Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Madam Alyssa, the land auction process is messed up in Tsulu. Don't you agree?" Xavier took the opportunity to praise Jasper
to the heavens, "Fortunately, our wise Mr. Beckett brought up the issues to Mr. Jonah, just in time to turn things around. Mr.
Jonah would suffer a greater loss if the construction kicked off."
"Xavier, are you implying that Jonah isn't as wise?" Alyssa crossed her arms and directed an imitating gaze at Xavier. The latter
tensed up and clarified, "M-Madam, please don't misunderstand! That wasn't what I meant!"
"Xavier, watch your mouth." Jasper cast a piercing glance in Xavier's way. "He who talks much errs much. Remember, your
bonus..."
Xavier was even more intimidated by Jasper's subtle threat on his bonus.
To err was human nature, and the same applied to businessmen. Jasper wasn't born with keen business acumen. It was the
cumulation of experience from years of running the Beckett Group and making various mistakes along the road.
He was slightly more knowledgeable about Tsulu than Jonah, which happened to be of help.
"I pointed out the problem for Jonah to transfer the land to someone else, but he struggled to find a willing buyer," Jasper
explained calmly as if he hadn't done much to help.
More than a willing buyer, they were looking for a victim. To their surprise, they found the perfect victim when they dealt with
Sean's case.
"That's why you thought of using the project as a peace offering to the Schmidts. Was that why you called up Jonah and had him
hurry over with the agreement of transfer at the last minute?" She squinted with a gleam in her eyes.

Jasper caressed her radiant tresses and remarked, "I can't hide anything from you at all."
"Tsk tsk. If you're not a businessman, you could consider running scam operations. I'm sure you'll be equally successful."
Beaming proudly, Jasper replied, "Well, I did not lie to Josh Schmidt. All I did was to lure him. It was totally up to him to take the
bait or not. We had never pressured him into anything. If he truly cared for David, he could have declined Mr. Jonah's request for
a settlement."
"Hah! Quit it. Just admit you're full of tricks. I have goosebumps just looking at you." She playfully jabbed him in the chest. Then,
she added, "Your plan has a few flaws. Josh Schmidt could send his team for an investigation before he officially took over the
project.
"At the end of the day, you knew he'd take the bait because he was in a difficult spot in the Schmidt Group. Plus, he's impatient
and greedy for success. No doubt, he'd walk into the trap when you dangled that carrot in front of him.
"Family does not matter to him. All he cares is to reestablish his reputation. He's long forgotten about that bastard David
Schmidt."
Jasper admired the beauty and wits of the woman in front of him. "It's all psychological warfare."
"Hah! Josh Schmidt must have thought he won the lottery, but he's soon going to cry in regret." Alyssa grinned widely. She was
in such a good mood that she reckoned she could eat more.
However, Cyrus' call immediately dampened the cheerful atmosphere.
He began, "Lyse, I have some bad news. Promise me to keep your calm. You must stay calm!"

Then, Cyrus inhaled sharply and informed her, "Just now, Victor and Josh Schmidt came in and bailed David out."