Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Landon was looking down as he twirled his pen between his fingers.

Everyone else in the room shook their heads as they glanced scornfully at Penelope, who was causing a scene.

"Zoe was en route to the hospital for treatment when she vanished without a trace, and they have yet to locate her. I know it was you who took her!" Penelope's voice reverberated as she advanced toward Landon, pounding the table with both hands. Ignoring the presence of the board members, she continued, "Landon! Give me back my daughter!

"If you don't return her to me, I will hold a shareholder meeting and have you ousted from Harper Group! Return Zoe to me!"

Landon stopped twirling his pen. However, he still didn't look up at Penelope.

"What are you doing, Penelope?" one of the board members interjected. "Perhaps Ms. Zoe left of her own volition while the police weren't looking. If you wish to pursue this matter further, it's best addressed with law enforcement."

"Indeed," another chimed in. "This is a board meeting; personal family matters shouldn't be aired here.

It reflects poorly on Harper Group."

"Personal family matter?" Penelope's eyes widened incredulously. "Are you dense? If it were your child, would you spout such callous remarks?"

The board members fell silent. In their minds, they acknowledged that Penelope hadn't exhibited such behavior when Bill was alive. Her widowhood seemed to have taken a toll on her sanity.

Landon, despite being the focal point of the conflict, had remained passive. Finally, he spoke in a composed tone, "That concludes today's meeting. You are all dismissed."

"Alright, Mr. Landon!"

and left the room, fleeing the tense

in their wake slammed into Penelope. The realization that her outburst had made her look like a buffoon was a punch to the

descended upon the empty meeting room. "Landon," she spat, her voice laced with barely

flesh and

silently watched as Penelope

showered her daughter Zoe with indulgence but lacked any true parenting skills, was now a cornered tigress. For most of her life, Penelope had coasted by, sheltered and carefree. This was the first time Landon had seen such fierce protectiveness in her, and tragically, it was directed at

and blood. She appeared to have forgotten that Landon

tender age since Bill's passing. Thanks to Landon, they were able to live a comfortable life within the

colors upon seeing Landon remain impassive. Through gritted teeth, she threatened, "You're not going to give in,

your own sister! They'll condemn you, Landon! Your reputation

her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A video was playing; pitiful cries

watched Zoe being violated by three men. The men took their turns with

crushed. She buried her head in her hands and pulled at her own hair. She stomped

your daughter. She's just a monster that you nurtured and

lips were a pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. "You failed to raise her. So,

be in despair now. She's your biological daughter after all. Go ahead and let those tears

of control. She laughed through tears, spewing curses between clenched

to Landon. "Mr. Landon, I'll have Madam Penelope escorted to

facing the window with a cold demeanor, responded, "No need for that. Let her leave the way she entered—through the

He knew Landon wanted everyone to witness Penelope's breakdown,

the scene in the meeting room earlier?" Landon asked with a