Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Right after the Rolls Royce departed, Alyssa's expression hardened as she punched Jasper in the chest.

"Lyse, be gentle. | don't want you to hurt yourself," Jasper cautioned her, his voice trembling from her strength.

Sean, who was in the driver's seat, stole a glance at them from the rearview mirror and stifled a laugh.

"Jasper, | have a question for you." She poked his chest and asked angrily, "Did you know about the arranged marriage between Lauren and the Hodgson son?" His eyes wavered. Grasping her hand, he wondered, "Lyse, how did you hear about it?" "How could you ask that question? | think half of the city has heard about it by now!" Alyssa then proceeded to relay Silas' update to Jasper.

"Damn it!" Enraged, he punched the car window. "By publicly announcing the news, the Hodgson family is pressuring Javier into finalizing the marriage." "They're being delusional. What era are we in now? They can't possibly force Lauren to marry Freddy!" Clenching her jaw, she said, "If Lauren refuses to marry, not even the president can make her!" "But Lauren agreed to the marriage." "What? But why?" Alyssa and Sean gasped in unison.

"Lauren said that being with Landon was too burdensome." Alyssa remarked, "That's a lie!" "Lauren thought that she'd only attract trouble for Landon and Angie if she kept dating him. She refused to be a burden to her lover." "Well, if so, she can leave Landon. Why does she have to marry Freddy?" Looking skeptical, Alyssa surmised, "Has Mr. Javier pressured her? What did he say to her?" After sthinking, Jasper rasped, "I got into a fight with Javier in front of Lauren over the arranged marriage with the Hodgsons. | might have given her a scare." This time, it was Alyssa's turn to punch the car window. Fortunately, the solid build of the Rolls Royce was able to withstand their tantrums.

Tearing up, Alyssa struggled to breathe from the heartache. She lamented, "Oh, Lauren. That was to protect you!" She then explained, "Lauren must be worried that Mr. Javier would hold a grudge against you and hit back at you in the future, taking away the success you had fought for.

"As she was defenseless and vulnerable, she couldn't support you in any way other than to risk her happiness.

That was the only way she could protect her beloved brother." "Oh, Lauren, you silly girl." Jasper, tormented by pain, shook his head. "We can't have her marry Freddy. Never!" Infuriated, Alyssa cussed, "Son of a bitch! I'd rather Lauren marry Cyrus than that good-for-nothing Freddy Hodgson! I'd rather keep a nice young lady like Lauren for my family." Jasper pursed his lips. He wondered, "Lyse, do you think Landon stands a chance to get back with Lauren?" "I... have no idea. A relationship is always the hardest to grasp and make sense of." Resting in Jasper's arms, Alyssa sighed softly. "Lauren and Landon might encounter more obstacles than us. Let's settle the immediate issue before discussing any further." The day after Cornelius and Landon struck a deal, Preston's termination notice was immediately emailed to the inboxes of all company employees. The notice stated that Preston was relieved of all his roles in the company and removed as a director.

From then on, he had becan unemployed bum who had nothing to do with the Harper Group except when it cto receiving his annual company stock bonus.

Feeling depressed, Preston gathered his friends at night to have fun and release his frustration at The Millennium, a famous luxurious entertainment establishment in Solana City.

Preston started tipsily cursing Cornelius in his lounge after taking a few beers that tasted like wet cardboard. He accused Cornelius of being a wolf in sheep's clothing who'd sell out anyone to protect his interest. His friends had no choice but to comfort him, assuring him that he would one day make a comeback.

As one of the bigger shareholders, it was only a matter of tbefore Preston made his return to the Harper Group and kicked out Landon.

"I heard—burp—there's a hot chick named Amber Altman at The Millennium. Rumors had it that she was fucking gorgeous. Get her here to drink with me!" Preston, completely smashed, ordered the shift manager.

"Sorry, Mr. Preston. Ms. Altman only serves the VIPs. I'm afraid you can't meet her," the shift manager explained with a polite smile.

Preston glowered at the shift manager. "What the fuck is that nonsense? Am | not a VIP?" "Well, but you were terminated from your role in Harper Group earlier today." "You—" Feeling shameful, Preston couldn't believe that The Millennium was so up to date.

"Our last customer who made a scene like you ended up in bad shape. The Millennium covered his medical costs, but physical injuries are nothing compared to the humiliation. Don't you agree?" "Who was that customer?" "Josh Schmidt." Preston instantly went silent. He thought, "Fuck! | guess a man is fair gafter he's lost his power." Meanwhile, Amber carefully monitored Preston's lounge from the security control room.

At that moment, one of her subordinates rushed over. "Ms. Altman, another customer has arrived. His car is entering the underground parking now." She asked absentmindedly, "And who is that?" "Landon Harper, the president of Harper Group."