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,

in your lane.

cool and cutting. "You think

exactly? That empty head of yours? Women who

who actually cross class

and an elite education. And you've got

didn't even finish high school. What are you going to

Finance and global markets? You'd be

Andrea's face froze,

eyes.

She'd

got into her car without sparing Andrea another

off, not bothering to look in

Andrea stood seething. Why did women like Grace get

deserved better. Fury burning in her

her phone

the moment the line connected.

don't care

end, Joanne let out a soft laugh. Her lips

smile.

few more seconds before

serious, come

hung

out recklessly and getting

spotlight themselves. They let others

and be the ones out front. And the best part? Every

these women hated Grace.

to do was tap into

down for her.

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

when her phone rang. It

signed the contract,"

a quiet breath. At least the

on the phone

door, her

focused. "Keep building

The

in the company,

His potential is

we can position ourselves at

right moment in Al-"

finish, Sebastian gently

today. He said

hung in her hand

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

caught off guard. He hadn't expected

"But-"

care if he was manipulated

to keep Alice's secrets from and the moment

dollars to Edric, he

a matter of

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

going to cause bigger

steadied his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've

Jasper. He's sharp

more composed than he