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."

her voice cool and cutting.

That empty head of yours? Women who manage to

cross class lines, have

and an elite education.

I know, you didn't even finish high

and global markets? You'd be lost after

face froze, a flicker

eyes.

She'd pay

her car without sparing

not bothering to look in

stood seething. Why did women like Grace get

She deserved better. Fury burning in her

out her phone and made

she said the moment the line connected. "Whatever

down, I don't care

other end, Joanne let out a soft laugh. Her lips curled

smile.

a few more seconds before finally replying with

come find

hung

charging out

spotlight themselves. They

ones out front. And the best part?

these women hated Grace.

tap into that resentment and they'd burn

down for her.

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

when her phone rang.

signed the contract," he

quiet breath. At least the biggest task of the

on the phone as

door, her voice

"Keep

Jasper. The more

in the company,

His potential is off the

can position ourselves

right moment in Al-"

gently interrupted her, "Ms.

today. He said he

doorway. The key hung in her hand for a

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

paused, caught off guard. He hadn't expected

"But-"

wrong. I don't care if

to keep Alice's secrets from and the moment

Edric, he made

only a matter

"He's 19, not a

soft, he's only going to cause bigger

steadied his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

worry: I've already

with Jasper.

composed than

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