Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1273: Stolen hour

Silence filled the ride — thankfully. Grace would occasionally strike up a conversation, and as usual, Haines would respond casually, keeping his answers short and precise, leaving little room for further discussion. But Grace was witty

and often found something to say in response.

Sometimes he would engage with her, but when it came to her romantic advances, he would ignore them.

Grace was young-very young for him.

Although Haines had never considered marrying again after his heart was torn apart by his first love — a wound from which he never fully recovered — he would never consider her. The age gap was one thing, but he knew Grace. He had seen her at least once when she was around nineteen, during a short vacation in

Anteca with Penny.

It just felt wrong.

Moreover, Grace was like a distant relative to Charles and Penny. After Charles had rescued her and her mother from a cruel man, he had been assisting them in any way he could. As a result, Grace had become one of the most successful lawyers of her time.

So, the answer to whatever Grace was plotting was no. At this point, Haines was convinced that Penny hadn't put her up to this. Because if Penny had, Grace would have stopped after the first attempt. Hence, he knew what to do - ignore her advances. She would eventually forget about them.

Haines's thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the condominium building.

"Were you zoning out while driving?" she joked, her voice soft with a hint of playfulness.

Haines didn't respond immediately, pulling over to the side. "You're here," he said, giving her a brief sideways glance. "Why do you live so far?"

"Hehe." Grace pursed her lips to stifle a laugh, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride. Take care on your way home?"

He simply nodded, watching her through the corner of his eye. As Grace opened the door and put her foot out, she paused and looked back at him.

want to sleep

"Good night, Grace."

chuckled. "It's my birthday today. Should I expect

answer, while she studied his profile. Grace clicked her

him. "Oh, and just so you know, I'm not planning

slowly gave her a deadpan look. As soon as their eyes

"Good night, Haines."

and closed the door. Stepping back, she raised

Just as he was about to drive away, he noticed her covering her mouth, eyebrows raised briefly. After

Haines watched her disappear inside. "She really is Penny's

head once again, Haines set his GPS for home. Grace was a distracting passenger who refused to use GPS because she claimed he wouldn't talk to her if she revealed her address. So

he muttered. "Why would she live over an hour away

been driving for an hour and a

as it was already late. But as

the steering wheel to double-check. He could be wrong; maybe he was just tired. But he needed to confirm his suspicion. Ten minutes later, Haines slowed down and pulled over to the side of the

as he gazed at an

Wild Platinum Nightclub.

scoffed in disbelief, the lines on his forehead deepening. "So that's why

to the windshield, still in disbelief. How had he not noticed that he and Grace had driven around the city, when Grace actually lived just ten

walked, she would have been home an hour

she didn't want to use GPS; it would have

shaking his head in disbelief. "I suppose taking a brief retirement and going fishing with Charles every

in his heart, not pleased that he hadn't even realized they had just driven around aimlessly. Yet as he

foolish he had

shook his head once more and

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