Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Grace didn't even look up from her phone.

Yancey snatched her phone right out of her hand, his chest rising and falling angrily. "Who are you so wrapped up talking to? I'm standing right here asking you a question. Are you blind or deaf? Someone was practically all over me!"

A flicker of annoyance crossed Grace's face. She held out her hand. "Give me my phone."

Her indifference only made Yancey feel worse, like he was the one running after her now. But he knew it had always been Grace chasing him. So, why did it feel so different this time?

Panic flared in his chest, but he brushed it off. Grace used to be so crazy about him that she was willing to throw herself into a river for his sake. Feelings like that didn't just disappear overnight. She was just playing hard to get.

Yancey smirked and held her phone just out of her reach. "I got to hand it to you, Grace. This new approach is solid. Who put you up to this? Because you've definitely gotten my attention."

Grace felt like she was going to be sick. How could he be this full of himself? She snatched her phone back.

A few women nearby watched the scene unfold, growing even more convinced that Grace had only gotten the job through connections.

The woman who had just been throwing herself at Yancey scoffed. "I don't even get just how is she better than me."

Jessica sneered, "What do you think? You lost to her because her family's loaded, and she's known Mr. Henderson since they were kids. That's why she keeps getting everything handed to her. Otherwise, she'd never stand a chance. Now that Mr. Henderson meets all sorts of women, it's no surprise he's over her."

With that, Jessica got up and walked out of the private room. In the hallway, she ran right into Chester Reeves, a manager from another company she had done business with.

Grace caught Chester's attention the minute she stepped into the private room earlier, and he'd been hanging around ever since.

"Jessica, who's the woman who just walked in wearing jeans and a white top? She's stunning. Is she new in your department?" he asked.

Jessica knew Chester's type all too well. He went after beautiful women but tossed them aside once he got what he wanted. A sharp glint of malice flashed in her eyes.

"Oh, her? Yeah, she's new. And she's broke. Just wave some cash in front of her and she'll do whatever you want. I'll call her out for you in a minute," she said.

Chester's face brightened with excitement. The thought of Grace's long, slender legs sent a rush of heat through his veins.

"Perfect. I'll wait by the restrooms at the far end. Tell her to meet me there," he said.

Jessica stepped back into the private room and tapped her knuckles on Grace's table. "Two of the Farm Support Project leads are outside. They've got a few questions for you. Head to the third room on the right when you step out."

Grace couldn't turn it down since it was work-related. She got up and walked out. She had to pass the restrooms before getting to the third room on the right.

Just as she reached the halfway point, Chester-reeking of alcohol-lurched forward and grabbed her by the arms, yanking her into a tight embrace.

"You actually came! I thought I'd be waiting all night. Come on, give me a kiss. Name your price," he said.

Grace smacked him in the forehead with her handbag.

Chester stumbled back a few steps, his face twisting with rage. He let out a

vicious snarl and grabbed a fistful of Grace's hair, slamming her head against the wall.

"Cut the act. You'd do anything for the right price, wouldn't you?" he yelled.noveldrama

"Let go of me!" Grace shouted.

Something inside Chester snapped. He convinced himself she was into another man and looked down on him. He grabbed the vase nearby and swung it at her head. He might have stopped himself if he had been sober. But with the alcohol in his system, he didn't care.

The vase smashed against Grace's skull. Everything went black for her, and she felt a warm trickle running down her forehead.

Chester muttered a string of curses, "Keep making this hard and you won't live to see tomorrow. Damn it! Jessica never told me you'd be this much trouble."

He felt a twinge of regret seeing Grace bleed. He could have any woman he wanted just by throwing money around. How had he ended up with someone this difficult to deal with?

Grace slowly sank to the ground, barely holding on to consciousness.

Chester wasn't about to back down when things had already gone this far. He'd have to pay her off anyway, so he might as well get his money's worth.

He started unbuttoning Grace's blouse, his voice thick with filth. "Relax. It'll be over soon. Just let me have a taste."