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TVs, air conditioners, you name it were outdated models.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 older

devices, and home robots were the future. Landing an

prodigy could change everything.

the line. "Didn't Liam study

mention of Liam,

she had said the wrong thing. Everyone

was struggling. Grace's name was too

were just waiting for her to fall flat on

about to say something comforting when Grace

out

of determination,

early, so after hanging up, Grace got in her

as luck would have it, just

car crashed

ready to step out and confront

license plate. For a second, it was like

nerves

him

settled?

stirred up all kinds of trouble.

forget that promise

the car behind was at fault, but she

to head back into her car when the rear window slowly

to see him wasn't an option anymore. She

herself and walked over.

Henderson, what a coincidence. You're headed

College herself, though after

recall what she had majored

on her face.

if it was

but every time

felt like he

it

beneath the

"Yeah."

said at first. Then,

was asking about the

about the five million dollars he had given her before.

the beating

a smile that wasn't quite genuine

dollars."