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."

and cutting. "You think you can

That empty head of yours? Women who manage

who actually cross

an elite education.

as I know, you didn't even finish high school. What are you going

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

Andrea's face froze, a flicker of

eyes.

She'd pay

car without sparing Andrea another glance. She

not bothering to look in the

her, Andrea stood seething. Why did women

dignity too. She deserved better. Fury

phone and made

the moment the line

dragging Grace down, I don't

Joanne let out a soft laugh. Her lips curled into

smile.

laughed for a few more seconds before

come find me

she hung

like Alice, charging out recklessly and

players never stepped into the spotlight

fire, and be the ones out front. And the best part? Every

these women hated Grace.

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

down for her.

finally made it home just past 9:00 pm.

phone rang.

the contract,"

breath. At least the biggest task of

was still on

her door, her voice

"Keep

Jasper. The more

in

potential is

can position

right moment in Al-"

finish, Sebastian gently interrupted

He said

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

slowly exhaled.

"Block his number."

He hadn't expected

"But-"

is wrong. I don't care

to keep Alice's secrets from and

Edric, he

only a

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

only going to

his

replying. "Understood, Ms. Lambert.

I've

with Jasper. He's sharp

composed than

might not know this yet,

currently working