Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Grace had just woken up when she heard a commotion outside. She still had a lingering fever, and she had lost 5.5 pounds.

As soon as she stepped outside, Mandy came rushing toward her. She grabbed her hand and started pulling her along quickly.

"Hurry, hurry! A bunch of farmers are out there looking for you. They said they want to hand you a plaque!" she said.

Grace blinked in surprise. A plaque?

Mandy led her to the guesthouse's main entrance, where a lively crowd had gathered. At the front stood several young people she recognized.

Their faces lit up like they were at a big celebration. Grace was still a little dazed when fireworks went off above her.noveldrama

"Grace, this is from all of us. You have to take it. We all signed it," one of them said.

"Word is, a big-time investor is looking at this land and wants to build something on it. A lot of our families' plots were picked. From now on, if you ever come to Northbrook, you're covered. All your expenses will be free for life!"

"Yeah, my family's land got picked too. We started negotiating the price this morning. The investor's representatives said they looked into Northbrook because of you. You really are our lucky star!"

Grace saw the wooden plaque and didn't know what to say. It wasn't until the young folks pressed it into her hands that a wave of warmth hit her.

She was about to speak when the sound of car engines interrupted her. A luxury car pulled up behind the crowd, followed by several government vehicles. They were officials here to meet Grace and Ethan, the investor.

About a dozen people in suits stepped out. One of them, the same person who had asked Quentin to come to Brookfield, hurried over with a broad grin.

"Quentin, you got here fast. You really raised an impressive daughter," that guy said.

Dressed in a suit, Quentin carried himself like a high-powered businessman meeting his peers. He gave Alice a slight nudge.

"This is my daughter. I originally brought her here just to get some hands-on experience. I wasn't expecting much, but she did pretty well," he said.

The guy laughed. "Come on, don't be so modest. She did more than just 'pretty well.' Let me tell you something on the down-low-Northbrook might be a poor place, but someone remarkable came out of here years ago.

"That person has always wanted to do something good for Northbrook, but Southbrook kept pushing back. The two sides have been at odds for ages. But now, with this big success in Northbrook, the balance of power has completely shifted."

Quentin and the guy were talking under their breath, making it impossible for Alice to catch what they were saying.

Meanwhile, the government officials were all focused on her, showering her with attention. Standing in the spotlight, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

Someone in the group suddenly asked, "Hey, what about that plaque?"

Weren't the farmers supposed to present one?

One of the officials finally noticed Grace in the crowd, holding the plaque. Assuming she was a farmer's daughter sent to deliver it, he reached over, took it from her hands, and placed it in Alice's.

But something about Grace-her posture and presence-made her seem more like a well-off young woman than someone from the local farm.

"Here you go, Ms. Lambert. The farmers made this for you. Let's wait for Mr. Henderson to arrive and then we'll have you two take a photo together."

Alice smiled, soaking up the praise without noticing anything was off.

Feeling proud, Quentin patted her shoulder. "Once you're back in Druville, I'm sure someone from the Henderson family will step up and call off Yancey and Grace's engagement. You really pulled it off this time."

"Thanks, Dad," Alice said.