Chapter 1374: SOS for Haines

Meanwhile...

"Haines, you’re leaving?" Charles looked up at Haines, who had just stood up from his seat. "But the birthday celebration isn’t over yet."

Haines remained stoic. "I forgot something at the company."

"What is it?" Charles furrowed his brows. "Just do it tomorrow."

"I can’t," was all Haines said before stepping away. Approaching the celebrant as a formality, he said, "Happy Birthday again, Grace."

Grace, who had been chatting with a few colleagues, turned to him. "You’re leaving? Already?"

"I’m sorry."

Grace pursed her lips, her high cheekbones looking a bit fuller as she frowned. "It’s alright. Thank you for coming—wait, I’ll walk you out."

"Don’t bother." Just as those words left Haines’ lips, Charles came up beside him.

"Gracie, you beautiful young lady!" Charles approached Grace, extending his hand, which she clasped tightly. Holding her hand, he looked her in the eye and nodded. "Thank you for inviting me, Gracie. But like Haines, I have to go. My wife is waiting for me at home."

Grace squeezed his hand and nodded. "No, thank you for coming, Uncle Charles."

"Don’t mention it. It’s your birthday!" Charles laughed. "Though it’s a fake one, I like the idea! Next time, call me big brother! HAHAHA!"

Grace grinned, her eyes squinting slightly as she cast Haines a mischievous look. He immediately looked away, letting Charles and Grace exchange a few more words. She still offered to walk them out, but with her other guests still present, Charles and Haines insisted she stay.

And with that, the two men left.

---

Outside...

"Haines, where are you going?" Charles called after him, watching as Haines walked in the opposite direction. "My car is right here. Come on, I’ll drive you to the company so we can go home together. Just make it quick. Otherwise, Allison would be a bit worried, you know her."

Haines glanced at him and replied flatly, "I brought my own car, Charles."

"Oh." Charles rocked his head slightly, recalling that they hadn’t arrived together. Haines had been late, after all. "I’ll just call someone to pick up your car. So, don’t worry about it."

"It’s fine, Charles." Haines shook his head. "Go home."

"You’re really not coming with me?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

For a moment, the lingering emotions in Haines’ face vanished. Was it really that strange for him to refuse a ride with Charles?

Well, considering the past thousand Chapters, yes.

"Just go," Haines sighed sharply. "Stop making Allison wait for you at home."

Charles frowned but let it go. "Fine, fine. You’re old. Tch. That attitude—you’re acting like my child or something."

Haines watched as Charles grumbled all the way to his car. But before getting into the driver’s seat, Charles turned back to him.

"Haines, take care on the road. Your leg might get too strained. And it’s very late, so you better take care."

With that, Charles hopped into his car, revved the engine, and after a faint honk, sped away.

Haines stood there for a moment, shaking his head with a sigh. "I’m not the one acting like his child, but he’s acting like my father."

He didn’t linger on it as he cast one last glance at the restaurant before dragging himself to his car. But instead of leaving, he simply sat there.

For two hours.

---

Two hours later...

Haines checked the time, a rare flicker of impatience crossing his face. He was known for his long patience. Therefore, this was new.

Not that anyone could blame him. Haines only ever waited for things that truly mattered.

Things that were worth the wait.

But tonight, he wasn’t waiting for something precious. He was waiting because he had to.

Through the windshield, he spotted Grace finally stepping out of the restaurant, accompanied by a few colleagues. He watched them exchange goodbyes, their faces alight with smiles. Grace even offered to walk one of them to their car before making her way toward him.

"I didn’t think you’d wait this long," she said as she slid into the front passenger seat, a beautiful smile curling her lips as she turned to face him. "Thank you for waiting for me."

Haines glanced at her. "Seatbelt."

"So cold," she teased with a chuckle, reaching for the seatbelt and buckling herself in. As she did, Haines started the car, wasting no time.

He had already spent two hours waiting. The restaurant was an hour away from Grace’s home, and after dropping her off, he’d still have another thirty-minute drive to the Bennet Mansion.

Meaning, he’d get home very late.

No time to waste.

The first few minutes passed in silence, neither of them speaking. He hoped it would last the entire ride. But, of course, that was wishful thinking.

"You know..." Grace started, humming as she recalled the night. "...should we tell Uncle Charles about this?"

As expected, Haines didn’t answer.

"It feels a little wrong, lying to him and then secretly meeting you behind his back," she added playfully.

’Tell me about it,’ Haines thought. ’This entire arrangement just feels so wrong.’

He must have been possessed that night. That was the only explanation. Because now, lying to Charles just to meet Grace felt like he had dug a grave, put one foot in it, and was slowly sinking inch by inch.

"All that’s missing is us making out the second our eyes meet, and we could call this a forbidden affair," she joked.

Haines shot her a quick glance. "Stop."

Grace chuckled, tilting her head to the side. "Haines, tell me... do you want to make out with me? You seem intrigued."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because that’s the only time you ever look at me," she replied with a widening smile, brushing a hand over her shoulder. Propping her elbow on the window, she kept her gaze fixed on him. "I’ve never stood naked in front of a man... but I might, out of pure curiosity."

Haines said nothing, but his heart sank.

Not because of Grace’s boldness. But because he had willingly put himself in this situation.

’Help,’ he wanted to say. But who could he even ask at this moment?

In the end, he just had to accept it—he was in for a long ride.

And Grace? She was more than happy to make sure he would keep regretting his decision.