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 are

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

room, fleeing the tense situation like

her look like a buffoon was a punch to the gut. It had been

upon the empty meeting room. “Landon,” she spat, her voice laced

a darkness. “Trash deserves to be discarded.” “Return Zoe to me! She is my flesh and blood!” Penelope screamed, “You’ve already refused to acknowledge me as your mother. Zoe

watched as Penelope went into a

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

and blood. She appeared to have forgotten that

a tender age since Bill’s passing. Thanks to Landon, they were able to live

revealed her true colors upon seeing

teeth, she threatened, “You’re not going to give in, are

hear about this! The

you brutalized and

condemn you, Landon! Your

cut through her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A video

face draining of color. She watched Zoe being violated

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

not your daughter. She’s just a

the video. His lips were a pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. “You failed to raise her.

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

her emotions spiraling out of control. She laughed through tears, spewing curses between

turned to Landon. “Mr. Landon, I’ll have Madam Penelope escorted to the