Regret Came Too Late

Grace climbed out of the car, feeling thoroughly humiliated. As she was about to

shut the door, she still couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Henderson, do you still want me

to arrange for the chef?"

The only response she got was the sharp slam of the car door. She stood there

for a second, the message loud and clear.

Yeah. She had definitely pissed Ethan off again. Somehow, she had a real talent

for it too. Managing to irritate someone as cold and detached as Ethan this many

times wasn't easy. Unfortunately, it seemed to be her specialty.

Before she could fully gather herself, Andrea appeared, her eyes lighting up at the

sight of her. But her tone turned cutting almost immediately.

"I thought you'd be riding off with him," Andrea said mockingly. "I guess you're not

as special as you think."

Grace's brows knitted together as she turned to face Andrea.

A month ago, Andrea had been timid, practically shrinking into herself. Now, she

had somehow learned to sneer.

Grace asked quietly, "Andrea, did someone put ideas in your head?"

Andrea gave a cold, brittle laugh. "What's wrong? Are you afraid I'll expose you?"

She took a step closer, her voice growing sharper.

"You only came to me to use me. You made it sound like you were doing me a

favor, introducing me to Mr. Henderson. Then, you left me hanging, making me fall

for someone I was never going to see again. You gave me hope and then crushed

it."

She scoffed bitterly. "That woman was right about you. You look down on women

like me-women with nothing. To you, I'm just a toy-someone you can call up

and toss aside whenever you feel like it."

Grace stayed still, her heart sinking a little.

Andrea's sudden shift in attitude was too extreme to come from nowhere.

Someone had clearly gotten to her. Someone had fed her the exact words

designed to influence her thoughts. And it was working.

Grace turned to leave, but Andrea followed close behind, refusing to back down.

She shouted, "Grace, I'm not letting this go! I will marry Ethan!"

At that, Grace stopped in her tracks. She turned around slowly, finally losing her

approached you, I thought you

in your lane. Clearly, I

cool and cutting. "You think you can marry

empty head of yours?

his, who actually cross class lines, have

elite education. And you've got

even finish high

about? Finance and global markets? You'd be lost after

face froze, a flicker of

eyes.

She'd pay

her car without sparing

and drove off, not bothering

seething. Why did women

dignity too. She deserved better. Fury burning in her chest,

phone

moment the line connected. "Whatever you want, I'm in. If

Grace down, I don't care what it

end, Joanne let out a soft

smile.

few more seconds before finally replying

come

hung up,

Alice, charging out recklessly and

players never stepped into the spotlight themselves. They

the fire, and be the ones out front.

these women hated Grace.

do was tap into that resentment and they'd burn the

down for her.

just past 9:00 pm. She

phone rang.

signed the contract," he

breath. At least the biggest

still on the

door,

"Keep

Jasper. The more

is in the

potential is

we can position

right moment in Al-"

Sebastian gently interrupted her,

me today. He said he

in the doorway. The key hung in her hand for a moment before

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

caught off guard. He hadn't expected her to

"But-"

is wrong. I don't care if

chose to keep Alice's secrets from and the moment he

billion dollars to Edric, he

a matter

voice calm but cutting. "He's 19, not a child. If he

to cause bigger disasters down the

steadied his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

worry: I've

with Jasper.

composed