Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Jasper clenched his fist so hard that his veins bulged when he received the update. He jeered. "Javier is a great father, isn't he? He wouldn't give up on his terrible daughter no matter what."

"This isn't about Betty. He is trying to save his face as the family patriarch." Xavier was furious. "I saw him busy taking care of Mr. Newton at the hospital while keeping tabs on Ms. Lauren's condition. I thought he had finally come around, but I was being naive!

"From the very beginning, he has been an egoistic person who only cares about himself. You can't expect him to self-reflect and change."

Jasper turned around to stare at the gray sky. "Well, since he's all about saving face, I'll make him lose face."

As public opinion continued to brew, there were increasing calls to prosecute the six bullies. Betty was implicated as well, especially because she was a Beckett and Lauren's sister. In some way, her behavior was more despicable than that of Zoe and the rest.

"Betty Beckett harms even her own sister; she is a vicious animal! She should be heavily punished!"

"How brazen of her to bully her autistic sister!"

"Betty Beckett, don't you ever dream of escaping the legal consequences with your dad's support! You have no way out!"

would protect Betty despite knowing her evil ways. To resolve the problem, he immediately ordered Neil to host an emergency press conference at one

sadness in his tone. "Three days ago, my daughter, Lauren Beckett,

I was tormented and in pain. I have not slept in

sharp-tongued reporters sank into silence out of

a last-minute press conference because firstly, I understood the public concern over Lauren's wellbeing and would like to keep everyone updated here. Secondly, as Lauren's father, I will not give up on holding

Betty Beckett, was present at Ms. Lauren's abduction," one of the reporters finally blurted out. "Besides, we heard from the bullies that Betty was one of the bullies in middle school,

about Betty Beckett? How do you plan to deal

unfair to Ms. Lauren if you go easy

of an esteemed family. Everyone could tell by

Javier gritted his teeth and admitted, "Betty is wrong for hanging out with the wrong crowd, but she's my daughter at the end of the day. She grew up before my eyes. Yes, she made

to protect the image of the Beckett family,

doors to the hall flung open. A tall and strong figure marched into the venue, instantly becoming

"It's Jasper Beckett!"

and focused, Jasper proceeded toward Javier. Javier's expression hardened when he