"Sixty percent," Dylan Lockwood said, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.

Hayley immediately tensed up.

Grace Winslow squeezed her palm and spoke up. "Mr. Lockwood, you definitely won’t lose out by partnering with us. Considering our patent and our designs, taking forty percent isn’t taking advantage of you."

"If you feel the need to hesitate, Mr. Lockwood, perhaps we could meet again in a while to discuss it further?"

Hearing this, Dylan Lockwood’s lips curved into a smile. "No need. I have faith in your designs, Comrade Winslow. Back in Prospera Town, you managed to make me a fortune with the materials available in that little clothing factory. I trust you can do it again this time."

"Fine, 40-60 it is. I can accept that."

"If neither side has any other issues, shall I have my secretary prepare the contract for you to sign tomorrow?"

Hayley let out a huge sigh of relief. "Yes, no problem. We’ll sign tomorrow. Let’s meet here again. The tea here is quite good."

Grace Winslow quietly reminded her, "That was coffee you were drinking."

"Oh, no wonder. Coffee. It tastes a bit like dishwater," Hayley muttered under her breath, snapping back to reality.

The corner of Dylan Lockwood’s mouth twitched. He turned and called a waiter over, ordering juice and dessert for Hayley and the others.

Taking advantage of the rare moment of leisure, Hayley didn’t hold back.

"The juice at this place is pretty tasty, and the cake is good too. Do you think Mom could make some cake to sell at her shop?"

"I don’t think that’s a good idea. I glanced at the menu—a tiny piece of cake like that sells for several yuan! It’s practically robbery. Besides, this place doesn’t seem to have much business. I guess nobody likes it, so we’d better not," Lily Callahan said, shaking her head. She lowered her voice, looking around furtively like a spy.

Hayley glanced around and nodded in agreement, a hint of disdain in her voice. "That’s true. These foreign imports just can’t compare to our own country’s food. We have so many delicious pastries—all sorts of cakes and snacks that are not only exquisite and beautiful but also good for you. This stuff is sickly sweet. It tastes okay, I guess, but I can’t imagine it has any health benefits."

"And you get sick of it if you eat too much," Lily Callahan added.

The two of them went back and forth, chatting away as if no one else was there.

Grace Winslow felt a little embarrassed. "I’m sorry, Mr. Lockwood. My sister-in-law has never had these things before, nor has she ever been to a Western-style restaurant."

"You don’t need to apologize. They’re very genuine. It’s clear to see that you’re very happy, Comrade Winslow." Dylan Lockwood looked at Grace Winslow, a hint of envy in his eyes.

He was born into the Lockwood family, where the old patriarch had several wives and a flock of children. The only thing that existed between the siblings was scheming and backstabbing; everyone wished the others would just drop dead. He had never experienced the kind of harmonious relationship that Grace Winslow and Hayley shared.

"Yes, our family has always been very close. My sister-in-law is very good to me, too. She’s never let me be wronged or suffer any grievance," Grace Winslow said with a serious nod.

She was, indeed, very happy.

Aside from marrying Caleb Forrest, she had never regretted a single thing in this life.

"I truly envy you." Dylan Lockwood gave a soft laugh. "I have over a dozen siblings, and all we do is scheme against each other. We’d beat each other bloody in a heartbeat for money or personal gain."

"I’ve never seen a warm and harmonious family like yours. I couldn’t even imagine that relatives could get along so well."

"Grace Winslow. May I call you that?"

Grace Winslow nodded nonchalantly. "Of course."

"It’s true that there’s a lot of infighting among wealthy families. I’m sure you’ll find your own soulmate and have a harmonious and happy family in the future, Mr. Lockwood."

Dylan Lockwood’s heart skipped a beat. His gaze fell upon Grace Winslow, growing more and more intense. "Grace Winslow, if I wanted to pursue you, what would I need to do?"

Grace Winslow never expected Dylan Lockwood to be so direct; she froze on the spot.

Hayley and Lily Callahan, who had been in the middle of a lively chat, also froze and turned to look.

Lily Callahan frantically tugged on Hayley’s clothes, her expression one of pure excitement.

After a moment of stunned silence, Grace Winslow recovered. "Mr. Lockwood, please don’t joke with me."

"The Winslow family’s social standing is completely different from the Lockwood family’s. Your parents would never agree to it."

"And if they didn’t object? Would you be willing?" Dylan Lockwood didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

’It’s rare to find someone you like in a lifetime.’ He had a good impression of Grace Winslow. Moreover, with her personality and capabilities, she would be a perfectly suitable wife for him.

No matter how he looked at it, Grace Winslow was a perfect fit for him.

Grace Winslow’s lips twitched into a tight smile. "Mr. Lockwood, I’ll tell you in all seriousness, I have no plans to be in a relationship right now. And even if I were looking for a partner, I wouldn’t choose someone like you."

"It’s not that you’re not a good person, Mr. Lockwood, but that we’re simply not compatible."

"Why aren’t we compatible? You’re very capable. If you married me, you could be a great help to me. I can satisfy your every demand. Whatever you want, whatever you want to do, I can help you. We would be the most suitable pair, wouldn’t we?" Dylan Lockwood asked with a completely serious expression.

Grace Winslow hadn’t expected him to be serious. She stared at Dylan Lockwood for a long time before answering, "Mr. Lockwood, you don’t actually like me. You just think I’m suitable. I’m a suitable candidate for a wife, someone who perfectly fits the role you’ve designated. That’s why you want to marry me. You have no feelings for me."

"Perhaps you have a favorable impression, but it’s definitely not like or love."

"I don’t need a lot of money or overwhelming power and influence. What I need is a man who loves me as I love him, someone I can grow old with hand in hand. You are not suitable for me."

The light in Dylan Lockwood’s eyes dimmed. "I see. My apologies. Please just consider what I said as nonsense and don’t take it to heart. We still have to work together in the future, and I don’t want there to be any awkwardness between us."

"Of course," Grace Winslow said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Dylan Lockwood didn’t bring up the matter again.

The four of them finished their meal, and Dylan Lockwood even had his driver take them home.

When they got home, Hayley looked at Grace with a wide grin. "Grace, not bad! Your charm is endless! You must have a lot of pursuers, right? When are you planning to find a partner?"

"I remember Archer Rhys confessed to you before, didn’t he? Haven’t heard a peep from that kid lately."

Only then did Grace Winslow think of Archer Rhys. It seemed that after their last conversation, he had completely vanished from her world.

Thinking of him now, she felt a strange pang of melancholy and loss.

She let out a slow breath. "Hayley, Lily, right now I just want to focus on my studies. Everything else will have to wait until after I graduate. I don’t want to think about relationships for the time being."

"Don’t shut everyone out just because of one Caleb Forrest. A scumbag like him isn’t worth it," Hayley said, shaking her head in disapproval.

Lily Callahan also grabbed Grace Winslow’s hand. "I think Archer Rhys is a great guy. You know his background, and he’s good to you. You should really think about it. Don’t end up regretting it later."

Grace Winslow didn’t say anything. She still remembered Archer Rhys’s words from that day. He had said he would never bother her again.