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. "You

head of yours? Women who

who actually cross class lines,

an elite education. And you've

finish high school. What are you going to

and global markets? You'd be lost after the first

face froze, a flicker of rage flashing through

eyes.

bitch! She'd pay for

without sparing Andrea another glance. She started

drove off, not bothering

women like Grace get

dignity too. She deserved better. Fury burning in her chest,

her phone and made a

the line connected. "Whatever you

dragging Grace down, I don't care what it

let out a soft laugh. Her lips

smile.

a few more seconds

come find me

she hung up, still

like Alice, charging out recklessly

spotlight

the fire, and be the ones out front. And the best

these women hated Grace.

Joanne had to do was tap into that

down for her.

9:00 pm. She had just

when her phone rang. It was

has signed the

least the biggest task of the day was

still on the

door,

"Keep building

Jasper. The

in the company,

potential is off

can position ourselves at

right moment in Al-"

she could finish, Sebastian gently interrupted

He said he wants to see

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

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

caught off guard. He hadn't expected her to be that

"But-"

wrong is wrong. I don't care if he was

he chose to keep Alice's secrets from and

dollars to Edric, he made his bed.

a

her voice calm but cutting. "He's 19, not a

he's only going to cause bigger disasters down the

his tone

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've already been

Jasper. He's sharp

more composed than he

might not know this yet,

working with