Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Betty's rage surged like a rabid animal as she barked at Lauren, her fury palpable.

But as Lauren glanced up, she noticed something she hadn't before—the hearing aids tucked behind Betty's hair, previously concealed from view.

"Bitch... I'm deaf now. You won't get away with this before I'm gone. I'll make sure you suffer the same fate!" Betty's words dripped with venom as she lashed out, her arm poised to strike at Lauren's face.

Yet, to Betty's surprise, Lauren, once her victim, deftly evaded her attack, delivering a crisp slap in retaliation —the first time the latter had ever raised a hand against the former.

The passing maid, initially startled, couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction—Lauren had finally asserted herself.

Betty scowled as she held her face.

It was the first time Lauren had ever laid a hand on someone. It didn't hurt, but it shattered Betty's ego.

"You are not my sister, Betty." Lauren clenched her fists and shook her head lightly. “You never were from the moment you hurt me. But | won't hate you because you're not worth my time. We'll call it even with this slap." ™

"Call it even? Hah! My hatred for you will never cease. I'll destroy you!" Betty seethed, her face flushed with fury as she lunged at Lauren.

This time, Lauren couldn't dodge, shrinking back in fear —until a towering figure stepped between them, pushing Betty to the ground with force. Her butt hurt so badly that she couldn't get up.

"J-Jasper!"

Lauren's eyes shimmered with relief as she beheld Jasper's protective stance. Her once-turbulent heart now found solace in his presence.

Betty cowered before Jasper's stern gaze, inching away slightly.

"An old dog never learns new tricks," he muttered coldly, shielding Lauren from Betty's reach.

"Jasper! If you have the nerve, go show off at the Harper Group! Why pick on a weakling like me? What kind of hero are you?" Betty's teeth chattered in terror, yet she still hurled words back at him, her voice surprisingly defiant. She was unable to swallow her humiliation.

"I never aspired to be a hero. | only sought to safeguard my sister," Jasper's tone remained indifferent, yet his gaze softened as it met Lauren's.

Despite the irony gnawing at her, Betty couldn't deny the well of anger, sadness, and bitterness that rose within.

She had never regarded Jasper as her brother, yet she and Lauren had once lived in the same womb.

Betty couldn't comprehend how Jasper could acknowledge Lauren, the dim-witted one, as his sister while disregarding her.

Yet, she had always respected him as her brother.

"I've frozen all your bank accounts. You'll receive a monthly allowance of 10,000 dollars while abroad.

Don't bother asking Dad for more; he won't oblige.

"Furthermore, I'll monitor your account for any suspicious activity. Any indiscretions, and I'll freeze it," Jasper's icy gaze crushed any hope Betty held onto.

Enraged, Betty pounded the ground. "Jasper... You might as well end me now!" 10,000 dollars seemed a pittance. How could she maintain her lifestyle, let alone indulge in her beauty treatments and lavish expenses? Jasper placed a comforting hand on Lauren's shoulder as they prepared to depart. "Adjusting to a simpler lifestyle can be challenging when you're accustomed to luxury. But you'll adapt in time." "Haha! | may have failed, but you don't have it any better." A manic laugh, sharp and piercing, erupted from Betty. A fierce glint entered her eyes.

"Lauren may still be a virgin," she spat, "but Landon's fooling around has damaged her! She's not clean’ anymore, and Solana City will feast on her ruined reputation. The Harper Group saw right through her—a dumbo. Her dreams of marrying Landon are shattered! All that effort, wasted!" Jasper's brow furrowed, his grip on Lauren's quivering shoulders tightening.

"She's now labeled damaged goods, and your best friend, Landon, isn't faring any better." [

Betty had lost most of her hearing, so she was shouting. Her tirade managed to attract a curious crowd of maids. "He did everything so that he could marry Lauren, but in the end, it was for nothing.

"Landon must be furious. He deserves to know what it feels like to desire someone he can never have.

And | couldn't be happier. If | can't have it, neither can he." Each word pierced Lauren's heart like a dagger, leaving her in agonizing pain.

Jasper ground his teeth. "This storm will pass. If their love is true, nothing will break them." Betty scoffed. "I highly doubt it."

Struggling to her feet, Betty revealed her latest revelation. "| saw Vao)itd own eyes Mr. andMiS. 1fodgson GR Ins son, Freddy, to meet Dad. They asked for Lauren's hand in marriage.” Please read the original

Jasper's gaze snapped to her. "What did you say?" Lauren clung to her teddy bear, her heart pounding fiercely against her chest.

"Oh, it seems you're not as informed as you thought, Mr. Beckett," Betty taunted. "The Hodgsons admire Lauren and don't judge her for her disability.

"They want Dad to agree to marry Lauren into their family. If he consents, and Lauren weds Freddy, your ‘brother from another mother" will be out of the picture.

‘Lauren, | never realized how captivating you truly are. | thouaitn Landon must have biden But of his hing A you. But now, Freddy too? You're quite the seductress!”

‘Lauren, | never realized how captivating you truly are. | thought Landon must have biden But of his hing AE you. But now, Freddy too? You're quite the seductress!”