Ch. 571..580
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 571-The spacious hall remained quiet. Amused, Alyssa blinked and smiled.
Jasper was cheered up by the animated look on her face and put behind the pain he was enduring. He fixed his eyes on her with a contented smile.
In the meantime, a hushed astonishment gripped the onlookers as they watched Newton berating the current patriarch, Javier, in their presence. The public scolding was doubly humiliating, given Javier’s prominent social standing.
He had turned into a punchbag.
Javier, nursing a wounded ego, flushed with anger and hissed, “Barry, please get everyone to leave the hall.” “No! No one is allowed to leave before we settle this matter once and for all!” Newton declared with authority. When she was angry, Alyssa bore a striking resemblance to Newton, as if they were blood relatives.
“Dad, what do you mean?” Javier inquired, his brows furrowing in anger.
“It means exactly what you think it is!” Newton responded, his eyes half-closed as he taunted his son, “If you can bruise Jasper’s ego by hitting him in front of everyone, I don’t see why I can’t address this matter publicly.” Javier pointed at Jasper and argued, “Dad, you can’t always side with this little brat! You’ll only spoil him further! He’s been pampered to the point where he no longer respects anyone in this family. If this continues, he won’t even heed his father one day!” “Hah,” Jasper scoffed with a cold look. Javier had been dead to him from the moment Anne jumped over the balcony in this villa.
Alyssa noticed his smirk and observed his profile in silence. He appeared pallid, and she could sense the animosity in his eyes, which stung her.
“Oh, is Jasper showing disrespect? How so? Enlighten me,” Newton inquired casually as he idly picked at his teeth.
Everyone was speechless at Newton’s nonchalance. The more Newton aged, the less he cared about upholding his image. Perhaps he had been forced to comply for too long. When he was finally old and rich enough, his true personality emerged.
“He talked back to me and rebelled against me!” Javier lost his train of thought due to anger and said “Yeah,” she replied without looking into his fiery eyes.
+15 BONUS Meanwhile, Betty listened to Newton’s account with a mix of confusion and doubt. If Alyssa had followed Newton to Seaview Manor, then who had originally called him?
A sudden realization dawned on her, and she shot a furious glance at Lauren, who stood nearby. Indeed, Lauren’s foolish grin had betrayed her actions.
“Dad, Sophie’s absolutely right. You shouldn’t have made this long journey. It’s too strenuous. It’s all for the sake of your health,” Javier explained as he approached Newton However, Newton gestured for him to stop. “If you were genuinely concerned about my health, your shouldn’t have struck my grandson and provoked my anger. You fucking piece of scum! You’re driving me nuts!”
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 572-Alyssa widened her eyes in shock and stared at Jasper.
*KS Group has been competing against us for a long time. Your beloved Alyssa has been finding trouble with the Beckett Group, leading to stock price volatility and causing a loss of a few billion dolla “We are finally hosting an event on the weekend to network with the high society of Solana City. As the company president, Jasper refuses to uphold the company’s reputation and instead sides with our rival!
How can I not be furious with him?” Alyssa’s eyes widened even further in disbelief, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Is the event in question Sophia’s birthday party?” Newton questioned.
Javier replied, “Yes, it’s her birthday party, and it’s also a rare networking opportunity.” “Alright, if Jasper isn’t going, count me out.” “What?” Javier’s expression fell.
“Not only am I not attending, but I’ll be joining Alice at Winston’s wife’s birthday party. What do you say to that? Are yo you going to beat me into submission, too?” Newton lifted a brow with a roguish smile.
“Grandpa.” Alyssa muttered in shock. She was incredibly moved by his affection for her.
“Dad, you’re doing this on purpose! Why must you go to such lengths?” Javier groaned and tossed the whip onto the floor.
“Don’t you understand? I’m concerned about losing face at your wife’s birthday party when her reputation is in tatters,” Newton replied with disappointment.
The servants cast disdainful and gleeful glances at Sophia. The ex-actress cum matriarch was notorious in the household for berating the servants and treating them poorly. Everyone had been privately condemning her.
Sophia blushed in embarrassment. She felt like digging a hole and burying her head in shame. Sophia decided that Newton’s time was up. She was determined to silence him from advocating for Jasper and Alyssa any longer.
“That’s it. Jasper and I will not be attending! I’ll support my grandson, even if it makes you angry,” Newton announced and glanced at Jasper and Alyssa. His tone softened. “Alice, Jasper, come home with me tonight!” Alyssa and Jasper exchanged glances and simultaneously nodded in agreement.
+15 BONUS Just then, Ben rushed in with a man carrying a first-aid kit. He announced, “Mr.
Newton, the doctor has arrived.” “Excellent. You, too, join us! I can’t stand another minute in this accursed place!
Newton abandoned Javier and, accompanied by Jasper and Alyssa, made his way toward the exit He added, “Oh, by the way, there will be no room for such family rules in the Beckett family!” Seated in the wheelchair, Newton raised his voice, ‘It’s been centuries since the feudal system. I’m astounded that you’ve kept such an outdated tradition alive! You’re even more closed-minded than I am.” Everyone in the hall covered their mouths to stifle their laughs. Meanwhile, Javier’s face had turned a deeper hue of red.
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 573-Alyssa, Jasper, and the others followed Newton back to Crescent Bay villa.
Newton enthusiastically held Jasper and Alyssa’s hands with each of his, refusing to let go at all.
Not only that, he cussed out Javier and Sophia with creative, colorful language during the trip. Alyssa even worried that he would get exhausted from all the name-calling.
After venting his anger, Newton started feeling bad for Jasper. He moaned and sighed about his poor grandson while discreetly trying to put Jasper’s hand on top of Alyssa’s.
Jasper smiled at Alyssa from beside Newton as his heart exploded in joy. She noticed his passionate eyes but merely pressed her lips and ignored him.
Her indifference worried him, and he tried to hold her hand. All of a sudden, the warmth in his hand disappeared as she had removed her hand.
He gazed up and accidentally met her eyes. She was glaring at him as though she would skin him alive.
Jasper resigned to the current situation. It seemed that he had failed to hold her hand. Nevertheless, het was happy enough that she had shown up for him. He dared not ask for more.
“Jasper, you should really thank Alice for tonight. If she hadn’t told me that your dad beat you, I wouldn’t have rushed over in time!” Newton said knowingly and blinked at Jasper.
Newton added, “See, Alice cares about you, you little rascal. You should thank her for saving your life.” “Lyse, thank you,” Jasper tenderly spoke to Alyssa.
She was jolted by the affectionate gaze and responded with a faint smile, “You should thank Lauren Instead of me.” This revelation surprised both Newton and Jasper. “Lauren?” Alyssa put on a cold expression as she explained, “Yes, it was Lauren who called me and informed me about the situation. I then alerted Grandpa. I was just lending a helping hand.
Mr. Beckett, please don’t read too much into it.” “The fact that you told Grandpa about it shows that you still care for me,” Jasper shamelessly pointed out.
Alyssa could deny her intention as much as she liked, but he’d somehow find a way to prove that she cared.
She snickered at him. “Sure, if you’d like to think so.” +15 BONUS Newton sighed. “Oh, so that was what happened. My dear Lauren is a kind and helpful soul. She might not have grown up by my side, but thankfully, she did not turn into a rotten apple living with that witch.
“On the other hand, Betty has been spoiled rotten by my son, who couldn’t tell right from wrong. She hasn’t learned anything good from her mom and nearly landed herself in prison.
My hair almost turned grey fretting about her scandals!” Alyssa chimed in, “Lauren’s a good kid. She was closest to me when I was living with the Becketts, and she was always kind to me.” The mention of Lauren brought back memories of her marriage, which once again brought her heartache.
Nevertheless, she remained composed and added, “I could even say that I wouldn’t have survived my time at Seaview Manor without Lauren’s companionship.” Newton picked up her undertone. Feeling sorry for Alyssa, he shot a disapproving look at Jasper. Jasper’s eyes dimmed as he put on a troubled expression, filled with remorse and pain.
“Grandpa, I have something that I’m not sure if I should discuss with you. If it’s inappropriate, just forget about it,” Alyssa said hesitantly.
Jasper hurriedly reassured her, “Don’t worry. You can talk about anything you want-nothing is off-limits.”
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 574-Alyssa silently rolled her eyes at Jasper and mused, “Did I ask for your opinion, you jerk?” “Go on, Alice! I believe you wanted to discuss this after careful consideration,” Newton said gently.
“Grandpa, I hope you can step in and bring Lauren out of Seaview Manor to live with you,” Alyssa voiced out without reservations because she treated Newton as family.
Jasper concurred, “I agree.” Alyssa shot back, “I never asked for your input.” He narrowed his eyes and grinned. “It’s okay. Even if you didn’t ask for my opinion, I wholeheartedly support the idea.” She glared at him irritatedly and clenched her jaw. She was so frustrated that she nearly left the car.
Newton asked with concern, “Alice, did you suggest this because something happened to Lauren?” “She is autistic, but her parents are busy taking care of the family and running a company. I’m afraid they don’t have time to look after her, which will not help her condition at all.
“My hope is for Lauren to stay with you and enjoy your company. Her condition will improve with your presence, and it would put my mind at ease to have her by your side,” Alyssa explained without mentioning Betty’s mistreatment of Lauren. Instead, she considered the best interests of Lauren and Newton.
Moreover, she didn’t want to meddle excessively in the Becketts’ family affairs.
“Alice, you’re very considerate. It’s my fault for not thinking of Lauren’s best interests, even though I’m her grandfather,” Newton admitted regretfully with a furrowed brow.
He patted the back of Alyssa’s hand and promised, “My dear, I understand your concerns. I’ll have Ben pick up Lauren from Seaview Manor tomorrow moming. She’ll come to live with me.” Meanwhile, the atmosphere within Seaview Manor had reached a new low. The spectacle hadn’t bolstered Javier’s authority within the household. On the contrary, it had subjected him to humiliation by his own father in the presence of the household staff, causing him to lose face as the patriarch.
Following this incident, Javier changed into fresh attire and left the house to release his pent-up frustration. He also informed his family that he would be spending the night away, leaving Sophia alone in +15 BONUS She fumed at the thought of losing Javier’s affection just after she had regained his favor. She hated Newton for messing it up for her, and she equally resented Alyssa.
“Fuck that Gid man! And that bitch, Alyssa! They both deserve to rot!” Sophia muttered in growing anger, her rage taking hold of her until she trembled like a madwoman.
Then, she heard a knock on the door. She instantly snapped, “Who is that? I said not to disturb me!” “M-Madam, do you want to take a look downstairs?” a maid mumbled fearfully from the other side of the door.
“What is it now?” “M-Ms. Betty is beating up Ms. Lauren. We dare not get involved. Won’t you check out the situation?”
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 575-Just as a spectacle had ended, another was about to start. As Javier and Jasper weren’t home, Betty was emboldened to act out.
She was convinced that Lauren had leaked news of Jasper’s punishment to Newton. So, she marched to Lauren’s room and dragged Lauren to the living room by her hair. She seemed to have picked up a thing or two from Javier and decided to reenact the punishment right away.
“B-Betty, let go of me! My scalp hurts!” Lauren pleaded, tears welling up as she felt the pain in her hair.
“You little traitor! Bitch! Oh, it hurts? Great. I’ll teach you a lesson for selling out!” Betty cursed vehemently while delivering a stinging slap to Lauren’s face.
‘Ouch!” The loud slap echoed through the hall, leaving the household staff shocked and concerned for Lauren.
However, they remained powerless to intervene as mere employees.
Lauren covered her face and wept, “Betty, it’s all my fault! I will not repeat my mistake!” She knew that no one would come to her help. She had wanted to fight back, but her body curled into a ball in a cowardly manner.
Betty was not only Newton’s favorite granddaughter but also her parents’ beloved child. How could Lauren possibly stand up against her?
While Alyssa might have had the option to leave the family, Lauren saw no alternative but to endure silently in the hopes of surviving within the household.
“Ms. Lauren!” Crying, Nina ran to Lauren and hugged the latter. She implored, “Ms. Betty, she’s Mr. Javier’s daughter too. What right do you have to punish her?” “Huh?” Betty chuckled at the absurdity of it all, placing her hand on her hip and glaring at the two of them.” You idiot, I didn’t know you had an ally in this house!” “N-Nina, just leave me alone! Run!” Lauren hurriedly covered Nina’s mouth, knowing she would be powerless to protect Nina if Betty flew into a rage. She knew what Betty was capable of doing.
“I’m not leaving!” Nina clung to Lauren tightly and stared at Betty through her tears. “I won’t abandon you, even if it means I’m blacklisted in Solana City! Ms.
Betty, do you realize you’ve broken the law? You shouldn’t have hit your sister! That’s against the law.” “Ahahaha! How hilarious! Who do you think you are, raising your voice at me?” Betty cackled and Incensed, and a few were even itching to retaliate, but others held them back.
Each was well aware of the Becketts’ influence in Solana City. Acting on impulse might cost them their livelihoods in the city permanently.
Despite their anger at Betty, they were just servants who had to think twice for the sake of their jobs and their families.
“Betty Beckett!” Lauren growled. She could tolerate Betty hitting her, but she was enraged when Nina got hurt as well. Anger blazed like wildfire in her eyes.
Betty was stunned by Lauren’s rare temper and screamed back, “What? Did you just call me by my full name?” She thought Lauren must have lost her mind to defend a mere servant.
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 576-“You’ve hurt Nina. Apologize to her now!” Lauren sprang up from the ground, her delicate shoulders trembling with anger as she fixed a piercing gaze on her sister. This was one of Lauren’s rare outbursts.
“Apologize to her? Hahaha! You’re delusional!” Betty laughed, but she was interrupted by Lauren’s next move. Lauren snarled and charged at her like an angry bull at lightning speed.
Before anyone could react, she had knocked Betty onto the ground. Betty landed on her back like an upturned turtle, narrowly avoiding an embarrassing flash of her skirt.
The servants around them snorted and let out stifled laughs.
“Lauren Beckett!” Betty seethed with anger as if she might spontaneously combust. She sprang to her feet, feeling an urge to tear Lauren into pieces.
“Come up here! Hold her down right now!” Betty commanded. The two stocky maids, who were loyal to Sophia and Betty, rushed over right away and held Lauren’s arms.
Lauren fought back with all her might, her eyes wide with rage. “Let go of me!” However, she was easily lifted off her floor, given her petite frame and slender limbs.
“You little bitch! Not even God can save you now!” Betty rolled up her sleeves and gave Lauren a hard slap across the face.
Lauren saw stars and groaned in pain. Her thin nightdress clung to her skin, soaked in sweat.
Betty derived pleasure from Lauren’s suffering. She could finally release her pent-up frustration on her personal punching bag.
She remarked, “You won’t look good with the blush on just one cheek. Let me even it out for you.” Betty then proceeded to slap Lauren’s right cheek.
A cold male voice suddenly cut through the tension. “Touch her one more time, and I’ll make you pay!” The servants looked at the door and inhaled collectively. Meanwhile, Betty nearly jumped out of her skin from the familiar voice. She had wanted to lower her hand, but it was too late.
The tall and imposing figure marched through the entrance with hostility.
“L-Landon Betty mumbled, guiltily concealing her hand. The scowl vanished from her face, replaced by a demure expression.
Lauren opened her teary eyes and noticed Landon approaching her. She immediately went limp as a wave “L-Landon… Lauren’s feeble moans only fueled Landon’s anger. He breathed heavily, his heart aching with pain.
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 577-“Release her,” Landón commanded, his gaze unwavering as it bore down on the two maids. His tone carried a menacing edge akin to an infernal angel. The two maids nervously looked to Betty for help.
Betty was aware of Landon’s affection for Lauren from the way he ordered the maids around. She had wanted to cave in for her Mr. McDreamy but changed her mind upon second thought.
Following Sophia’s clash with the Harpers after Zoe’s incident, any hopes of Landon developing feelings for Betty had been shattered.
Moreover, Landon’s intervention in their family affairs, even if it was out of concern for Lauren, was entirely unwarranted.
Brimming with resentment, Betty hissed, “Do not release her! You’re working for the Becketts, and your shall listen to m-” Her words were abruptly silenced by a piercing scream.
One of the maids restraining Lauren was sent hurtling through the air by the force of Landon’s kick. Betty stared in shock as the maid landed on the floor like a ragdoll.
The second maid hastily released Lauren and apologized profusely, “Mr. Harper, I made a mistake, but we were just following ord-Ouch!” Another scream echoed through the room as Landon’s kick landed on the second maid, causing her ribs to fracture.
Betty instantly screamed in horror. She thought people were fooling around when they labeled Landon as ” The Tyrant” and “Devil Incarnate”, but now, it appeared she had been naive all along.
The terrified servants fell into a hushed silence.
Lauren blinked and inched toward Landon with her unsteady legs. “Landon…” He quickly held onto her waist and pulled her into a tight hug while patting her back soothingly. He reassured her, “I’m here. Everything’s fine.” Betty was green in envy and rolled her fists, digging her nails into her palms.
Lauren mumbled weakly, “It hurts..
“Where does it hurt?” Landon felt his chest tighten. She continued to murmur about the pain, seemingly oblivious to his question.
+15 BONUS As Sophia descended the stairs, she witnessed the confrontation between Landon and Betty and was taken aback to see Lauren in Landon’s embrace.
Frowning, she seemed to have connected the dots and stealthily hid in a corner to watch the events.
unfold.
Landon shot a menacing glare at Betty and warned, “Betty Beckett, are you itching to be sent back to the police station?”
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 578-“…” Betty stammered and faltered in the face of Landon’s threatening presence.
She took a step back in fear.
“Seems like you’re pretty forgetful. I’ll give you a final warning in front of your servants,” Landon remarked with hostility.
He continued, “Lauren is important to me. Whoever bullies her will be going against me and the Harper family!” His words resonated throughout the hall, causing Betty to break into a sweat and turn pale. Without Javier and Sophia around, she had no backup at all.
“You’ve been fortunate not because of your status as a Beckett but because you haven’t pushed my limits, Betty. If you lay a finger on Lauren again, I’ll make sure you rot in prison. Not even Javier Beckett could save you.” With that, Landon lifted Lauren with his left arm and cracked his fingers on his right hand. He issued a stern warning. “Don’t you fucking try me. I will not hold back even if we are family friends!” He squinted at the staircase when he spoke. Sophia sensed his chilling glare and retreated in alarm.
Wait a minute. Why was she panicking? She held the position of matriarch within the Beckett family, and she was more senior than Landon.
Meanwhile, Betty was choking on anger. She knew that the servants, despite their poker faces, were secretly laughing at her.
“Lauren, come with me. I’ll take you to Jasper or Alyssa. How does that sound?” Landon whispered into Lauren’s ear.
Lauren merely nodded obediently to what he suggested, as she was in a state of dizziness.
Landon’s eyes glimmered. He effortlessly scooped up Lauren and strode out of the villa, paying no heed to the looks of the servants.
“Landon Harper, you cannot leave with her! She’s a Beckett. How can you bring her with you? Have your asked my parents for their permission?” Betty yelled at him. The last thing she wanted was for Landon to leave with Lauren-she’d lose sleep if that happened!
‘I’d like to bring Lauren with me. She wants to come with me too. What’s the problem here?” Landon scoffed and looked at Betty in disdain. “Do I need your mom’s permission? She would have come down and stopped me if she were against it.” +15 BONUS Betty felt like she was being struck by lightning upon hearing that. Landon took the chance and left with Lauren without turning back.
The chilly winds rustled around them. Landon might be rash and impulsive in his daily life, but he was exceptionally attentive when it came to caring for Lauren.
He continuously rubbed his palm on her arms to warm her up. She nestled against his sturdy chest, placing her trust in him.
A lump formed in his throat. He cherished the feeling of being trusted.
Angelina, pleased to see Landon leaving with Lauren, courteously held the car door open for them.
As Landon was about to step into the car with Lauren, Nina stumbled out of the villa and called out to him, “Mr. Harper, please wait!”
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 579-As a secretary cum bodyguard, Angelina frowned at Nina’s appearance and instantly shielded Landon. Nina approached them and fell on her knees, rendering them dumbfounded.
“Mr. Harper, would you please help Ms. Lauren? Could you?” Nina pleaded in tears as she knelt on the cold ground.
“Angelina, help her up.” Landon ordered. “Stand up, and we’ll talk.” Angelina attempted to help Nina up, but Nina shook her head and refused to do so. She begged, “I won’t get up up unless you you promise to help Ms. Lauren. I may be a humble servant, but I’ll use my limited power to help her just this once!” Landon’s heart grew heavy, and he demanded to know, “What is going on?” Nina wiped away her tears and shuffled up to Landon. Then, she gingerly rolled up Lauren’s sleeve. Landon and Angelina were stunned by what they saw next.
Lauren’s pal arm was full of old and new bruises alike, enough to shatter anyone’s heart.
Landon’s eyes flared with anger, and his muscles tensed beneath his shirt.
He hissed, “Who did this to her?” Despite his anger, he went straight to the point.
Angelina recoiled at Landon’s reaction. Knowing him well, she knew he must be really angry when he spoke in curt sentences.
“It’s… It’s Ms. Betty’s doing!” Nina blurted out without consideration. “Ms. Betty has been bullying Ms. Lauren at home. She thinks she can do so because she’s the favorite child of her parents. She’s been hitting and cursing at Ms. Lauren like a devil!
“When Mr. Jasper is at home, Ms. Betty will hold back because she’s afraid of him. But he rarely visits home due to his demanding job. He can’t do much for Ms. Lauren either.” Landon’s frown deepened. Angelina’s fists involuntarily clenched.
“Mr. Harper, you’re Mr. Jasper’s closest friend. I can see you care for Ms.
Lauren. Can you help her and protect her?” Nina cried uncontrollably.
upon Lauren in Landon inhaled sharply and promised, “Okay, I promise you.” He cast a determined gaze upon his arms, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
He added, “I will protect Lauren as long as I am around.” With that, Landon whisked Lauren away from Seaview Manor, but not before humiliating Betty in front of the household staff.
The incident might have occurred behind closed doors, but Betty sensed that her authority had been undermined.
Why? Betty was envious that even Lauren, whom she considered lesser in appearance, family background, and talents, had found herself a guardian angel.
She couldn’t fathom the reason Landon snubbed her for a mentally challenged woman.
Furious, she took out her anger on Nina. Not only did she order Nina to clean all the manor’s washrooms that night, but she also docked Nina’s year-end bonus.
“That’s enough. Your expression now is worse than that Alyssa bitch. It’s no surprise that Landon isn’t interested in you. Frankly, I am not fond of how you look now either.”
Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 580-Sophia leisurely filed her red nails on the couch as she made the remark.
Arnid Betty’s outburst, she somehow felt that Sophia had been acting funny.
Usually, Sophia would have jumped in and defended Betty when the latter was humiliated at home. After all, Betty was Sophia’s favorite daughter. Besides, Sophia would not tolerate anyone stepping all over her at the Becketts’ residence.
However, Sophia’s indifference was worrying. Betty wondered why Sophia had never intervened, especially when Sophia had clearly heard the commotion downstairs.
Sophia nagged at her, “Betty, I do not wish to see this happening again at home.
Remember, Lauren is my daughter too. How could you hit her as her elder sister? If your dad and grandpa hear about this, they’ll fault me for raising you poorly.
“You’re 25 this year, but why do you carry yourself like a manic depressive? You keep saying Lauren is abnormal, but you’re not better than her!” Betty rushed up to Sophia, glowering as she asked, “Mom, I have a question.
Did you witness Mr. Harper and I fighting on the first floor?” Sophia arched her brow. “Yeah. Why?” “So, you watched the entire time without stepping in to help me?” Betty snapped in anger. “I can understand you not helping me, but why did you let Landon take Lauren away?” can’t Sophia retorted with a smirk, “Why I?” Betty was stunned by her mother’s nonchalance and stammered, “Mom… You…” “Even I have given up on Landon Harper. Haven’t you? Tsk tsk, I wonder how a smart woman like me would give birth to a lovesick daughter,” remarked Sophia, shaking her head in disdain.
She added, “At this point, I can’t place my hopes on you anymore. It’s clear that you two won’t work out.
Since Landon is interested in Lauren, I have no choice but to approve of their relationship.
“In the end, Lauren is still my daughter. I’m happy that Landon accepted and cared for her despite her disability, so I have no reason to object to their relationship. If they end up getting married, you should feel proud as well, shouldn’t you?” Something inside Betty shapped. She felt her vision blur. Did Sophia just say she’d approve of their relationship?
+15 BONUS Inwardly, Betty questioned whether she had been reduced to a mere pawn and if she had turned into the butt of a joke.
Trembling violently, Betty yelled hysterically at Sophia, “Lauren will never be with Landon! I won’t allow it.
Never!” It was the first time she had become so furious with Sophia, whom she had always held in high regard.
A gleam appeared in Sophia’s eyes as she grabbed the wine glass on the table and splashed its contents in Betty’s face. The red wine spilled all over Betty, turning her into a mess.
Bewildered by Sophia’s action, Betty stared blankly at her mother as red wine streamed down her face and dripped onto the floor.
Sophia scowled and tossed the wine glass onto the floor, shattering it. She seethed, “Who gave you the right to raise your voice at your mother? Where are your manners? If you’re unhappy with the situation, then win Landon’s heart.
“But as a veteran, I’m afraid I have to tell you that you’re delusional. Landon Harper will never choose you, not even if every other woman were out of the picture!” With that, Sophia stormed off. Her final words crushed whatever was left of Betty’s ego and conscience.
Betty’s eyes bulged as she slowly crouched down to pick up the glass shards, clutching them so tightly that they cut into her hands like she wished to strangle Lauren.
She laughed. “Not even if every other woman were out of the picture? Well, they will be, and Landon will be mine!”