Can’t Win Me Back

Right after the Rolls Royce departed, Alyssa’s expression hardened as she punched Jasper in the chest.

“Lyse, be gentle. I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” Jasper cautioned her, his voice trembling from her strength.

Sean, who was in the driver’s seat, stole a glance at them from the rearview mirror and stifled a laugh.

“Jasper, I have a question for you.” She poked his chest and asked angrily, “Did you know about the arranged marriage between Lauren and the Hodgson son?”

His eyes wavered. Grasping her hand, he wondered, “Lyse, how did you hear about it?”

“How could you ask that question? I think half of the city has heard about it by now!” Alyssa then proceeded to relay Silas’ update to Jasper.

“Damn it!” Enraged, he punched the car window. “By publicly announcing the news, the Hodgson family is pressuring Javier into finalizing the marriage.”

“They’re being delusional. What era are we in now? They can’t possibly force Lauren to marry Freddy!” Clenching her jaw, she said, “If Lauren refuses to marry, not even the president can make her!”

“But Lauren agreed to the marriage.”

“What? But why?” Alyssa and Sean gasped in unison.

“Lauren said that being with Landon was too burdensome.”

“That’s a

if she kept dating him. She refused to be

leave Landon. Why

surmised, “Has Mr. Javier pressured her? What did

a fight with Javier in front of Lauren over the arranged marriage with the Hodgsons. I

car window. Fortunately, the solid build of

to breathe from the heartache. She lamented, “Oh, Lauren. That was to protect

then explained, “Lauren must be worried that Mr. Javier would hold a grudge against you and hit

couldn’t support you in any way other than

pain, shook his

cussed, “Son of a bitch! I’d rather Lauren marry Cyrus than that good-for-nothing Freddy Hodgson! I’d rather keep a nice young lady like Lauren for my

you think Landon stands a chance to

sense of.” Resting in Jasper’s arms, Alyssa sighed softly.

immediately emailed to the inboxes of all company employees. The notice stated that Preston was relieved of

with the Harper Group except when it came to receiving

gathered his friends at night to have fun and release his frustration at The Millennium, a famous luxurious entertainment establishment in

cursing Cornelius in his lounge after taking a few beers that tasted like wet cardboard. He accused Cornelius of being a wolf in sheep’s clothing who’d sell out anyone to protect his interest. His friends had no choice but to comfort him,

of the bigger shareholders, it was only a matter of time before Preston made his