"Landon... Landon..."


    With dirt-stained hands, Zoe clutched onto the leg of Landon''s pants, her eyes burning with fury and


    hatred. "Just because of that bitch. Just because of that bitch. How could you do this to me?


    "Who does Lauren think she is? I am your biological sister! How could you do this to me? You should


    just go to hell!"


    "That''s right, you are my biological sister," Landon rasped. Tears welled in his eyes, casting an icy


    re. "I''ve cherished you since childhood. But you repeatedly hurt me with your actions. You''ve torn


    apart my happiness to satisfy your selfish desires.


    "If your actions stemmed from hatred toward me, perhaps I could have found it in my heart to forgive


    you, considering our familial bond. But instead, you''ve harmed an innocent woman. And not just


    anyone—she is the love of my life.


    "I''ve given you countless chances, Zoe. Each time, I held onto hope that you would change and repent.


    Yet, each time, you proved me wrong. Instead of remorse, I was met with further cruelty toward


    Lauren."


    He closed his eyes, the image of Lauren fighting against her bullies haunting his mind.


    If she hadn''t had the energy to resist. If she hadn''t given her life to fight back.


    The same tragedy that had befallen Zoe could have easily happened to Lauren. Landon knew he could


    have lost Lauren forever.


    "Landon, stop making excuses for your ingratitude and your infatuation!" Zoe panted heavily; her re


    was fierce. "That stupid woman has consumed your soul! You''re a madman, a pawn manipted by


    her!


    "The greatest regret of my life is being your sister and not ridding you of that bitch earlier. condemning


    you to a lifetime of sorrow and regret!"


    Landon''s expression remained cold as he watched Zoe''s outburst. Her rage contorted her face into that


    of a ferocious beast.


    Zoe continued, "By locking me in here. Did you think you could avenge that bitch this way? You


    abducted me from the police. They will find me soon! And Grandpa. Mom. They will all find me. You''re


    finished, Landon! You''re fucking finished!"


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Grandpa is already dead." Landon, who had been calm all along, choked on his tears as he informed


    Zoe of this news.


    Instantly, Zoe became as white as a sheet, her gaze vacant. "What did you say? Grandpa. is dead?"


    Following that, she erupted intoughter, disbelief painting her features. "Landon, you''re lying to me,


    aren''t you? You would even go as far asing up with such a lie just to get me?"


    Landon''s response was filled with bitterness. "Would I need to lie about something like this? Grandpa''s


    funeral is in two days. But you won''t be there to bid him goodbye."


    Zoe''s pupils were constricted. She panicked. "How could that—"


    "Preston killed him. He stabbed Grandpa three times."


    Zoe''s world crumbled around her. "No... No..."


    "You chose to side with the enemy. You wanted to use Preston toe against me and Lauren. But in


    the end, Preston killed the one in this family who loved you the most. And Dad''s death was also


    because of him. His helicopter crashed into the sea because Preston hired someone to tamper with it."


    Zoe was utterly stupefied.


    "In the past, I have given you multiple warnings to stay away from Preston. I said he might have


    caused Dad''s death. But you sided with him. You''re his aplice."


    Landon tried his best to suppress the despair of losing his loved one. He rasped, "He was cruel enough


    to even murder his own father. Did you think you could survive under him?


    "He instigated you to kidnap Lauren. Yet, you were oblivious to the fact that he was also out to get you.


    He prepared a camera and live-streamed your evil deeds, exposing you on the Inte. You were just


    a tool he discarded after using. That''s all you are."


    Upon hearing that, Zoe guffawed. The look in her eyes took on a more manic edge. "I was tricked by


    Preston? What a joke! I''m not a tool. He is!


    "Landon, I can''t believe you''d stoop to anything just to guilt-trip me. Did you think that I would fall for


    that? You think I''ll feel sorry for what I''ve done to you? You can''t im the moral high ground to punish


    me. I won''t fall for it!"


    Landon maintained a calm expression on his face. "I will give you onest chance. Apologize to Lauren


    now. I''ll be merciful."


    Zoe spat back defiantly. "Dream on! You want me to yield to that bitch? Over my dead body!"


    "Jordan."


    Jordan, who had been waiting outside, walked over to Landon''s side. "I''m here, Mr. Landon."


    "See Ms. Zoe off for thest time," instructed Landon coldly.


    With that, he left without another word, his resolve unshaken.