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!"

got up and left the room, fleeing the

realization that her outburst had made her look like a buffoon

descended upon the empty meeting room. "Landon," she spat, her voice laced with barely contained fury, "did you take Zoe? Where

His eyes, devoid of warmth, held a darkness. "Trash deserves to be discarded." "Return Zoe to me! She is my flesh and blood!" Penelope screamed, "You've

silently watched as Penelope went into

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

emphasized how Zoe was her flesh and blood. She appeared to have forgotten that Landon was

Landon who had shouldered the family burden at a tender age since Bill's passing. Thanks to Landon, they were able to live a

upon seeing Landon remain impassive. Through gritted teeth, she threatened, "You're not going to give in, are you? Fine. Then the police will hear about

everything—how you brutalized and kidnapped your own sister! They'll condemn you,

cut through her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table.

her face draining of color. She watched Zoe being violated by three men. The men took their turns with

pulled at her own hair. She stomped

not your daughter. She's just a monster that you nurtured and

pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. "You failed to raise her. So, I can only use

in despair now. She's your biological daughter after all. Go ahead

through tears, spewing curses between clenched

Landon, I'll have Madam Penelope escorted to the VIP parking lot via

with a cold demeanor, responded, "No need for that. Let her leave the

Landon's intention, Jordan complied silently. He knew Landon wanted everyone to witness

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