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

I first approached you, I thought you

lane.

cool and

what, exactly? That empty head of yours? Women

actually cross class lines,

elite education. And you've got

know, you didn't even finish high

You'd be lost after the first

humiliation hit hard. Andrea's face froze, a flicker of rage

eyes.

She'd

sparing Andrea another glance.

and drove off, not bothering to look in the

did women like Grace

She had dignity too. She deserved better.

phone and

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

down, I don't care what

Joanne let out a soft laugh. Her lips curled into

smile.

seconds before finally replying with an

come find

hung up, still

Alice, charging out

spotlight themselves.

the ones out front. And the

these women hated Grace.

Joanne had to do was tap into that resentment and they'd burn the whole

down for her.

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

phone rang. It was

signed the

least the biggest

was still on

her door,

focused. "Keep building

The more

he is in the company,

His potential is

can position ourselves

right moment in Al-"

could finish, Sebastian gently interrupted her,

today. He said he wants to

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

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

He hadn't expected her to be

"But-"

wrong. I don't care if

chose to keep Alice's secrets from and the moment

he made

only a matter

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

going to cause bigger

steadied his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already been

Jasper. He's

composed