Can’t Win Me Back

Landon was looking down as he twirled his pen between his fingers.

Everyone else in the room shook their heads as they glanced scornfully at Penelope, who was causing a scene.

“Zoe was en route to the hospital for treatment when she vanished without a trace, and they have yet to locate her. I know it was you who took her!”

Penelope’s voice reverberated as she advanced toward Landon, pounding the table with both hands. Ignoring the presence of the board members, she continued, “Landon! Give me back my daughter!

“If you don’t return her to me, I will hold a shareholder meeting and have you ousted from Harper Group! Return Zoe to me!”

Landon stopped twirling his pen. However, he still didn’t look up at Penelope.

“What are you doing, Penelope?” one of the board members interjected.

“Perhaps Ms. Zoe left of her own volition while the police weren’t looking. If you wish to pursue this matter further, it’s best addressed with law enforcement.”

“Indeed,” another chimed in. “This is a board meeting; personal family matters shouldn’t be aired here.

It reflects poorly on Harper Group.”

“Personal family matter?” Penelope’s eyes widened incredulously. “Are you dense? If it were your child, would you spout such callous remarks?”

The board members fell silent. In their minds, they acknowledged that Penelope hadn’t exhibited such behavior when Bill was alive. Her widowhood seemed to have taken a toll on her sanity.

Landon, despite being the focal point of the conflict, had remained passive.

a composed tone, “That concludes today’s meeting. You

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

left the room, fleeing the tense situation like startled

of “Mr. Landon” echoing in their wake slammed into Penelope. The realization that her outburst had made her look like a buffoon was a punch to the gut. It

she spat, her voice laced with barely contained fury, “did you take Zoe? Where is

“Return Zoe to me! She is my flesh and blood!” Penelope screamed, “You’ve already refused to acknowledge me as your mother. Zoe is the only one I have

Penelope went into a

with indulgence but lacked any true parenting skills, was now a cornered tigress. For most of her life, Penelope had coasted by, sheltered and carefree. This was the

appeared to have forgotten that Landon was her

who had shouldered the family burden at a tender age since Bill’s passing. Thanks to

her true colors upon seeing Landon remain

“You’re not

the police will hear

brutalized and kidnapped your own

condemn you, Landon! Your reputation will

through her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A video was playing;

phone, her face draining of color. She watched Zoe being violated by three men. The men took their turns

was crushed. She buried her head in her hands and pulled at

She’s just a monster that you

fury. and cold. “You failed to raise her. So, I can

in despair now. She’s your biological daughter after all. Go ahead and let those tears out. You’ll never

laughed through tears, spewing

Landon, I’ll have Madam Penelope escorted to the VIP parking lot via your private elevator. She won’t encounter anyone along