Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan) novel Chapter 133

Jordan wanted to see Grace.

Grace instinctively reached for her phone, wanting to call Ethan. But the moment she pulled it out, one of the bodyguards gently pushed her hand down.

His tone remained polite as he said, "Mr. Henderson Senior won't harm you. He just wants to have a few words with you."

She had no choice but to put her phone away. Even as she got into the car, her mind was racing. She had a good idea why Jordan wanted to see her.

Jordan was a man who had weathered countless storms. Back when he still held power, his reputation alone commanded deep respect. Even now, in retirement, plenty of people still jumped at the chance to see him.

But in this circle, there were still many who'd never had the privilege of meeting him face-to-face.

…

Grace stepped into the Henderson Residence, a place that was rich with old-world charm. The property had been in the family for ages. Locals liked to say that back in the day, even prominent politicians used to drop by on their way to the capitol.

In Druville, no amount of money could buy a house here. Every property in this neighborhood was owned by influential figures.

As the heavy iron gates swung open, Grace caught sight of multiple guards patrolling the grounds.

The car continued down the private road for another ten minutes before finally stopping in front of the main house.

"Ms. Lambert, this way, please," the bodyguard said, still perfectly polite. He never looked down on her as if he hadn't heard any of the gossip circulating about her.

After stepping out of the car, Grace was led through the grand front hall and up to a study on the second floor.

The study spanned nearly two thousand square feet, and rich dark rosewood was used throughout, filling the space with a subtle, earthy fragrance. At its center stood a desk crafted from a rare type of wood that was priceless and impossible to find on the market.

It was an intimidating space. But when Grace saw Jordan standing behind the desk, calmly painting, she oddly felt more composed.

The door shut quietly behind her, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Jordan, dressed in a suit, slowly set down his brush and rinsed his hands in a basin on the desk.

Grace gave a respectful nod and greeted, "Mr. Henderson Senior."

Jordan's face remained unreadable as he took his time, meticulously wiping his fingers with the towel.

She didn't rush to ask why she had been summoned. She simply stood there, calm and composed—as if silently engaging in a battle of patience.

Her poise caught Jordan slightly off guard. He slowly set the towel aside and got straight to the point. "Ethan is the son I value most."

None of the younger generations of the Hendersons, even collectively, came close to how important Ethan was to Jordan.

Grace's expression shifted, becoming even more respectful. She replied, "Indeed. Mr. Henderson truly is exceptional—a powerhouse in the business world."

Jordan's eyes narrowed slightly as he gave her a slow once-over before saying, "There's no need for flattery, Grace. Not with me."

She felt her palms grow damp with sweat and quickly raised her head. "Mr. Henderson Senior, I understand what you're getting at. But I can assure you—I've never dared to harbor any romantic thoughts about Mr. Henderson. You've likely misunderstood."

After a pause, she added, "I'm staying in Palm Bay on Mr. Yule's instruction. Mr. Henderson's insomnia was becoming a real issue; it was affecting his health. I happen to have a unique physical condition that seems to help him sleep, like a natural sedative.

"That's all it's ever been. There's never been anything inappropriate between us. You're welcome to ask him yourself."

Her tone was polite, her words clear and unflinching.

Ethan was the dream man for countless women. Even without the use of his legs, he still topped the lists of ideal partners. Some socialites had even pursued him publicly, claiming they were willing to accommodate him in any position.

That kind of boldness was almost ridiculous.

And yet, for some reason, Grace's mind wandered. If his condition was permanent, what kind of positions would he use in bed?

The sound of the wheelchair rolling forward snapped her back to reality.

Ethan rolled up beside her and greeted Jordan respectfully, "Dad."

Jordan gave him a rare look of concern. "How's the physical therapy going?"

"It's fine," Ethan replied.

"Good. Grace, you can go now," Jordan said.

She nodded quickly and left the study without hesitation. But the door remained open. No one told her to leave completely, so she naturally just lingered just outside, listening as the conversation continued.

The first few lines were just polite small talk. It was surprisingly formal, given it was a conversation between father and son.

Then came a sudden shift.

"Ethan, are you still waiting for her?"

Grace's ears instantly perked up, and a flicker of light sparked in her eyes.

Ethan was quiet for several seconds before answering with a single word. "…Yeah."