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."

cool and cutting.

exactly? That empty head of yours? Women who

like his, who actually cross

an elite education. And you've got

finish high school. What are you going to talk

about? Finance and global markets? You'd

hit hard. Andrea's face froze, a flicker of rage flashing through

eyes.

bitch! She'd

into her car without sparing Andrea another glance.

and drove off, not bothering

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

had dignity too. She deserved better. Fury burning

her phone and

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

Grace down, I don't care

a soft laugh. Her lips

smile.

laughed for a few more seconds before finally replying

come find

hung up,

out recklessly and

the spotlight

draw the fire, and be the ones out

these women hated Grace.

do was tap into that resentment and they'd burn the

down for her.

just past 9:00 pm. She had just stepped

when her phone

signed the contract," he

a quiet breath. At least the biggest task of the day was

on the phone

door,

"Keep building

Jasper. The more

is in the

is off the

position

right moment in Al-"

she could finish, Sebastian gently interrupted

said he wants

key hung in

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

off guard. He hadn't expected her

"But-"

care if he

he chose to keep Alice's secrets from and

dollars to Edric, he made his bed. He

only a matter

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

he's only going to cause bigger

his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already

Jasper. He's sharp

composed than

might not

currently working