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.”

with her cup, turned to

gentleness. The money for buying the villa. It

aware of this situation. I apologize for any inconvenience

sure to return every penny once I’ve sorted

Patricia, then tumed to Ivan. “Ivan, I’m sorry, but I have some things to take care of and aught have to leave

stood up. ‘Do you need help

and declined, Ro, thank

Chapter 8

signaled the waiter. “Where are you

need, but thank you.” Sophia

the sidelines, was visibly upset but tried to keep

the commotion, hurriedly wrapped up her phone call and came over

nothing, I just have to run home for a bit.” Sophia looked apologetic at Susan, Susan, I might

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

watch. Just keep an eye on the time

Sophia nodded. “I know.”

minutes away from the airport

apartment layout to choose, with most of the

clock in confusion. “Weren’t you supposed to be on a flight this afternoon? Why are

face, bent down to grab the layout from the table,

by her sudden action and stared at her

“What’s wrong?

into the trash

looked at each other, confused.

Sophia said, The money!”

Laura didn’t say

shouldn’t bother them anymore. And what happened? It hasn’t been long, and you’ve already let my words go

quickly explained, coming to his senses, “And the money was offered by him, I didn’t ask for

go to him, how

go to him, but I wasn’t asking for money. Aaron scratched his head, looking a bit guilty. “And it’s not like we’re not giving it

will you return it

back, then we won’t. After

because he doesn’t lack the money, you feel entitled

said, “After all the endeavors I’ve put into raising you, he marries you

like that Aaron quickly tried to smooth things over, worried Laura might say something even more sutrageous. “Look, it’s not easy for mom and dad either. They fell head over heels for that house. If we miss this chance, there’s no other If we can buy

keeping het cool, said, “That’s not our money to cake. Give it back to him right

Chapter 8

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

said “Then cancel

if we cancel, we won’t get the down payment

money spent on a life