Ch. 1541..1550

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1541-There was a moment of silence. Then, Jasper said in a deep voice, "Thanks for your reminder, Xavier. But you were quite crass. Just beware of your year-end bonus if you were to do that again next time."

Xavier couldn't help but curse at Jasper inwardly. Jasper had gone straight for Xavier's jugular.

Back in the bedroom, Alyssa had just taken a bath. She smelled good. She sat in front of her vanity mirror in her peach-colored strap nightgown.

She was brushing her dark, silky hair. She was spacing out as she continued brushing her hair.

Repeatedly, she replayed her conversation with Justin in her mind. Strangely, a chill began to creep over her, sending shivers down her spine.

Justin exuded gentlemanly qualities. His soft-spoken words were accompanied by a gentle smile that radiated sincerity. However, despite his apparent warmth, an unsettling suspicion lingered within, as if he were stealthily encroaching on her territory. The feeling alarmed Alyssa deeply.

He had the same status of nobility as Jasper. Despite that, the level of intimidation that he carried was vastly different. Alyssa was deep in her thoughts when she suddenly felt a warmth at the back of her neck. She slumped her shoulders.

She exhaled softly. Jasper already had his arms wrapped around her from behind. He gave her a peck on her cheek. In a sultry and hoarse voice, he asked, "What are you thinking about, Lyse?"

"| was thinking about Justin," Alyssa blurted. Jasper's eyes dimmed. A wave of emotions surged from within. His eyes turned red.

Before Alyssa could even explain, he had already picked her up by her waist. With his muscular right arm holding her up by her tush, he marched straight toward the bed.

"Jasper! What are you doing?" Alyssa's eyes widened. The strap of her nightgown slipped off her left shoulder, exposing her breast.

In the next moment, she was on the bed. She could feel the warmth and the weight of his body pressing down on her. As for her silk nightgown, it had already slipped some distance away from her.

She noticed that his eyes were filled with passion. His gaze was fiery yet vigilant all at once.

“Lyse, satisfy me*"

"I'm really tired. How about tomorrow? Tomorrow morning?" Alyssa stared at him with a glimmer in her eyes. She felt a little uneasy.

"No. | want you to satisfy me. right now." Jasper pressed his warm and moist lips against hers. He tilted his head and started kissing her intensely.

Soon enough, she was swept up in a daze. She became immersed in waves of passion as their bodies rocked back and forth.

Midway through making love, he mumbled in her ear, "Don't think of him... You can only think of me!" Alyssa laughed, "Why. You. Were you feeling jealous? You're extremely jealous, aren't you?"

Jasper froze. He looked down at Alyssa, whose face was blushing pink. "You said that you were thinking about him. Shouldn't | be jealous? I'm dying of jealousy right here."

Alyssa stifled a laugh. She lifted her hands to give Jasper a pat on his sweaty cheeks. "You know that that wasn't what | meant. Why did you still get so agitated? Moreover, he's your biological brother."

"There were times when | couldn't even stand your own brother. So what if he's my biological brother?" Jasper's eyes were red. It was obvious that he was still mad.

Alyssa felt helpless. At the same time, she was infinitely glad. After a hot-blooded night.

Alyssa rested her head on Jasper's muscular arm. She was too drained to take another bath.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1542-"| was just thinking about that conversation with Justin earlier tonight. It was really very intriguing," Alyssa explained. "That would be the last time."

Jasper was still regretful that he had allowed them to meet. He pulled Alyssa in closer to him. "Next time, | will not let you come in contact with Justin again. Today was just an unexpected incident. Don't think too much about it.”

"I'm not thinking too much about it. It seems to me that you're the one who's overthinking it." Alyssa lifted her head slightly. She gave him a gentle poke in the chest. "Does it still hurt right here?” He held her hand. He planted a kiss on her palm. "No, it's better now."

"There's really no need for you to be so paranoid. Also, what you imagined was not realistic. Would Justin stay in Mosgravia forever? He'd have to come back eventually.”

Alyssa snuggled comfortably in his arms. "He was the one who facilitated the Jesseltons’ discussion for a collaboration with the Beckett Group. And now, he took the initiative to contact Grandpa. Did you not realize yet that these were forewarnings? He has always been paving the way for his return.

"So, he will surely be back. How would it be possible for me to avoid him? On the contrary, | want to have a formal and proper meeting with your mysterious brother. He has seriously piqued my curiosity.”

"Justin... Could it be that his health has taken a turn for the better?" Jasper lowered his eyes. "You've struggled in the Beckett Group for so many years. How could you be so naive now?"

Alyssa flicked him on the head gently. She continued angrily, "His health condition doesn't matter at all. He could still come back to fight against you if he really wants to. He can do so as long as he's alive.

"Do you know what is making me feel even more anxious right now? It is the fact that we are completely unaware of his true intentions and capabilities. On the other hand, | keep getting the feeling that he's already familiar with both of our situations here.

“Earlier this evening, he even said that he's a fan of mine. This shows that he has known that | was Alexa since a long time ago. | can't help but feel bothered by this."

Jasper was amazed that Alyssa had actually considered all of these. She really put a lot of deep thought into it.

He gave her a kiss on her forehead. Deep down, he felt ashamed. "Lyse, you don't have to worry about these. I'm here. | will handle everything. | will protect you and Grandpa."

“Let me give you a hypothetical scenario. Imagine if Justin comes back and asks you to give up your

position as president at the Beckett Group. And ne claims that Its because you owe It to mm.

“Would you give it up to him?" Alyssa asked as she lay on him. Her eyes shimmered like the morning star. She blinked. Without any hesitation, Jasper answered, "I won't."

Alyssa giggled. "Wow, you've grown up all of a sudden, haven't you?"

"In earlier times, the Beckett Group merely represented work, a veritable battlefield for me. However, it has transformed into the proposal gift that | now desire to present to you."

Jasper massaged the back of her neck lovingly. He whispered, "How can | make you happy if that is gone?" In the dark, Alyssa's eyes welled up with tears. She was elated. She hugged him tight. These few days, Landon had been swamped with work.

As the upcoming president of the Harper Group, he had many important matters to attend to. There were many reports that he had to go through.

During any pockets of free time, he would accompany Lauren. In the midst of all these, he even brought her to Solana City twice. They went to visit the campus of the Solana City Arts Academy. They also had discussions about being a guest student.

He basically had no time for himself. That said, his days were as sweet as honey. He felt blissful. He now experienced how it felt to have a sense of responsibility that stemmed from love. It made him feel really blessed.

At the Sage Manor, Angelina prepared a table full of dishes tonight. Lauren was already seated at the table. She was quietly waiting for Landon to come downstairs so that they could eat together.

They heard a series of footsteps. Both Angelina and Lauren turned their heads toward the direction of the staircase simultaneously.

Landon was dressed neatly and smartly. He was walking down the stairs while buttoning his sleeve placket. "Mr. Landon, are you heading out?" Angelina was quite surprised. She wasn't aware that Landon had plans this evening. Furthermore, he was dressed so formally. He seemed to be attending an important event.

Landon nodded. "Yeah. I'm going out for a bit. I'll probably be back late."

 

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1543- There was a slight tremor in Angelina's lashes. She shot a quick glance at the dinner spread. She then looked toward Lauren with a concerned gaze.

They had agreed to gather over dinner tonight. She had been preparing their meal since the afternoon.

Even though Lauren wasn't too skilled at cooking, she lent a helping hand by the side, too. They were as busy as bees all afternoon.

However, Landon now looked to be in a hurry. It appeared that he had no plans to have dinner at home.

This was fine with her. But she was just afraid that Lauren would feel disappointed.

"Aren't you having dinner at home, Landon?" Lauren frowned slightly. She looked at him with an innocent look.

A loving smile came across Landon's face. He walked to the front of Lauren. He placed his hand on her head and stroked her soft hair. "I have plans tonight. I won't be eating at home."

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1544-Lauren watched as Landon left. She stood there until she could no longer see his car's tail lights.

Angelina walked to her side. "Madam Lauren."

"Yes?" Lauren turned to look at her.

"Thank you for speaking up for me today. Thank you." Angelina felt a surge of emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She started working for Landon when she was young. In her youth, she worked as his helper. She then became his secretary- cum-bodyguard when she got older.

She was someone who received strict training. She also suffered through difficult times. She was frigid and apathetic toward everyone other than Landon.

Unexpectedly, Lauren's appearance allowed her to feel the warmth of a family. This was something that she had never experienced before. She was moved beyond words.

Lauren was her employer. However, Angelina loved her like how she would a younger sister. "| know that you've worked hard, Angie."

Lauren held Angelina's calloused hand. Lauren's hand was warm. With a twinkle in her eyes, she said, "You're always thinking of Landon. Even if he doesn't see it, | do. These are still your kind intentions. He shouldn't let you down like that."

Angelina opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find any words to say. So, she just held her hand tightly to express her gratitude.

It was a rare occasion that Cornelius had called for a family dinner that night. He had invited all their family members to join. As he was the head of the family, the others didn't dare to decline.

Even if the family members didn't get along with him, they decided to play along. They complied albeit pretentiously. Landon waltzed into the dining room. Cornelius, Preston, Sylvia, and Penelope were already seated.

"Sorry, I'm late, Grandpa." Landon smiled slightly. He sat down with elegance.

It had been a while since Penelope saw Landon. Her eyes lit up with joy when she saw him.

Landon used to be a wild child. He lived like an outlaw and was disrespectful toward his family members. Whenever they had family dinners, he would simply fool around.

Cornelius held a lamb feast two years ago. Landon ripped off a leg of lamb and started gnawing on it.

He behaved just like a barbarian.

Now, he was a completely different person. He carried himself like a leader. He resembled his father in many ways. It was clear that he had become much more mature and stable.

"At least you made it."

Cornelius nodded toward Landon. He seemed to be in a fairly good mood. "But you should get here earlier next time. You don't want your elders to be waiting for you, do you? You're not going to work. You're coming over to my place. It's better to arrive earlier."

Landon smiled. "Got it, Grandpa. I'll be more mindful next time." “Hey, Landon is now a pillar of our family. He's a busy man."

Preston hadn't shown up in a while. He had lost while fighting for his position. He turned green with envy when he saw Landon. He smiled superficially and said, "He's the soon-to-be president of the Harper Group. Things are surely different now.

"So, Dad, leave him be. Although we're his elders, we can be understanding too. Once he's appointed, I'll need to rely on his support. Even though I'm his uncle, he'll help to bring me honor.

"You might not know this. | met up with some friends a few days ago. They were all asking me about Landon. They wanted to meet the future heir of the Harper Group.

"The new really overthrows the old. It is now completely past our era." Cornelius was half-smiling. It was difficult to decipher what he was really feeling. Landon looked toward Preston. He looked menacing. Landon squinted and glared coldly at him.

"| know all of your buddies, Uncle Preston. Birds of the same feather truly flock together. What good will it do for you to hang out with them all the time? Have you been working on the project that Grandpa assigned to you?"

Preston froze. He wanted to argue, but Landon was not going to allow him to.

He continued, "You haven't even completed your own task. Yet, you want to pull some strings and create opportunities for them? Is it so that they can get associated with Harper Group?

"Forgive me for being straightforward. But even vassal states during ancient times would know how to present their yearly offerings to superior states.novelbin

"Those buddies of yours would only leech onto the Harper Group. Which one of them would bring about any benefits to us? Not only that, you're wanting to introduce them to me. Do | seem like a doormat to you?"

Preston's face flushed red with anger. Before he could reply, Landon's following statements made his blood pressure shoot through the roof.

Landon said, "Also, we're relatives. You don't have to waste your time beating around the bush. You don't have to be so cryptic. You disappeared for a few months. | thought you had gone for some meditation camp during these few months when you were absent."

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1545-Landon had shamed Preston straightforwardly. Preston was embarrassed.

Preston knew Landon as someone ruthless, careless, and rude. He was someone who was about to become president of their corporation.

Moreover, Cornelius was present with them. Preston assumed that Landon would have practiced some restraint. In the end, he didn't hold back at all!

As the head of the family, Cornelius wanted to rebuke Landon. But on second thought, he figured that there was nothing wrong with what Landon had said. He wasn't too fond of the useless bunch that Preston had befriended anyway.

So, he simply cleared his throat in an attempt to break the tension.

Penelope, on the other hand, couldn't stand it anymore. She frowned and chided, "Landon, how could you speak to your Uncle Preston like that? Don't be rude!"

Preston chuckled. "Oh, don't say that to Landon, Penny. He's just a child in our eyes." Sylvia Jansen, Preston's wife, tried to diffuse the situation quickly.

She smiled warmly at Landon and said, "Landon, that's how Preston usually is. Otherwise, how did he end up with just a few friends? His other friends left because they got mad at him. He wasn't targeting you specifically. Don't misunderstand him."

Landon relaxed his brows. He swiveled the wine glass in his hand. This wasn't the first time that Preston and Landon had gotten into an argument.

Preston was impotent. As a result, he was unable to satisfy Sylvia sexually. So, for years, they only seemed close on a surface level. Even so, he always provided for her materially. As such, she continued staying by his side.

Rather than being husband and wife, they were more like Bonnie and Clyde. They were a couple who schemed to make the Harper Group their own. They were like two blood-hungry leeches.

Landon glared icily at Preston and Sylvia. He clenched his teeth. He vowed to land a powerful smack on these two pests and squish them to death.

Scrumptious-looking dishes were served. Everyone started to eat. However, Landon was only tasting the red wine. He didn't touch the food on his plate at all.

Who would have thought that Lauren would feed him so well? It was as if she was afraid that he'd starve. He was so full that his trousers could barely stay buckled when he was in the car. He felt so uneasy.

Allin all, the delicacies outside still could not compare with the home-cooked meals he had at Sage Manor. Everything tasted bland to him without Lauren by his side.

"Why aren't you eating, Landon?" Sylvia asked in a concerned manner. She smiled. "This is a top-grade steak, specially imported from Furancia. Cornelius chose it especially for you. This shows how much he really loves you."

Landon replied coldly, "Beef is difficult to digest. | get indigestion if | have too much of it. Thank you, Grandpa, for thinking of me."

"Indigestion? You've always been healthy. When did you start having stomach problems, Landon? Did Angie even care for you properly?" Penelope's expression was full of worry. She was really concerned for Landon.

"It has nothing to do with Angie, Mom."

"You're usually a disorganized person. You've been so busy every day. On top of that, you have to look after that woman from the Beckett family. Wouldn't these take a toll on your health eventually?"

Penelope deemed Lauren to be the daughter of a murderer. The thought of her own son being entangled with someone like that made her furious. At the same time, she knew that this wasn't a good time for her to rant.

Instead, she insinuated, "It's not healthy to have food from elsewhere. It'll be too late once it affects your health!"

"Mom, you can address Lauren by her name. You can also call her Ms. Lauren. But please don't refer to her as ‘that woman.

Landon became serious-looking. His voice was deep. "Lauren has never talked bad about you. When she mentions you, she's never been disrespectful either. | hope that you can also be respectful toward the person | love."

Penelope was silenced. Her hands that were holding her cutleries started shaking. If this were to continue, Lauren would end up stealing Landon!

Preston observed as Landon lashed out at Penelope, his own mother, without discrimination. The tension disappeared from his face. He became more at ease and sniggered to himself silently.

Lauren was Landon's weakness.

He simply needed to find a suitable opportunity. He could probably make use of Lauren to get control over Landon. Then, he could turn the tables.

“Landon, Preston mentioned that you brought your girlfriend to the previous horse racing competition. Everyone met her there."

novelbin

Sylvia started to stir things up again. She sighed, "| was unwell that day, so | wasn't able to attend. It's a pity that | didn't get to meet Ms. Lauren. We're gathering to have dinner as a family here tonight. You should've brought her along."

Landon disregarded Sylvia. He turned his gaze toward Cornelius and asked, "May |, Grandpa?" "May you what?" Cornelius was taken aback.

“May | bring Lauren, your granddaughter-in-law, to our family dinner next time?"

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1546-Preston gave Sylvia a sidelong glance. He looked annoyed. He felt that this was a crucial moment. What she had just said was unnecessary.

Lauren was Sophia's daughter. At the same time, she was also Javier's daughter. She was his precious daughter. There was no doubt about that.

He had thoughts about making use of Lauren for his own purposes. But he certainly wasn't going to allow Landon to marry her.

Should Landon choose to marry her, he would be formally establishing a marital alliance with a prosperous family. Plus, Javier would end up becoming his father-in-law.

Wasn't that simply allowing Landon to become even more powerful? What he needed to do now was to decide between two options. One option was to use Lauren to threaten Landon so that Landon wouldn't be able to become president.

Or he could take a step back and allow him to become the president. But he certainly had to prevent the marriage with the Beckett family.

Landon's words made the tension in the dining room rise. Cornelius raised his eyebrows in surprise. Neither did he look at Landon nor say anything in response.novelbin

Penelope couldn't hold herself back. She chimed in, "Don't you know the rules at our family dinners, Landon? Only our own family members are allowed to attend family dinners. It's inappropriate for you to bring an outsider!"

"An outsider?"

Landon felt a ball of fury rise within him. His face turned frigid instantly. His eyes narrowed dangerously. "No worries. Lauren will no longer be an outsider soon enough. She will be my wife. She will become part of our Harper family."

Penelope felt a lump in her throat. "Why are you bringing this up again, Landon? Do you think this is the right time to talk about this?"

"| decided to come tonight because of this." Landon then rose from his seat slowly. He turned his body to face Cornelius. He had a fiery look in his eyes.

"Grandpa, | came here today because there was something | wanted to inform you and everyone here about. | want to take Lauren as my wife. Please give us your blessings."

Upon saying that, Landon looked at Cornelius and behaved in a very respectful manner. Cornelius stared at Landon with wide eyes. This scene was shocking and unimaginable to everyone present.

Landon had been wayward since young. He was someone who loved to boast and flaunt. He'd never behaved politely to others or acted so seriously before.

For the sake of marrying Lauren, he was willing to humble himself.

“Landon, | don't think Ms. Lauren is good enough for you."

Cornelius looked at Landon with a sharp gaze. His tone was full of contempt and disdain. "| don't care if it's Ms. Betty or Ms. Lauren, whom you like. Neither of them can change the fact that they are the daughters of a murderer.

"Sophia has been sentenced to death. Video clips of her trial have spread across the internet. Everyone is badmouthing her. What do you think it would mean for you to marry her daughter? Are you trying to clean up after that bitch, Sophia?"

Penelope nodded in agreement. Preston and Sylvia continued eating and drinking. But they both had mocking smiles on their faces, albeit covertly. As for Landon, he felt as if he was being exposed to a blizzard. His eyes were red, and he felt chills spreading to his extremities.

"You are my grandson. Your status is much more noble than Jasper's. You can get any woman you like. Why must you marry a murderer's daughter? People will laugh at you if news about this gets out!"

Cornelius looked frigid. He shook his head. "You're not compatible with her at all. | cannot give you my blessings."

"Grandpa! Sophia is the one who sinned. What does that have to do with her daughter?"

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1547-Landon raised his voice. The veins on his temples were popping. "Moreover, Lauren wasn't even born when Sophia committed her crime. She is completely innocent. You can't discriminate against her like that!"

“What was done by the previous generation cannot be held against the next, yet they can significantly influence the subsequent generation," Cornelius spoke in a firm tone. He was not going to empathize any longer.

He continued, "What kind of a daughter would Sophia be capable of raising? Just look at her eldest daughter. What was her name? Betty, was it? She took advantage of her mother's position to oppress Zoe!

“Penelope hid this from me for a long time before she eventually decided to disclose it. They are born to the same mother. How much better would her younger daughter be?"

Penelope chimed in in agreement immediately, "You're absolutely right, Dad! You took the words straight out of my mouth!"

"Grandpa! You have only ever met Lauren briefly. You've never even spoken to her before. You've never tried to understand her before. How could you just pass judgment on her like that?"

Landon gritted his teeth. His blood was boiling. He couldn't bear to listen to all these. He couldn't even bear to hear a single word.

Lauren was now living in her own world, filled with happiness and warmth. It was also the world that Landon had worked hard to build for her.

Unbeknownst to Lauren, an entirely different world existed on the other side. Stepping outside would subject her to sharp words and gossip.

He wanted to shield her from all the hurt. He wanted the entire Harper family to acknowledge her. It wasn't his wish to keep her hidden like a secret lover.

It was clear that taking this step was far more challenging than he had imagined.

"You are now in a different position, Landon. You are soon going to be the Harper Group's president. You will be the face of our family. In the past, you used to enjoy yourself out there. That was fine. But your actions now will have a direct impact on the corporation.”

Preston leaped at this chance to strike while the iron was hot. He pretended to be considerate of everyone.

"There are no outsiders here today. So, I'll be very honest. It wasn't a walk in the park for your grandfather to build our family business.

"He has two scars of a few inches long on his back. Those were the scars from his early days when he started out. You should be very familiar with the beginnings of the Harper Group.

"All these years, Grandpa and your father have worked so hard to put the Harper Group back on the right track. You should know this better than anyone else.

“Our corporation isn't very stable now, and our reputation has also taken a hit, thanks to that woman from the Taylor family. What would people say about us if you were to marry that murderer's daughter now?

"| know that you're both in love. But those who don't know would think that we are under the Beckett family's control. They might assume that the Becketts have got a hold on us. Wouldn't your grandfather's and father's efforts all go to waste then?"

Penelope was reminded of her husband, Bill, who had died in the helicopter accident. She couldn't restrain her emotions and started getting teary-eyed.

Preston's words resonated strongly with Cornelius. "You're right, Preston! Landon, marriage is not a small matter. You can't simply act on impulse.

"| want you to have a clean break from Ms. Lauren as soon as possible. She is far from qualified to marry into our family!" "I'm capable of shouldering the responsibilities over the Harper Group. You don't have to worry for me, Uncle Preston."

Landon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, his eyes were filled with unyielding determination.

He added, "Also, | have made up my mind. | will marry Lauren. She is the only one that | will wed!"

"You!" Cornelius slammed his hand on the table. He glared at Landon, who had a resolute expression on his face. Landon was exactly like Bill when he was being stubborn. "Grandpa, | didn't come here to hear you say these things."

Landon lowered his gaze. He sat back down on his chair with his fists clenched tightly under the table. "Right now, most of the projects and businesses under the Harper Group are managed by me.

"| also have my shares, along with Dad's. If | were to transfer them to someone else or cash them out, it would be a great loss to the corporation.

Cornelius’ and Preston's jaws dropped.

They couldn't believe that Landon was throwing away his future because of Lauren. He even resorted to threatening the Harper Group.

"The Harper Group will have a promising future if you follow my wishes. Otherwise, | can only tackle the problem using my own methods."

novelbin

Landon smirked. "It's not a big deal for me to transfer my projects to Jasper or Alyssa. We're friends anyway. If | were to help them today, they'd return the favor in the future. Don't you think so?"

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1548-“Landon! Are you out of your mind? What are you talking about?” Penelope was so mad that she started shaking. Cornelius stared straight at Landon. The tension between them was so thick that it could be cut with a knife.

The thing he was most worried about had happened. Landon had gotten more and more powerful. He had achieved so much that he dominated over him.

Landon was like Alexander the Great in his prime. However, Cornelius himself was no longer the powerful Philip II!

He was getting old. He was losing control over Landon. Moreover, he was his only grandson. While Preston harbored ambition, he lacked the competence to match his aspirations. The Harper Group's future still had to be in Landon's hands.

However, Cornelius couldn't give in just like that. As the head of the family, he was being threatened by his grandson! He felt humiliated.

Right at that moment, Preston's cell phone vibrated. He pulled it out and glanced at it impatiently. His eyes widened suddenly. He got up to answer the call outside.

There was no one in the corridor. Preston answered the phone call. "Hi, Zoe. To what do | owe the pleasure of receiving your call?"

"| miss you, Uncle Preston," Zoe said in a forcefully honeyed voice. The sound of her voice was enough to give one goosebumps.

"There's been much less laughter at home because you're not in Solana City. Cornelius and Penelope had abandoned you. | really can't stomach that." Preston lit a cigarette. He narrowed his eyes and took a puff of his cigarette.novelbin

Despite sounding cheerful earlier, Zoe now choked on her tears. "| wish | could go back home too. But I'm sure you also know that Landon hates me to the core.

"I've been feeling so lonely at Yoarkley. Not being able to go back home makes me feel as if I've been sentenced to death! Uncle Preston, | want to go home. | miss Grandpa and Mom.

"| know that you love me the most, Uncle Preston. Would you mind talking to Grandpa about letting me return to Solana City?"

“| wish that you could come back too. But even your grandfather doesn't have a say now. Landon is the one who is in control of the Harper family."

Preston was well aware that the relationship between Landon and Zoe had strained beyond salvage. He seized the opportunity to sow discord again.

“Furthermore, Landon just told us that he wants to marry Ms. Lauren. He said that it had to be her. Once they get married, even | won't have a place in this family. As much as | want to help you, my hands will also be tied!"

Zoe was silent for a moment. Out of the blue, she lowered her voice. "| might be able to help you, Uncle Preston. If so, would you be able to think of a way to help me return to Solana City?"

"You're saying that you can help me? How are you able to do so?"

Preston raised his brow doubttully. He took the opportunity to share his conditions. "Are you able to stop Landon from marrying that lady from the Beckett family? He has already disclosed his intentions. If he really ends up becoming Mr. Javier's son-in-law... You will end up having challenging days ahead of you, Zoe."

"| can do that, Uncle Preston. However, I'll need to first leave Yoarkley and return home. Only then will | be able to help you."

“Landon is an impatient man. | wouldn't be surprised if he registers his marriage with Lauren tomorrow. It might be too late if we wait for you to come back."

Zoe scoffed. "Uncle Preston, you cannot oppose them. Not just that, you need to show that you are fully supportive of them at this time. It would be best if you are able to convince Grandpa to approve their marriage."

“What did you say? But why?" Preston was perplexed. "| have my own reasons for saying so."

Zoe sounded cold. She even added some suspense by saying, "First, get this done properly. Wait for my return to Solana City for what comes after. | already have some plans in mind."

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1549-The atmosphere in the dining room was tense. The air around the Harpers was frosty. Neither Cornelius nor Landon was willing to give in. The situation was not going to end well.

"Oh well, Dad, Landon, we don't always get to gather for a meal as a family. Ease up!"

Preston laughed awkwardly. He walked toward Cornelius and helped him to take his seat. He then started to massage his shoulders.

"Dad, Landon has been helping you to manage the vast Harper Corporation. It hasn't been easy on him —working such long hours. He has been a big contributor to our family."

Landon stared coldly at Preston. He thought that he looked untrustworthy. He figured that he wouldn't have anything nice to say. "Think about it. Has Landon ever requested anything from you all these years?" Cornelius knitted his brows tightly. He gave it a good thought.

His eldest son, Bill, passed away at a young age. Landon was Bill's only son. Landon started bearing the responsibility of caring for Penelope and Zoe from a very young age.

Moreover, he had been spending time away from home alone all these years. Projects that he invested in reaped a fair amount of earnings. His business expanded in Solana City, and he became more and more successful.

Indeed, he had never made any requests from Cornelius nor asked for any help.

Preston noticed from Cornelius’ expression that he had loosened up a little. So, he chuckled, "Now, Landon just wants to take Ms. Lauren as his wife. It's rare for him to make any requests with you. You should just give him your blessing."

Cornelius lifted his head and looked at Preston in shock. He pursed his lips.

Landon was taken aback too. Preston had just leaped at the opportunity to oppose him and trip him up a moment ago. He hadn't expected Preston to speak on his behalf now.

Did he just go out to take a piss? Did he just have his years of ridiculousness excreted? Why was he being reasonable all of a sudden?

Preston then lowered his body. In a low voice, he uttered by Cornelius’ ear, "It's true that Ms. Lauren is Sophia's daughter. However, she is also Javier's daughter at the same time. She is legitimately one of the Becketts.

"Plus, the Beckett Group is one of the leading conglomerates in Solana City. It's more than beneficial to have a marriage alliance with them. With this, we can forge a better relationship between both families.

"We don't really work together from the business side of things. Even so, we can still get a hold of them through the marriage alliance.

"In the future, the Becketts will also have to take us into consideration. As their in-laws, wouldn't they have to help us out too?"

Preston even put his hand by his mouth and whispered, "As for that lady from the Beckett family... you don't have to exasperate yourself over her. Don't you already know what kind of person Landon is?

“He was just looking for someone refreshing. Plus, she is the sister of one of his best buddies. That makes it even more exciting."

Cornelius clicked his tongue. He couldn't stand Preston's foul words.

"My point is, his decision to marry her doesn't make a difference. I'll give it two years. He'll become bored of her and then cast her aside. The conclusion of their marriage may align with the point at which we've garnered significant profits from the Beckett Group.

"These things. Well, we're on the groom's side of the family. We won't be the ones suffering a loss. I'm sure that you understand.” Landon was some distance away. So, he couldn't hear a word that Preston said to Cornelius.

He was only able to observe that Cornelius’ expression had become more relaxed.

"| see that you are being sincere, Landon. You said that she's the one for you. Alright then, | shall give you my blessing.” Cornelius finally had an out. Nonetheless, he maintained a reluctant expression on his face.

"That said, there is no way that | will go to the Becketts on your behalf to propose this marriage. She is the woman you want. So, you should fight for her on your own. | have nothing to say as long as the Beckett family is in agreement!"

Penelope and Sylvia were stunned. Penelope fixed her eyes on Cornelius. Sylvia, on the other hand, looked toward Preston.

Landon almost couldn't believe his ears. His eyes lit up with joy. A broad smile spread across his face, unveiling his gleaming, white teeth. He was just like a youthful man.

"Thank you, Grandpa. Thank you for your blessing! | will bring Lauren to meet you as soon as possible!" The family dinner ended. Landon bid Penelope goodbye. He couldn't wait to get back home.

Penelope watched as Landon left. She was seething with resentment. She felt troubled. At the same time, she couldn't bear to part with Landon.

Zoe wasn't by her side. Penelope was no longer her only son's priority. He was always caring for Lauren. It seemed to her as if he had already become a useless man.

She felt a sense of desolation at that thought. She clung to her lapel. "Why am | having such a tough life?"

"Why do you say that, Penny? You are about to welcome a daughter-in-law with a noble status. If | were you, I'd go to church to thank God for that."

Sylvia walked to her side with a smile on her face. "Just wait until Zoe comes back to your side. Your family will liven up once again. You should look for an opportunity to have Zoe come back."

“Exactly! Zoe! My Zoe should come back to my side!" Penelope was reminded of Zoe, who was living elsewhere on her own. She couldn't help but tear up again.

Sylvia got into the car. The smile disappeared from her face instantly. She stared coldly at Preston, who was playing mobile games.

"What the hell are you doing? Weren't you very against the marriage alliance between Landon and the Beckett family in the first place? Why did you change your mind?"

"You're just an ignorant woman. What would you know?"

Preston lifted the corner of his lip into asly smile. "In other words, this is known as sycophancy. My intention is to let Landon take pride in his success. | want him to have the perception that he has acquired his success. The more successful he becomes, the harder he will fall!"

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1550-It was already late into the night when Landon got back home.

Angelina happened to be coming out from the laundry room with a basket full of clothes. She put the basket down to welcome Landon the moment she spotted him.

"Where's Lauren? Has she gone to bed?" Landon took off his suit jacket and handed it to her. He looked pumped up and ecstatic.

"She has."

Landon sighed, "I rushed all the way back..."

He was a little disappointed. However, he continued smiling brightly right after. "I'll just update her tomorrow morning, then." Angelina blinked. "You have good news, Mr. Landon?"

"Grandpa has agreed."

Landon was bright-eyed. He was so excited that his voice was trembling. "Grandpa has agreed to me marrying Lauren!" "Really?"

Angelina was overjoyed. Tears welled up, making her eyes glisten. "Congratulations! Your wish to marry Madam Lauren is finally coming true! There's nothing more joyous than this!"

“Mom called me when | was on my way home. She said that she could agree to accept Lauren. But only on the condition that Zoe has to be allowed to return.”

Landon's gaze turned cold. He scoffed, "How could that be? Mom was such a simple person. When did she learn to bargain with others? Does she think | will not marry Lauren so long as she disapproves?"

Angelina nodded in concurrence.

The impression she had of Penelope was that important matters often eluded her. Landon was always the one holding things together after Bill's passing. If it hadn't been for Landon, Preston would have taken over the company long ago.

Landon lowered his voice. "However, Grandpa only agreed because Prepillon put in a few good words on my behalf. He might be cooking something up. | need to keep a watch on him."

“Preston is the type of person who only does things for his own benefit. You should still beware of him," Angelina said seriously. Landon took a quick shower before sliding under the covers. He lay next to Lauren, feeling satisfied.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he felt. He wasn't able to fall asleep. Thus, he inched closer to Lauren quietly, closing the gap between them.

Despite that, he wasn't satisfied. He placed his arms around her.

His body started burning up once he embraced her. He slipped his playful hand under her nightgown and started to fondle her. Lauren stirred. She opened her bleary eyes. Naturally, she hugged him. "You're back..."

"I'm sorry to wake you, darling." Landon felt a little bad. Yet, he was reluctant to retract his hand.

“Landon. are you. wanting to do it?" Lauren had been conditioned by him. She was being too considerate and tuned in. Landon sighed. He pulled her in by the waist. "It's alright. Otherwise, you won't be able to get a shuteye again tonight."

"You seem very happy.”

Lauren closed her eyes. She listened to his racing heart. "Your heart is beating really fast. Also, when | was asleep, | think | heard you laughing. What made you so happy?"

Landon took a deep breath. He kissed her on the forehead. In a loving voice, he explained, "I am finally going to marry you, Lauren. | can marry you with my head held up high.

"You will be able to become the wife of the Harper Group's president. You are going to be acknowledged by everyone. You will no longer be in the shadows."

Lauren's eyes shot open. There was a sparkle in her eyes.

Landon continued seriously, "| plan to meet your father within these two days. | will bring you along. | want to ask him for your hand in marriage. | want to do this officially."

Lauren gaped. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Landon had been addressing her as his "darling" every day. Even so, she only ever treated it as his pet name for her. She had never demanded marriage from him.

What was more was that Sophia had been sentenced to death for murder. Since then, she never dared to hope that she'd really be able to marry him. All she wanted was to accompany him in silence.

“Landon. You. You don't need to force yourself." “Force myself? You're saying that I'm forcing myself?"

Landon was so worried that his voice cracked. His love and passion for her burned like a fire within him. He squeezed her tightly in his arms. "No, Lauren. I'm not forcing myself. My dream is to marry you. That's all | wish for in my life."

They spent a few days preparing. Landon and Lauren picked a restful day to visit Seaview Manor. "Mr. Landon? Ms. Lauren? You're here!" Rory was the first to come out and greet them. "How have you been, Mr. Rory?" Lauren linked arms with Landon. Her smile was as bright as the sun.

"I'm good. | feel even better after seeing you."

Rory observed Lauren closely. Her cheeks were rosy. It appeared that Lauren had gained some weight. He figured that Landon had been taking good care of her. In fact, he was treating her very well. With that, It made Rory feel more at ease too. "May | know if Mr. Javier is around, Mr. Rory?"

Landon was smiling warmly. He held on to Lauren's hand tightly. "| wish to see him. | have something very important to discuss with him."novelbin

Rory noticed that Lauren was blushing. He had a pretty good guess about what it was about. He couldn't hide the glee on his face.

"Mr. Javier is home. | will go to him right away and..."

“Lauren, you're back."

Before Rory could finish his sentence, he heard Javier's voice coming from behind him. Both Landon and Lauren looked up.

Javier was walking down the stairs slowly. He was in his casual homewear. Betty was tagging along behind him. She was dressed more modestly now.

Landon almost couldn't recognize her. Didn't she use to be very flashy? At first glance, he actually thought that Liana had made her return from overseas.

"Dad. Hi, Dad." Lauren tightened her grip on Landon's hand. She was clearly more nervous than earlier. Javier acknowledged her greeting. Then, he looked over at Landon. The gaze in his eyes turned cold instantly.

"You're finally willing to come back home, Laurie." Betty forced a friendly smile on her face. "It's been so long since | saw you. | really missed you."

"Lauren." Javier had a glum expression on his face. His tone was frigid. "Now that you're home, don't leave. You're not a wild child whom no one cares about. You are part of the Beckett family. What would others think if you're always staying out?"

"That's right, Laurie." Betty furrowed her brows. She had a concerned look on her face. "You are only in your early 20s. You are still in your youth. What's all this business about cohabiting with another man?

"Your good reputation will come to ruins once people learn about this. Mr. Landon is a man, so it doesn't really matter to him. But you are a woman. You are the one on the losing end!"