Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Landon was looking down as he twirled his pen between his fingers.
Everyone else in the room shook their heads as they glanced scornfully at Penelope, who was causing a scene.
"Zoe was en route to the hospital for treatment when she vanished without a trace, and they have yet to locate her. I know it was you who took her!" Penelope's voice reverberated as she advanced toward Landon, pounding the table with both hands. Ignoring the presence of the board members, she continued, "Landon! Give me back my daughter!
"If you don't return her to me, I will hold a shareholder meeting and have you ousted from Harper Group! Return Zoe to me!"
Landon stopped twirling his pen. However, he still didn't look up at Penelope.
"What are you doing, Penelope?" one of the board members interjected. "Perhaps Ms. Zoe left of her own volition while the police weren't looking. If you wish to pursue this matter further, it's best addressed with law enforcement."
"Indeed," another chimed in. "This is a board meeting; personal family matters shouldn't be aired here.
It reflects poorly on Harper Group."
"Personal family matter?" Penelope's eyes widened incredulously. "Are you dense? If it were your child, would you spout such callous remarks?"
The board members fell silent. In their minds, they acknowledged that Penelope hadn't exhibited such behavior when Bill was alive. Her widowhood seemed to have taken a toll on her sanity.
Landon, despite being the focal point of the conflict, had remained passive. Finally, he spoke in a composed tone, "That concludes today's meeting. You are all dismissed."
"Alright, Mr. Landon!"
Everyone got up and left the room, fleeing the tense situation like startled rabbits.
The unison of "Mr. Landon" echoing in their wake slammed into Penelope. The realization that her outburst had made her look like a buffoon was a punch to the gut. It had been nothing more than a childish tantrum.
Silence descended upon the empty meeting room. "Landon," she spat, her voice laced with barely contained fury, "did you take Zoe? Where is she?"
Landon's response was a glacial stare. His eyes, devoid of warmth, held a darkness. "Trash deserves to be discarded." "Return Zoe to me! She is my flesh and blood!" Penelope screamed, "You've already refused to acknowledge me as your mother. Zoe is the only one I have left. Give her back to me!"
Landon silently watched as Penelope went into a frenzy.
Penelope, a woman who showered her daughter Zoe with indulgence but lacked any true parenting skills, was now a cornered tigress. For most of her life, Penelope had coasted by, sheltered and carefree. This was the first time Landon had seen such fierce protectiveness in her, and tragically, it was directed at a monster.
She emphasized how Zoe was her flesh and blood. She appeared to have forgotten that Landon was her flesh and blood too.
Penelope appeared to have overlooked the fact that it was Landon who had shouldered the family burden at a tender age since Bill's passing. Thanks to Landon, they were able to live a comfortable life within the Harper family.
Penelope revealed her true colors upon seeing Landon remain impassive. Through gritted teeth, she threatened, "You're not going to give in, are you? Fine. Then the police will hear about this! The media too!
"I'll tell them everything-how you brutalized and kidnapped your own sister! They'll condemn you, Landon! Your reputation will be shattered!"
A harsh clatter cut through her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A video was playing; pitiful cries filled the air.
Penelope stared at the phone, her face draining of color. She watched Zoe being violated by three men. The men took their turns with Zoe.
Penelope's heart was crushed. She buried her head in her hands and pulled at her own hair. She stomped her feet and wailed, "Zoe... My baby!"
"She's not your daughter. She's just a monster that you nurtured and spoiled."
Landon turned off the video. His lips were a pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. "You failed to raise her. So, I can only use this method to teach her.
"Penelope, I know that you must be in despair now. She's your biological daughter after all. Go ahead and let those tears out. You'll never be able to see her again anyway."
Penelope collapsed, her emotions spiraling out of control. She laughed through tears, spewing curses between clenched teeth. Jordan summoned two bodyguards to escort her out.
Frustrated by Penelope's antics, Jordan turned to Landon. "Mr. Landon, I'll have Madam Penelope escorted to the VIP parking lot via your private elevator. She won't encounter anyone along the way."
Landon, facing the window with a cold demeanor, responded, "No need for that. Let her leave the way she entered-through the main entrance. Let the public see her in this state."
Understanding Landon's intention, Jordan complied silently. He knew Landon wanted everyone to witness Penelope's breakdown, discrediting any claims she might make.
"Did you record the scene in the meeting room earlier?" Landon asked with a blank look in his eyes.
Jordan nodded. "Yes, it was all recorded."
"Contact a reputable psychiatric hospital and have them issue a medical report. Tell them to send some people over as soon as possible to take Penelope away."
"Will do, Mr. Landon." Jordan smiled coldly.
With a medical report to prove that Penelope was mentally ill, Landon, as her son, would obtain the rights to all the assets under her name, including the
corporation's shares.
"Also, I received an update just now. Zoe has been placed on a stowaway boat headed for Tsulu. She will arrive at Tsulu in five days. Do you think—"
"Just leave her to fend for herself."
Landon closed his eyes, feeling exhausted. He took a deep breath. "I don't want
to waste my energy on garbage."
Jordan sighed, "Right. It's not worth it."
"Jordan, do you feel like I have become terrifying?"
Landon's frame was now all skin and bones. It made Jordan's heart wrench to
see him like that. He responded, "No, you are a warrior serving justice. You are just making the evil ones pay for their evil deeds."
"There is only a fine line between good and evil."
Landon's phone rang as he said that. He took a deep breath, steeling himself when he realized that it was Jasper calling. He answered, "Hey, Jasper."
"Landon, come to the hospital quickly. Lauren is awake!"