Regret Came Too Late

Just when Lyle thought Grace had given up, she suddenly turned around and ordered, "Beat him within an inch of his life, then dump him back into the slums."

With that, she left and made her way to Joanne's unit.

Both units were barely 30 feet apart, close enough that the sounds from Lyle's side could easily carry through the walls.

However, Joanne showed no reaction as she sat there on the couch. It wasn't until Grace entered that she stood up.

"Grace, who was that man with you earlier? Did you run into trouble lately?" she asked.

Grace slowly shook her head and walked over to the coffee table. She reached for the cup of water but paused in mid-air in hesitation.

"Joanne, have I ever told you about my past?" she asked gently.

"Not really. Why? Is there something wrong with it?"

Grace nudged the cup away and smiled weakly, saying, "Oh no. I just had a bit of a problem with Liam. That boy's gotten good at lying recently. I have to teach him a lesson. You see, if you wear a mask for too long, ripping it off will tear at your skin. It'll hurt for sure."

Joanne's carefully constructed expression nearly crumbled. She couldn't fully comprehend the true meaning behind those words. Had she been exposed?

However, ever since they ran into Lucian, she had acted perfectly normal. Lucian had also played his part and shut his eyes just in time. There had been no eye contact between them.

Aside from that one initial glance...

But Grace couldn't possibly be so sharp as to catch something from just that. If she were truly that perceptive, would she have been so easily fooled by Yancey for so long?

Joanne tried to calm herself down, quietly exhaling as if a weight had just been lifted from her chest. She said, "He's your brother, after all. If there's any problem, you just need to talk it through."

Grace rose to her feet and gave a casual wave of her hand, saying, "I'm leaving. Don't mention anything about tonight to anyone."

Joanne nodded as she silently watched her leave.

Once in the hallway, Grace let out a faint breath before slipping into her car. She didn't wait long before Lyle appeared before her with Lucian hanging over his shoulder.

He shoved the man into the backseat without consideration, then slid into the passenger seat.

says it was all

expression, Grace stepped on the gas and drove toward

then hauled Lucian out

expected Grace to drive off right after, yet the car remained parked at a short distance. It puzzled

you

came looking for Lucian. Eventually, it was a gang

she said, "I

him dead. You just need to know who sent him. Still, Jodie... I don't buy it.

down on the gas and said, "Whether he's framing her or

home. Her eyes widened in shock,

"You're still alive?!"

Could this really be connected to Jodie? Had Lucian been telling the truth

he

instincts, which had saved her life countless times. However, standing face-to-face with Jodie now, she no

a derisive laugh from the passenger seat. "Don't tell

reaction had been too extreme, but she didn't care in the slightest.

her mind. If something "did" happen

Grace, wouldn't that be even better?

up.

should she rely on

could send Grace to hell

planted her hands on her hips, the smug satisfaction in

this

my words, so

keep coming" "for you until

senses and stay away from Uncle

the threat, Lyle, who was beside her, was already bristling with

by Grace's warning. "She's a Henderson. Have you considered the consequences of laying a hand

he quietly shut the door again. "So, what now? Are you going to

to fet it go, she suddenly slammed