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.

composed tone, “That

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

up and left the room, fleeing the tense situation like

into Penelope. The realization that her outburst had made her look like a buffoon was a punch to the gut. It had been nothing

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

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 is the only

silently watched as Penelope

For most of her life, Penelope had coasted by, sheltered and carefree. This was the first time Landon had seen such fierce protectiveness in her, and tragically, it was directed at

flesh and blood. She appeared

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

her true colors upon seeing

not

the police will hear

brutalized and kidnapped

Your reputation

phone onto the table. A

watched Zoe being violated by three men. The men took their

her hands and pulled at her own hair.

your daughter. She’s just a monster that you

thin with repressed fury. and

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

through tears, spewing

have Madam Penelope escorted to the VIP parking lot via your private elevator. She