Regret Came Too Late

At precisely 7:00 pm, Grace arrived at the entrance of the charity gala with an invitation in hand.

As she stepped out of the car, she noticed Jodie, who was dressed to the nines.

Jodie didn't expect to run into Grace here, as she thought Grace wouldn't have an invitation.

Grace didn't greet her. She handed her invitation to a staff member and walked inside with poise.

She was wearing a more understated look tonight-a black sequin skirt with a mermaid silhouette paired with a silk blouse that cinched at her waist.

Jodie stood still for a moment. Instead of storming off to cause Grace trouble, she called Yancey.

"Are you sure you don't want to come, Yancey? I just saw Grace at the gala," she said.

Something unreadable flickered in Yancey's gaze before a small smile tugged at his lips.

"I'm on my way. Jodie, leave her alone."

It seemed like every man on earth was under Grace's spell, and that was what Jodie hated the most.

She smiled insincerely. "Of course."

After hanging up the call, her gaze turned icy as she looked toward where Grace

had gone. Then, she called her bodyguard.

she would make sure Grace was utterly

a picture-perfect gala-flashing lights, clinking glasses, and

couldn't recall ever being in a

faces spotted her, exchanging knowing glances before

who had spent years hopelessly devoted to Yancey,

the crowd for her target of the evening when a woman she didn't recognize walked up to her with a

"Grace Lambert?"

had no idea

a sharp breath and remarked, "So it's true, huh? You

face, and it suddenly came back to her-she had seen this

forgiven her for what happened to Eleanor all

jab in public wasn't

and hurled the wine

Grace had seen it coming. She sidestepped in time just as Jodie was stepping

last, the wine

everyone's attention snapped toward

was stunned. "Jodie, are

friends-no wonder Daphne had come at

shook her head lightly, her gaze fixed on

ready to get back to her actual