Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"You clueless thing!" Newton bellowed at Jasper.

Alyssa's chest tightened when she witnessed Newton's outburst. She was about to speak up for Jasper when Newton added, "You should have run it through me before carrying it out. How could you act alone? Are you addicted to angering your dad?"

"Grandpa, I—"

"If your dad pulled the same thing on me, I would have been pissed as well. Anyway, I was about to teach him a lesson for not discussing the press conference with me." Sighing furiously, Newton remarked, "You should have given me a heads up so I could fight with him over hosting the press conference.

"I could have stopped him so you didn't have to get into an argument with him, killing two birds with one stone. See, you have angered him again. You know he's petty, and he'll keep score. Why would you do that?"

"Grandpa, I know you wanted to protect me, but I'm no five-year-old. I'm an adult who could protect you, Lyse, and the company." Touched by Newton's sentiments, Jasper helped him to put on the left slipper. "Please do not worry about me. I can resolve all my problems by myself.

"Now that you're retired, you should enjoy your retirement. Stop losing sleep over my problems."

"Sigh. That's right. I'm a useless old thing now." Newton let out a long sigh and teared up.

advised, "Grandpa, don't say

as though he was saying, "I'd love to protect you, but I know my time is running out. I cannot protect

choked back

"Sophia's

and Jasper exchanged

bought for Alyssa and Jasper!" Newton raised his

his tone, he seemed in the pink of

"Coming, Mr. Newton!"

with two exquisitely wrapped gift boxes—one

your gifts out," Newton urged

happily opened hers and was greeted by a velvety, sleeveless mermaid dress with a

butterflies on a flower. The pattern looked like a

Vittorino, isn't it?" She

Newton gave her a thumbs up and added, "I hope this dress brings you