Chapter 1585: He better have had an erection

At the same time, in Grace’s home...

Haines and Grace sat across from each other at a small square table, sharing a light dinner.

"Are you now the official representative of Miss Cassandra Smith?" he asked, breaking the momentary silence.

Grace raised her brows and chewed carefully. After swallowing, she shrugged.

"No, not yet. I need her to fire her current lawyer and hire me," she explained, leaning her arm on the table’s edge. "Otherwise, I can’t represent her."

"Would she even agree?"

"That depends on whether her friend Kiara managed to convince her. But it won’t be easy, for sure. After all, Cassandra knows me." — At least, she knew that Grace was Penny’s lawyer.

Haines nodded in understanding. "You seem pretty relaxed about it. I thought you wanted the case."

"Haha. I do want to take it, but I’m not desperate," she replied, fluttering her eyelashes at him with a smile. "If the heavens allow it, I’ll pick it up and do my best. Whether it ends up as my first loss or another win, that’s for fate, the law, and the jury to decide."

Studying her subtle smile, Haines let out a soft laugh. "You know you’ll win."

"No, I won’t," she said playfully. "I just know I’m a better lawyer than the one beside the senator. Their side is making a huge mistake using the senator’s legal advisor. This isn’t even his field."

"But this isn’t your field either."

"Really?" she arched a brow. "I know I’m a corporate lawyer, but with Penny as my client, I’m more like a defense lawyer."

He chuckled, nodding. "Penny is quite a handful, I agree."

"She’s cute, though," Grace giggled. "Very cute."

"If Wild heard that, you’d be in for a long argument," he quipped. "Sometimes I think he’d make a good lawyer."

"Why? Doesn’t he find Penny adorable?"

"When she was a child, yes. He adored her. But after she lost all that weight, all that’s left is irritation and disgust."

Grace burst out laughing, slapping the table as the image played in her mind. Being Penny’s legal advisor and handling the Prime Group’s legalities, she knew Wild quite well. Still, she couldn’t blame him—Penny as a kid had been genuinely adorable.

Short and chubby.

Haines’s low chuckle joined hers. But after a moment, the smile on his face faded.

"Grace." His tone shifted, sobering the mood.

She looked up, brows knitting. "What is it? Why are you suddenly so serious? You’re making me anxious."

"I went to my regular check-up earlier today," he began, prompting her to hold her breath. "The doctor said I’m ready for reconstructive surgery on my leg."

"Oh." She blinked a few times, then her face lit up. "Wow, really? Oh my god! When?"

"Three weeks from now," he said, pressing his lips into a line. "My health’s improved, but he wants me to follow a preparation plan before the surgery. He’s already given me everything I need to do."

"Oh..." She nodded, then smiled warmly. "That’s great, Haines. Really great."

She reached out to hold his hand, carefully keeping her excitement in check. "Let me know if there’s anything I can help with. Whether it’s exercise or anything else to strengthen your leg muscles."

As soon as the words left her mouth, a thought popped into her head.

Strengthen his leg muscles?

Would... bed activities count?

That would strengthen his knees. Probably his thighs too... right?

Her cheeks flushed pink as the idea took root, but Haines’s voice snapped her out of it.

"I’m telling you this because... once the surgery’s over, our deal is up," he said, watching the smile fade from her face. "We should discuss the arrangement."

"Oh..." she murmured, trying to keep smiling but failing. After a beat, she forced a nod. "Sure. Let’s do that."

Haines studied her in silence, catching the awkward shift in her demeanor.

Grace gently pulled her hand back and tried to regain her composure. "Let’s finish dinner."

"..." Haines sighed quietly but didn’t press.

The rest of the meal passed in silence—an unfamiliar one. Since the soup incident, they’d grown more open with each other. Or rather, Haines had become more forthcoming.

They weren’t officially lovers, but they had agreed to date exclusively—which was nearly the same. Grace had assumed their original arrangement no longer mattered. Their chemistry had evolved so naturally that she’d stopped thinking about it.

How silly of her, as a lawyer, to forget a deal?

She sighed again, trying to convince herself this wasn’t a big deal. After all, the arrangement was mutual, and of course, it needed a formal conclusion.

---

Later...

"I’m not walking you to the parking lot," Grace said, holding the front door open as Haines stepped out. He turned to face her, catching that same smile she’d worn since he brought up the agreement.

She shrugged, her brows lifting. "I still need to review the case before bed. So... take care?"

"Mhm." Haines nodded, eyes lingering on her face. But instead of leaving, he stayed still, watching her.

Her brows rose again, her head tilting. "Is there something else?"

Without answering, Haines stepped forward, closing the distance. He gently placed a hand on her waist and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

Her shoulders stiffened, breath caught in her throat.

"That’s not what I meant when I said we should discuss our arrangement," he murmured, pulling back just slightly. A subtle smirk lifted the corner of his mouth, his eyes squinting with mischief.

"Even an ending contract needs to be reviewed—for proper disclosure or renewal," he added. "Didn’t you say that to me the other day?"

Grace held her breath. Her heart wasn’t racing—more like tingling. Her mind barely processed what he said; all she could feel was the warmth lingering on her skin.

"Uh." She blinked, lips parting.

Jumping him now felt like the only logical next step. Physical intimacy had been her idea from the beginning. But now that he’d made a move—his first move—she stood frozen, brain blanking.

Haines chuckled at her dazed reaction, gently pinching her cheek and brushing it with his thumb.

"Good night, Gracie," he whispered, placing another kiss on her forehead. "See you tomorrow."

With that, he slowly let go of her waist and took a step back, offering one last smile before walking away.

Grace remained frozen in place even after he disappeared. She touched her cheek, then her forehead. Her face was burning. Her heart pounded. Her legs trembled slightly as something stirred low in her belly.

"Oh my god..." she whispered, clutching her chest. "He better have had an erection after that. Otherwise, I’m just a pervert for getting turned on that easily."