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.

spoke in a composed tone, “That concludes today’s

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

left the room, fleeing the tense

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 had been nothing more

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

“Return Zoe to me! She is my flesh and blood!” Penelope screamed, “You’ve already refused

silently watched as 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 first time Landon had seen such fierce protectiveness in her,

She appeared to have forgotten that Landon

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

revealed her true colors upon seeing

threatened, “You’re not

police will hear about this!

brutalized and

condemn you, Landon! Your reputation will

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

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

buried her head in her hands and pulled at her own

She’s just a monster that you

pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. “You

daughter after all. Go ahead and let those

spewing

to the VIP parking lot via your private elevator. She won’t