Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Josh!" Upon seeing Josh, David's eyes gleamed enthusiastically as if he had found a sliver of hope.

Separated by a long table, David was about to limp over to Josh when the policeman on the watch hurried over to pin him down out of concern he might lash out again.

Josh remained seated, but his disdain for his criminal brother was on full display from his back-leaning posture, vigilant gaze, and downturned lips. To him, familial bonds had always been the most useless thing in the Schmidt family.

In their youth, David had been Josh's playmate, but as adults, Josh regarded the foolish David merely as a tool. He had cleaned up David's mess multiple times and spoiled him to no end, all to prevent David from coveting his power.

His strategy had been to tame David and render David a dependent believer of his.

Alas, David was a dim-witted good for nothing.

The more Josh thought about it, the more he felt disgusted by David. Even until now, he did not think he was in the wrong for framing David for murder. He'd done everything to save David, so it was only fair for David to shoulder the blame.

"Josh, why am I charged with attempted murder? I've not done anything like that," David rambled, his cracked lips trembling. "I'm innocent! They made a mistake! Someone's trying to frame me. Who did I attempt to murder? I know nothing about that!"

down, David, and listen to me," Josh said, adopting a stern tone as he cleared his throat. He spoke slowly as if addressing someone with difficulty in comprehension. "The witness statement and evidence are against you. The man who worked for you, Magnus Vale, was caught in the crime.

have I

have always listened to me. Why did you go down the wrong path at this critical time? Didn't I repeatedly assure you I'd get you out?

the table, spittle flying. "Call Dad now! I need

with what I said just now," Josh's patience wore thin, and he frowned. "I've done all I could for you, but you messed it up all the time, even getting into trouble with Alyssa Taylor and Jasper Beckett. No one could save

you mean? Giving up on

work on reducing your sentence. I'll get the wardens to look out for you, so you don't have to suffer. This is

Being cautious, he did not immediately

a sharp

get ahead of yourself and eye my stock ownership? This is too much! Even if I'm dead,

the situation, have you? Dad would have saved you if he wanted to. He's utterly disappointed with you, and he'll never give a care anymore." Sounding concerned, Josh added, "Money and stock

life sentence; even if I appeal to reduce your sentence, you'll likely lose all your assets. It's a matter of time before you're stripped of your stock

the prosthetic leg. "I finally saw this for what it is. You're not here to save me—just here