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.

hours, the office was a beehive of activity.

attention. Whispers spread about the dashing job applicant, and

was with HR, no one mistook him for a new hire.

swept calmly across the office. His inherent authority silenced the excited whispers, and everyone quickly sat up

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

followed Crystal into the meeting room.

made it clear to us that your background more than qualifies you for our hotel’s operations director position, and the company would

her hand. “Could I take a

Crystal handed him

he took it, quickly scanning the document labeled “Keith,” age 30, a master’s degree

15:30

and barely relevant work experience capped at a receptionist position,

at Crystal, he asked, “If this has to go through headquarters approval, is this

why we’ve called you in today.”

cry

from the

outside the glass walls to ensure no one was around, she leaned in and handed Brandon another resume, lowering her voice, “This

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

and nudged him, “You brought this resume, so make sure to

wink, signaling him to zip it and not

resume, and turned to her, “Is this how Mr. Darcy usually hooks

smile, “Of course not. You’re a talent Mr. Darcy has his eye on, so naturally, he’s going

that didn’t quite

drifting through the shiny glass walls, lingering on the sign that read

“Mr. Darcy stepped out. Didn’t he

with an undeniable air of authority,

voice softened involuntarily,

eyes as

told her his full story, just calmly asked, “When do

she replied with a smile, “Pass the interview today,

reassured him, “As long as HR here and Mr. Darcy give the nod, it’s all smooth sailing. HQ just does a routine

no sweat.”

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

“Mr. Darcy wanted you to stick around for a bit. He’ll be

out if there’s anything.”

to stop someone Darcy had flagged for VIP treatment, quickly getting up to help open the conference room door, adding with a smile, “You go on with your business, and I’ll

out and said, “Then, I guess I’ll be

overheard the “welcome you to the company,” and couldn’t help but

and eager eyes, had seen it all before. As a big shot in the company, he avoided public

got why the office girls were all aflutter – a good-looking,

her eyes, Brandon’s resume wasn’t all that