Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Be careful, Zoe." Not only was the man speaking gently to Zoe, but he was also attentively bending down to help her adjust her hem. He was concerned that her high heels might cause her to trip.

"Thank you, Freddy." Zoe blinked flirtatiously at the man as she spoke softly.

The sudden appearance of this hateful woman disrupted the rare harmonious moment.

Landon knew that Zoe would definitely show up on such an occasion. Having just experienced exile and escaped confinement, she was eager to regain attention from high society and reclaim her dignity.

He thought that after those sordid events, the respectable people of Solana City would ignore her.

Yet here was a man eagerly catering to her and being so attentive. That man appeared to be a shameless flirt and a blind fool—they seemed like a perfect match.

Jasper frowned in confusion, but Alyssa suddenly spoke up coldly. "I recognize him. Freddy Hodgson, Orlander Hodgson's only son." "You actually recognize him? Even | find him unfamiliar." Jasper held Alyssa's hand tightly, looking at her with admiration and adoration.

"It's normal for you not to recognize him. He's not part of the governmental circles. Since furthering his studies at Yoarkley, he's been notably absent from the social scene in Solana City. | suspect he only made his return recently." Alyssa looked at Zoe and Freddy with deep eyes. "Back then, upon assuming responsibility for KS World Hotel from Winston, | held a steadfast belief in my future leadership of the entire KS Group. So, | quietly probed into the goings-on within Solana City's governmental and corporate spheres." As she talked, she suddenly chuckled. "At that time, | was determined to crush the entire Beckett Group and compete with you, so | diligently gathered information. | wanted to make a big impact in Solana City. But, | never expected..." "Never expected yourself to becthe wife of Beckett Group's president?" Jasper chuckled softly. As he lowered his head, his warm breath flowed over her cheek.

"It's all your fault. My grand ambitions have all been ruined because of you." Alyssa pouted adorably.

"Lyse, everything | have is yours." As he admired her adorable face, his hand moved toward her waist and gently caressed it. "It's not ruined.

You've already defeated me, winning without a fight." Alyssa pursed her lips and shook her head calmly. "Jasper, what's yours is yours. You've earned it all through hard work. | just need you to be mine.

"What truly bringsjoy is not having you constantly striving to please or be subservient to me. It's standing side by side with you at the peak." Jasper was so moved by her words that tears welled up in his eyes.

On the other hand, Zoe was furious when she saw Landon bringing Lauren along.

"Shall we go inside, Zoe?" Freddy's eyes were full of affection.

"Just a moment. I'll take you to meet an acquaintance." Freddy looked puzzled. "Who?" Zoe kept him guessing while pulling him toward Landon.

"Landon, Jasper, I'm so happy to see you both here." Zoe's shamelessness was truly remarkable. Despite all that had occurred, she could still greet them as if nothing had happened. She was really one of a kind.

Frowning, Jasper clenched his fists tightly.

Alyssa gently covered his fist with her palm and looked into his reddened eyes. Her tender gaze slowly calmed the anger burning in his heart.

"Jasper, let's go in first." Alyssa's voice was soft, as though she were coaxing him.

She momentarily steadied Jasper's emotions. She knew that if he glanced at Zoe a moment longer, he might not be able to restrain himself from punching that scheming bitch.

Alyssa wasn't trying to avoid conflict or shield Zoe from accountability. It was just that Landon, as the head of the Harper family, should be the one handling Zoe.

Jasper shot Zoe a pointed look before guiding Alyssa away by the shoulder.

That one glance was so intimidating that it made Zoe's heart leap into her throat.

Upon seeing Zoe, Lauren was reminded of Zoe's words in the auditorium that day. After several days of calm, the healing scar on her heart was ripped open again, throbbing with pain.

Suddenly, her reddened eyes paused on Freddy's face.

The terrifying memory, which was like a trapped beast in her mind, fiercely gnawed at her nerves, causing her thin frto shiver in Landon's arms.

Landon didn't notice Lauren's unusual behavior. His attention was on Zoe.

He wanted to see what kind of tricks Zoe would play right under his nose.

"Landon, letintroduce you. This is Mr. Hodgson's son, Freddy." Zoe smiled as she introduced them.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Landon." Freddy politely extended his right hand.

Landon, who was half a head taller than Freddy, looked down at him coldly with an overbearing presence.

Freddy's throat tightened, and his hand froze awkwardly in mid-air.

In the end, Landon silently shook his hand.

When Freddy withdrew his hand, his fingers were swollen and red.

"Freddy, do you recognize her?" Zoe glanced at Lauren. She spoke softly, but her eyes were filled with provocation.

Lauren's heart sank, and she lowered her head deeply.

"This is..." Frowning, Freddy carefully examined Lauren's delicate and fair face for a long while.

Upon recognition, he exclaimed, "Oh! Lauren! You've changed so much. You've becso beautiful that | almost didn't recognize you!"