Zoe''s forehead was dotted with sweat. She clutched tightly onto the bedsheet.


    She had always taken Landon as a man of courage butcking in wits. No matter what she had done,


    all it took was some sweet talking and begging to make him turn a blind eye to her mistakes.


    Now, it seemed that she had been gravely mistaken all the while. Landon had wittily exposed her and


    Preston. The reason he had fallen for her lies in the past was due to his unconditional trust in her.


    They were no longer siblings at this point; just enemies, and Landon was a formidable one at that. No


    wonder the sly Preston had battled Landon for years to no avail!


    Preston remained glowering at Landon, who had no patience for him. Landon shoved past Preston and


    stood in front of Zoe. "Zoe Harper, my advice for you is toy low and don''t try anything funny."


    Landon''s murderous squint gave Zoe goosebumps. He added, "If you harass Lyse, Jasper, and Lauren


    again, not even Grandpa could protect you from the consequences. I, will, hurt, you."


    His words wereced with resentment and threat.


    Eyes wavering, Zoe looked into Landon''s impassive eyes as she dealt with the anger, discontentment,


    and disappointment.


    Landon once called her name with a doting smile. He loved holding her hand and was so proud of


    having a talented sister. All that seemed distant now.


    Zoe had always assumed that Landon belonged to her and only her. How did he end up pouring all his


    care and affection onto Lauren?


    Her heartache turned into resentment when she recalled how Landon had hurt her because of Lauren.


    In Landon''s eyes, she could not evenpare to Alyssa, who was divorced and infertile.


    She seethed in silence. "Landon Harper, do not me me for what unfolds. Things happen all because


    you sided with outsiders over your family. You deserved this!"


    Penelope was anxious and hurt upon seeing her son threatening her daughter. Their once-happy family


    was now filled with hatred. However, she did not know how best to mediate or discipline them.


    Before leaving, Landon suddenly remarked with passion and hope in his eyes, "Mom, Lauren, and I will


    get engaged when I''m officially appointed thepany president.


    "ording to Sna City''s marriage custom, you should pick one item from the dowry given to you by


    Grandpa. As Lauren''s future mother-inw, you will hand the item to her in person."


    Penelope bit her lips and sank into silence. She was obviously reluctant to do so.


    "I know you might not want to part with your dowry, and that''s fine. I totally understand. That''s why I''m


    only here to bring up this matter." Landon shed Penelope a careless smile and nced at his


    assistant. The said assistant immediately draped the jacket over his shoulders.


    Landon added, "If you refuse to give Lauren an item from your dowry, I''ll make that decision on your


    behalf.


    "Since I am the custodian of a few pieces of collector items before Dad''s passing, I''ll pick the best


    piece of jewelry for Lauren and tell her it''s from you. I believe you won''t have an issue with this. It''s all


    for the Harper Group''s reputation. Right?"


    Penelope seethed in anger upon hearing Landon''s words. The air in the VIP ward was heavy and


    tense after Landon''s departure.


    "Mom, just look at Landon! Since when has he be such a scary man?" Zoe shed crocodile tears.


    "Is he choosing that woman over us and the Harper family?"


    Feeling powerless, Penelope sighed. "Zoe, let it be. You know Landon''s character well. What good will


    it do to go up against him?"


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    "Mom, what do you mean?" Zoe grabbed Penelope''s arm and swung it. "Have you epted Lauren


    Beckett too? Are you really going to watch as Landon marries a woman you disapprove of? Isn''t that


    infuriating?"


    "So what? Landon is the same as your father. He will not change his mind once he sets his eyes on


    someone or something." Close to tears, Penelope grasped Zoe''s hands. "Zoe, I have thought it


    through.


    I don''t care for anything else as long as you''re by my side, safe and sound. Just let Landon be..."


    Zoe was frustrated at Penelope''s cowardice. How could she surrender before putting up a fight?


    Soon, Penelope left the ward to pick up Zoe''s health checkup report. When the door closed, only


    Preston and Zoe remained in the room.


    Zoe immediately turned menacing, a stark difference from her innocent and feeble persona from


    earlier.


    Simrly, Preston rxed and slumped on the couch. He shot her a sarcastic nce. "Zoe, I''ve helped


    you return to Sna City. Don''t you think it''s time you fulfill my wish?"