Regret Came Too Late

Andrea had been cremated and buried that very night. Liam had even placed the dog tooth along with her, as if

this small act was a way to ease his guilt, if only slightly.

Grace walked through the graveyard, then laid the bouquet she had brought at the base of a simple gravestone.

There was no inscription, just a photograph.

Without another word, she turned to leave.

Liam sat off to the side and smoked. It took him a few moments to gather himself before he finally said, "Grace...

there's something else | want to tell you."

Sebastian's call had given him a fleeting burst of courage, but now, with Andrea's gravestone in front of him and

under the weight of Grace's gaze, that courage scattered like ash.

He had now becthe very person Grace despised-weak, disappointing, and easily swayed.

If he said what he suspected about Joanne, would she think that he was trying to deflect blame? She barely

trusted him as it was. This might be the final thread snapping.

He looked down, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and exhaled slowly.

"You're not really a Lambert by blood," he said quietly. "When | went to the old medicine practitioner, | found a

gravestone... The real one, with my sister's non it. After Dad took her to the countryside, the one who came

back wasn't her but you."

He paused for a second before continuing, "I don't know what happened in between. But Dad's gone, and when |

tried to ask Mom... She knew nothing. | kept it from her. | thought maybe... | could help you remember who you

really are."

Grace didn't stop walking. She merely gave a quiet, noncommittal hum.

Liam's chest tightened at her indifference. Of course. What else had he expected? She resented him now.

He still had yet to mention Joanne. He was terrified that even the slightest hope she had for him would vanish if

he ever brought it up. After all, it was only a suspicion.

He remained there silently, gazing at Andrea's gravestone long after Grace had departed. A collection of

cigarette butts littered the ground, evidence of his relentless night.

He was only 20 years old, barely an adult. Yet he felt like the years were stretching out before him, devoid of

anything worth desiring.

Grace drove off without looking back.

She had long held the suspicion that she wasn't actually a Lambert. After all, Carmen had always treated her

with too much cruelty, and Quentin's attitude had been far too... complicated.

It wasn't a complete lack of care. It was more like there had been a deep conflict raging within him. He had

seemed to wish her happiness, yet he couldn't bear the thought of her thriving too much. The affection he

showed was genuine, but it was undeniably compounded with more complex emotions.

Liam's words had clarified everything, stripping back layers of suspicion.

She truly wasn't a Lambert.

However, if that was the case, who was she?

Without further hesitation, she drove straight to Lambert Group to demand an explanation from Sebastian. "You

knew | wasn't biologically part of the Lambert family, didn't you?"

"Ms. Lambert, your last nhardly matters," he said calmly. "The company has already been restructured

under your leadership. Everyone here supports you now. No one cares whose daughter you are."

The implication was obvious—if she wanted it, the company was hers, regardless of blood.

Grace's gaze lingered on him for a few seconds. Then, in a serious tone, she asked again, "Are you sure my dad

never said anything to you?"

If Quentin had orchestrated all this, it was improbable that he never uttered even a word to his most trusted ally.

Sebastian lowered his head silently. "That's unfortunately the case. The late Mr. Lambert always treated you like

his own daughter. I'm sure you could feel that too, couldn't you?"

Every word was measured and perfectly delivered. There wasn't a speck of fault to be found.

Grace's brows furrowed, considering whether to find tfor another trip to the countryside to visit the old

alternative medicine practitionernet

However, the pressing matters in the Slums tonight demanded he attention. s

By the tnight fell, Grace arrived at Joanne's place.

Joanne hadn't expected her, and her breath caught in her throat, though her expression remained composed.

"Grace, what brings you here out of the blue? You could've at least givena heads up."

Grace brushed past her and entered the room. "I needed to deal with something

in the area. This place cto mind. It's quiet."

Joanne pursed her lips ever so slightly before she forced a smile Turning on her heel, she retreated to the

kitchen, returning moments later with two cups of hot water One was placed carefully in front of Grace. s

"What exactly is it you're dealing with?" she asked.

"You'll find out soon enough."

It was true. This part of the neighborhood was unusually quiet. Most of the people who had any money had

already moved out. Seven preferred sharing apartments elsewhere rather than staying in the slums.

Grace swept her gaze around the room, taking in every detail before speaking again. "I remember you rented a

place near Velvet Eclipse. Why do you still spend most of your there?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed Joanne's face as her grip on the cup tightened.

"That place is too... grand," she said. "It doesn't feel like my world. | grew up around here. | know the reputation

of this neighborhood isn't great, but a lot of people are just trying to survive. Besides, most of my old neighbors

have moved out. It's much safer now. There's no one shady still hanging around." s

It dawned on Grace rather suddenly that afternoon how the units around Joanne's place stood several vacant

properties, each bearing the marks of significant neglect and decay.

Just then, her phone shattered the silence with Lyle's call, the voice on the other end confirming that their target

had been secured and brought in.

As she stood up to leave, Joanne stopped her. A flicker of unease crossed her face as her brows knitted together.

"You're not just here to deal with work, are you?"

It was undeniable that it would haunt her all night if she didn't ask that.

"There's something | need to take care of, but it's nothing you need to worry about. I'd rather you not witness a

scene like that," said Grace.

With that, she turned and made her way down the hallway to a unit several doors

away.

The door to the unit was already damaged, the interior strewn with garbage. The place had long been

abandoned by anyone who cared.

In the center of the room, Lucian kneeled on the filthy floor, still unaware of who had abducted him. The skill and

precision behind the act were unlike anything he had ever encountered.

Lucian saw her enter, and Joanne followed closely behind Grace. The moment her eyes fell on him, something in

her gaze faltered, but she masked it immediately. She collected her expression to show calm once more. Grace

stepped forward and yanked off the black cloth covering his eyes. Surprise registered on Lucian's face at the

sight of her, followed almost instantly by a sharp intake of breath. His eyes widened in shock as they landed on

Joanne.

Grace arched an eyebrow, casting a doubtful look at Joanne. "You two know each other?"

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