Ch. 1771..1780

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1771-"The Millennium is the only place I've learned how to live in. Besides, it's the most suitable place for someone like me. I don't need any other options," Amber said.

She needed to distance herself from Axel before it was too late.

"What if I wanted to take you with me? Would you come with me if I could bring you somewhere Jameson or his friends could never find you?" Axel gazed seriously at Amber.

"No," Amber said without hesitation, a pitiful smile on her face. "I live and die as Mr. Jameson's puppet."

Axel slowly straightened up, the desire in his eyes fading away. He unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt and said, "I understand now. In that case, let's just get on with things."

"What… things?" Amber hadn't yet caught up with Axel's pace.

"Well, we're alone in a hotel room late at night. What things do you think we could do? Play cards?" Axel's gaze was cold, with no trace of tenderness in them anymore. "Do you want to shower first or should I? Or should we shower together?"

Amber closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'll go now and not trouble you further."

She then turned to leave. But Axel grabbed her by the waist, pulling her back to him. "What is it? Are you upset? How can we sleep together if we don't clean up?"

"I don't have the right to be upset," Amber said bitterly. "Do you really want to sleep with a woman like me, Mr. Whitaker? I'll never be fully clean no matter how many times I bathe myself."

Axel smiled lightly and said, "I know exactly what kind of woman you are.

Haven't I proven that I don't care given I've taken you out of there?"

"But I care!" Amber yelled, unable to hold back anymore.

Axel was taken aback.

Realizing she'd slipped up, she quickly composed herself. "If you're concerned about me, then please don't ask this of me anymore tonight. You can think of it as repaying me for helping you and Ms. Alyssa last time."

Axel was the most wonderful person Amber had ever met in her downtrodden life. She was incredibly fond of Axel, which was why she didn't want him to be ruined by someone as terrible as her.

Amber wanted their relationship to stay clear of all this.

Axel seemed somewhat troubled by Amber's insistence to leave. His hand tightened around her waist as he said softly, "Fine, don't shower then. Stay the night and get some rest. It's late."

He hadn't intended to have sex with Amber at all.

Amber's plan to stay awake the entire night failed when she fell asleep.

Axel, however, stared fixedly at the ceiling, not sleepy in the slightest bit.

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1772-Axel tiptoed over to the bed when he heard Amber's shallow breathing after she fell asleep. Kneeling on one knee by the bed, he studied her lovely sleeping face.

Moments later, he mumbled in a low voice, "You're not like Lyse."

Amber probably overheard him. Her lashes fluttered gently as tears crept to her eyes.

Axel gulped upon seeing her tears and thought of wiping them away, only to withdraw his hand and head toward the balcony forlornly.

When Amber woke up groggily the next morning, Axel had left. She sat up in her comfortable sheets and paused in shock when she found Axel's black windbreaker draping across the blanket. He had clearly left it behind for her.

The last time, he left her some gastric medication after recalling her gastric issues. This time, he knew that she didn't have enough clothes on her because she left in haste, so he lent her his windbreaker.

"Pfft. He's still as caring as ever. Whoever gets to marry him will be the happiest woman ever." Chuckling, Amber ran her trembling fingertips through the fabric of the black windbreaker.

Sitting up in bed, she had the urge to get some air and enjoy the breeze on the balcony. When she pulled open the floor-to-ceiling doors, she felt an electrifying jolt. The cigarette stubs that scattered across the floor were proof that Axel hadn't slept at all.

Last night, Carl and his men tailed Axel's car. Not only did they lose Axel, but they ended up crashing two of their luxurious cars due to his excellent drifting techniques.

Jameson had given orders to bring Amber back. Because of that, Carl anxiously searched high and low for Amber. However, his search was futile because Axel might have checked into a hotel under a fake identity. Therefore, he returned to Jameson empty-handed.

That same night, Jameson had an outburst and smashed things in his room, which puzzled Carl. After all, Jameson had always used Amber like a tool and never had any real feelings for her. Why the overreaction then? It gave off the wrong impression as if he cared for Amber very much.

Just when everyone at The Millennium was shaking in fear, Amber walked through the entrance with a look of calm. She went up to Jameson with a bare face, which was uncharacteristic of her, but she radiated an innocent beauty.

Her bare face reminded him of the time when Amber had not yet been molded into Alyssa Taylor's substitute. The look in his eyes dimmed. Soon, the black windbreaker on her caught his eyes.

"Axel left this for me," she admitted openly. "Do I need to take it off so you could burn it?"

She shook her head, looking a little amused. "No. Axel isn't any ordinary man.

He's not going to take the bait that easily."

Amber's heart raced when she heard Jameson's remark. Her hands curled into fists in the windbreaker pockets.

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1773-Josh Schmidt had committed a long list of crimes over the years. The scandal of Josh forcing female scholarship recipients into prostitution sent a shockwave through the nation. Under immense public scrutiny, the Schmidt Group's reputation had been ruined.

Victor had assembled the best legal team for his eldest, thinking that Josh would only serve concurrent sentences that added up to at most eight years since there were no murder charges pressed against him. Besides, the legal team would work with the Schmidt Group to reduce Josh's sentence.

To Victor's surprise, someone turned in new evidence to the police just five days after Josh's arrest. On top of that, the accomplice Clarissa mentioned—the man who had gotten rid of the body after witnessing Josh's accidental murder—turned himself in at the police station, perhaps due to a guilty conscience or external pressure. He then proceeded to tell on Josh's criminal actions.

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1774-"Did she give her heart to me, now?" Jameson stared icily at Carl with an arched brow. "Stop bluffing me. She has no right to do that.

"She doesn't even deserve to fall for Axel Whitaker. That dude is Lyse's brother and a Taylor. She should know her place.

"I'm just curious if Amber would kill Axel for me. Failing to do so, I can't guarantee that I'd treat her as well as before."

Carl was filled with shock when he realized that Jameson had only spared Amber to use her to kill Axel. Jameson was the type of man who would not change his mind after he harbored suspicions about someone.

Carl's phone started vibrating from an incoming call. He answered the call, and his expression promptly fell.

Jameson asked, "What's wrong?"

"Mr. Schmidt, I just got the news that Mr. Victor had sent the attorneys and his secretary to the detention center. They had a half-hour secret meeting with Josh!" Carl started feeling nervous. "Could Josh have transferred his stocks to—"

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1775-By 10:00 am, Alyssa arrived at the entrance of the KS Group HQ office in her Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy. A few higher-ups had lined up at the entrance and waited for her with bouquets in their hands.

Before Alyssa officially took over the KS Hotel, she was widely perceived as just Winston Taylor's illegitimate daughter. After going through ups and downs, she made a name for herself in Solana City and the business field.

The first-floor lobby had been carefully decorated. A red carpet was laid out on the floor.

Alyssa was accorded the most formal welcome because everyone held her in great respect.

Back in the car, Sean adjusted his tie in the driver's seat and glanced at Alyssa through the rearview mirror. He warmly reminded her, "Ms. Alyssa, we've arrived."

She slowly opened her eyes. Sean, suddenly excited, questioned earnestly, "Ms. Alyssa, your cheek blush is really pretty. It's a shade of reddish pink. Can you share the brand with me? I'll get one for Taty."

Her blush deepened when memories of Jasper plowing her flashed across her mind. Jasper had caressed her waist lovingly while going at it.

The "cheek blush" was merely the aftereffect of an orgasm. She wanted to blame Jasper for making her weak.

She hurriedly shifted the conversation. Casting a glance at his necktie, she complimented him, "That's a neat tie. It must be a gift from Taty, right?"

"M-Ms. Alyssa, how did you know?" Sean's face reddened.

"That's because you don't have good taste in fashion."

Sean scratched his head with a sheepish chuckle as he stroked his sleeve with a happy look. "Taty made the embroidery on the tie. She even embroidered my initials on the back. It's one of a kind and my favorite gift.

Nodding, Alyssa grinned. "I can tell that it's Taty's work. Knowing you, you would most likely have it framed up. Why did you choose to wear it today?"

"I feel nervous on my first day back to work. Wearing Taty's creation will calm my nerves. I believe it's also a good luck charm."

"That's right. We need to be careful from now on." Squinting, she flashed a faint smile. "We are marching into battle soon. There's an evil beast we need to get rid of."

With a stern look, Sean handed her the documents he had prepared. The KS Group directors had taken their seats in the meeting room, including Dominic, who looked upset and aggrieved. They engaged in noisy discussions.

Someone opined, "If Mr. Winston is too sick to oversee the company operations, you should be the next candidate in line to take over his role!"

"Winston's kids are not fit to helm the company, or else he would have promoted them. They are no match for you!"

"Even if—"

The doors to the meeting room flung open while the men were chatting.

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1776-Sean strode into the meeting room with a serious face. Following that, the attendees heard the jarring clicks of heels as though their owner was stepping on everyone's face. It sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"I was standing at the door for a while. I didn't want to interrupt you because you seemed to be having a great time." Smiling, Alyssa walked into the room. "But the meeting has to go on. Maybe leave the chatting for after the meeting."

Her presence caught everyone off guard, and the directors quietly replayed their conversations just now out of fear of having blurted out inappropriate remarks.

Alyssa came to a sudden halt behind Dominic, who dared not look at her. His heart leaped into his throat. He thought, "That little bitch is so intimidating!"

She said nothing to Dominic. Instead, she gracefully settled down at the head of the table with a composed smile.

She began, "Gentlemen, my father departed the country yesterday for his treatment and recovery abroad."

Carrying herself with an authoritative air, she announced, "I'm sure you have all received the official news of my appointment. I am KS Group's new president starting from the date of announcement.

"There are two items on our agenda today. Firstly, we need to pick a vice president."

The directors exchanged amused looks.

"Ms. Alyssa," Edward Bates, the director who sided with Dominic, blurted out, "you might be Winston's daughter, but you are not fit to be the president yet with your current work experience. Although you had some success with KS Hotel, running a hotel is vastly different from running an entire company.

"You need at least two more years of on-the-ground training for us to vote you in as the president."

"He's right. Mr. Winston has made a rash decision by forcefully promoting you,"

the other directors chimed in.

Dominic betrayed a smirk when he heard the growing dissent. Noticing his smug look, Sean had the sudden urge to kick him in the teeth.

"Well, Mr. Bates, since you think my father has acted rashly, do you mind sharing a more thoughtful alternative?" Alyssa casually spun her office chair.

"We agree that Dominic Taylor is the best candidate as president because he is Mr. Winston's brother who has served the company for three decades."

Edward was as stubborn as a donkey. He would rather lend his support to Dominic, whom he was friendly with than subject himself to the leadership of a young woman.

He took the chance to put her in the spot. "The board should vote on this important matter. Mr. Winston might hold the final say, but he shouldn't be autocratic!"

"Oh!" Alyssa tapped her temples and spun her chair back to its original position.

"Mr. Bates, thanks for reminding me of something really important about Mr.

Dominic.

"Mr. Dominic, you previously lost your money on your huge purchase of accrual bonds, and you misappropriated 50 million in company funds. Let's settle the score today, shall we?"

The directors looked astonished at her remark. Did Dominic really misuse 50 million dollars? Wouldn't that be an abuse of power?

Dominic jumped out of his seat, looking frantic and furious. "Lyse, what are you doing?"

Dominic's face turned a deeper shade of red. He barked, "Does my brother know about this?"

"He doesn't need to know. As the president of KS Group, I believe I can make decisions on this minor issue."

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1777-Alyssa leaned into her chair with a faint smile playing on her lips. "You lamented to Winston how broke you were, and he paid for that 50 million dollars out of his pocket for his only brother.

"Because of that, he had a stroke, which led to the company's situation today.

The losses from the falling stock price and his medical expenses could amount to billions, but you're not directly responsible for that, so I won't hold you liable.

"But you need to return the 50 million dollars you misappropriated. It's only fair to return what you stole. It's not only the rule of law but also a moral rule."

The directors fixed astonished looks on Dominic, whose face was twitching from the shock and humiliation. Even Edward, who had been speaking up for Dominic, fell silent.

"The 50 million has been taken care of. Even if Winston was the one paying, it's considered paid at the end of the day!" Seething, Dominic snapped, "This was in the past, but you insisted on bringing it up. You're making a private grudge public!"

"What made you think that it was all in the past?" The look in Alyssa's eyes hardened. She slammed her hand on the table, shocking everyone. "I take right and wrong seriously. You don't get to muddle through!"

Dominic turned white as a chill ran down his spine. Sean, meanwhile, watched Alyssa with admiration. The exchange was too cathartic for him.

"KS Group is a public company, not your private bank. You don't get to transfer money out of the company as you wish."

She cast a piercing gaze at Dominic as she sat regally at the table, eliciting the respect of the directors. "If I don't take action against you, it's not only unfair toward the other directors, but you might create greater trouble the next time since you did not learn your lesson this time.

"By then, it would be too late to regret. That's why I need you to pay up!"

Dominic, knowing he was at a disadvantage, pulled the same trick by claiming he was broke. "Even if you need me to pay up, I can't come up with that money right away! You won't possibly make me sell my house and lands, right? Renee and I would be sleeping on the streets!"

He planned to put off the discussion for now. After the meeting, he'd immediately call up Winston to complain about Alyssa. Dominic was sure that acting pitiful would earn him the sympathy and help of Winston, despite Winston's affection for his daughter.

To his dismay, Alyssa said coolly, "Sean, get the document for Mr. Dominic. He needs to take a look."

"Sure, Ms. Alyssa." Sean walked up to Dominic with a serious face before tossing the document onto the table.

Dominic looked through the pages with a shocked expression.

Alyssa explained, "I have compiled a list of all the assets under your name. You ran two hotels in Solana City and owned ten chain salons in Belbanks and Solana City.

"You also own a villa each in both Mosgravia and Yoarkley. Those are the assets you currently own. After you sell the two villas and the salons, you will come up with that 50 million dollars."

"Alyssa Taylor, you—" Dominic nearly blacked out. Was she trying to bankrupt him?

Alyssa had come for him, fully prepared. She had done her homework and looked to the bottom of his assets, blindsiding him and badly defeating him.

"Ms. Alyssa, didn't you say you have two issues to discuss today?" a director blurted out curiously.

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1778-Alyssa's booming voice delivered a great shock to the meeting attendees. Her confidence and imposing air reminded them of Winston Taylor.

Dominic, whose legs were shaking uncontrollably, mustered his courage and slammed his hand on the table. He rose in anger to face off against Alyssa.

"Alyssa Taylor, you have no right to sack me, even if you're the daughter of the chairman and the company president!

"Are you treating the board of directors meeting as your personal playground?

You're out of control. You'll need to start a vote to remove me from my roles!"

He had taken a jab at Alyssa's previous remark of him treating the company as his private bank.

Alyssa thought him petty and snorted. "Yeah, right. That's why I convened this meeting to discuss your matter."

As Edward was Dominic's business partner—he had even been forced to invest in the two hotels—he could not possibly watch Dominic go down. Once again, he took Dominic's side. He began, "Alyssa…"

"She's Ms. Alyssa for you." Sean shot a frosty look at Edward.

Edward nearly choked. He quickly changed his way of address. "M-Ms. Alyssa, Dominic has made many sacrifices for the company over the years, and we bore witness to that.

"Besides, Dominic is your uncle and Winston's brother. He's family. To be honest, the misappropriation of funds isn't that big of an issue.

"Since Mr. Winston has settled the matter, it shows that he wants to put everything behind him. If the public learns about this, that will negatively impact KS Group and the Taylors."

Alyssa put on a look of derision. "Oh, is it not that big of an issue? Fine, Mr.

Bates. How about you pay up on Mr. Dominic's behalf?"

Edward looked upset when he heard the provocation.

"Dismissing Mr. Dominic from his company roles is me being kind because I consider him my uncle. Otherwise, he would be speaking to the police by now."

Wiping away her smile, she warned, "I don't need anyone to worry about my family's reputation.

"All I have done is to rid the company of problematic employees on Dad's behalf. Even if this gets out, anyone with a moral compass will agree that I've done the right thing.

"They will perceive the upper management of KS Group as being fair and strict, as we are willing to take action against the family. If everyone here wants the best for the company, you will have to rid the company of problematic individuals."

The directors went silent. Edward looked stone-faced after Alyssa took subtle jabs at him for being evil and a bad judge of character.

"You don't have the final say in dismissing me." Dominic again tried to use Winston as his shield in a shameless attempt to save himself. "I'll call Winston and meet him. Your opinion doesn't matter!" Right after that, Sean interjected furiously in a low but intimidating voice, "Mr. Dominic, you cannot throw a fit at the board of directors meeting. Besides, Ms. Alyssa has the right to preside over meetings and make important decisions on Mr. Winston's behalf while he recovers.

"We are proceeding according to the rules of the charter. Are you against Mr.

Winston's decision, or do you hold no respect for Ms. Alyssa at all?"

"You're just a secretary! You have no right to raise your voice at me!" Dominic pointed a finger at Sean with a vicious scorn on his face. At that moment, he did not behave like an esteemed director of a company or a member of a reputable, wealthy family. He looked more like a leader of a gang.

She did not bother to take a look at Dominic. Ignoring someone was the highest form of contempt.

"Who are you calling ungrateful? You—"

Dominic's heart sank. All colors drained from his face. "How could you suspect me? What do I have to do with that?"

"Everyone here is well aware of the consequences. None of them would risk losing their jobs and their lucrative bonuses just to make a joke out of my dad."

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1779-Panic gripped Dominic, who almost had a heart attack. He could tell that everyone present, including Edward, must have signed the NDAs, as no one told him about the agreement.

"You were the only one at the meeting who didn't sign an NDA. Besides, only an employee could access the security control room to steal the security footage,"

Sean explained, displaying the evidence he had gathered while glaring at Dominic.

Dominic looked worried and frustrated. "KS Group employs a huge number of employees. There are thousands of employees working in just this building, and many have access to the control room. You're just attempting to pin all the blame on me!"

Alyssa smiled in amusement and shook her head. "I wouldn't have easily traced it back to you if you had uploaded the footage through the public WiFi at a train station, airport, or café.

"Perhaps you're not too familiar with the technicalities of committing such an act because of your age. You decided to upload the footage with your personal laptop and WiFi from the comforts of your home, thinking that you had nothing to worry about as long as you did it using a burner account.

"You could have asked Renee about it. Anyway, it is characteristic of you to be stubborn."

Alyssa practically roasted and annihilated Dominic. The directors felt tickled as they cast judgmental looks at him.

Shocked, furious, and fearful, Dominic's face contorted. He nearly lost his balance. "Y-You're bluffing!"

"Sean, when the meeting ends, please submit the evidence I've gathered to the police. They will find out the truth once they look into the file upload process and the IP address."

Sweating all over, Dominic unknowingly blurted out, "D-Don't!"

His face darkened when he realized he had technically admitted to his guilt.

The directors started gossiping among themselves. "Good grief. How could he hurt his sibling? That's totally unbecoming!"

"That's right. We should probably stay away from Dominic Taylor. If he could harm his brother, he could easily do the same to us."

The murmurs spread across the meeting room. Dominic's reputation within KS Group was in tatters.

"Next, we will take a hand vote." Alyssa finally spun her chair to face the directors. She scanned their faces while speaking in a calm yet assertive tone.

"Those in favor of dismissing Dominic Taylor from his role of chairman and executive director, please raise your hand."

With that, she raised her slender hand. What followed was a sea of hands.

Edward, the director who had spoken up for Dominic, was the first to vote yes.

Dominic propped his trembling arms on the table while staring spitefully at Alyssa. Before this, he had joined forces with a few directors to vote Alyssa out as the company president in this meeting. He had planned to bring her down by collective forces to seize power.

He had even promised the directors some favors if he successfully became the company president. Not only did his plan go down the drain, but he also ended up being ousted. KS Group, it seemed, had no place for him.

He thought, "Alyssa Taylor, what a vile and ruthless woman you are!"

Ashen-faced, Dominic pressed a hand on his chest. He nearly coughed out blood from the huge blow.

"Moving on, we shall discuss the final agenda of the meeting." Alyssa flashed a smile at the attendees with a leisurely attitude. "We'll vote on the vice president of the KS Group board of directors.

Silence descended on the meeting room once more.

Can Not Win Me Back Chapter 1780-The directors stared at each other hesitantly. Finally, one of the eldest directors spoke up with a cautious and polite smile. "We will vote for you, Ms. Alyssa. We shall follow your orders in the future."

The rest of the directors immediately agreed with him.

The rest of the meeting went on smoothly after Alyssa settled Dominic. After checking off her three items on the agenda, she gracefully sat up in her chair and beamed at the directors. "I appreciate you taking the time to attend the meeting.

"Let's work well together for the future of KS Group. I won't take up more of your precious time. That's all for today."

Then, she marched toward the door in great strides with Sean following closely behind. Once again, she came to a stop behind Dominic and turned to face him.

Slowly bending over, she whispered to him with disdain, "Just look at you. You have nothing to defeat me with."

Dominic shook in anger.

She cautioned him, "Uncle Dominic, I won't hurt you if you find a nice place to retire in. But if you try anything funny, I will do more than just kick you out of the company."

"Ms. Alyssa, you were so cool and sassy in there! You were so awesome! Did you see Dominic's face just now?" Sean's eyes sparkled in excitement when he was on his way back to the president's office.

He blabbered, "He looked like he had just stepped into shit! That was cathartic!"

"Did he really think that he could stop me from taking over as president and vice president with the help of a few losers? He underestimated me." She walked briskly down the corridor. "I want him to pay double for what he has taken from our family."

"One question, though. Since you have evidence of Dominic harming Mr.

Winston, why didn't you turn them over to the police? Let them deal with him.

Lock him up for a few weeks."

"Firstly, getting Dominic under detention will not solve the root issue. Bringing the issue back into the spotlight will only hurt Winston's feelings for the second time." She looked pensive and worried. "Secondly, we need to hit him where it hurts.

"Dominic had his Achilles' heel in his title within the KS Group, while Winston had his own vulnerabilities. He had only been able to lie and scam because he was Winston's brother and a director of KS Group.

"Winston turned a blind eye to Dominic's activities only because Dominic was his brother. Too bad that won't work with me. I can't tolerate any single misstep, not to mention Dominic's bullshit!"

Though Sean was angry at Dominic, he felt tickled by Alyssa's cursing. They arrived at her office. She promptly entered the room, but Sean sensibly stayed by the door.

He went on one knee and handed her the rose. He said in a raspy, low voice, "Darling, you've had a long day. This is a token of appreciation. Hope you like it."

Tearing up, she touched the rose and tried to stay calm. She teased, "Is this a Polar Star Rose? You have good taste. It's lovely."

"You're lovelier than the roses."