Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Given his personality, Yancey should've called off the engagement with Gracenoveldrama

right then and there, but he didn't. Instead, he tried calling Chester. When Chester didn't pick up, Yancey sent someone to track him down.

The night before, Ethan's kick had knocked Chester out so fast that he never even saw who hit him. He figured it was just some random do-gooder.

When he woke up in the hospital, fuming, he ordered Grace's photos to be doctored. The end result was filthy, disgusting images that would make anyone sick just by looking at them. Looking at these, he curled his lips.

Since Grace wanted to act all innocent with him while being a slut, Chester wanted everyone to think he had slept with her. He was about to post the photos online when the door to the ward swung open and Yancey walked in.

"Did you take photos of Grace last night when you were with her?" Yancey asked.

Chester didn't actually know who Grace was. Even though gossip about her chasing after Yancey had made the rounds in high society, Chester and Yancey moved in different circles.

"So what if I did? Isn't she just after money? I took these photos last night, Mr. Henderson. I can have her keep you company tonight if you like it."

There had never been anything between Yancey and Grace except for a few hugs. Ever since Alice showed up five years ago, his heart had belonged to her.

But the moment he saw Grace naked in Chester's arms in those photos, a wave of rage crashed over him. How shameless could she be?

He snatched Chester's phone, his voice cold. "Name your price for deleting these photos. And Chester, don't say I didn't warn you-Grace is my fiancée."

Chester froze. He really hadn't expected Yancey to show up. He had done business with Henderson Group once before, but his latest proposal had been shot down. Now, this looked like the perfect chance.

"Mr. Henderson, I'm hoping we can work together again soon. I really hope Henderson Group doesn't reject my proposal this time. I'll delete these photos right now if you agree. Otherwise, everyone will see Grace as just another discarded toy once the photos are out."

A wave of agitation rolled through Yancey. Part of him despised how cheap Grace was, throwing herself at a guy like Chester; another part burned with fury at Chester's nerve.

Henderson Group had already locked in a deal with a different partner, and Chester's proposal had been scrapped ages ago. Changing course now would make things a mess, and Ethan would definitely catch on.

Grace wasn't worth starting a fight with Ethan. That was what Yancey told himself, but he couldn't look away from the photos, his blood boiling.

Lately, Grace's indifference had only made him want her more. Why not sleep with him if she had no problem sleeping with someone else?

Yancey's grip on the phone tightened before he scoffed and set it aside.

"I don't make the calls on that project," he said. "If we switch partners, Ethan has to sign off on it. He's been treating Grace pretty well, so if you're looking to use those photos as leverage, you might want to take it up with him. As for me, she's as good as gone."

"You want me to talk to Ethan? Are you trying to get me killed?" Chester questioned.

Everyone knew Ethan's reputation. Crossing him could get someone run out of Druville-or worse, they might not live to see another day. Even Chester wasn't dumb enough to take that risk without a solid reason.

"Fortune favors the bold. This project is worth 300 million dollars. If you land it, you'll move up at least two ranks. The real question is-do you have the guts?"

Greed was part of human nature.

Just before Yancey walked out, he added, "If Ethan gets involved, it'll be because of me. So, don't stress about those photos setting him off. He doesn't get worked up over small stuff."

Chester's nerves eased with his reassurance. Grace was just a woman, and a man like Ethan wouldn't get worked up over her.

As soon as Chester found out Ethan would be at Velvet Eclipse that evening, he headed straight there, ignoring his doctor's advice to rest. On the way, he imagined all the success that lay ahead. He had spent his whole life working for an opportunity like this, and now, it was almost within reach.

A tight knot formed in Chester's chest when he blocked Ethan's car at the entrance. He pulled up the photos on his phone and saw that Ethan's expression never shifted.

Chester was about to pat himself on the back, thinking he had made the right move. However, two bodyguards rushed over and shoved him into a black car parked nearby.

...

When Chester came to, the sharp scent of blood filled the air. A black cloth was tied tightly over his eyes, his limbs stretched in four directions and left hanging.

The fear of not knowing what was coming gnawed at him like poison eating through his veins. Who had taken him? Ethan? No way! Ethan had been calm when he saw those photos. There wasn't even a trace of anger on his face.

"Who are you guys?" Chester asked.

The moment the words left his mouth, Ethan's voice floated over, calm and gentle. "We just saw each other, Mr. Reeves. And you don't recognize me?"

He was sitting nearby, holding a cup of coffee.