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

first approached you, I thought you

lane.

stepped closer, her voice cool and cutting. "You think

head of yours? Women who manage

cross class lines, have

and an elite education. And

know, you didn't even finish high school.

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

face froze, a flicker of rage

eyes.

bitch! She'd pay for

into her car without sparing Andrea another glance. She started

bothering to look

her, Andrea stood seething. Why did women

She had dignity too. She deserved better. Fury

out her phone and made a

the moment the line connected. "Whatever

down, I don't

a soft laugh. Her lips curled

smile.

seconds before finally replying with an address.

come

hung

like Alice, charging out recklessly and getting

stepped into the spotlight

ones out front. And the best part? Every

these women hated Grace.

do was tap into that resentment and

down for her.

home just past 9:00 pm.

her phone rang. It was

signed the contract," he

least the

on the phone

door, her voice

"Keep

The more

he is in the company,

is

position ourselves

right moment in Al-"

gently interrupted her, "Ms. Lambert,

He said he wants

froze in the doorway. The key hung in her

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

He hadn't expected her to be

"But-"

I don't care if

keep Alice's secrets from and the moment he

dollars to Edric, he made his

a matter of

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

going to cause bigger

steadied his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already

with Jasper.

composed