Regret Came Too Late

Thomson was displeased with Yancey's comments. "Mr. Henderson, Grace no longer has any affection for you. I suggest you conduct yourself with some dignity."

No sooner had he said that than Yancey lashed out, kicking over his chair with a brutal lack of restraint. As a result, Thomson tumbled to the ground with the overturned chair.

The Henderson family's standing was unquestioned. Even if Yancey wasn't the designated heir, with such a name behind him, he could stroll unchallenged through Druville. To him, the insolence of a minor celebrity was beneath notice.

Thomson was offended to a degree. His lips trembled before he let out a scoff. "No wonder Grace doesn't like you, Mr. Henderson."

Yancey stepped forward without hesitation and pulled Grace into his embrace. His expression was triumphantly arrogant as he said, "Take a good look at your own face before you speak. You're nothing but a substitute!"

A hot wave of shame surged through Thomson. He had been certain he had captivated Grace, certain his charm had begun to work. Yet here he was, humiliated on the floor, and she wasn't reacting at all.

All at once, he forgot every instruction Edric had given him. Turning on his heel, he strode away, though not without casting a final threat over his shoulder. "If you really want to be with me, Grace, you'd best get rid of the men around you first."

He spoke as if convinced she would chase after him no matter what.

Anger simmered within him as he left. The more he thought about it, the more unbearable it became. So, he decided to meet up with friends, intending to drink the insult away. However, he ended up hearing Grace's name mentioned once

more.

"The other day, I was at Northbrook working on a project. Who would've thought Grace was so well-known over there?"

"Grace? Who's that?"

"She's Quentin Lambert's daughter, the one who used to follow Mr. Henderson around like a puppy. She's gorgeous, too. Thomson should know her. His father is an executive at Lambert Group, isn't he?"

The group turned their attention to him almost immediately.

of privilege, born into wealth and connections, though none of them were involved in the true power

his earlier humiliation, Thomson lowered his glass onto the table. "Of course, I know

everyone was instantly in the mood

"She's chasing you?"

rise to fame as a fresh-faced celebrity

tonight, but I turned her down. She's beautiful, no doubt, but her appeal? Fairly average. With women, once the lights are off in bed, who cares what they

erupted in

got her into bed? I've met her once, and

sneered, finally reclaiming the dignity he had lost to Yancey earlier. "She's not that hard to deal with. She was dazed a few times when she saw

of admiration were

uncomfortable as he quietly thought to himself, "That bitch has probably already been

had the audacity to act all

hand, he would make her pay in

though a predator's gaze had locked on him from the shadows. When he lifted his head, his eyes met those of a man on the second floor. Cloaked in the shadows, the man's face was obscured by a silver

of foreboding crept into Thomson's heart. In a panic, he

...

his way alone to the parking lot. Just as he reached for his car and was about to open the door, he was ambushed

facing the man from the shadows. The silver mask had that same cold gleam that

in an instant as he yelled,

nothing. He advanced in silence, his movements measured and unhurried. Then, he raised a knife and coolly lifted Thomson's chin

times when she saw you?" the

Thomson couldn't quite comprehend who "she" was. The realization struck a beat later, accompanied by a searing pain that tore across his cheek. His eyes flew wide as dread crashed over him. As a

from me? Let me go now!" Thomson yelled even

man remained unnervingly silent, his gaze devoid

been slashed three times that he finally