Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"W-What? Did that bastard walk away scott-free?" bellowed Alyssa.
She left Jasper's arms and stood up in shock, nearly giving Mrs. Rosie a heart attack from her sudden yelp.
Jasper's expression fell after he overheard Cyrus' update.
"That's impossible! Jameson will ensure that he has his enemy crushed. So, how did they manage to bail David out? Is there
something wrong with the evidence?" She froze from head to toe and trembled incessantly.
Jasper quietly stood up and placed a hand on her waist to comfort her.
"We have solid evidence against David, or we wouldn't have issued a warrant." Cyrus sounded upset. "We did not expect the
victims to suddenly change their stances. The girls told us that they weren't sexually assaulted. They said they willingly had
intercourse with that bastard. The same goes for the two minors."
"How is that possible? Why didn't they mention it until now?" Worried, Alyssa pleaded, "Cyrus, something's off. The police must
look into it!"
"Of course, something's off. We all know that. I even sent a few experienced policewomen to talk to the girls, but it was of no
use. The victims had decided to withdraw the lawsuit," Cyrus explained with a sigh.
"Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, it's on the news!" Xavier waved his phone anxiously.
Jasper instructed, "Show it to me."
Xavier played the video, which captured Josh at a press conference in front of the police station.

"Fuck! This prick sure is busy, isn't he?" Xavier seethed at Josh's fakeness. "Is Josh Schmidt a mop, cleaning up one mess after
another for the Schmidt Group?"
Alyssa and Beckett stared squarely at the screen while holding hands tightly.
Facing the media, Josh seemed aggrieved. "Ladies and gentlemen, if my brother were a rapist, we couldn't have successfully
bailed him out. This shows that he has been framed.
"Someone is trying to drag my family's name through the mud! Rest assured that I will look to the bottom of this. I can't have my
brother unfairly accused."
"Look into the bottom of this? He's paying lip service." Xavier was angry and snarky.
"He has no choice but to put on an act when the world's watching." Alyssa seethed, unknowingly digging her fingernails into
Jasper's palm out of rage.
It hurt, but Jasper didn't mind. At that moment, he was filled with sympathy for Alyssa. How he wished he could offer her a
peaceful life, but once in a while, troubles would surface and shatter his hope.
"But Mr. Schmidt, two of your brother's victims are minors!" A reporter grumbled persistently. "Even if they retract the lawsuit, it
doesn't change the fact that he engaged in immoral activities involving minors! He should be publicly condemned!"
"The two minors dressed up skimpily like adults. They even lied about their age when they approached David and got him into
legal trouble. So, who's the immoral one now?" Josh snickered.
He argued further, "David had no idea they were minors, or he wouldn't have thrown away his future by getting involved in them.

"The Schmidt family is prestigious and wealthy. I understand the desire of some girls to social climb. But when it comes to
minors, shouldn't their parents be held responsible for their actions? Why do we have to take responsibility for parental
negligence?"
"Damn it! His argument is a red herring!" Alyssa was filled with resentment.
Another reporter pressed on, "Mr. Schmidt, remember David's indecent act when he was arrested? The video is still circulating
online. His behavior resembled a drug addict. What are your thoughts on that?"
"He has never taken drugs. His response was the result of taking illegal medication." Then, Josh flashed a troubled expression.
"David got into a serious car accident before this and nearly fell into a vegetative state. His legs would hurt every time it rains, so
he has no choice but to take potent drugs as painkillers.
"We're fortunate to engage Alyssa Taylor's help to perform the surgery on David and save his right leg. At least, he could lead a
relatively normal life now. The Schmidt Group is extremely grateful for Ms. Alyssa's assistance. Without her, David would have
been as good as dead."
The revelation caused a stir among the crowds. They were amazed by Alyssa's godlike expertise, but more importantly, they
couldn't believe that Alyssa—known as the Earth Angel and Light of Justice— had once performed a life-saving surgery for that
bastard David Schmidt!
Hailing from an influential family, she certainly did not have money troubles. No one could pressure her into performing the
surgery if she refused to. Therefore, the only logical conclusion was she willingly offered to help.
Was her positive image just an act? Had she been faking her Good Samaritan ways while bowing down to the rich and powerful?