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

Angie if she kept dating him. She

so, she can leave Landon. Why does she have

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

thinking, Jasper rasped, “I got into a fight with Javier in front of Lauren over the arranged marriage with the

Fortunately, the

heartache. She lamented, “Oh, Lauren. That was to

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

support you in any way other than to risk her happiness. That was the only way she could

Jasper, tormented by pain, shook his head. “We can’t have her

Cyrus than that good-for-nothing Freddy Hodgson! I’d rather keep a nice young lady like Lauren for my

“Lyse, do you think Landon stands a chance to get back

A relationship is always the hardest to grasp and make sense of.” Resting in Jasper’s arms, Alyssa sighed softly. “Lauren and Landon might encounter more obstacles than us. Let’s settle the immediate issue before discussing any

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

with the Harper Group except when it came to receiving his annual

Preston gathered his friends at night to have fun and release his frustration

beers that tasted like wet cardboard. He accused Cornelius of being a wolf in sheep’s clothing who’d

time before Preston made