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 you had

stay in your lane. Clearly, I

closer, her voice cool and cutting. "You think you can marry

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

actually cross

education.

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

Finance and global markets? You'd be lost after

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

eyes.

bitch! She'd pay

sparing Andrea another glance. She

and drove off, not bothering to

stood seething. Why did women like Grace

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

her phone

line connected. "Whatever you

I don't

Joanne let out a soft laugh. Her lips curled into a

smile.

more seconds

serious, come

hung up, still

Alice, charging out

spotlight

out

these women hated Grace.

was tap into that resentment and they'd burn the whole

down for her.

it home just past 9:00 pm. She had

when her phone rang.

has signed the contract," he

let out a quiet breath. At least the

was still on the

her door, her voice

"Keep building

The more

he is in

potential is off

can position

right moment in Al-"

finish, Sebastian gently

said

The key hung

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

paused, caught off guard. He hadn't expected her

"But-"

is wrong. I don't care if

secrets from and the moment he

he made his bed. He should've

only a matter

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

only going to cause bigger disasters down

steadied his tone

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already

with Jasper. He's

more composed than