talking about my interest in you, then... nothing." Her smile widened. "Even if you beg, I’m afraid I have to decline your request to stop pursuing you."

"Men should pursue women, not the other way around."

"But I don’t want to stay single for life just because the man I want refuses to pursue me."

Haines drew a deep breath, resting his arms on the edge of the table. His gaze locked onto hers, his voice low as he said, "You and I... will not work."

"And how are you so certain?" she asked playfully. "Do you see the future?"

"No."

"Then stop trying to make me dislike you, because the more you do, the cuter I find you."

Grace chuckled, leaning on the table, her eyelashes fluttering as she scanned his face. The corner of her mouth lifted in a satisfied smile.

"One month." She raised a finger. "If, in one month, you still don’t feel anything for me, then I’ll stop."

"One month?"

She nodded. "Yes, one month. I sent you invitations, didn’t I? Once I reach sixty and you still feel nothing, I’ll stop—just as you ask. You won’t hear from me again... or at least, only when absolutely necessary."

Silence fell as Haines reconsidered her offer. Time moved so fast—take his nieces and nephews, for instance. Not long ago, they were just kids, and now they were adults. A month wasn’t that long.

"If I agree to this, what exactly are you expecting from me in this one month?" he asked, curious.

"Hmm." Grace sucked her inner cheek as she thought. "You’ll attend my birthdays."

"That’s all?"

"Message me good morning, good afternoon, and good night."

"And?"

"Call me when you miss me?"

"That sounds like being lovers."

Grace grinned. "Exactly." She nodded, leaning closer as she drawled, "We’ll be lovers for a month. The bonus? You can kiss me... or something more."

She winked.

Haines opened his mouth, then closed it again. "Never mind. I can’t do that. I’m too old to play the role of your lover."

"Then how about the role of my husband? I’ll scratch your back, cook you meals, and stay pretty 24/7."

"I want kids," he said, recalling that she didn’t wish to have any. "That’s a dealbreaker for me."

Grace pressed her lips into a thin line, raising her brows. She knew he was saying this because he thought it would be a dealbreaker for her. She just hadn’t expected him to use it so soon.

"Ten kids," Haines added. "I won’t change my mind."

"Well, that’s going to be a problem," she muttered, making him almost sigh in relief. "Then should we go to the bedroom after this?"

"Excuse me?"

"If you want ten, then isn’t it only logical to start making the first one right now? I have a biological clock, so we would need to work very very hard."

Haines leaned back, rendered speechless. "You didn’t mean it when you said you didn’t want children?"

"I wasn’t lying, but I’m the kind of person who compromises." She smiled happily. "Don’t underestimate my resilience."

"I would never win against you."

"With me, you will. But you’re right—winning against me is very, very hard." A glint of mischief flickered in her eyes as the corner of her mouth lifted. "You’d be surprised what else I can make hard."

"Oh, God," Haines breathed out, abruptly rising from his seat and taking his plate to the sink. Grace, on the other hand, burst into laughter.

"Crazy," he mumbled as he washed his plate, shaking his head. "I can’t believe I was actually reconsidering that one-month subscription."

A month with her... Nope.

Haines should just stick to his original plan—let her be and give her just enough attention until she got tired. For his own sanity.

"I told you not to do that," Grace quipped, watching his back. "No mixed signals."

Haines looked over his shoulder, his expression deadpan. "Thank you for your help and for the breakfast." With that, he placed the plate in its rightful place and dragged his feet toward the exit. But before he could leave, she spoke again.

"By the way, if you’re planning to scold Penny, you should scold Atlas first."

He paused, turning back to her with confusion.

"Penny wasn’t the only one who delivered you here. Her brother was with her, and the way he held your wrist while she held your ankle to transfer you from a shopping cart to my bed... well, he didn’t look like he was doing it under pressure."

Her brows wiggled playfully as she smirked. "As the eldest, he should be scolded for enabling his sister’s madness. He’s in on it."

Haines’s jaw tightened. He had assumed Hugo was Penny’s accomplice. Apparently, he was wrong.

"Atlas."

"Yes, him." Grace nodded. "Oh, and I already asked Penny to send you some clothes and your car keys, so you don’t have to go home before heading to the office. Let me know if you need help tying your tie—I’ll be on standby."

Haines opened his mouth but shut it again. Without another word, he walked back and finally noticed the paper bag in the living area. He hadn’t seen it earlier. Picking it up, he found his clothes and other necessities inside.

"I’m not going to bother her further," he muttered, about to take his things and leave.

Going home for a quick shower shouldn’t be a problem.

But just as he stepped into the bedroom to retrieve his phone, last night’s clothes, and his shoes, his phone buzzed.

"Haines! You have to get here, quick! Mr. Blake said he’s dropping by the office in less than two hours!" Charles’s hurried voice came through the line.

Haines blinked, checking the time and calculating his travel.

He wouldn’t make it.

Unless...

His eyes drifted to the other door in the room, which he was certain led to the bathroom. Another deep exhale escaped him as he winced.

"If this is life’s way of making fun of me, then it is very cruel."