Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Did you just learn about it? How could you date me without knowing anything about my family? Hm?" Alyssa playfully flicked
Jasper on the forehead and remarked, "All of my stepmothers hail from pretty unusual families."
Jasper flashed her a wry smile. He turned numb upon learning about Alyssa's family background. Never would he have
associated Colene with the Ivory Gang leader.
"Lyse, you can't blame him. Marc has never exposed Colene's identity to anyone aside from a few confidantes and the gang
members," Jonah interjected.
He addressed Jasper in a much friendlier manner because he was in a great mood after dealing with Simon Lynch. "The
underworld is dangerous. He had to do so to protect his only daughter."
Jasper smiled, feeling touched by Jonah's amicability. Jonah might appear cold and distant on the outside, but he was warm
inside, just like Jasper.
"Yeah, that's right. Marc detested Winston for marrying her precious daughter and even threatened to cut ties with Colene over
the marriage, but I know that, deep down, he cares for Colene a lot." Alyssa nodded knowingly.
Then, she sighed with a tinge of regret. "I heard that the texture of feces is similar to that of a sweet potato. Too bad Simon
Lynch had left, or I would have confirmed with him. I'm pretty curious about it, though!"
Jasper, Jonah, and Julien were left speechless at her words.
Although dawn had not arrived, Sean was wide awake. He had experienced a rollercoaster of feelings the night before.

Before Alyssa's arrival, he had been labeled as a helpless suspect. But now, Gabe Barrett had released him with an ingratiating
smile and kind words while inviting him to leave the cell.
The change was shocking for Sean, who had no clue about the interesting confrontation that had happened at the police station.
"Mr. Lynch, we've gotten to the bottom of the case. The evidence shows you're innocent." Smiling widely like a lapdog, Gabe
added, "We've retracted your admission of guilt, and the Schmidts have agreed to settle in private. You may leave now."
He gasped in disbelief, "The Schmidts agreed to a settlement?" That was impossible.
"Well, that's all because you are well-connected. Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett made a trip here just for you. It's all thanks to you
that I get to see them in person."
Sean looked stunned. "Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett, you say? Gabe fawned, "I tried my best to help you out this time. I
immediately reported your situation to my superior. Not only that, I made my colleagues look into the truth as soon as possible
when the Schmidts accused you, all to bring justice to you. It was never my intention to put you in a difficult spot.
"So, may I humbly ask that you put in a good word with Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett when you're home?
I would serve them loyally if they ever need my assistance."
With a tense jaw, Sean cast a piercing glance at Gabe's cunning face. It boggled him to think that Gabe was a police chief. It
seemed that the Solana City citizens were subjected to the rule of corrupt officials.
"There's no need for that. As her secretary, I can reply to you right away." He stared coldly at Gabe. "You're a greedy prick who
abuses his power. You deserve to rot together with the Schmidts. Thinking of ingratiating yourself with Ms. Alyssa? You're
delusional."

Before Sean left the detention center, he freshened up in the restroom. He wanted to look presentable for Alyssa because he
didn't want to upset her.