Can't Win Me Back

"Lauren isn't there?"

Jasper and Alyssa's hearts sank at Angelina's words.

"She's not here! I've combed the place, but there's no sign of her," Angelina choked out, her voice thick with emotion.

Alyssa maintained her composure, speaking gently to Angelina. "Angelina, it's okay. You did your best in a difficult situation. Now, tell me everything from the beginning. Who informed you about Lauren's kidnapping and directed you to the abandoned factory in the western suburbs?"

"Mr. Cyrus and I were hot on the kidnappers' trail, but we were intercepted by the man who previously abducted Lauren!" Angelina recounted.

"It's him again!" Alyssa's heart hammered against her ribs. Lauren's enigmatic portrait, a doppelganger for Damien, taunted her memory.

"I was outmatched, so Cyrus decided to stall the man while I went to rescue Lauren," Angelina continued, her tone filled with frustration. "But the man had a female accomplice. Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

"She fought me and deliberately let me stab her, severely injuring herself. After that, she provided me with Madam Lauren's location and urged me to save her. I thought she was on our side, but it was a trap.

"She diverted my attention so that she could have a clear shot at Mr. Cyrus. I feel so foolish, Ms. Alyssa. I'm so useless!"

"Angelina, Cyrus is fine. He is leading his team over to you as we speak. Don't worry, and don't blame yourself," Jasper reassured her, his voice calm and steady.

Alyssa's heart pounded. A new thought struck her, prompting her to ask, "How did this woman look like?"

"She wore a mask, but her eyes left a deep impression on me." Angelina said firmly, "They looked like yours."

"I understand," Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief, her body finally relaxing. "Angelina, she's a friend of ours, but for her safety, I can't reveal her identity to you. However, I trust that what she told you is reliable."

Jasper, piecing together the conversation, understood who the mystery woman was. A deep frown creased his forehead, a shadow of concern clouding his features.

Why couldn't I find Madam Lauren then?" Angelina's voice crackled with panic over the phone.

Renewed determination ignited in Alyssa's eyes. They narrowed, sharp as a hawk's as she clenched her fists. "Perhaps she didn't hear everything, but I'm confident Lauren is nearby. The abandoned factory is isolated. There aren't any houses or buildings for miles. A thorough search should reveal something."

"Alright, I'll look again!" Angelina replied urgently.

The call ended, and both Alyssa and Jasper spoke at the same time. "Jameson!"

Jameson was the mastermind behind both incidents. It made sense how Preston had such a powerful accomplice—the killer was working for Jamiper!

Jameson was pulling the strings. He used Preston to pressure Cornelius into surrendering his assets, destroying Landon, and bringing down the Harper Group, all for his own gain.

But what sent shivers down Alyssa's spine was the realization that Jameson knew about Damien's appearance, having grown up with the Taylors. Yet, he still used the resemblance to hurt her and Jasper's loved ones. It was a level of diabolical cunning that left Alyssa speechless.

Alyssa was deep in thought. Meanwhile, Jasper's gaze burned with a fierce determination. "He hurt my sister and my best friend. Jameson won't get away with this. I'll destroy him!"