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

you, I thought you had

stay in your lane. Clearly, I

and cutting. "You think

empty head of yours? Women who manage

actually cross class

elite education. And you've

far as I know, you didn't even finish high school. What

You'd be lost

hit hard. Andrea's face froze, a flicker

eyes.

She'd pay

sparing Andrea another glance. She started

not bothering to look in the

seething. Why did women

She deserved better. Fury

out her phone

moment the line connected. "Whatever

don't care what it

the other end, Joanne let out a soft laugh. Her

smile.

more seconds before finally replying with an

come find

she hung

like Alice, charging out recklessly and getting herself

never stepped into the spotlight themselves. They let others

be the ones out front. And the best part?

these women hated Grace.

Joanne had to do was tap into that resentment and

down for her.

made it home just past 9:00 pm. She had just stepped

phone rang. It was

the contract," he

At least the biggest task of the

was still on the phone

her door,

focused. "Keep building

Jasper. The more

in

His potential is off

position ourselves at

right moment in Al-"

Sebastian gently interrupted her, "Ms.

called me today. He said he wants to see

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

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

paused, caught off guard. He hadn't expected her to

"But-"

wrong is wrong. I don't care if he was manipulated

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

to Edric, he made his bed. He should've

only a

"He's 19, not a child. If he stays that

to cause bigger disasters down the

steadied his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already

with Jasper. He's

more composed than