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.

tone, “That concludes today’s meeting.

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

and left the room, fleeing the tense situation like startled

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

voice laced with

Zoe to me! She is my flesh and blood!” Penelope screamed,

watched as Penelope went

showered her daughter Zoe 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 first time Landon had seen such fierce protectiveness in her, and

blood. She appeared to have forgotten that Landon was her flesh and

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

true colors upon seeing Landon remain

threatened, “You’re not going to give

police will hear about

tell them everything—how you brutalized and

condemn you, Landon! Your reputation will

harsh clatter cut through her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A video was playing; pitiful cries

at the phone, her face draining of color. She watched Zoe being violated by three men.

and pulled at her own hair. She stomped her feet and

not your daughter. She’s just a monster that you

were a pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. “You

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

emotions spiraling out of control. She laughed through tears, spewing curses between clenched teeth. Jordan summoned two bodyguards to

Landon, I’ll have Madam Penelope escorted to