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

patience. "When I first approached you, I thought you had enough self-awareness

to stay in your lane. Clearly, I was wrong."

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

of yours? Women who manage

his, who actually cross

education.

I know, you didn't even finish high

markets? You'd be lost after the first

humiliation hit hard. Andrea's face froze, a

eyes.

She'd pay

into her car without sparing Andrea another

drove off, not bothering to look in the

her, Andrea stood seething. Why did women like Grace get to

deserved better. Fury burning in

her phone and

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

dragging Grace down, I don't care what it costs

out a soft

smile.

few more seconds

come find

hung

out recklessly and getting

never stepped into the spotlight themselves. They

ones out front. And the best part? Every

these women hated Grace.

tap into that resentment and they'd burn

down for her.

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

her phone rang. It

has signed the contract,"

quiet breath. At least the biggest task of the day

was still on the phone as

her door, her voice

focused. "Keep

The

he is in the

His potential is

we can position

right moment in Al-"

gently interrupted

said he wants to

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

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

hadn't expected her to be that

"But-"

I don't care if

Alice's secrets from

billion dollars to Edric, he made

only a matter

her voice calm but cutting. "He's 19,

he's only going to

his tone

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already been

with Jasper. He's sharp

more composed than he

you might not

currently working with