Ch. 1711..1720

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1711-It was a premeditated act of revenge.

"Chief Taylor, we've got bad news!" Another policeman rushed over, covered in sweat. "The killer is at the rooftop with a hostage! He threatened to jump to his death with the hostage if we refused to release him."

Then, he handed a phone to Cyrus. Cyrus took the phone and saw the scene of Denver bellowing at the policemen with a female hostage in his arms.

His eyes widened in shock as he recognized a pale-looking and tear-stricken Lauren in Denver's grip. His heart sank, and panic surged through his veins.

How could Lauren be the hostage?

Cyrus, who had always dealt with the toughest armed criminals with calm, found himself breathing unevenly. He immediately dashed toward the rooftop.

At the same time, Angelina rushed toward him with fury in her eyes, holding Lauren's teddy bear.

"Is the hostage… Madam Lauren? Is that true?" She sounded teary.

Cyrus nodded with a serious face. She looked like she was on the brink of a breakdown.

She offered, "I'll go with you!"

"I know you're in a panic, but your presence will only worsen the situation. You know nothing about the criminal, and you don't have the negotiation skills. If you provoke the criminal, he might take Lauren's life!" Cyrus advised.

Then, he stared into her misty eyes. His tone softened. "Have faith in the police; trust me!"

"Mr. Cyrus, please save Madam, no matter what it takes!" Angelina had no choice but to plead with Cyrus and placed all her hope on him, even when she knew he was a thorn in Landon's flesh.

"Don't worry. I'll risk my life to save Lauren because it's my duty as a policeman," Cyrus promised.

After that, he warned Angelina, "Do not alert Landon Harper just yet. He's a hottempered man. I fear he might show up with his men to blow up the school in a panic. Listen to my instructions if you want Lauren back safe and sound."

It took Cyrus only five minutes to race up the rooftop from the first floor and memorize the background information of Denver Whitman.

Within five minutes, he had to structure the negotiation and construct various scenarios to rescue the hostage. He even had to consider the worst-case scenario.

In his long career, he had been involved in hostage rescue countless times. He had even faced criminals armed with knives and hostages with bombs planted on them.

This time around, his face turned white from shock and his mind went blank before he opened the door to the rooftop, perhaps because Lauren Beckett was the hostage in a daunting crisis.

He heard a remark from his earset. "Chief Taylor, the snipers are in position!"

Snapping back to reality, he said coldly, "Do not fire without my orders. We need to protect the hostage!"

Then, he opened the door and headed toward Denver Whitman with determination.

He made a cut on her neck, and blood started trickling from the wound.

A couple of policemen stood not far away from Denver with guns in their hands, but none dared to approach him.

Spotting Cyrus, she called out to him, "Cyrus. Cyrus!"

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1712-Lauren's voice squeezed Cyrus' heart.

"Cyrus, save me^" Lauren's face was devoid of color. Tears rolled down her cheeks, which hurt to watch. He so wanted to comfort her, but such an attempt might provoke the criminal and place her in greater danger.

He cast a deep glance at Lauren before shifting his attention to Denver's crazy eyes. He said, "Denver Whitman, please calm down. That young lady is innocent. She has no idea about your backstory and doesn't even know the five students. She's just an innocent outsider.

"How about this? I'll take her place as the hostage. You'll set her free."

Lauren watched Cyrus approach Denver through tears, crushed by feelings of guilt. She thought, "How could I have been so dumb? I should've waited for Angie in the classroom. If only I had run faster!" Alas, it was too late to regret.

Denver growled when he saw Cyrus approaching, "Don't come any closer, or I'll slit her throat and jump off this rooftop. We'll meet our end together!"

"You think I have no idea what's up your sleeve? You asked to take her place so that you could fight me. I can't possibly overpower a policeman.

"I've killed two kids, so I'm doomed. It doesn't matter if I kill one more."

Cyrus put on a serious face. His heart raced. "I understand your grief. I might not have a daughter, but I would not have it if my sister was abused this badly.

I'd avenge my family, too."

Denver's eyes wavered. His hand that held the cold blade trembled, causing Lauren to feel pain in her neck.

"I heard that your daughter, Joanna, was a student of this academy. The five students had bullied Joanna. In other words, it was a school bullying incident."

Upon hearing that, Lauren widened her teary eyes as her mind went blank, and her ears rang. Memories from her tattered past flashed across her eyes.

She heard the taunts from the past. "You idiot, retard! Why are you even in school? Do you even understand what we're saying?"

"She shouldn't be attending school like the rest of us. She should be put in a mental institution!"

"Stay away from her. She's a moron. Who knows if it's contagious? Haha!"

The harsh and cruel mockery gnawed at her like howling ghouls. Shutting her eyes in pain, she looked pallid. Her legs were shaking so badly that she might collapse at any time.

Cyrus picked up her unusual reaction, which agonized him. He said to Denver in a hoarse voice, "I really wanted to help. You've made a mistake. You should stop now when there is still time. Joanna is still in critical condition at the hospital.

"What you should do is stay by her side and help her through the tough times instead of resorting to the extreme. It will only lead to your ruin.

"How would your daughter feel if she woke up to her father branded a murderer? She'd suffer from the trauma of school bullying and the guilt from your actions.

"How's a young girl, scarred from trauma, able to face the challenges? She's attempted to take her life once. Do you want her to try again?"

As expected, Denver seemed swayed by Cyrus' earnest speech. However, the thought of his badly injured and unconscious daughter filled him with irrational resentment.

Cyrus seethed upon learning the truth. The Solana City Arts Academy fell beyond their jurisdiction. They were dispatched solely due to the criminal nature of the incident.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1713-Such corruption would not have been allowed in the district under Cyrus' jurisdiction.

"Sir, I… I know your… pain…" Lauren opened her swollen eyes slowly. Her soft voice was devoid of the fear when she was first held hostage. Instead, she sounded heartbreakingly resilient. "I have. had similar experience. as your daughter."

Looking shocked, Denver gasped, "What did you say?"

"Please. trust that I will. stay by Joanna's side. until she puts behind her trauma.

I will avenge her." Lauren struggled to speak due to the debilitating fear that suffocated her.

"What can you do, you weak woman?"

"I'm. the daughter of Javier Beckett. You can. search me up. on your phone."

Covered in sweat, she added, "Jasper Beckett, the president of the Beckett Group. is my brother. My sister-in-law is Alyssa Taylor of the KS Group. Don't you think they are powerful enough to. avenge Joanna?"

Cyrus had a newfound respect for Lauren. Anyone else would have been crippled by fear, but Lauren held onto what remained of her sanity and persuaded Denver to release her.

"Is Alyssa Taylor. your sister-in-law?" Denver did not think that Lauren was bold enough to lie to him. After all, anyone could perform a fact-check on their phones to ascertain her claim.

This time, he was utterly swayed by Lauren. Alyssa Taylor, despite being born into wealth, had the guts to seek justice for ordinary female victims like Nina Carle and Maggie Madison. For that, she made enemies with the Becketts and the Schmidts. However, her brave acts had spread far and wide.

Denver thought, "Oh, if only Alyssa Taylor could help my poor daughter." Still, he doubted Alyssa Taylor's capability to deal with every injustice in the world, even though she might be morally upright. Besides, she had no good reason to help his daughter.

"Can Ms. Taylor. really help Joanna?"

"Yes. I'm sure." Overwhelmed by emotions, Lauren shed tears despite having already calmed down. Tears flowed uncontrollably down her pale cheeks. "I was once a school bullying victim too."

Cyrus widened his eyes in disbelief. He was shocked by what he had heard.

"But I chose to endure and avoid the bullying. Until now. my bullies haven't been held responsible and punished. I'll take this as a way of avenging myself to fulfill one of my wishes. I certainly hope I can help Joanna.

"Sir, please do not. walk down the wrong path. You won't be able to see justice served if you die here today."

"Cyrus!" Lauren, upon realizing that she could be saved, sprinted toward Cyrus with tears in her eyes.

"Lauren, don't be scared!" Cyrus opened his arms to greet her.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1714-Lauren felt a chilling sensation on her back, but it was too late to dodge Denver's attack.

However, Cyrus would not allow Denver a second opportunity to hurt Lauren.

He instantly grabbed the gun from his waist and held Lauren by the waist, pulling her into a protective embrace. The next second, he pulled the trigger, shooting Denver in the right arm and the left leg.

Cyrus moved as fast as lightning. A criminal should not have given him any chance to attack, for he could turn the tables in no time.

The aggrieved Denver yelped and grimaced as he felt limply onto his knees.

Upon seeing that, the police swarmed him and put handcuffs on him. They finally managed to arrest Denver Whitman, the poor father who had committed crimes to avenge his beloved daughter.

After Denver collapsed, the snipers left their positions because they lost sight of their target, who was blocked by the rooftop railing. That was the reason Cyrus needed to shoot Denver in the leg.

The gunshot induced fear in Lauren. She covered both ears while trembling in Cyrus' arms. She panted heavily and was drenched in cold sweat.

"Hey, don't be afraid. Everything's fine now." Cyrus did not immediately lead her away from the rooftop. Instead, he hugged her tightly while seated on a concrete block. He gently and patiently comforted her, "Have you not played firecrackers before? Just take the gunshots as my way of celebrating your rescue!

"Do you feel better if we put it that way?"

She buried her tear-stained face in his shirt as she continued sobbing. Feeling sorry for her, he sighed and tightened his grip on her shoulders.

"I thought… I'd die…" A long pause later, she finally spoke in a muffled voice.

"That won't happen. Lauren, you're smart and brave. In fact, you're better than me!" Cyrus felt a rush of adrenaline whenever he recalled the way Lauren negotiated with Denver. With a smile, he drew closer to her face.

He added, "Besides, I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you because it's my duty as a policeman. I need to answer to Jasper and Lyse as well."

Moreover, he wanted to be responsible for her. However, he did not say that final thought aloud.

"It wasn't empty talk. I really wanted to help that man," she mumbled between sobs and sniffles.

"Lauren." Cyrus put on a serious expression. "You said you were a school bullying victim. Is that true?"

Lauren widened her eyes, still disoriented from the shocking incident. She trembled endlessly in his arms, denying, "No. I was never bullied in school. That was nonsense. I have never been bullied."

Cyrus was full of questions for Lauren, but he held back as he didn't want to pressure her. Instead, he quietly clenched his fist, thinking, "Landon Harper, you rascal! Have you been taking proper care of Lauren?"

Putting aside her autism, Cyrus clearly spotted signs of PTSD in Lauren. He wondered if Landon, who lived under the same roof as Lauren, failed to notice her condition.

He seethed. "A player should keep living that way. Landon Harper shouldn't ever attempt to be a faithful partner, being the idiot he is!"

To avoid causing a commotion amid the media, Cyrus draped some clothes over Lauren when he carried her out of the academic building. Covered well, she was placed in the ambulance. The media did not have any chance to take a snap of her.

The medical staff tended to the wound on Lauren's neck in the ambulance. She would be taken to the hospital for more checkups just to be safe.

Lauren, awash with feelings of relief, soon drifted to sleep.

Cyrus stared into Angelina's eyes with the sleeping Lauren between them. The air was tense.

He began, "You may call Landon Harper to pick up Lauren from the hospital."

"I have called him." Angelina clutched Lauren's teddy bear in one hand and Lauren's hand in another.

"Shall I go through the situation with you?" Cyrus offered in good faith.

He had personally witnessed how much Landon cared for Lauren. As Lauren's bodyguard, Angelina might be facing Landon's wrath after what Lauren had gone through.

Knowing Landon, he could be quite heartless when he was in a rage.

"It's fine. Your involvement will only land me in more trouble and further anger Mr. Landon," Angelina replied and pursed her pale lips.

Squinting, Cyrus licked the roof of his mouth.

He added, "Otherwise, I can't guarantee that I won't interfere."

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1715-Angelina cracked her knuckles in anger. She snapped, "Mr. Landon is Mr.

Beckett's best friend, and Mr. Beckett is Ms. Alyssa's… Anyway, do you think it's right to steal Mr. Landon's girlfriend? Aren't you scared of putting Mr. Beckett in a tough spot and upsetting Ms. Alyssa?"

"When did I say that I would steal his girlfriend? You and Mr. Landon have been paranoid all along." Cyrus lowered his eyes, casting a gentle glance at Lauren's lovely face. "If you keep thinking that way, you might actually make me consider giving it a shot to make up for your paranoia.

"I remember something Winston once said—does one not shoot one's shot just because there's a goalkeeper?"

"Mr. Cyrus, please remember that you're a police chief!" Angelina shot up furiously, momentarily forgetting that she was in the car. Her head promptly hit the ceiling, causing her to frown in pain. She pressed against her head and returned to her seat.

"Ms. Brands, you shouldn't guilt-trip me with my profession." He flashed a chilling smile. "By the way, what I hate the most is being threatened."

Angelina's chest tightened. The more she was in contact with Cyrus, the more panicked she became. Her sixth sense informed her that Cyrus would be a formidable and enigmatic love rival to Landon if he fell for Lauren one day.

While Lauren was sent to the treatment room, Landon rushed to the hospital with his subordinates following behind. The sudden influx of people crowded the wide corridor.

Landon's arrival appeared more like showing up to a gangster fight than visiting his wife. One might think that he'd continue Cornelius' gangster legacy.

He had been wearing an icy and hostile expression ever since he arrived at the hospital. Earlier, he had boarded a private jet with Cornelius, heading to the neighboring city for a business meeting.

On the way, he saw the incident at Solana City Arts Academy on the news.

Feeling oddly disturbed, perhaps because of some telepathic connection, he called Angelina, but she didn't pick up.

In the end, he ignored Cornelius' protests and ordered the jet to head back to Solana City, even when he wasn't sure if Lauren was in danger. He could even skip Harmony Nations meetings for her.

Because of that, Cornelius had an outburst and had to put on an oxygen mask to avoid fainting in the air.

"Mr. L-Landon," Angelina greeted Landon with trepidation as he marched up to her.

He hissed through gritted teeth, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It was an emergency. I worried that you."

"Why didn't you tell me?" This time, his furious snarl echoed in the corridor.

Even his subordinates cowered in silence.

Biting her pale lips, she hung her head lower as guilt crushed her.

"That wasn't Ms. Angelina's fault. She was advised by the police's advice not to contact you," explained Cyrus, who emerged from a turning of the staircase.

Looking calm, he spoke up for Angelina, "It was an urgent situation. The criminal was holding Lauren hostage. Any changes might provoke the criminal and put her in greater danger.

"Was that the police's advice or your personal opinion?" Landon cracked his knuckles. His tone carried a hint of intimidation.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1716-On the way to the hospital, Landon watched a livestream showing Cyrus emerging from the academic building carrying a female in his arms. Although the woman was well covered, Landon could recognize Lauren in Cyrus' arms just by her form.

Landon had always suspected Cyrus of having feelings for Lauren. He perceived it as a blatant act of stealing the love of his life, Lauren. She was his everything. Any man who so much as laid a finger on her would be crossing a line.

"I am in the police force too. What's the difference?" Hearing Landon's accusations, Cyrus calmly smirked at him.

Surprisingly, Cyrus did not fluster in the face of Landon and Harper Group's men.

Landon clenched his jaw as he approached Cyrus. "Lauren is my lover. How dare you stop me, her partner, from coming to her rescue in that dangerous and urgent situation? Do you really think I don't know what you're plotting? Want me to lay it out for you and embarrass you?"

"Landon Harper, are you dumb or naive? You might not have experienced a hostage situation, but I bet you've watched police movies." Cyrus slipped both hands into the pockets of his jacket. He squinted and scoffed. "What good would it do to have you there? Could you even help?

"Would you make your men beat that criminal up, or would you threaten him not to hurt Lauren, or you'd bankrupt him the next day?"

Landon felt the anger rising in him. "Cyrus Taylor!" The Taylors seemed to share the same trait of being sharp-tongued, or in other words, mean.

"Landon Harper, my decision not to contact you had nothing to do with trust. All I wanted was to eliminate any potential risk to rescue the hostage. I kept the information from you because Lauren was your girlfriend, and I'd do the same for other hostages, too.

"I handled many shocking cases throughout my career and battled savage criminals who were not afraid of death because they were at the end of their rope. The criminal who held Lauren hostage was no different. Rescuing her from the situation was challenging."

Landon refused to accept any explanation as he was still furious. He taunted, "So, are you saying I should thank you instead?"

"There's no need to thank me. I'm at the service of the people." Cyrus coolly waved his hand. "I don't want to argue with you over this matter. I bet you're exhausted after the journey. Save your energy for taking care of Lauren.

"By the way, Ms. Brands has faithfully served you through thick and thin. Blame me if you want. Don't make things difficult for her."

Angelina stood at the side with her shoulders hunched. She couldn't help but choke up when she heard Cyrus' thoughtful remark. For ten years, she had gone through many sufferings with Landon. Many times, she nearly forgot that she was a lady, too.

For the first time, she felt wronged. However, she quickly killed off that thought.

She shouldn't have felt aggrieved when she had willingly decided to serve Landon.

After Cyrus was done addressing Landon, he walked away.

"Mr. Cyrus, I'll call you a man if you fight for Lauren openly. Don't you think you're despicable for making your way to Lauren using your job as a cover?"

Landon's eyes gleamed with the savageness of a beast. He would have punched Cyrus in the face if Cyrus weren't Alyssa's brother.

With that, Cyrus whistled a tune and left. Landon's men stood in silence, intimidated by Cyrus' airs.

Meanwhile, a storm raged in Landon's eyes.

Frowning, she glared at Landon. The resentment in her eyes pained him.

She questioned, "Landon, how could you talk to Cyrus with that attitude? He saved my life."

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1717-"Lauren!" Landon's eyes lit up in excitement. He eagerly rushed toward Lauren and gave her a tight hug. His voice trembled fearfully. "I'm sorry for showing up late. It was my fault that you suffered injuries. I am fucking useless! Hit me if you like. Hit me as hard as possible!"

Landon's men were taken aback by his behavior. No longer behaving like a devil, Landon was just a hopeless man in love. They marveled at Lauren, who had charmed Landon into his subservient ways.

"Landon, why would you speak to Cyrus in that way? Why?" Lauren, being autistic, had a tendency to fixate on things. Her stubbornness might be distressing for some.

She insisted, "Why would you say that about Cyrus? I would've died if not for him! He saved me. So, how could you be so mean to him?"

Her endless whys and hows would have triggered anyone. However, Landon only hugged her tight and whispered tearfully into her ear, "Lauren, you must have been so scared and shocked. I was a loser for not protecting you…"

"It's not Cyrus' fault. He saved me. Please don't say that about him ever.

Alright?" Lauren refused to move on without receiving a firm response to the previous matter.

Watching the scene, Angelina felt sorry for Landon. The effort they poured into Lauren's recovery had gone down the drain due to the hostage incident.

Landon dared not provoke the adamant Lauren any further. Swallowing the pain, he begged her in a hoarse voice, "Darling, promise me you won't look at any other man. You should only have eyes for me.

"Lauren, I'm your one and only man."

Cyrus hurried to the police station after leaving the hospital. He wrapped up the paperwork for the hostage case. After that, he sent a subordinate to retrieve records of the police reports made by Denver and Joanna, the background information of the five campus bullies, and all records of the relevant witness statements.

There wasn't a lot of information available, but Cyrus felt ruffled for a long time after reading through the contents.

At that time, he received a call from Alyssa. Calming down, he answered, "Lyse."

"Cyrus, how are you doing? You're fine, right?" Alyssa questioned worriedly. "We saw the news about the hostage situation at Solana City Arts Academy. We saw that you were dispatched to the scene. Mandy saw it, too. You didn't pick up her calls, so she sent Jasper and me to check on you because we were in town."

The murderer was arrested at the scene. I'm doing just fine," Cyrus assured her.

"I don't believe you. Come out and show us," Alyssa stubbornly insisted. "We're at the entrance to the police station, and we want to see you walking out with our own eyes. How else are we going to answer to Mandy?"

Cyrus immediately spotted the luxurious Rolls-Royce parked across the street from the police station. Feeling ashamed, he scanned the area to make sure that no one was watching before he sneaked into the car like a thief.

"Don't meet me in such an expensive car," Cyrus couldn't help but grumble when he joined them in the car. "Some might know you as my family, but others might think you're tycoons who bribed me."

Jasper grinned. Cyrus was pretty imaginative, wasn't he?

"Cyrus, I'm so glad you're okay!" Alyssa lifted Cyrus' arms and instructed Jasper to take photos of Cyrus from the front and the side. "Jasper, send them over to Mandy."

"Sure." Jasper lowered his gaze and tapped into WhatsApp.

"Hey, hey, you guys are pretty kinky, aren't you?" Cyrus clicked his tongue.

"Should I take off my pants for photos? You can send them to Mom, too."

Alyssa stammered, "Um… If that's what you want, I can't possibly say no. I'll try to take a few photos."

Jasper replied flatly, "I'm a man, so it doesn't bother me too."

Cyrus looked speechless at the comedic couple.

Cyrus pursed his lips and sank into a short silence. He decided to be honest.

"That's Lauren."

Alyssa and Jasper looked shellstruck. "Who? Lauren? Our Lauren?"

"Yes."

"Ah—Oh, my God!" Alyssa covered her mouth in shock.

"Where's Lauren now? Is she okay?" Jasper's face turned white in the panic.

Still concerned, Jasper said, "Lyse and I will make a stop at Landon's place to visit Lauren."

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1718-Alyssa and Jasper grew solemn in front of the serious-looking Cyrus. "Cyrus, go ahead."

"You're well known as a couple who seek justice and fight for what's right."

Cyrus sounded sarcastic.

His remark prompted Jasper to glance at Alyssa. Jasper caressed her nape while replying, "Well, I'm not that great. I'm only assisting Lyse. She's the one who's outstanding, smart, and kind."

"Cyrus was just teasing us! How could you make me shoulder his taunts while you act like the humble one?" Squinting, she playfully elbowed Jasper.

"I didn't tease you. I meant it." Growing serious, Cyrus explained, "The two victims killed today by the man who held Lauren hostage were members of a school bullying group."

Jasper's eyes darkened, and his face paled. Similarly, despair flashed across Alyssa's eyes. The fated couple had both experienced bullying before.

Therefore, they hated bullying behavior more than anyone else.

"The murderer had a daughter who had been severely bullied by the five students in her two years at the school. She even got her nude photos taken.

The five students made her their slave, and if she refused to comply, they threatened to spread her nude photos on the school forum.

"She and her father repeatedly lodged police reports, but they were being dismissed as there was insufficient evidence against the five, all because two of them came from wealthy and powerful families.

"The father and daughter endured abuse because no one would help them. In the end, the poor girl chose to jump off a building because she couldn't stand the humiliation."

"Wealthy and powerful?" An intimidating gleam appeared in Jasper's eyes. "Tell me their names. I'd like to see how wealthy and powerful they are."

Equally indignant, Alyssa asked, "How's that girl doing?"

"She's in the ER, but she's still unconscious." Cyrus let out a frustrated sigh and curled his fist. "I read the reports she had filed and her medical inspection.

There was sufficient evidence to sue the bullies. Since they are legal adults, if we follow the legal proceedings…"

"You wouldn't have come to me and Jasper if you were thinking of settling it legally," Alyssa pointed out Cyrus' thoughts.

Cyrus swallowed hard. He said in a hoarse voice, "One needs to pay for his crimes. I sympathize with that father, but I disagree with his way of taking revenge. He needs to be punished by law, but his daughter is innocent. Her bullies need to pay a huge price for her sufferings."

"That was probably the only way the father could avenge his daughter, I guess,"

Jasper mumbled.

"Cyrus, the police station must have received many of these reports in a year.

Right?" Alyssa questioned curiously. "Why are you showing more interest in this case? Do you know the victim personally?"

Cyrus recalled how Lauren curled up in his arms, her lashes and nose wet from the tears. She looked disheveled but still adorable. He was attracted to her looks.

The sudden mention of Lauren caught Alyssa and Jasper off guard.

Alyssa met Cyrus' avoidant gaze with mixed emotions in her eyes.

Jasper agreed, "Since that's Lauren's wish, that gives me more reason to make it come true."

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1719-Jasper did not appear doubtful. Instead, he was riddled with guilt. "I'm not the best brother to Lauren, and I feel sorry about it. I've never fulfilled my responsibility as a brother. I was oblivious to her suffering at home and realized it many years later after Lyse informed me about it. I am a disappointment."

"Don't think of yourself that way. You're a good brother, and I can attest to it."

Alyssa gently leaned into Jasper's arms and kissed him on the neck. "Let's not forget that Lauren wouldn't have gotten together with a doting boyfriend without your help. That alone makes you a good brother to her."

Jasper was tempted by her. He looked at her affectionately as he held her by the waist and kissed her on the lips.

A dejected look flashed across Cyrus' eyes. Before he entered the car, he said to them, "I'll send the information to you later. You can do anything you want with the bullies as long as it's not something illegal."

As Jasper and Alyssa were concerned about Lauren, they hurried to Sage Manor but failed to find Lauren there. They didn't even get to step foot in the manor because Landon stopped them at the door.

Looking fazed, he said to them with bloodshot eyes, "Jasper, Lyse, don't worry.

Lauren is fine, though she's in quite some shock. Angie has coaxed her to sleep."

Putting aside Lauren's condition, Landon did not look that well himself. They assumed that the hostage situation gave him a good scare.

Jasper had wanted to enter the manor, but Alyssa grabbed his arm and shot him a look. Taking her hint, he had no choice but to ask Landon, "Is Lauren… really okay?"

"She's fine." Landon forced a smile and pretended to look relaxed. "I wouldn't have been here chatting with you if she weren't okay. I would have flattened the earth."

Landon's words made sense. Alyssa agreed, "Fine. Let Lauren rest. We'll drop by in two days when she's calmed down." Then, she took Jasper's arm, ready to say goodbye when Landon suddenly called out to her, "Lyse."

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Landon pressed his parched and pale lips. After some hesitation, he decided to sweep Cyrus' matter under the rug. Instead, he asked, "How's Mr. Winston doing? Is he better?"

"Yes, he's doing better. Thanks for your concern, Mr. Landon." Grinning, Alyssa left the manor with Jasper.

What if she had met Cyrus before him?

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1720-Landon trudged back to the living room while looking dispirited. Angelina happened to descend the stairs after having coaxed Lauren to sleep.

When Landon lifted his gaze, he accidentally met her eyes, causing her to hang her head fearfully.

"Stop lowering your head. You're about to bury your head in the sand. What are you, an ostrich?" Frowning impatiently, Landon sat on the couch and put a cigarette between his lips. However, he hesitated to light it when he recalled Lauren hated the smell of cigarette smoke.

Angelina did not look up. She had always carried herself with arrogance and aloofness in public, a stark contrast to her present self—unsure, submissive, and guilty. She wanted to dig a hole and hide due to shame.

"Come here."

She strutted over to Landon. The short distance felt like it took forever.

"Is Lauren asleep?" Landon asked in a low voice.

"Yes." She stared at her feet. Her voice was shaky. "I'll pack my stuff and leave immediately. I will not be an eyesore to you."

"Just stay," he remarked icily.

Despite his tone, she was overjoyed and relieved to hear that. "D-Did you just say…"

"You're like a sister to Lauren. I know she won't be able to eat well if you leave her." He took out the cigarette and crushed it in his palm.

At the end of the day, he did not have the heart to treat his loyal subordinate cruelly. "So, stay and take care of Lauren. You can be clumsy at times. You've even ruined a few of her dresses in the laundry, and you aren't exactly the best when it comes to cooking. But I don't trust anyone else to stay by Lauren's side.

"However, I do not want such an incident to happen again. Otherwise, I will not only fire you, but I will also rip you into pieces."

Landon was clearly joking, but Angelina lowered her head in shame. She fought back tears as she replied, "I'm sorry. Mr. Landon, this will never happen again."

Late at night, Landon sat on the couch and approved some documents under the dim and soft light of the standing lamp while wearing matching couple pajamas with Lauren. Unlike Jasper, he was not a workaholic. He was simply trying to make himself sleepy as his mind was a mess.

"Mm. No… Don't hit me^ Don't!" All of a sudden, Lauren kicked off the blanket in her dreams and started contorting as though she was pinned down. She let out muffled, panicked screams, "I'm an idiot! I'm stupid! Please don't hit me!"

"Lauren!" Eyes wavering in shock, Landon hurried over and sat by the bed.

Then, he scooped her into his arms, knowing that she had a nightmare. "Calm down. I'm here with you. There's nothing to be scared of."

"Don't hit me! Don't hit me."

Hugging Lauren tightly, he repeatedly caressed her back, which was drenched in sweat. He questioned, "Who hit you? Lauren, tell me. Who hit you?"

She opened her eyes and panted heavily. By that time, she was soaked in cold sweat from head to toe.

"Lauren, who bullied you? Tell me who they are." A murderous look crept into his eyes. He sounded stubborn and hostile. "Whoever lays a finger on you, I'll skin them alive!"

Landon firmly believed that one's thoughts would manifest in dreams. Lauren wouldn't have had nightmares if not for something that had happened in the day.

Puzzled, he thought he had protected Lauren well. Besides, Angelina stuck by Lauren's side on campus. Who could have bullied Lauren?

"N-No." She hugged him by the waist, shaking her head and closing her eyes.

"Maybe. I am having nightmares because I was still in shock at what happened in the day. No one. ever bullied me."

She wanted to forget the memories of school bullying that were worse than nightmares, not to mention that the main bully was Landon's own sister. She refused to place Landon in a difficult spot, choosing between his lover and his sibling.

"Is that true? Lauren, is it just a nightmare?" He kissed her forehead, his lips turning cold from the panic just now.

suggested, "Darling, let's. sleep together. I'm not afraid of anything with you by my side."

The moon in the night sky lost its luster compared to the steamy and hot sex in the bedroom.

Since Lauren did not have the habit of sleeping in, she woke up at the same time as Landon. She helped dress him and fasten his tie, looking more like a housewife by the day.

Landon sat on the couch, legs folded as he watched the financial news on his tablet. At the same time, Lauren was taking a shower in the bathroom.

Angelina entered their bedroom with breakfast.

"Angie," Landon said in a raspy and sleepy voice. "The bedsheet is soiled.

Please change it."