Ch. 1751..1760

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1751-"Be careful, Zoe."

Not only was the man speaking gently to Zoe, but he was also attentively bending down to help her adjust her hem. He was concerned that her high heels might cause her to trip.

"Thank you, Freddy." Zoe blinked flirtatiously at the man as she spoke softly.

The sudden appearance of this hateful woman disrupted the rare harmonious moment.

Landon knew that Zoe would definitely show up on such an occasion. Having just experienced exile and escaped confinement, she was eager to regain attention from high society and reclaim her dignity.

He thought that after those sordid events, the respectable people of Solana City would ignore her.

Yet here was a man eagerly catering to her and being so attentive. That man appeared to be a shameless flirt and a blind fool—they seemed like a perfect match.

Jasper frowned in confusion, but Alyssa suddenly spoke up coldly. "I recognize him. Freddy Hodgson, Orlander Hodgson's only son."

"You actually recognize him? Even I find him unfamiliar." Jasper held Alyssa's hand tightly, looking at her with admiration and adoration.

"It's normal for you not to recognize him. He's not part of the governmental circles. Since furthering his studies at Yoarkley, he's been notably absent from the social scene in Solana City. I suspect he only made his return recently."

Alyssa looked at Zoe and Freddy with deep eyes. "Back then, upon assuming responsibility for KS World Hotel from Winston, I held a steadfast belief in my future leadership of the entire KS Group. So, I quietly probed into the goings-on within Solana City's governmental and corporate spheres."

As she talked, she suddenly chuckled. "At that time, I was determined to crush the entire Beckett Group and compete with you, so I diligently gathered information. I wanted to make a big impact in Solana City. But, I never expected…"

"Never expected yourself to become the wife of Beckett Group's president?"

Jasper chuckled softly. As he lowered his head, his warm breath flowed over her cheek.

"It's all your fault. My grand ambitions have all been ruined because of you."

Alyssa pouted adorably.

"Lyse, everything I have is yours."

As he admired her adorable face, his hand moved toward her waist and gently caressed it. "It's not ruined. You've already defeated me, winning without a fight."

Alyssa pursed her lips and shook her head calmly. "Jasper, what's yours is yours. You've earned it all through hard work. I just need you to be mine.

"What truly brings me joy is not having you constantly striving to please or be subservient to me. It's standing side by side with you at the peak."

Jasper was so moved by her words that tears welled up in his eyes.

On the other hand, Zoe was furious when she saw Landon bringing Lauren along.

"Shall we go inside, Zoe?" Freddy's eyes were full of affection.

"Just a moment. I'll take you to meet an acquaintance."

Freddy looked puzzled. "Who?"

Zoe kept him guessing while pulling him toward Landon.

"Landon, Jasper, I'm so happy to see you both here."

Zoe's shamelessness was truly remarkable. Despite all that had occurred, she could still greet them as if nothing had happened. She was really one of a kind.

Frowning, Jasper clenched his fists tightly.

Alyssa gently covered his fist with her palm and looked into his reddened eyes.

Her tender gaze slowly calmed the anger burning in his heart.

"Jasper, let's go in first." Alyssa's voice was soft, as though she were coaxing him.

She momentarily steadied Jasper's emotions. She knew that if he glanced at Zoe a moment longer, he might not be able to restrain himself from punching that scheming bitch.

Alyssa wasn't trying to avoid conflict or shield Zoe from accountability. It was just that Landon, as the head of the Harper family, should be the one handling Zoe.

Jasper shot Zoe a pointed look before guiding Alyssa away by the shoulder.

That one glance was so intimidating that it made Zoe's heart leap into her throat.

Upon seeing Zoe, Lauren was reminded of Zoe's words in the auditorium that day. After several days of calm, the healing scar on her heart was ripped open again, throbbing with pain.

Suddenly, her reddened eyes paused on Freddy's face.

Landon didn't notice Lauren's unusual behavior. His attention was on Zoe.

He wanted to see what kind of tricks Zoe would play right under his nose.

"Landon, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Hodgson's son, Freddy." Zoe smiled as she introduced them.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Landon." Freddy politely extended his right hand.

Landon, who was half a head taller than Freddy, looked down at him coldly with an overbearing presence.

Freddy's throat tightened, and his hand froze awkwardly in mid-air.

In the end, Landon silently shook his hand.

When Freddy withdrew his hand, his fingers were swollen and red.

Lauren's heart sank, and she lowered her head deeply.

"This is…"

Frowning, Freddy carefully examined Lauren's delicate and fair face for a long while.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1752-Lauren couldn't bring herself to look at Freddy or respond to him. She just hunched her shoulders, wishing she could disappear like a wisp of smoke.

Landon's eyes grew even colder as he stared at Freddy's smiling face.

However, Freddy completely disregarded Landon's hostility. Instead, he extended his hand to Lauren. "Lauren, it's Freddy. We were in the same class in middle school. Do you remember me?"

Landon's gaze darkened, and he slapped away Freddy's hand. "I think my wife doesn't remember you."

The atmosphere became extremely tense.

Yet, Zoe secretly chuckled to herself. It would seem that provoking Landon and teasing Lauren was the source of all her happiness in life.

Freddy gripped his throbbing fingertips, and anger flashed in his eyes.

Nonetheless, he quickly composed himself and fixed his gaze on Lauren.

"Lauren, you got married to Mr. Landon? How come I didn't see any news about it?"

Just as Landon was about to answer, Zoe cut in, "Freddy, you've only recently returned, so there's a lot you don't know about. Landon and Lauren have been living together for a long time. Even if they're not officially married, they're already like a married couple."

She deliberately raised her voice in the second half of her statement.

The surrounding guests passing by heard her.

"What? The prestigious Beckett family's daughter is living with a man? Even if she lost her mother, isn't Mr. Javier still alive? How could he allow his daughter to live with a man without being married?"

"Oh, but this isn't any man. It's Mr. Landon, the future heir of Harper Group."

"So what if it's Mr. Landon? Isn't he a man? Besides, he is infamous for being a playboy in Solana City. If they've been living together for a long time without getting married, doesn't that imply that he's not interested in marrying her?

"Mr. Landon is a man with power and status. Even if he gets divorced many times, women would still be clamoring to be with him. But Ms. Lauren can't do that.

"When she gets older, she'll lose her worth, with her reputation ruined. So what if she's the daughter of the Beckett family? She'll probably end up marrying a man beneath her status."

"That young lady is really naive and foolish."

Rumors and gossip spread chaotically. It sounded like one thunderous explosion after another in Lauren's ears. Due to immense anxiety, her forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

Landon also heard the gossip. His fierce gaze swept over, scattering the gossipers.

Freddy suddenly understood. "Oh… I see."

"What do you see?"

Landon's eyes turned cold as he glared fiercely at Zoe's smug face. "Zoe, the entire Harper family knows that I'm going to get engaged to Lauren. The engagement ceremony is currently being organized, and I've sent out the invitations.

"Are you so forgetful, or has your brain turned into mush? Lauren is my fiancée, the future lady of Harper Group. How many times do I have to repeat it?"

The onlookers were shocked and murmured among themselves.

Zoe was both ashamed and furious. Her face turned red before losing its color.

Since the very first glance at Freddy, Landon had been itching to deliver a punch.

If Freddy babbled another word, Landon would punch him, regardless of his status as the mayor's son.

Freddy's face darkened as he stared at the fierce and imposing-looking Landon.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1753-However, Freddy was a man of dignity and didn't want to argue with Landon right then and there. He noted this incident in his mind and vowed to make Landon pay for it.

"Lauren, let's go," Landon said, gripping Lauren's tense shoulders before leading her away.

"Lauren!" Freddy called out to Lauren's retreating figure with a smile. "I've just returned from Yoarkley not long ago. I'm planning a class reunion in a few days.

Will you be able to attend?"

Lauren closed her eyes tightly and took a few deep breaths, trying hard to expel those unbearable memories from her mind.

Landon's hand on her shoulder tensed visibly, and he glared coldly at Freddy.

"Birds of a feather flock together. My wife belongs to a higher circle. None of you deserve her attention."

Zoe and Freddy stood frozen in place with the same ugly expression on their faces.

Alyssa and Jasper's appearance instantly became the center of attention. They didn't set out to steal the spotlight, but their sheer magnetism and presence commanded attention effortlessly.

Men were admiring Alyssa, and women were eyeing Jasper. Such outstanding individuals appearing together in public were like two luminaries, captivating everyone's gazes.

"Lyse, Xavier just messaged me, saying that a group of reporters has entered Schmidt Manor," Jasper whispered. His voice was low and pleasant.

"They can enter Schmidt Manor? Then it's not our people." Frowning, Alyssa swayed a champagne glass.

"Do you want to find out who they work for?" His gaze subtly changed.

"No need. The more reporters, the better. Isn't this exactly what we wanted to see?" Alyssa squinted her eyes and elegantly sipped her champagne, leaving a faint lipstick mark on the rim of the glass.

At that moment, Landon and Lauren entered everyone's sight, their fingers tightly intertwined.

Some guests who were familiar with Harper Group greeted Landon, "Mr.

Landon, your girlfriend is truly beautiful."

"This is my wife."

Landon's gaze was tender and affectionate. Ignoring the surrounding gazes, he held Lauren's hand and kissed her fingertips. "In my eyes, she's the most beautiful woman."

Countless praises and admirations surrounded them.

Normally, with Landon by her side, Lauren would feel extremely safe. But at this moment, all she could see in her mind were Zoe's and Freddy's faces; all she could hear was their piercing laughter.

Her face turned pale, and she felt her blood turn cold bit by bit.

Besides, outsiders were unaware of the intricacies. They might even think that the Schmidt family was well respected.

"Mr. Victor, it's about time for the family photo," the secretary reminded.

Victor frowned more deeply when he noticed Jameson had not yet appeared.

Just then, the doors of the hall swung open.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1754-All eyes turned toward the door.

Dressed sharply in a suit, Jameson appeared in everyone's view while pushing a frail woman in a wheelchair.

"Lyse, who's that lady in the wheelchair?" Jasper looked puzzled.

"It's Victor's wife, Jameson's mother." Alyssa's expression darkened as she glanced at Lily.

Jasper narrowed his eyes. He vaguely recalled seeing Jameson's mother once at Lyla's birthday party.

At that time, under Jameson's careful styling, Lily appeared elegant despite her illness. She exuded a remarkable presence, just like an upper-class lady.

However, this time, her condition was noticeably worse than before, with graying hair and sunken cheeks.

Although the banquet hall wasn't cold, she needed to wrap herself in a blanket.

She looked uncomfortable under the scrutiny of strangers.

Victor and Josh paled with shock—especially Victor. He stared from a distance at his long-neglected wife, and his eyes gradually reddened with simmering resentment.

He knew full well what Jameson was up to. Now that he was doing well in the Schmidt family, he would undoubtedly prioritize making amends to his mother— compensating her for the years of suffering and indignity she endured.

However, betrayal was a betrayal.

Lily had nailed him to the pillar of shame for a lifetime, and nothing could change that. And now, Jameson was openly parading her around. He was obviously testing Victor's limits and rubbing salt in his wounds.

It also illustrated one thing very clearly—despite Jameson's efforts to please Victor, he was not truly aligned with him. He had his own agenda.

"Dad, Jimmy is selfish and rude!"

Josh gritted his teeth as he stared at Jameson and Lily. "Why did Jimmy bring that crazy woman here? Is he trying to make us a laughingstock?"

"That matter was finally put to rest, but that woman's appearance will only bring it all back to light. Jimmy always talks about respecting you, but he doesn't care about you at all! He's just cunning! You've loved him for nothing!"

Victor's expression grew even darker upon hearing this.

Meanwhile, the surrounding guests gazed at Lily in astonishment as they gossiped.

"Is that the infamous Mrs. Schmidt? My goodness. What has become of her?

She doesn't look like an upper-class lady at all. Just a weak, old woman."

"She seems to be mentally ill."

"I heard she was abandoned by the Schmidt family in Kontina for many years, left to fend for herself.

Can you blame her for having mental issues?"

"They were married, after all. Mr. Victor is really ruthless."

"J-Jimmy." Trembling, Lily tugged at Jameson's shirt. "I don't like these kinds of gatherings. Can we go home, please?"

"Mom, I'm here with you. Don't be afraid," Jameson whispered in her ear. "Not only do you have me, but Lyse is here too. Look."

Following his intense gaze, Lily suddenly spotted Alyssa standing gracefully nearby.

A smile of joy spread across her hollow face, and her eyes lit up. She suddenly shouted, "Lyse! Lyse!"

All eyes instantly converged on Alyssa.

Upon seeing Jameson pushing Lily toward her, Alyssa couldn't help but hold her breath, yet she maintained a polite and graceful smile.

"Mrs. Schmidt, it's been a while. How have you been?"

Jasper's hand on Alyssa's waist was tense. He stared fixedly at Jameson, restraining his surging anger.

As Jameson adjusted his glasses, their eyes met, and a hint of mockery flashed in Jameson's eyes.

"Lyse, I missed you so much."

Lily, already emotionally unstable due to her surroundings, now saw Alyssa as a lifeline. She grabbed Alyssa's hand tightly and held it in her hands.

The surrounding discussions grew even louder with her words.

Although Lily's words were innocent, they carried a different meaning to those who heard them.

"Why does it sound like Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Jameson have some history?"

"Could Ms. Alyssa's ex be Mr. Jameson? Haha! This trip is worthwhile. We get to witness a drama."

"What about Mr. Beckett? Did he date Ms. Alyssa after or during her relationship with Mr. Jameson?"

The gossip spread and became increasingly malicious.

Alyssa remained indifferent. Being content and happy with what she had, she was immune to negativity, so she treated their words as mere noise.

However, Jasper couldn't stand it any longer. His eyes flashed with hostility as his chilling gaze swept over those gossipers.

Suddenly, a clear and angry voice rang out.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1755-"Lauren…" Jasper and Alyssa were both stunned.

Alyssa then smiled faintly and looked at Lauren gratefully while feeling warm inside.

"Lauren is right. Are you spreading rumors right in front of Mr. Beckett and Ms.

Alyssa? Do you think the legal departments of Beckett Group and KS Group are useless?"

Landon held Lauren by the shoulder and gazed coldly at the gossipers. "If you have the guts, go ahead and say another word. Harper Group will play along with you."

Those gossiping women, already embarrassed by Lauren's scolding, were further intimidated by Landon's fierce demeanor. They didn't even dare breathe, cowering like a bunch of quails.

"I recognize you. You're Mr. Jameson." Lauren elegantly lifted her skirt and walked over, blocking Alyssa from view. It was the first time she had boldly met the gaze of a stranger. "Mr. Jameson, are you Alyssa's friend?"

Alyssa smirked at that question. The word "friend" seemed tainted when used in connection with Jameson. But she didn't blame Lauren. The innocent Lauren had no idea of the darkness behind it all, and Alyssa didn't want her to know either.

"What are you trying to say, Ms. Lauren?" Jameson smiled, looking gentle.

"If you're Alyssa's friend, you should have stood up for her the moment you heard people gossiping about her instead of watching her continue to be misunderstood."

Lauren, being straightforward, now openly expressed her frustration directly to Jameson. "A real friend shouldn't be as cold-hearted as you. Your actions will only disappoint Alyssa."

Alyssa quickly took Lauren's hand, pulling her into an embrace to keep her away from Jameson.

Jameson's face darkened, and his smile awkwardly froze on his lips.

Sincerity would always be the best weapon. With just a few words, Lauren not only extricated Alyssa from this murky relationship, but her words also portrayed Jameson as heartless and unscrupulous.

"Jasper, Lauren is becoming more and more like the Harper family's matriarch."

Landon came over and rested his arm on Jasper's shoulder. While staring at Lauren, he smiled like a goofball. He truly loved Lauren.

"When you two get home, make sure to thank Lauren for me." Jasper's eyes softened as a warm feeling flooded his heart.

Landon swallowed hard and narrowed his eyes. "I won't just thank her verbally.

I'll show it with my actions."

Jasper looked at him speechlessly, quietly reminding him, "You're not young anymore, and you exhaust yourself from working. For Lauren's future happiness, you should take better care of yourself and not indulge yourself too much in lust."

"Hey! I'm as fit as a fiddle. My body is still top-notch!"

Landon pursed his lips in frustration. "Besides, I live a monotonous life now, always at work or home.

I've almost forgotten what nightlife is like. I live for these intimate moments with my wife now. Can you not be so cruel to me?"

Jasper didn't know what to say.

Not letting Landon touch Lauren was as cruel as asking a tiger to be vegan.

She believed that Lauren's boldness came from having Landon's support. Zoe silently promised that Lauren's behavior would come back to bite her.

"That's new. Lauren used to be so timid. She's become so articulate now, like a different person." Freddy stood next to her, sipping his wine.

His ambiguous gaze settled on Lauren's enticing face, deepening.

"Hah! Why? The more you look, the more you like her?" Zoe cast him a sidelong glance, smirking mockingly.

"Don't be like that, Zoe."

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1756-Zoe knew what Freddy meant—sex.

Freddy had pursued her for years. Calling him the ultimate simp wouldn't be an exaggeration. But back then, she wasn't interested in Freddy because of her feelings for Jasper.

Eventually, after all that had happened, Zoe gave up on Jasper and settled for Freddy.

Freddy was serious about marrying her, but she only saw him as a means to fulfill her sexual desires. After they slept together, Zoe would be satisfied and could go days or even a month without seeing him.

However, Zoe couldn't ignore him anymore. He was now an essential part of her plan. She needed to keep him around for a good reason.

"I know, Freddy. You're the kindest and most loving person to me in this whole world."

Zoe wrapped her arms around Freddy's neck, pressing her chest against his.

With a pout, she said pitifully, "You'll help me if I'm in trouble, right?"

Freddy's desire flared up from her teasing, and he could barely hold onto his glass of red wine. He wished he could pin her against the railing and have his way with her right then and there. "Of course. I'm yours, Zoe. I'm happy to help with whatever you need."

"You saw how Landon treats me, didn't you?" Zoe whined.

"Yes, it was outrageous!"

"Not only did he treat me like that, but he also disrespected you. It really breaks my heart."

Zoe stroked his face. "It's all because of Lauren. She's the one who's sowing discord between Landon and me, leaving me with no place even within the Harper family. Freddy, please help me. I really need you."

"How can I help you?" Freddy's breathing quickened. "Tell me. I'm willing to do anything for you."

Zoe asked coyly, "Anything? Anything at all?"

"Yes, anything!"

Zoe's eyes gleamed with malice as she tiptoed to his ear and whispered something.

Freddy's eyes widened in shock at her words.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere downstairs remained tense.

Jameson didn't bother explaining. He simply adjusted his golden-rimmed glasses and watched Lauren with a slight smirk.

Lauren's heart pounded. The man before her looked pale but menacing. His silence sent shivers down her spine.

"Jimmy," Victor's stern and low voice sounded, causing Jameson to turn slowly.

"Dad."

But at the sight of Victor, all the painful memories flooded back, overwhelming her mind.

"Mom, don't be afraid. I'm here. It's okay," Jameson comforted Lily patiently, holding her close.

"Jimmy, come here. It's time for a family photo," Josh urged coldly.

"Alright." Jameson turned to Lily and said tenderly, "Mom, let's take a family photo together."

Victor's expression turned ice-cold at his words.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1757-Jameson's expression was visibly cold, while his eyes were filled with simmering rage.

Josh uncovered a part of the Schmidt family's scandal from back then.

Despite the disgrace it brought upon the entire Schmidt family, Josh was determined to embarrass both Jameson and Lily, stoking Victor's disdain toward them. He wanted Lily to forever remain a despised whore.

The crowd gasped, intrigued by the unfolding drama. After all, who wouldn't be interested to hear gossip about a wealthy family?

"What does Mr. Josh mean by that?"

"Why does it sound like Mrs. Schmidt did something to hurt Mr. Victor?"

"I remember now!"

Someone recalled the scandal and said, "There was gossip back then in the magazines, claiming Mrs. Schmidt was keeping a lover on the side. She was caught in the act by Mr. Victor. That's why she was exiled overseas."

"Caught in the act?" Everyone was shocked.

"At that time, we didn't have the internet. It was all newspapers and magazines.

Within 24 hours of this scandal being exposed, all the publications with the story disappeared from the market. The magazine that first broke the news even went bankrupt.

"Come to think of it now, it might be Mr. Victor's doing because he felt humiliated."

"Doesn't that only imply that Mrs. Schmidt really did cheat on him?"

Alyssa stared at Lily's pale, terrified face, and her gaze turned complex.

Since Winston was close to Victor, Alyssa often visited the Schmidt family.

She always remembered Lily as gentle and humble. Given Lily's less privileged background and the fact that the Schmidt family already had three children when she married Victor, the challenges of being a stepmother were all too apparent.

However, Lily was kind to all the children and especially devoted to Victor. Even Alyssa, at a young age, could tell how much she loved Victor. How could she have had an affair when life seemed good?

Despite being an outsider, Alyssa was willing to trust Lily. However, when the incident occurred, Victor didn't listen to Lily's explanation at all. He heartlessly drove her and Jameson out of the Schmidt family.

It was clear that the Schmidt family lacked empathy.

Growing up in such a heartless environment led the Schmidt children to be ruthless and deceitful toward each other.

"Lyse, it seems that Jameson brought his mom here tonight to demand justice from the Schmidts," Jasper whispered to Alyssa.

"Anyone would want to seek this revenge."

Though Alyssa despised Jameson, she felt sympathy for Lily. Frowning, she shook her head. "But Mrs. Schmidt can't handle this kind of stress. Jameson is really putting her in a tough spot, subjecting her to all sorts of criticism and stares.

"It's only going to make her condition worse and could even push her to a breakdown. It's so unfair to her."

Lauren, beside her, nodded in agreement. "Alyssa, Mrs. Schmidt looks so distressed. If it were my mom, I'd only wish for her health and happiness."

"Darling, you're just too kind." Landon squeezed Landon's cheek, pulling her close. "But remember, not everyone in this world has a kind heart—like that bespectacled guy—he may seem nice, but he's rotten inside.

"I get that you stood up for Alyssa to vent for her, but just remember, it's best to steer clear of that guy in the future. Can you remember what I said?"

Lauren's lashes fluttered as she nodded quickly. "Yes."

"Good girl." Landon placed a warm kiss on her smooth forehead. However, his eyes betrayed worry. When he recalled Jameson's unsettling gaze toward Lauren, he felt a chill down his spine.

"Jimmy, I want to go home… I don't want to stay here… Can we go home?" Lily clung to Jameson and pleaded like a child.

"Mom, just a little longer. We'll leave after the family photo," Jameson comforted her gently with hands on her shoulders.

The crowd was stunned.

"Josh, enough!" Victor's face turned livid. He coldly glared at Jameson. "Jimmy, take her out of here now!"

"No way." Jameson was expressionless.

Victor's anger boiled over. "Jameson!" he spoke through gritted teeth.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1758-Josh finally realized that Jameson was there today to settle old scores with him.

All eyes, including Victor's, were fixed on Josh's stiff face.

"Jameson, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Josh had seen his fair share of deceitful people and wasn't fooled by Jameson's words. He gritted his teeth and coldly retorted, "What does your mom's infidelity have anything to do with me?"

"I'm asking you just one thing. Do you dare swear that my mom's alleged affair has nothing to do with you?"

"Hah! Why should I swear to you? Who do you think you are?" Josh was unyielding.

Jameson smirked with pale lips, his eyes seemingly harboring a deadly storm.

"Josh, haven't you always wanted to reclaim the position of president from me?

Let's make a bet.

"If you dare swear that my mom's alleged affair has nothing to do with you, I'll hand over the position to you."

The crowd was stunned.

Alyssa and Jasper stared at Jameson in shock.

They knew that for Jameson, the position of Schmidt Group's president was his everything. After all, he only obtained it after a series of careful plots and schemes.

But now, he was willing to make this painful sacrifice to confront Josh. Clearly, he had prepared for a counterattack.

"That position was rightfully mine from the start!" Josh hated Jameson's arrogance. He gritted his teeth in resentment. "You stole it from me using underhanded tactics! Don't act so righteous!"

"Fine, I'll give it back to you. Not only that, I'll also leave Schmidt Group and return to Kontina."

Jameson's eyes were bloodshot. "Do you dare accept the bet?"

It was a desperate gamble.

Alyssa pressed her red lips together as she watched Jameson with a complex expression.

It was undeniable that Jameson showed his last bit of conscience to stand up for his mother. He was willing to give up everything he had worked so hard to seek justice for her.

It showed that Lily's past grievances weighed heavily on him.

Josh's scheming, Victor's suspicion, and their ruthless abandonment had turned Jameson, once a fine young man, into the person he was today.

In a way, Josh had sown the seeds of everything that had happened.

If Lily hadn't been framed back then and had been able to stay with the Schmidt family to raise Jameson, perhaps he wouldn't have turned out this way.

But there were no ifs in this world. There was no fixing a rotten heart.

The room fell silent as tension reached its breaking point.

Lily trembled in Jameson's arms, unaware of the impending storm.

Meanwhile, Josh ground his teeth audibly, his mind racing. After all, the stakes were high. If this was a game of poker, Jameson had gone all in.

The incident occurred so long ago that all evidence had long since disappeared.

At this thought, Josh smirked sinisterly. "Jimmy, everyone is watching. Don't play dumb later."

"But if my mom's alleged affair is indeed linked to you, Josh, I want you to publicly apologize to her. Hold a press conference to reveal all the conspiracies and schemes you plotted against her and restore her honor."

Jameson's words were cold and deliberate. "The eldest son of the Schmidt family should have the guts to agree to that, right?"

"I can agree, but things won't go your way because I've never done such things." Josh's smile was malicious.

Victor's anger surged, and his face turned red before losing its color.

Rather than the truth behind Lily's alleged infidelity, what really bothered him was Jameson's decision to publicly expose this scandal, airing the family's dirty laundry for all to see.

To make matters worse, Josh had refused to cover it up, choosing to openly confront the situation, turning it into an uncontrollable spectacle.

Had his brain turned into mush, or had he lost his senses?

A mischievous glint appeared in Jameson's eyes as he hoarsely commanded, "Bring him in!"

The next second, the banquet hall doors creaked open.

Carl led the way, with two black-clad men following closely behind. They dragged a disheveled, weary- looking middle-aged man dressed in shabby clothes before the crowd.

The man shivered like he was feeling cold and constantly sniffled.

"He's an addict." Landon, well-versed in such matters, noticed immediately.

Suddenly, Lily's eyes widened in horror, her mouth gaping as she screamed hysterically.

Everyone was shocked.

Jameson immediately held Lily closer, shielding her face. While patting her trembling back, he glanced at Josh.

"Josh, remember him?"

Josh frowned, staring in puzzlement at the man kneeling before him. He didn't recognize him at all.

"Introduce yourself." Jameson's voice was low.

Shivering, the man sniffled, then stammered, "I-I'm Seth Crawford. I used to…

work as… Mr. Victor's personal bodyguard."

When Josh heard that name, his eyes widened, and his mind went blank.

This man was the same person he had bribed to play the role of Lily's "lover".

"My personal bodyguard? Why have I never seen you before?" Victor was perplexed.

"I worked for you… over 15 years ago."

Josh quickly turned away, avoiding his resentful gaze.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1759-In an instant, Josh became the target of everyone's gaze.

Meanwhile, Lily trembled in Jameson's arms while staring at Seth's face. Her eyes were clouded with bloodshot veins, and her body was twitching, teetering on the edge of a breakdown.

Despite her usual confusion due to illness, the sight of the man who had brought her immense humiliation years ago ignited a deep-seated resentment within her.

Witnessing Lily's distress, Alyssa felt sorry for her.

Regardless of Jameson's misdeeds, Lily was innocent.

However, their differing positions prevented Alyssa from comforting Lily. She wouldn't give Jameson any chance to misunderstand.

Victor, still trying to grasp the situation, looked at Jameson in surprise. "Jimmy, why have you brought this man here?"

"Josh, should I tell Dad what you did 15 years ago, or would you like to confess yourself?" Jameson's icy eyes bore into Josh.

"Jameson, you're really going all out with this act."

Josh's heart pounded like a drum, but he put on a scornful face and persisted, "I don't know this man at all. Besides, it's been 15 years since the incident. Even Dad doesn't remember him.

"Where did you find this pathetic actor claiming to be Dad's bodyguard?

Fabricating evidence should at least make sense, right?"

"15 years since the incident?" Jameson smiled mockingly. "I haven't mentioned anything specific, and you're already so sure it's been 15 years. Seems like you know what incident he's a part of."

Josh's chest tightened. He had no desire to involve himself further with Jameson. Through gritted teeth, he roared, "Guards! Get this suspicious man out of here!"

As the Schmidt family's guards moved forward to handle the situation, Seth suddenly lunged at Josh. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Josh! I'm in this state today because of you!

"You had me approach and seduce Mrs. Schmidt back then. But when she didn't respond, you hired two thugs to drug her and take her to a hotel. Then you forced me to make it look like we slept together and sent fake photos to Mr.

Victor!"

His startling remarks shocked everyone present.

Victor's mind exploded with a deafening roar, and his vision went black.

The shameful incident that had haunted him to this day surged back like a tidal wave.

Stop… Please stop!" Lily clutched her head in agony as she let out a piercing scream.

"You're spouting nonsense!" Josh didn't care about his image anymore. His eyes blazed with hatred. "How much did Jameson pay you to slander me?"

Josh began to sweat profusely as he tried to explain himself to Victor. "Dad!

Jimmy is spewing lies! Daisy's and David's current situation might be his doing, and now he's coming after me! Please don't believe this liar!"

The sight of the Schmidt family's eldest son reporting on his brother to their father was truly ridiculous.

"If it weren't for Mr. Jameson saving my life, I would have been killed overseas long ago!"

If not for the guards restraining him, Seth would have pounced on Josh to silence him.

Josh had been preoccupied with his troubles in the past six months, leaving him no time for Seth. That had given Seth an opportunity to escape his control.

Seth had made his way into Kontina, where he was spotted at a casino under Jameson's name and subsequently apprehended. It was truly a stroke of luck.

The entire room erupted into chaos.

In a matter of moments, Twitter was awash with activity.

The video reposts quickly surpassed hundreds of thousands, even millions.

Can not Win Me Back Chapter 1760-"Oh my! If this is true, I truly feel sorry for Mrs. Schmidt! I feel like going in to give her a hug!"

"Mr. Schmidt leaving the country and caring for his sick mother at such a young age is truly a tale of hardship! This life story is like ready-made material for a TV series!"

"Mr. Beckett and Mr. Schmidt are both hot in their own ways, and their lives are equally tragic."

"15 years ago, Josh was still quite young, right? Yet he could come up with such a wicked scheme. He's truly a born demon! What a scumbag! I support Mr.

Schmidt in fighting back. He must reclaim what was lost!"

The comments overwhelmingly favored Jameson.

Tonight, he brought his seriously ill mother in front of everyone, all to gain this wave of sympathy and build his reputation in society. It was a stepping stone for him to become the most influential public figure within Schmidt Group.

Alyssa lowered her gaze, her fingertips skimming over her phone screen as she quickly scanned the comments.

That was the true nature of Jameson—ruthless and unscrupulous in his pursuit of goals. Even if it meant exploiting his own biological mother, knowing it would severely impact her mental state, he would still use her for his own gain.

"You're just spouting nonsense! Did Jameson teach you to say all this?"

Josh glared at Seth with bloodshot eyes while breathing heavily. With shaking hands, he pulled out his phone. "How dare you slander me publicly? I'll call the police and have you thrown in jail!"

"Sure… Go ahead and call them! I've spent enough years living worse than an animal!"

Tormented mentally and physically for years, Seth finally broke down and vented his anger without restraint.

"Are those two thugs you paid off back then still alive? Given Mr. Jameson's capabilities, finding them is just a matter of time! They can testify that you framed Mrs. Schmidt!"

The crowd stared at Josh with skepticism and disbelief.

"Josh is Victor's eldest son. He gets everything he wants. Would he really stoop to attacking a vulnerable woman?"

Landon nudged the stoic Jasper beside him with his finger, looking perplexed.

"Jasper, I really don't understand. Why did he do that? Isn't he just setting himself up for trouble?"

"Other than Josh, who do you think is the most capable among the Schmidt children? Who is most likely to succeed?" Jasper countered with a question.

Landon rubbed his chin in contemplation. "Well… it would have to be Jamiper.

The other two are pretty much dumb and useless."

"Even you can see that. Do you think Josh can't?"

Jasper glanced at Landon. "By suppressing Jameson's birth mother, he can suppress Jameson himself. It's a risky move but with a high chance of success.

Once he succeeds, Victor will completely turn against Mrs. Schmidt.

"Naturally, her son will become a pain in Victor's neck and no longer be valued by the head of the family. This way, Josh can secure his position in the Schmidt family and have no worries."

Landon suddenly understood. Suddenly, he frowned. "Wait… Jasper, why do I feel like you were dissing me earlier?"

Jasper didn't have time to banter with him. His thin lips tightened into a line as he sent a message to Xavier.

With that, Carl stepped forward with a smirk and played a recording from his phone. "Back then… the person who schemed to frame Lily… was Josh."

It was Daisy's voice.

Victor widened his eyes gradually. They were bloodshot and filled with complex emotions as he stared into Josh's pale face.

Daisy's confession continued, directed clearly at Jameson.