The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 63

Don had no clue whether Martin was off to see Brandon or not. The guy was driving like a bat out of hell, and by the time he hit the road, the taxi was nowhere in sight.

He

rang

Martin up, but Martin just brushed him off with a “Don’t worry about me” and hung up.

Don couldn’t for the life of him figure out what Martin was playing at, or what was going on between him and Brandon. He wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed compared to those two, but he had a sneaking suspicion they were keeping him in the dark about something. Not wanting to stick his nose where it wasn’t wanted, Don mulled it over and decided to give Brandon a buzz. “Hey, I couldn’t catch Martin. He hailed a cab and took off saying he had some stuff to do. Not sure if he’s heading your way or what.”

Brandon was at the Starlight Hotel’s HQ in Ephemora, and he paused mid-stride when he heard the news, but didn’t make a big deal out

of it.

“Got it,” he responded coolly. “If he shows up, I’ll give you a shout.”

“Are you guys keeping something from me?” Don wasn’t one to beat around the bush and asked point-blank.

Brandon didn’t sugarcoat it. “He’s coming over to confirm Yolanda’s identity.”

“Huh? No, I mean, if that’s the case, why the heck are you stopping him?” Don didn’t get it. If it was about confirming identity, just arrange for Marian and Martin to meet up, get on the same page, and go for a paternity test. No biggie.

“Let’s talk about it later.” Brandon let out a sigh, glancing at the hotel, “I’m a bit tied up right now, gotta hang up.”

After he ended the call, Brandon hesitated, remembering Martin had left on his own. The phone spun in his hand as he weighed his options-deal with business first or sort out personal matters.

Just then, a young girl with an HR vibe stepped out of the office and spotted Brandon by the elevator. She approached with a smile. “Hello, you must be Mr. Keith, here for the operations director position?”

She reached out her hand while she spoke. “Hi, I’m Crystal from HR.”

Brandon locked eyes with her but didn’t respond.

Unfazed, Crystal swiped open the glass door, welcoming warmly, “Come on in. Mr. Darcy has already briefed us about you several times, emphasizing that we should treat you well.”

At the mention of “Mr. Darcy,” Brandon’s expression shifted, and he nodded, “Thanks for the trouble.”

He followed her into the company.

The office was a high-rise leased for its panoramic river views and glass-walled divisions, clean and upscale.

Brandon had only been here a few times during the subsidiary setup. Once he took over the group’s operations, his workload soared, and hotel management was delegated, so he hadn’t been back in years.

It had been so long that most of the staff was new, and nobody recognized him.

He was a low-key guy. The company profiles and financial interviews never featured his photo, and aside from the execs he dealt with, hardly anyone knew him.

the office was a beehive

and cool demeanor instantly capturing attention. Whispers spread about the dashing job

he was with HR, no one mistook him for a

across the office. His inherent authority silenced the excited whispers, and everyone quickly

a smile, “They’re just young girls getting excited over a good-looking guy. Don’t mind

hummed in acknowledgment and followed Crystal into

a seat. I’ll get you some water,” said Crystal, fetching a disposable cup and filling it for Brandon before sitting opposite him. She opened the resume in her hand and said, “So, Mr. Keith, Mr. Darcy has made it clear to us that your background more than qualifies you for our hotel’s operations director position, and the company would be

at the resume in her hand. “Could I take a look at that? I was in such a

him the resume, “Of course, no problem.”

quickly scanning the document labeled “Keith,” age 30, a master’s degree from an obscure

15:30

heard of, possibly a diploma mill, with an unrelated major and barely relevant work experience capped at a receptionist position, with exactly four years under his belt-a

asked, “If this has to go through headquarters approval, is this resume going to

chuckled, “That’s exactly why we’ve called

cry

from the

one was around, she leaned in and handed Brandon another resume, lowering her voice, “This is the polished resume

dabbled in the ops of some top-tier hotels during his studies, and post-graduation, he jumped straight into one of the world’s top ten hotels, skyrocketing its expansion abroad – turning it into a hot commodity with a full house every night. Taking a gig at

brought this

him to zip

nodded, closed the resume, and turned to her, “Is this how Mr.

a bit odd but still shook her head with a smile, “Of course not. You’re a talent Mr. Darcy has his eye on, so naturally, he’s going to roll out the red carpet for

a smile that didn’t quite reach

glass walls, lingering on the sign that read “CEO’s Office” before turning back to Crystal,

“Mr. Darcy stepped out. Didn’t

an undeniable air of authority, “Where did he

voice softened involuntarily,

eyes as she sized

hadn’t told her his full story, just calmly asked, “When

with a smile, “Pass the interview today, send the resume to HQ, and once HR

Darcy give the nod, it’s all smooth sailing. HQ

no sweat.”

for the hassle.” Brandon stood up, “I’ll head out

stick around for a bit. He’ll be

reach out if there’s anything.” Brandon was already at

someone Darcy had flagged for VIP treatment, quickly getting up to help open the conference room door, adding with a smile,

the door, she gestured him out and said, “Then, I guess I’ll be seeing you

you to the company,” and couldn’t help but buzz with excitement, nudging each

avoided public

all aflutter –

eyes, Brandon’s resume