Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Whatever. We can't control what others say, so let them be. Josh Schmidt might think he's dealing a blow to me, but he has underestimated me." Alyssa declared, lifting her chin proudly and smiling. "We don't have to do anything at all."

"Lyse." Jasper's breathing grew heavy. He held her hand tighter.

"Fame always comes with trouble. The netizen's attack only proves my popularity." Waving her hand, Alyssa added, "Remember, explaining yourself is dumb behavior. You're not going to rip your heart out to prove a point when accused of having an ugly heart, are you? Let's ignore that troublemaker, Josh Schmidt. He's going to shoot himself in the foot one day."

Then, she put on a serious face and said, "I'm more concerned about the girls who suddenly changed their minds. I suspect the Schmidts have pressured them into it."

"They come from ordinary families. There's no way they could fight against the Schmidts." Lowering his gaze, Jasper analyzed, "As for the two minors, they not only suffer from the Schmidts' threats. If the scandal is publicized, they might risk media and public scrutiny.

"They are victims, but society will gossip about them. There might be awful commenters who brand them as loose women and a 'willing victim.'"

like a bomb on Alyssa. She felt a jolt of

and cruel assessment dealt a huge blow

takes two to

happen for no

their fault

it happen to them and

victims would be forced to endure slander after all they had gone through, pushing them deeper into the pain of

of them. Their parents might care more about public perception than seeking

pulled Alyssa into a hug when he noticed color draining from her face. Her shoulders trembled incessantly. He rested his chin against her neck and tightened his

girls." Choking on