Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

In the study, Landon tried to pour Jasper a drink but was rejected. "My driver's not withtoday. | won't be drinking as | need to drive." "| didn't expect you and Alyssa to cover tonight." Landon picked up the glass that Jasper turned down and drank from it instead. Then, he placed it back down. His tall frleaned against the side of the table relaxedly.

He retrieved a cigarette from his cigarette box and lit it naturally.

He inhaled so deeply that he almost looked avaricious. It was as if he wanted to fill his lungs with smoke.

"Are you in a bad mood?" Jasper squinted at him.

"I'm alright." "You've previously mentioned that Lauren doesn't like the smell of cigarettes, so you've cut down on smoking for her sake. | can see that your ashtray is looking like a mass grave. You've been smoking double the amount from last time, haven't you?" Right after, Jasper started speaking like he was Landon's elder.

In an exceptionally serious tone, he questioned, "Do you want Lauren to hug a chimney to sleep every day? Are you still wanting to have children when you're acting like this? Don't you know that you'd have to quit smoking and drinking if you want to start a family?" Landon heeded his advice. He threw his cigarette butt onto the floor and stepped on it to put it out.

"Didn't you have something to talk toabout?" "The thing that happened to that man. Was it your doing?" Jasper was a straightforward man. He went straight to the point.

"I do many things to many people every day. Who are you referring to?" Landon's gaze was dark. He was clearly asking a question that he already knew the answer to.

"The male student from Solana City Arts Academy. You had him kidnapped and stabbed him ten times. Right now, he is still in the ICU with his life hanging on a thread." Landon sniggered as if it was no big deal. "So that's what you were referring to. | thought it was sother big deal.

"You're right. | was the one who did it." "Didn't you go overboard with this?" Jasper's frown was deep. "You are not in the sposition as you were before. You are the president of Harper Group, not a gangster. The corporation and the world watch every single move you make. And they're not only watching you but Lauren too.

"There are thousands of ways to teach that man a lesson. Yet, of all methods, you chose the riskiest and the most extrway." "I went overboard? | feel like I've been considerate enough toward him. | should have left him to die in the wilderness and be eaten by wolves!" Landon slammed his hand on the table. His eyes burned red with anger. "If that bastard hadn't used Lauren as his shield and pushed her to that maniac, how would she have ended up as a hostage? Now, she's having nightmares every night. It's all that bastard's fault! "He should be thankful that | even kept him alive!" Right at this moment, Jasper's phone vibrated. He received a message from Xavier.

He looked down and tapped to open his Whatmessage. Instantly, the look in his eyes dimmed.

"Mr. Beckett, that man couldn't be resuscitated. He just died." "Xavier just senta message. That man has died." Landon paused for a moment before curling his lips into a cold smile. "That serves him right. I'm satisfied." Jasper looked glum. He shook his head angrily and helplessly. "If Lauren were to find out what you did to avenge her, she would continue having nightmares for the rest of her life." "I will never let her find out." Fiery passion filled Landon's eyes. His gaze burned like a fire and overflowed with intense possessiveness.

"Whoever bullies or touches Lauren deserves to die." "Landon, have you realized that you are becoming increasingly paranoid? You've been unable to keep your cool when it comes to things related to Lauren," Jasper remarked in a calm voice. Deep down, he felt anxious.

"Jasper, my wife almost lost her life to that maniac! | almost lost her forever, but you're tellingto keep my cool?" Landon was trying to suppress himself. It was as if he had a wild beast in his chest that was waiting to pounce.

His chest heaved as he continued, "If Alyssa was the one who was held hostage, would you be able to keep calm? You would be even more cruel and merciless than me! "Both of us are the type of lovers who would throw their lives away for the sake of their woman. Stop lecturing me. You have no right to do so, nor will | listen to you!" "As much as you hate it, you must listen to me!" Jasper couldn't bear to see him live in regret for the rest of his life just because of a misstep. He leaped up from the couch and glared at him.

"Letremind you once again, Landon. You are the successor of Harper Group. You are not someone from the underworld! You can use money and power to do anything you like, anything but murder. That is where you should draw the line! "Have you ever considered what would happen if someone with bad intentions found out what you did? It could be Jameson or your uncle, Preston. What would they do to you? How would they manipulate you? When that happens, you wouldn't even be able to protect yourself, so how would you protect Lauren?" In an instant, Jasper's words gave Landon an epiphany.

But only heaven knew how he felt when he saw the scene through the surveillance video. He wished that he could get there in person and shoot that asshole in the head! "This is the last time. Moving forward, before you do anything, spend a few seconds to think about Lauren and the things that I've said.

Jasper walked to the front of Landon and placed his hands on his shoulders. "You are like a brother to me. You are family. My only hope is for you to live happily with Lauren." "What do I do, Jasper? | love her so much..." Landon lowered his head. He tried his best to take deep breaths, but the air felt thin. It made him feel like he was suffocating.

"I'm always so worried that | will lose her. | don't know what to do. | don't feel like myself anymore." At the stime, what Jasper and Landon didn't know was that behind the closed door, Lauren was standing with her back against the wall. She had heard every word of their conversation.

Subconsciously, like a river, tears started streaming down her cheeks.