Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

A collective gasp swept through the onlookers after they learned that Zoe might have slapped herself. Judging from her swollen
cheeks, they expressed shock at the cruelty she had inflicted upon herself.
All colors drained from Zoe's face. She stammered, "A-Alyssa Taylor, w-what are you on about? I'm not crazy. Why would I slap
myself?"
Alyssa clicked her tongue and shrugged. "I guess you're crazy. Not only that, you scared the hell out of me. I should have
demanded compensation for emotional distress. How dare you accuse me of something you did to yourself? Do you think you
can slander me just because you bear the Harper name?"
In the midst of the audible gasps, camera flashes illuminated Zoe's bewildered face.
The surrounding onlookers engaged in hushed chatter. "Ms. Alyssa is known to be generous and kind. She has been involved in
charity work and even took the initiative to arrange the maid's funeral. I don't think she's the type to frame Zoe Harper."
"Even if Ms. Alyssa hit Ms. Zoe, there must be a good reason for doing so."
"She might have hit Ms. Zoe out of jealousy. That's not right. I will not change my opinion of her."
Alyssa was through and through with the tasteless conflict among the ladies, and she looked down at Zoe's clumsy tactics.
She staunchly believed that the innocent had no obligation to defend themselves and didn't mind being misunderstood. If
anything, she emerged as the victor today, given that Zoe had harmed herself.
Just as she was about to leave the center of gossip, a concerned cry pierced through the crowd. "Zoe, what happened? Who did
this to you?"
The crowd made way for Cornelius, the other Harper family members, and their bodyguards. The entourage hurried over to
check on Zoe.
Zoe trembled in tears. "Grandpa ... Mom ..."
Penelope immediately assumed Alyssa was the aggressor after seeing her precious daughter disheveled and lying on the
ground with swollen cheeks. At the same time, Alyssa looked on with an arrogant and disdainful expression.
"Help Zoe from the floor!" Cornelius ordered the bodyguards, who swiftly acted and even formed a barrier to keep the reporters
away.

"My darling Zoe!" Penelope enveloped Zoe in a protective embrace and fixed a stern gaze on Alyssa. "Ms. Alyssa, if you have an
issue, take it up with me. Why would you bully my daughter?" "Mom, calm down. You're not in the best health. I'll be fine ..." Zoe
pretended to comfort Penelope thoughtfully, earning additional sympathy from the crowds.
Meanwhile, the Taylors had arrived at the scene, creating a stir. The situation escalated after Zoe's dirty trick alarmed the
Harpers and the Taylors.
Cornelius rested his hands on the walking stick and cast a hostile glance at Winston. He fumed, "Mr. Winston, your daughter is
pretty hot-tempered, isn't she? The guts to slap Zoe in broad daylight.
"I can tell you've spoiled your beloved daughter, Alyssa. But Zoe is precious to us as well. You and Alyssa need to take
responsibility for what happened."
He was adamant to show the Taylors that the Harpers were not to be messed with.