Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Josh!" Upon seeing Josh, David's eyes gleamed enthusiastically as if he had found a sliver of hope.
Separated by a long table, David was about to limp over to Josh when the policeman on the watch hurried over to pin him down
out of concern he might lash out again.
Josh remained seated, but his disdain for his criminal brother was on full display from his back-leaning posture, vigilant gaze,
and downturned lips. To him, familial bonds had always been the most useless thing in the Schmidt family.
In their youth, David had been Josh's playmate, but as adults, Josh regarded the foolish David merely as a tool. He had cleaned
up David's mess multiple times and spoiled him to no end, all to prevent David from coveting his power.
His strategy had been to tame David and render David a dependent believer of his.
Alas, David was a dim-witted good for nothing.
The more Josh thought about it, the more he felt disgusted by David. Even until now, he did not think he was in the wrong for
framing David for murder. He'd done everything to save David, so it was only fair for David to shoulder the blame.
"Josh, why am I charged with attempted murder? I've not done anything like that," David rambled, his cracked lips trembling. "I'm
innocent! They made a mistake! Someone's trying to frame me. Who did I attempt to murder? I know nothing about that!"
"Calm down, David, and listen to me," Josh said, adopting a stern tone as he cleared his throat. He spoke slowly as if addressing
someone with difficulty in comprehension. "The witness statement and evidence are against you. The man who worked for you,
Magnus Vale, was caught in the crime. He confessed—said you instructed him to silence your victims via murder."
"Silence my victims?" Stunned, David's face turned white. "When have I asked him to kill to silence? I never did that!"

Josh shook his head helplessly. "David, you have always listened to me. Why did you go down the wrong path at this critical
time? Didn't I repeatedly assure you I'd get you out? Lose your patience, and this is what happens. Even Dad can't help you."
"I did not! I did not murder. How many times should I repeat myself?" David slammed his fists on the table, spittle flying. "Call
Dad now! I need to speak to him. He won't give up on me—I'm his favorite!"
"David, I won't keep this from you. Dad also agreed with what I said just now," Josh's patience wore thin, and he frowned. "I've
done all I could for you, but you messed it up all the time, even getting into trouble with Alyssa Taylor and Jasper Beckett. No
one could save you now."
"What do you mean? Giving up on me?"
"I'll hire the best attorney for you and work on reducing your sentence. I'll get the wardens to look out for you, so you don't have
to suffer. This is the best I can do for you as a brother." Josh shot a look at Cliff.
Taking the hint, Cliff placed a file on the table in front of David. Being cautious, he did not immediately offer a pen as he feared
that David might use it to attack Josh.
As David's eyes fell on the stock transfer agreement, a sharp pain gripped his chest. "Josh, you're looting a burning house!"
Panting heavily, David bellowed, "I'm not dead yet! I might make it out one day. How could you get ahead of yourself and eye my
stock ownership? This is too much! Even if I'm dead, Dad is the first in place to inherit my stocks, not you!"
"David, you haven't grasped the gravity of the situation, have you? Dad would have saved you if he wanted to. He's utterly
disappointed with you, and he'll never give a care anymore." Sounding concerned, Josh added, "Money and stock ownership are
fleeting material possessions—you can't bring them to the afterlife.

"There's no point holding on to your stuff. You're likely getting a life sentence; even if I appeal to reduce your sentence, you'll
likely lose all your assets. It's a matter of time before you're stripped of your stock ownership."
"Even then, you don't have a claim to my stocks!" David gritted his teeth and fought the urge to hit Josh on the head with the
prosthetic leg. "I finally saw this for what it is. You're not here to save me—just here to laugh at me and get me to sign away my
stock ownership. Over my dead body! Now, get lost!"
Josh abandoned any pretense of being amicable. Snickering, he rose from his seat. "Josh, think over it carefully. If you refuse to
transfer your stocks to me, you won't get a reduced sentence. You'll live a hellish life in prison as well."
David tore the agreement into pieces and tossed it at Josh. "Fucking stop threatening me. Dad will take care of me without your
help. Get lost!"
News of Josh's visit reached Jameson promptly.
"Mr. Schmidt, Josh looked upset when he left the police station. I even noticed him cussing under his breath. It looks like their
negotiation has fallen apart," Carl, standing behind the couch, updated Jameson while giving him a massage with a look of glee.
Jameson tasted the red wine with a relaxed smile. "David has always worshipped Josh from a young age. Now that his idol has
gone rogue, he must be super disappointed in Josh."
"That's for sure."
"Once Josh has become a fodder, we'll send help to David at the right time." While Jameson was speaking, his phone started to
ring from the coffee table.
Carl picked up the phone. Surprised at the caller's name, he then worriedly handed the phone to Jameson. "Mr. Schmidt, it's
from Inigo Montoye."