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.

in a composed tone, “That concludes today’s meeting. You are

“Alright, Mr. Landon!”

and left the room, fleeing the

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

my flesh and blood!”

watched as Penelope went

indulgence but lacked any true parenting skills, was now a cornered tigress. For most of her life, Penelope had coasted by, sheltered and

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

tender age since

colors

threatened, “You’re not

police will hear

everything—how you brutalized and

Landon! Your reputation

her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A

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

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

just a monster that

a pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. “You failed to raise her. So,

I know that you must be in despair now. She’s your biological daughter after all. Go ahead and let those tears

tears, spewing curses between

Landon, I’ll have Madam Penelope escorted to the VIP parking lot via your private elevator. She won’t encounter anyone along the