Regret Came Too Late

Grace's eyes flicked to Ethan, but Tim was standing in the way.

"Mr. Henderson, I swear I didn't mean to do it. My mind just went completely blank after drinking those three glasses."

By now, Ethan was seated in his wheelchair, facing away from her. He still hadn't said a word.

Grace's face turned red with frustration as she saw Tim turning to push Ethan away.

"Mr. Henderson!"

Finally, Ethan lifted his head. His clothes were straightened, his gaze was calm, and his voice was low. "I know you didn't mean anything by it."

Grace nodded vigorously but felt like his expression had darkened even more. She stood frozen in place, helplessly watching as Ethan was wheeled away.

The business partners followed, leaving one by one.

The once-bustling private room now fell into a deep silence.

Grace collapsed into a chair, the lingering effects of the alcohol hitting her stomach, making her feel utterly miserable. She sat there for ten minutes, only to hear footsteps approaching from outside the room. She thought the staff were here to clean up the mess.

But suddenly, the lights in the room dimmed, and before she could adjust to the darkness, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist.

Her back was pressed against the wall, and the man's overwhelming presence surrounded her instantly.

She tried to focus and see who it was, but the darkness blurred her vision.

The next instant, his lips crashed onto hers. Her pupils contracted, and her hands instinctively pressed against his chest, struggling to push him away.

But the aftereffects of the alcohol hit her hard, and she felt weak.

The lack of oxygen only deepened her disorientation, and she could sense herself being lifted. Her legs unconsciously wrapped around his waist.

was so surreal that she couldn't tell

was undeniable, like a flood of repressed emotions finally breaking

to distance

was forcibly lifted. The

...

found herself in the same private room. The surroundings were unchanged, but a whole hour had passed. She

she really that desperate for

had always said that she'd been Ethan's lapdog for years and that Yancey had always looked down on her. It seemed like no other man

didn't feel all that strange at her age, and there was no need to feel

She sighed, feeling parched.

her legs wobbled, and she almost collapsed to the floor. She felt

support and took

she left the private room, she realized the entire floor was empty

entered the elevator, leaned against the wall, and yawned. She suddenly felt so drained as if she could pass out

when the elevator reached the ground

was about to hail a cab to go home when she noticed that Ethan's

remembering the awkward moment from an hour ago, she hesitated to

paces, she heard

penny that just won't quit. How do you manage to pop up everywhere I go?

morning-she had arranged to have a meal with Ethan. Was this hotel

event, he went straight to the

didn't dare to look at Ethan and didn't want to provoke Jodie,

her face, paused for a few

have a man on the side? I knew it! That's why you were so eager for my brother to post those words on

frowned. "What nonsense

vel

all innocent, but you're actually fooling around with someone else in a place like this?

be bothered to respond to her, but she didn't dare leave directly because