Regret Came Too Late

At precisely 7:00 pm, Grace arrived at the entrance of the charity gala with an invitation in hand.

As she stepped out of the car, she noticed Jodie, who was dressed to the nines.

Jodie didn't expect to run into Grace here, as she thought Grace wouldn't have an invitation.

Grace didn't greet her. She handed her invitation to a staff member and walked inside with poise.

She was wearing a more understated look tonight-a black sequin skirt with a mermaid silhouette paired with a silk blouse that cinched at her waist.

Jodie stood still for a moment. Instead of storming off to cause Grace trouble, she called Yancey.

"Are you sure you don't want to come, Yancey? I just saw Grace at the gala," she said.

Something unreadable flickered in Yancey's gaze before a small smile tugged at his lips.

"I'm on my way. Jodie, leave her alone."

It seemed like every man on earth was under Grace's spell, and that was what Jodie hated the most.

She smiled insincerely. "Of course."

After hanging up the call, her gaze turned icy as she looked toward where Grace

gone. Then, she called

sure

a picture-perfect gala-flashing lights, clinking glasses, and scents of

couldn't recall ever being in

exchanging knowing glances before whispering

spent years hopelessly devoted to Yancey, had finally won him, only

of the evening when a woman she didn't recognize walked up to

"Grace Lambert?"

had no idea who this

to take offense at that. She drew a sharp breath and remarked, "So it's true, huh? You dumped Yancey, and

her-she had seen this woman in some old industry. background reports. She

had never forgiven her for what happened to

jab in public

raised her glass and hurled the wine straight at

had seen it coming. She sidestepped in time just as Jodie was stepping through the door

the wine hit Jodie

just like that, everyone's attention

"Jodie,

were good friends-no wonder Daphne had come at Grace. Clearly, it was Jodie who

lightly, her gaze fixed on Grace with undisguised

to walk away, ready to get back