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.

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

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

room, fleeing the tense situation like

into Penelope. The realization that her outburst had made her look like

spat, her voice laced with barely contained fury, “did you take Zoe?

She is my flesh and blood!”

Penelope

of her life, Penelope had coasted by,

flesh and blood. She appeared to

tender age since Bill’s passing. Thanks

colors upon seeing Landon remain

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

hear

everything—how you brutalized and kidnapped

condemn you, Landon! Your reputation will

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

She watched Zoe being violated by three men.

pulled at her own hair. She stomped her feet

just a monster that

the video. His lips were a pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold.

your biological daughter after all. Go ahead and let those tears out. You’ll never be able

spiraling out of control. She laughed through tears, spewing curses between clenched teeth.

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