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.

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

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

with curiosity, and everyone was instantly

"She's chasing you?"

visuals were undeniable, and his sudden rise to fame as a fresh-faced celebrity had made

me out for dinner tonight, but I turned her down. She's beautiful, no doubt, but her appeal? Fairly average. With women,

erupted in cheers and

I've met her once, and she

deal with. She was dazed

of admiration were

him uncomfortable as he quietly thought to himself, "That bitch has probably already been toyed with by Yancey more

that she had the audacity to act all

of his hand, he would

a sudden chill swept over him as 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

Thomson's heart. In a panic, he quickly lowered

...

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

he found himself once again facing the man from the shadows. The silver mask had that same cold gleam that sent shivers down his

him in an instant as

unhurried. Then, he raised a knife and

times when she

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 public figure,

me? Let me go now!" Thomson yelled

gaze devoid

slashed three times that he