Regret Came Too Late

Chapter 297 Grace finally received word from the station, saying that Edric would be held for ten days. She let out a breath of relief.

That bought her a little time, at least. She could use the ten days to figure out her next move.

If she really couldn't win Nelson over, then she would have to consider another route-persuading the other senior executives. Together, their shares added up to a significant portion.

But right now, none of them had much faith in her and Liam, unless they could completely turn around the issue with that plot of land. If they could solve the mess cleanly, it would give everyone a sense of reassurance and a reason to believe that, under her and Liam's leadership, the company might actually have a future.

Ethan had heard about the situation, but he refused to give a clear answer. Grace had already sent gifts. Still, there was no response from him. She was completely on the back foot right now.

No matter how she turned it over in her head, everything circled back to that plot of land.

She tried calling Tim, but there was no answer either. Out of options, she sent him a text. "Mr. Bennett, does Mr. Henderson like his gift or not?" Tim stood silently at Ethan's side. If he had known in advance that was the "gift" Grace had prepared, he would have stopped it. But now? It just becawkward for everyone involved.

The problem was that Ethan was too impossible to read. After that day, he had been eerily calm, and nobody could tell if he was mad or not.

Tim had expected Ethan to blow up or to give Grace hell, but nothing happened. He went to work as usual, reviewing documents like always-completely unfazed. After a while, Tim decided to speak up. "Ms. Lambert just called, Mr. Henderson. She's asking if you're pleased with the gift." Ethan didn't even pause. He just gave a soft laugh.

Tim felt a chill crawl up his spine. When someone like Ethan laughed, it usually meant he was beyond furious. He clammed up right away, praying that Grace would survive whatever cnext for her.

Grace sent him a few more texts, yet no matter what she sent, Tim didn't reply to her. She waited until 9:00 pm, but Tim never reached out.

She considered sucking it up and asking Ethan directly. Just then, she received a message from Ed, asking what she was doing at the moment.

She had promised to help fend off the women swarming around Ethan, but God knew what stories were going around now. The second she saw Ed's message, guilt hit her like a truck.

"I'm getting ready for bed. What's wrong?" "Still remember I'm your boyfriend?" Guilt twisted in Grace's chest, and for a second, she actually shuddered. Just when she braced for Ed to start getting tic, he sent something else.

"I heard srumors at The Obisidian. People are saying you're with Ethan Henderson. Who's that? Your boss?" She hadn't thought the news would reach Ed this fast. It scared her so much that she jumped to her feet. She tried calling Ed right away, but he didn't answer.

That sinking, powerless feeling crushing back to her. Afraid he might spiral, she scrambled to text him back, explaining everything as quickly and clearly as she could. Then, he sent back a single question.

"I'm always the last one to know. Do you think I don't deserve an explanation anymore?" Grace didn't say a word. She had simply been too swamped lately. She considered breaking up again, but the memory of him by that cliff... She couldn't bring herself to do it.

However, she also didn't have the energy to fix things because every the unraveled, it would ruin her body and mind for the entire next day.

Grace lowered her gaze. She couldn't bring herself to type those three words.

Then, the next message came. "I can't be without you. I know you're always thinking about leaving, but still can't let you go. I miss you, and I want to see you every single day. You have no idea how much 'm hurting right now." Grace's lashes fluttered as a sharp pang of guilt hit her chest. Every word felt like it pierced straight through her defenses.

Maybe it was just something women were born with that instinct to soften the moment their partner crumbled in front of them. Besides, Ed hadn't really done anything wrong.

Grace bit her lip, texting a new reply. "I miss you too, but I've been really busy. Once it all settles, you can be as extra as you want, okay?" To her surprise, he gave in right away. "Okay. I trust you." Her heart melted immediately. She had always been the kind who caved to gentleness, not force. And this time, she even smiled and sent him a heart emoji.

Grace set her phone aside, but her thoughts quickly circled back to the plot of land. Did she really have to turn to Simon? The memory of his icy, unreadable stare made her stomach twist. Honestly, she would rather take her chances with Ethan. At least she would survive that meeting.

Hence, she drove straight to Palm Bay and waited. It was midnight when Ethan's car finally cinto view, rolling toward her.

She stepped in front of it, forcing it to a stop, then hurried up to the window. "Mr. Henderson." The glass window eased down, slow and deliberate, revealing just the sharp edge of his face in the shadows. Ethan didn't even look up from the file on his knee. His voice was quiet and flat. "Do you really think I don't get angry, Grace?"

Grace's heart skipped a beat. She bit her lip, and when she was about to speak, Ethan looked up at her. His gaze was like frozen steel. It felt as though he could end her with a glance. Grace's body went rigid.

That was it her little stunt with the stand-in had completely pissed off the man known for never losing his temper.

She stood there motionless as she watched the car roll forward anddisappear behind the heavy iron gates. Suddenly, she wished more than anything that she could take it back.

Ethan lost the love of his life years ago. Since then, he hadn't been with another woman-not once. Besides, he still visited her grave, and that kind of devotion wasn't ordinary-it was sacred. And Grace had gone and insulted it with a stand-in. Regret clawed at her throat. Why had she even thought that would work? She took out her phone and called him immediately. However, he didn't pick up.

Grace decided that if she was going to apologize, she had to do it right. Hence, she stood outside Palm Bay, refusing to leave until he forgave her.

At 3:00 am, Ethan asked security about her, and she was still there, straight- backed and motionless. He lowered his gaze, not uttering a single word.