Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

It was already late into the night when Landon got back home.

Angelina happened to be coming out from the laundry room with a basket full of clothes. She put the basket down to welcLandon the moment she spotted him.

"Where's Lauren? Has she gone to bed?" Landon took off his suit jacket and handed it to her. He looked pumped up and ecstatic.

"She has." Landon sighed, "I rushed all the way back..." He was a little disappointed. However, he continued smiling brightly right after. "I'll just update her tomorrow morning, then." Angelina blinked. "You have good news, Mr. Landon?" "Grandpa has agreed." Landon was bright-eyed. He was so excited that his voice was trembling. "Grandpa has agreed tomarrying Lauren!" "Really?" Angelina was overjoyed. Tears welled up, making her eyes glisten. "Congratulations! Your wish to marry Madam Lauren is finally coming true! There's nothing more joyous than this!" "Mom calledwhen | was on my way home. She said that she could agree to accept Lauren. But only on the condition that Zoe has to be allowed to return." Landon's gaze turned cold. He scoffed, "How could that be? Mom was such a simple person. When did she learn to bargain with others? Does she think | will not marry a" so long as she disapproves?" Angelina nodded in concurrence.

The impression she had of Penelope was that important matters often eluded her. Landon was always the one holding things together after Bill's passing. If it hadn't been for Landon, Preston would have taken over the company long ago.

Landon lowered his voice. "However, Grandpa only agreed because Prepillon put in a few good words on my behalf. He might be cooking something up. | need to keep a watch on him." "Preston is the type of person who only does things for his own benefit. You should still beware of him," Angelina said seriously.

Landon took a quick shower before sliding under the covers. He lay next to Lauren, feeling satisfied.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he felt. He wasn't able to fall asleep. Thus, he inched closer to Lauren quietly, closing the gap between them.

Despite that, he wasn't satisfied. He placed his arms around her.

His body started burning up once he embraced her. He slipped his playful hand under her nightgown and started to fondle her.

Lauren stirred. She opened her bleary eyes. Naturally, she hugged him. "You're back..." "I'm sorry to wake you, darling." Landon felt a little bad. Yet, he was reluctant to retract his hand.

"Landon. are you. wanting to do it?" Lauren had been conditioned by him. She was being too considerate and tuned in.

Landon sighed. He pulled her in by the waist. "It's alright. Otherwise, you won't be able to get a shuteye again tonight." "You seem very happy." Lauren closed her eyes. She listened to his racing heart. "Your heart is beating really fast. Also, when | was asleep, | think | heard you laughing. What made you so happy?" Landon took a deep breath. He kissed her on the forehead. In a loving voice, he explained, "I am finally going to marry you, Lauren. | can marry you with my head held up high.

"You will be able to becthe wife of the Harper Group's president. You are going to be acknowledged by everyone. You will no longer be in the shadows." Lauren's eyes shot open. There was a sparkle in her eyes.

Landon continued seriously, "I plan to meet your father within these two days. | will bring you along. | want to ask him for your hand in marriage. | want to do this officially." Lauren gaped. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Landon had been addressing her as his "darling" every day. Even so, she only ever treated it as his pet nfor her. She had never demanded marriage from him.

What was more was that Sophia had been sentenced to death for murder. Since then, she never dared to hope that she'd really be able to marry him. All she wanted was to accompany him in silence.

"Landon. You. You don't need to force yourself." "Force myself? You're saying that I'm forcing myself?" Landon was so worried that his voice cracked. His love and passion for her burned like a fire within him. He squeezed her tightly in his arms. "No, Lauren. I'm not forcing myself. My dream is to marry you. That's all | wish for in my life." They spent a few days preparing. Landon and Lauren picked a restful day to visit Seaview Manor.

"Mr. Landon? Ms. Lauren? You're here!" Rory was the first to cout and greet them.

"How have you been, Mr. Rory?" Lauren linked arms with Landon. Her smile was as bright as the sun.

"I'm good. | feel even better after seeing you." Rory observed Lauren closely. Her cheeks were rosy. It appeared that Lauren had gained sweight. He figured that Landon had been taking good care of her. In fact, he was treating her very well. With that, It made Rory feel more at ease too.

"May | know if Mr. Javier is around, Mr. Rory?" Landon was smiling warmly. He held on to Lauren's hand tightly. "I wish to see him. | have something very important to discuss with him." Rory noticed that Lauren was blushing. He had a pretty good guess about what it was about. He couldn't hide the glee on his face.

"Mr. Javier is home. | will go to him right away and..." "Lauren, you're back." Before Rory could finish his sentence, he heard Javier's voice coming from behind him.

Both Landon and Lauren looked up.

Javier was walking down the stairs slowly. He was in his casual homewear. Betty was tagging along behind him.

She was dressed more modestly now.

Landon almost couldn't recognize her. Didn't she use to be very flashy? At first glance, he actually thought that Liana had made her return from overseas.

"Dad. Hi, Dad." Lauren tightened her grip on Landon's hand. She was clearly more nervous than earlier.

Javier acknowledged her greeting. Then, he looked over at Landon. The gaze in his eyes turned cold instantly.

"You're finally willing to cback home, Laurie." Betty forced a friendly smile on her face. "It's been so long since | saw you. | really missed you." "Lauren." Javier had a glum expression on his face. His tone was frigid. "Now that you're home, don't leave.

You're not a wild child whom no one cares about. You are part of the Beckett family. What would others think if you're always staying out?" "That's right, Laurie." Betty furrowed her brows. She had a concerned look on her face. "You are only in your early 20s. You are still in your youth. What's all this business about cohabiting with another man? "Your good reputation will cto ruins once people learn about this. Mr. Landon is a man, so it doesn't really matter to him. But you are a woman. You are the one on the losing end!"