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.

was all

expression, Grace stepped on the gas and drove toward the outskirts of

Lucian

after, yet the car remained parked at

what are you waiting

Lucian. Eventually, it was a gang of his men who

as she said, "I was just wondering... if anyone would

him. It's not like you want him dead. You just need to know who

spoken than Grace slammed her foot down on the gas and said, "Whether he's framing

Her eyes widened in shock, and

"You're still alive?!"

Could this really be

there was something about the way he

countless times. However, standing face-to-face

passenger seat. "Don't tell me that idiot

that her reaction had been too extreme, but she didn't care in the slightest. Grace would never dare to lay a hand

a spiteful thought crossed her mind. If something "did" happen

wouldn't that be even better? As the idea

up.

why should she rely on someone like

could send Grace to

hands on her hips, the smug

were lucky this time,

my words, so long

"for you until

come to your senses and stay away from Uncle Ethan."

the threat, Lyle, who

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

"So, what now? Are you going to just let

go, she suddenly slammed her foot down on