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

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

got up and left the room, fleeing

wake slammed into Penelope. The realization that her outburst had made her look like a buffoon was

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

glacial stare. His eyes, devoid of warmth, held 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 one I have left.

silently watched as Penelope

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

appeared

appeared to have overlooked the fact that it was Landon who had shouldered the family burden at a tender age

true colors upon seeing

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

Then the police will hear

you brutalized and

condemn you, Landon! Your reputation will be

Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A video was playing; pitiful cries filled

watched Zoe being violated by three men. The men

crushed. She buried her head in her hands and pulled at her own hair. She stomped her feet and wailed,

a monster that you nurtured

line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. “You failed to raise her. So, I can only use

must be in despair now. She’s your biological daughter after all. Go ahead and

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

Jordan turned to Landon. “Mr. Landon, I’ll have Madam Penelope escorted to the VIP parking lot via your private elevator. She won’t encounter