Regret Came Too Late

Grace took a deep breath. "Mr. Yule, are you interested in meeting Yasmine? I can give you her phone number directly."

Simon lowered his gaze, his impatience with her palpable.

"I don't have Ethan's patience. One more word, and you can get the hell out."

Grace felt a surge of anger, but she really didn't have the power to challenge Simon.

When she got downstairs, she felt a knot of unease in her stomach.

She took several steps back when she bumped into someone coming the other way.

It was Jodie, whose voice immediately turned shrill as she yelled, "Grace!"

Since the whipping incident, Grace had been trying to avoid this woman. She hadn't expected to run into her today.

She lowered her head and tried to walk past, but Jodie blocked her way.

"Grace, looks like you're all healed up. So you're back to your old tricks, huh?

What are you doing here? Don't tell me you followed my brother again? Just because my uncle doesn't want you, you've set your sights on my brother now?"

of resentment, like she wanted nothing more than to pull out a whip

was a little surprised. What would Yancey be

so she tried to leave, but Jodie swung

a hard slap landed on her

duck in time, and now there was a huge hand mark

tell you? Stay away from me, or I'll hit you whenever

burn from the slap. She threw the contract at Jodie's

back,

Yancey and ran

what she

papers everywhere, and Grace bent down to scoop

serious. "I've told you, stop bullying people

pouted. "So what? Uncle Ethan doesn't care.

Ethan won't

even stepping hard on a paper Grace was about to grab,

Yancey yelled, "Jodie Henderson!"

took off like a shot, sticking her tongue out and scoffing. She acted like

on, trying to wipe off the dirt, but the mark was still obvious. He looked at Grace and said, "Grace, don't be mad. Uncle Ethan

was as cool as a cucumber. She knew exactly

had all the papers gathered,

too. "Grace, let's head back together, okay?" he