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 you had

stay in your lane. Clearly, I was

closer, her voice cool and

what, exactly? That empty head of yours? Women who

who actually cross class lines,

education.

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

Finance and global markets? You'd be lost after the

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

eyes.

bitch! She'd pay for

car without sparing Andrea another glance. She started

and drove off, not bothering to look

women like Grace get to walk all

too. She deserved better. Fury burning in

out her phone and

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

I don't care what it

soft laugh.

smile.

few more seconds before finally replying with an address.

serious, come find me

hung

wasn't like Alice, charging out recklessly and getting

the spotlight themselves. They

draw the fire, and be the ones out front. And the best

these women hated Grace.

do was tap into that resentment and they'd burn

down for her.

it home just past 9:00 pm. She had

when her phone rang. It

the contract," he

let out a quiet breath. At least the

on

her door,

focused. "Keep

Jasper. The

in the

is off

can position ourselves at

right moment in Al-"

she could finish, Sebastian gently interrupted her, "Ms.

said he wants

key hung in her hand for a moment

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

hadn't

"But-"

care if he was

secrets from

billion dollars to Edric, he made his bed.

a matter of

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

only going to cause bigger

his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've

with Jasper.

more composed than