Regret Came Too Late

Grace was already up by 5:00 am the following day. She sat down and quickly

sorted through every strength and weakness Lambert Group had, compiling over

80 pages of a detailed report.

The deeper she dug, the more natural it all felt like some muscle memory she

hadn't even realized she had.

She thought briefly about the professional certificates she had found tucked away

in her files. Some of them were among the hardest credentials to earn in the

global finance world. What had she been doing before she lost her memory?

The thought flickered through her mind, but she shoved it aside, focusing back on

the report. At the rate things were going, the company might survive another two

years, max. In that time, she would have to catch the next big wave, land the right

projects, and push the company to new heights.

Otherwise, even a miracle wouldn't be enough to save it.

She had barely arrived at the office when her phone buzzed. It was Selene

calling.

"Damien is giving a talk at Druville College soon," Selene said. "The next five

years are all about Al. There's a genius coming out of Druville College's Al

program, and every major company is trying to recruit him. Are you thinking about

making a move?"

It lined up perfectly with Lambert Group's business. They made consumer

electronics, but sales had been steadily falling. The company just couldn't keep up

with the times.

Most of the executives were out-of-touch relics, and all the current product lines-

TVs, air conditioners, you name it were outdated models. The only people still

them were from the

homes, Al-driven devices, and home robots were

prodigy could change everything.

the line. "Didn't Liam study

of Liam, Grace's

had said the wrong thing. Everyone in their

Grace's name

Most people were just waiting for her to

was about to say something comforting when Grace cut

out Druville

of determination,

after hanging up, Grace got in her car and

But as luck would have it, just as she was approaching

car crashed

and ready to step out and confront the driver until

license plate. For a second, it was like her whole body locked

her nerves

him to dinner

settled?

Jodie got involved and stirred up all

forget

was at fault, but she had

her car when the rear window slowly rolled

that point, pretending not to see him wasn't an option anymore.

herself and walked over.

coincidence. You're headed to Druville College

College herself,

even recall what

landed on her face.

it was

but every

felt like

it seemed

just beneath the

"Yeah."

was all he said at first. Then, he added, "How much should

about

five million dollars he had

about the beating she received from

curled into a smile that wasn't

dollars."