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 had

in your lane.

her voice cool and

of yours? Women who manage to marry

cross class lines, have

education. And

finish high school.

and global markets? You'd be lost after

hard. Andrea's face froze, a flicker

eyes.

She'd pay for

her car without sparing Andrea another glance. She

and drove off, not bothering to look in

Andrea stood seething. Why did women like

deserved better. Fury burning in

phone and

do it," she said the moment the line connected. "Whatever

I don't

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

smile.

for a few more seconds before finally replying with

come find

hung

Alice, charging out recklessly

never stepped into the spotlight themselves.

fire, and be the ones out

these women hated Grace.

into that resentment and

down for her.

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

phone rang. It was

the contract,"

At least the biggest task of the day was

on the phone as

her door,

"Keep

Jasper. The

is in the

is

can position ourselves

right moment in Al-"

could finish, Sebastian gently interrupted

He said he

in the doorway. The key hung in her hand for a moment before

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

off guard. He hadn't expected her to

"But-"

care if he

Alice's secrets from and

Edric, he made his bed. He

only a matter of

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

going to cause bigger disasters

his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already

with Jasper. He's

more composed than he