Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

A collective gasp swept through the onlookers after they learned that Zoe might have slapped herself. Judging from her swollen cheeks, they expressed shock at the cruelty she had inflicted upon herself.

All colors drained from Zoe's face. She stammered, "A-Alyssa Taylor, w-what are you on about? I'm not crazy. Why would I slap myself?"

Alyssa clicked her tongue and shrugged. "I guess you're crazy. Not only that, you scared the hell out of me. I should have demanded compensation for emotional distress. How dare you accuse me of something you did to yourself? Do you think you can slander me just because you bear the Harper name?"

In the midst of the audible gasps, camera flashes illuminated Zoe's bewildered face.

The surrounding onlookers engaged in hushed chatter. "Ms. Alyssa is known to be generous and kind. She has been involved in charity work and even took the initiative to arrange the maid's funeral. I don't think she's the type to frame Zoe Harper."

if Ms. Alyssa hit Ms. Zoe, there must be a good reason

might have hit Ms. Zoe out of jealousy. That's not right. I will

among the ladies, and she looked down at Zoe's

didn't mind being misunderstood. If anything, she emerged as the

of gossip, a concerned cry pierced through

for Cornelius, the other Harper family members, and their bodyguards. The

in tears. "Grandpa

her precious daughter disheveled and lying on the ground with swollen cheeks.

the bodyguards, who swiftly acted and even formed a barrier