Regret Came Too Late

Grace had been working peacefully on the top floor for a week. The atmosphere was professional, the employees were efficient, and best of all, no one cared about the gossip surrounding her.

She planned to stop by a dealership after work to buy a car. Now that she had her own place, it was time to get some transportation.

At the dealership, she was greeted by a young salesman in his early 20s. He seemed reserved but spoke earnestly as he introduced her to the various models and their features. A few other salespeople nearby watched with indifferent expressions, clearly looking down on him.

Grace furrowed her brows slightly. Just as she was about to ask him to arrange a test drive, a group of young men strolled in.

She recognized the leader immediately. It was Liam.

Liam had been spoiled his whole life, a typical rich boy who had never been told no. He looked arrogant, dressed in trendy streetwear with a pair of headphones hanging around his neck.

The trust fund kids behind him immediately zeroed in on the young salesman.

"Well, well, if it isn't our little scholarship kid. Still working part-time, huh?" one of them sneered.

Another shoved the salesman's shoulder.

"Liam's girl took a liking to you. Must feel pretty good, huh?"

"Didn't you call us flunkies last time? Got real high standards for a guy who has to work for a living."

Liam had been scrolling through his phone, uninterested. He was good-looking, the kind of guy who was probably popular at the university.

Just as he was about to pull up a game, his gaze landed on Grace, and his eyes lit up.

"Grace? You came to see me?"

Grace watched the young salesman being shoved around, and none of the senior staff seemed surprised. They had seen this happen before.

The rich kids acted like they owned the place. Maybe one of their families actually did, so no one dared to step in.

"Grace, are you finally here to apologize? I knew it. You wouldn't last." Liam smirked, slipping his gaming console back into his pocket.

He ruffled his already messy hair and leaned in. "But I won't be so easily won over this time. You'll have to cook for me every day for the next two years. And you have to bring the food to my university."

Grace watched closely as he approached her happily.

make a sound. He had clearly been through

finally asked, "You

He knew I liked that girl and still got close

when a

so hard that his head turned. It wasn't the

his cheek and stood frozen for several seconds before finally

use your status to harass people,

quiet. Then, as if snapping out of their

"Liam, you good?"

hell is this? Let's teach her a

Liam's temper flared.

got to do with you? You

for months, and you

with the family, huh? You

so why should listen

he snapped

on and gestured toward

did you stop? Keep

salesman's face was already bruised, but he remained silent, only glancing at her briefly before

she strode forward and shoved

darting toward

his lips together. For someone his age, he carried an air of authority.

herself between the young man and

gang mentality nonsense in university? Strip away the Lambert family name

obvious his lackeys weren't good people, yet he had chosen to mix with

face flushed red. For some reason, seeing Grace defend someone else, especially someone he despised, felt like a betrayal. His gaze flickered to the salesman behind her, and his lips trembled

silence,

you. Go ahead, take him as your brother. I'm just some stranger to you now, right? Fine. Don't ever come back to

that, he stormed out. His lackeys, suddenly lost without their leader, scrambled

did Grace turn to face the young salesman. Moments ago, when he had been explaining the cars to her, he had seemed

professional. Now, he wouldn'teet

he had figured out her connection