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

your lane. Clearly, I

closer, her voice cool and cutting. "You

of

cross class

elite education. And you've got

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

global markets? You'd be lost after the first

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

eyes.

bitch! She'd

car without sparing Andrea another glance.

not bothering to look in

her, Andrea stood seething. Why did women like

She deserved better. Fury burning in her

phone and made

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

I don't care what it costs

end, Joanne let out a soft laugh. Her lips curled into a slow,

smile.

few more seconds before finally replying with an address.

serious, come

she hung up,

wasn't like Alice, charging out

into the spotlight themselves. They

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

these women hated Grace.

tap into that resentment and they'd burn

down for her.

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

when her phone rang. It

the contract,"

quiet breath. At least the biggest task

was still on the phone as

door, her

"Keep building

Jasper. The

in the

His potential is

position ourselves

right moment in Al-"

could finish, Sebastian gently

today. He said he wants to

froze in the doorway. The key hung in her

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

He hadn't expected her to be

"But-"

wrong is wrong. I don't care

secrets from and the

Edric, he made his

only a

19,

only going to cause

steadied his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

worry: I've already been

with Jasper. He's

composed than