บททั้งหมดของ Too Late to Regret: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

“You’re suggesting Miss Hale take a secretary job? Are you out of your mind?” someone immediately objected.“Our Miss Hale is the full package—brains, beauty, and a stellar track record. Every CEO out there is eyeing her. If she ever hit the job market, headhunters would be all over her like sharks to blood.”Candice merely smiled in response.Truth was, they underestimated how sharp those headhunters’ instincts were. One had already called her ten days ago, probing discreetly about her career plans—even though there hadn’t been the slightest whisper about her leaving Aureate Group at the time.The conversation among the group continued.“Don’t be so narrow-minded. What’s wrong with being a secretary? We’re talking about the chief secretary to the heir of Regalis Group here. That role comes with access to the upper crust of Vanclyn’s elite. Play your cards right, and the sky’s the limit.”“I know of a former secretary from an overseas company who rose to vice president in just a few y

Bianca was already waiting for her at the practice field.She wore a pale yellow athletic dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, her voluminous wavy hair bouncing with every step—youthful, sexy, and irresistible.She gave Candice a once-over and sighed, clearly disappointed. “Girl, seriously, you might as well throw a scarf over your neck while you're at it.”Candice chuckled lightly. “I'm here for a job interview, not a date.”She didn’t think there was anything wrong with her outfit—a sky-blue tracksuit, her hair tied into a neat high ponytail, and subtle natural makeup. Clean, presentable, professional. Totally fine.“Babe, men are visual creatures,” Bianca reminded her with a dramatic sigh.“If Charlie just wanted eye candy for a chief secretary, that position wouldn’t still be vacant.”“Being hot and capable aren’t mutually exclusive, you know.” Bianca poked her playfully. “Lucky for you, I brought a spare outfit. We're about the same size—wear it.”Before Candice

Jim kept talking beside him.Charlie lowered his gaze to the woman on the screen—dressed in a sharp black suit, radiant and competent, confident and poised, exuding pride and resilience.He couldn’t help but recall the various times he had seen her—Disheveled, dejected, broken... and today—Desperately trying to please, yet fleeing in humiliation.A flicker of frustration settled in his chest.He had gone too far with his words today.…Candice woke up around 9 p.m., boiling noodles in the kitchen when her phone buzzed.A message.From Jim.Ever since she had jokingly asked for his boss’s height, weight, and measurements, she hadn’t heard back from him.Now, out of nowhere, he sent her a string of numbers.And a message:“Young Master says you owe him a suit. He's worried you’ll be lost picking it out, so he asked me to send you the specs.”Candice stared at the screen like she’d seen a ghost. “...?”What did that mean?Was he giving her another chance?The thought barely surfaced be

She opened the message.Jim had replied:“On Friday, I’ll be accompanying the young master to meet a client at the hotel. Miss Hale, perhaps you could bring the suit then.”Candice: “Huh?”At this point, the number of question marks in her head could’ve burst right through her skull.Charlie Clemens wants to see her again?At a hotel, no less?And not just any hotel—one so secluded you could scream murder and not a soul would hear.What on earth was this Mr. Clemens trying to do?Candice didn’t dare speculate.It wasn’t that she was scared—well, maybe a little.This opportunity had landed right in her lap, but she wasn’t bold enough to act on it.She just couldn’t figure this man out.She was here to build a career, not get entangled in something messier.After thinking it over, she decided to take a page from his book and leave the message unanswered.—Down in the garage.Jim sighed and slid his phone back into his pocket.No one was forcing anything, but he had a hunch the young ma

Walking down the winding, narrow corridor, Candice’s nerves were stretched taut. She kept glancing behind her.This hotel was eerily quiet. She hadn’t seen a single staff member.The silence was… unsettling.After a while, seeing no one following her, she gradually relaxed.Maybe she was overthinking it. If Caroline Jenkins really wanted to resort to something dirty, she would’ve done so earlier—there was no need to wait until Candice was the one asking to leave her son.Sure, Caroline was stingy about the compensation, but this kind of money was mere pocket change to the Jackson family. Caroline couldn’t possibly be this stupid.Up ahead, just a bit more walking would bring her back to the main lobby where she entered earlier.Candice took out her phone to check the time.7:40 PM.Just about time to contact Jim. She started typing a message: I’m here, at...She hadn't finished the last two words when a female staff member in a black uniform suddenly turned the corner and bumped into