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.

one of them was a child of privilege, born into wealth and connections, though none of

humiliation, Thomson lowered his glass onto the table. "Of course, I know her. She's been chasing me

up with curiosity, and everyone was instantly

"She's chasing you?"

and his sudden rise to fame as a fresh-faced celebrity

for dinner tonight, but I turned her down. She's beautiful, no doubt, but her appeal? Fairly average. With women, once the lights are off in

erupted in

into bed? I've met her once, and she wouldn't even look at

hard to deal with. She was dazed a few times when she saw me. I invited her out, and she agreed. Now, she's considering

of admiration

uncomfortable as he quietly thought to

fact that she had the audacity to act all high and mighty despite that!

his hand, he would

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 mask

foreboding crept into Thomson's heart.

...

he reached

shadows. The silver

in an instant as he

unhurried.

few times when she saw you?" the man

a searing pain that tore across his cheek. His eyes flew wide as dread crashed

do you want from me? Let me go now!" Thomson yelled even

silent, his gaze devoid of warmth— much like a

slashed three times that he