Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Sophia's scandal at the horseracing event had single-handedly thrown the Beckett Group into disarray. Newton, at the top of the
chain of command, confronted Javier with an ultimatum. He wanted Sophia to rot in prison and had no qualms to disown Javier
should the latter attempt to intervene.
Alas, Javier held a different opinion. He would be dragged by the netizens sooner or later if he sat back and watched as Sophia
was canceled. They would surely criticize him for being a cold-blooded capitalist who treated his wife like a pawn in a game of
chess.
He was tired of being laughed at and mocked. In the past, he had an arranged marriage with the daughter of the Duttons, which
did not work out. Later, rumors had it that he mistreated Anne Bartley, who killed herself due to depression. Now, his wife,
Sophia, was put behind bars for drug offenses.
He did not want the ill fates of his women to become fodder for gossip. To protect his image, he could not sit back as Sophia was
branded a criminal.
Never had he expected that Jasper would convene a meeting with the upper management of Beckett Group without his approval
as the chairman. Not only that, Jasper had officially stripped Sophia of her role as executive director.
Upon arriving, Javier faced a silent room of departing managers who greeted him respectfully.
Javier thundered, "Jasper, you owe me an explanation. How dare you hold a meeting with the upper management without my
approval?"
Jasper dismissed his concern, saying, "That was just a routine affair—a daily meeting." He leaned into the chair and slowly
fidgeted with the pen with an unreadable look in his deep eyes. "It's my job as the president to preside over daily meetings. So,
why are you angry?"

"You shouldn't have stepped over me and removed Sophia from her duties. You need to ask for my opinion on such a huge
decision. It's the rule!" Javier huffed and puffed.
"It's too late." The look in Jasper's eyes hardened. "The entire nation is awaiting our decision on Sophia. Yet, you didn't release
any statement in three days. The discussion surrounding the scandal has not ended, and it's taking a huge toll on the company's
reputation.
"As the president, I need to come to this decision for the company's sake. Don't tell me you are still intent on protecting Sophia
Kirkman. Otherwise, there's no reason to object to her removal."
Javier glowered at Jasper. "Jasper Beckett!"
"Sophia Kirkman is a criminal who caused us enough trouble, abused her power, and was involved in drug offenses. She should
be ashamed of herself. Moreover, she does not deserve to act as our executive director. Is the company her money tree?"
Jasper snickered.
"But the police have not closed the case yet! There are unexplained aspects in the drug allegation. She
could have been framed!"
The members of the upper management looked troubled by Javier's words.
Jasper argued, "Tell me, how was she framed when she had clearly injected the drugs into her veins?"
"Don't you find it odd? Everything was too coincidental. Sophie wasn't usually that careless!" Javier blurted out and immediately
regretted his words.

He had made it sound as if Sophia hadn't been caught before this, all because she was careful to conceal her tracks.
The upper management appeared even more skeptical. Some cast disdainful looks at Javier.
Jasper's face soured as he had run out of patience. He announced, "I've released an official statement. The entire company will
learn about Sophia's removal. I'm a man of his word—it's too late to do anything now."
With that, Jasper rose and straightened his tie before leaving.
"Jasper Beckett, know your place! Don't you know that I have the final say as the chairman?" Javier lost control of his temper
and overtly confronted Jasper. "You think you could sleep in peace as the president now? I have another son. I can make Justin
the president, too! If he's willing to return to the city, I could totally kick you out of the company!"
The onlookers held their breath.