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

your lane. Clearly,

cool and cutting. "You think

empty head of yours? Women who manage

who actually cross class

elite education. And

didn't even finish high school.

You'd be lost after

humiliation hit hard. Andrea's face froze,

eyes.

She'd

without sparing Andrea another glance. She started

bothering

stood seething. Why did women like Grace get to walk

too. She deserved better. Fury burning in her chest,

her phone and made a

it," she said the moment the line connected. "Whatever you want,

I don't

out a soft laugh.

smile.

a few more seconds before finally replying

serious, come

she hung up,

out

stepped into the spotlight

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

these women hated Grace.

was tap into that resentment and

down for her.

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

when her phone

the contract," he

quiet breath. At least the biggest task of the

on the

door,

focused. "Keep

The

he is in the company,

His potential is

can position ourselves

right moment in Al-"

finish, Sebastian gently

He said he wants to

key hung in

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

off guard. He hadn't expected her to

"But-"

care if he was manipulated or misled.

Alice's secrets from and the

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

only a matter

calm but cutting. "He's 19, not

to cause bigger disasters down

his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

worry: I've already

with Jasper. He's sharp

more composed than