Regret Came Too Late

The cops showed up quickly, asked questions, and then hauled Jodie to the station.

Grace, as the victim, had to go too.

Jodie, who'd been shopping, was mortified because of the police. At the station, she exploded when she saw that Grace was the one who called them.

"Grace, you bitch! You actually called the cops on me?"

Grace just sat there, looking nonchalant. "I'm not looking to make a deal. I want an apology."

Jodie frowned hard. "An apology? To a bitch like you? Never!"

Grace also frowned and addressed the officer, "I will not accept a financial compromise. She must issue an apology today."

Jodie pulled out a card. "I can give you ten thousand dollars, but no apology."

The officer assessed the situation, recognizing that both parties were individuals of considerable means.

He chose his words carefully. "Ms. Henderson, you did mess up here. If Ms. Lambert doesn't want monetary compensation, you must apologize if you want to leave."

Jodie felt her scalp prickle with fury. She felt utterly humiliated.

If her family found out, she'd be in trouble.

home, and she didn't want more

you don't drop this issue, I'll make your

found the notion laughable. Any semblance of civility between herself

interjected at that moment.

"Yancey, Uncle Ethan's swamped right now! Why'd you call him and bug him

You're going to screw things up big time sooner or later!

fury, and

It was

"You think I'm worried? When Uncle Ethan gets here, he'll sort

about 30 minutes later. Even though he was in a meeting, he came

in the next room with Yancey, who quietly gave her the

tough later, just say sorry quickly. Jodie's spoiled, and Uncle Ethan loves to baby

Grace saw that Ethan

a formidable air. A group of

saw him, tears welled up

down next to him. "I really don't want to apologize, Uncle

his gaze to the police

cop didn't know

was, he could

someone important. He quicnet

answered, "She vandalized