The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 8

At the restaurant, Patricia frowned upon seeing Brandon’s response and couldn’t help but glance at Ivan and Sophia, obviously skeptical. She shot back a message to Brandon [If he’s your guy, what’s his name?]

But there was no reply on WhatsApp.

Patricia’s face started to cloud over as she waited without a response, and she couldn’t help but look at Sophia again.

The gal sitting across from her was just as puzzled and looked at Sophia before turning to Patricia. “What’s up?”

She didn’t know Sophia or recognize her.

Patricia shook her head It’s nothing.”

But her eyes were still fixed on Sophia, with a touch of petulance and a not-so-quiet voice, not to mention her strong presence. Sophia couldn’t help but furrow her brows and instinctively turned around, locking eyes with Patricia.

Patricia was still holding her phone, showing no signs of embarrassment at being caught in the act. She just calmly glanced at Sophia without saying hi

Sophia didn’t make a move to say hi either, just calmly returned her gaze after a brief eye contact.

Ivan looked at her thoughtfully. An acquaintance?”

Sophia nodded with a smile. “Yeah. She didn’t elaborate.

Seeing she wasn’t getting a greeting from Sophia, Patricia’s face sunk, but she was still perched on her elder’s high horse, not quite ready to cross that line. Probably trying to give Sophia a nudge, she picked up her phone again and sent Brandon a voice message. Brandon, don’t cover for Sophia all the time. Busy as you are with work, you still gotta keep an eye on your wife. Sophia’s a married woman, after all. I trust she wouldn’t do anything untoward, but it would look bad if acquaintances started gossiping.”

She didn’t bother to lower her voice.

Sophia could hear her, but didn’t respond, just sipped her tea as if nothing was amiss.

Still no peep from Brandon on WhatsApp.

Patricia, used to carrying her elder’s authority, couldn’t stand being ignored by the younger generation and lost her temper. She got up and walked over to Sophia, standing between her and Ivan. She glanced at Ivan as if by accident, then turned to Sophia. “Sophia, who’s this?”

She was polite and composed, so Sophia politely introduced him “This is my senior.”

Patricia sized up Ivan from her lofty position and reached out to him. “Hello, I’m Sophia’s mother-in-law.”

Ivan nodded politely. “Hello”

Patricia didn’t get the deference or the panic she expected. She gave Ivan another look, then couldn’t help but turn to Sophia. “Sophia, you’re a married woman. You should be mindful of how it looks when you’re with other men.”

Then she added with an affable smile. “Also, if you need money or anything, just talk to the family. Don’t always have your folks come over. Doesn’t sound good if it gets out.”

cup,

her dignified gentleness. The money for buying the villa. It was our

interrupting her. “I’m not aware of

to return every penny once I’ve sorted it

to Ivan. “Ivan, I’m sorry, but I have some things to take care of and aught have to leave first Make yourself

up. ‘Do you

declined, Ro, thank

Chapter 8

signaled the waiter. “Where are you headed? Let me drop you

need, but thank

watching coldly from the sidelines, was visibly upset but tried to

commotion, hurriedly wrapped up her phone

I just have to run home for a bit.” Sophia looked apologetic at Susan, Susan, I might have to catch up with you

what you need to Susan pulled her, “When I’m free, I’ll fly

her watch. Just keep an eye on the time

Sophia nodded. “I know.”

a few minutes away from the airport by

got home, Aaron and Laura were there, debating over which apartment layout to choose, with most

the clock in

a word, Sophia walked over with an expressionless face, bent down to grab the layout from the table, and ripped it to

sudden action and stared at her in

“What’s wrong?

pieces into the trash

looked at each other,

Sophia said, The money!”

and Laura didn’t

just looked at them calmly. “What did I remind you before? Brandon and I are divorced, and you shouldn’t bother them anymore. And what happened? It hasn’t been long, and you’ve already let my words go in one ear and

Aaron quickly explained, coming to his senses,

said, “If you don’t go to him, how would he just give you

wasn’t asking for money. Aaron scratched his head, looking a bit guilty. “And it’s not like we’re not giving it back. Just borrowed it for now and

you

can’t pay it back, then we won’t. After all, it was offered

frustration. Just because he doesn’t lack the money, you

endeavors I’ve put into raising you, he marries you off

and dad either. They fell head over heels for that house. If we miss this chance, there’s no

said, “That’s

Chapter 8

said, “Give back what? The down payment’s already been

cancel the

cancel, we

money spent on