The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 97

Brandon didn’t

Chapter 97

Brandon didn’t realize until the next morning that Sophia’s number was a dead end.

With a flight home scheduled for the afternoon, he wanted to grab a bite with Sophia before taking off, but when he dialed her up, he was greeted with the “the number you have dialed is switched off” message.

At first, Brandon held onto a sliver of hope, guessing she might be tied up in a meeting.

But when he rang her up again in the afternoon and got the same disconnected tune, he got the picture–Sophia had probably changed her digits.

He even made a detour to that cozy little pad Sophia had taken him to the night before, only to find the real estate agent busy snapping pics and showing the place around.

The place was clearly tidied up, the design drafts on the table nearly all gone, though the books and other stuff were still kicking around.

The master bedroom’s main luggage was obviously packed up and out the door.

Brandon shot a glance at the busy agent. “What happened to the last tenant?”

“She checked out this morning,” the agent replied in passing. “The place is up for grabs now. You looking to rent?”

Then, worried that Brandon might snub the not–so–spick–and–span state of the digs, the agent quickly added, “Don’t sweat it, we’ll have the place spick and span before you move in. The previous tenant paid us to get it all shipshape. If you’re in a rush, we can have it ready today.”

“No thanks,” replied Brandon, his voice flat, giving the room a final once–over before heading out.

The agent was left scratching his head at Brandon’s cold exit.

Back in his car, Brandon fished out his cell and chuckled as he stared at the number Sophia had just added the night before.

Classic Sophia.

She always knew how to leave with the softest touch, yet make the cleanest break.

As the smile faded, Brandon’s face turned stone-cold, and he deleted the number, tossed the phone aside, and pulled away, the car quickly rolling out.

He didn’t linger in Wye City, heading straight for the airport.

While going through security, Don buzzed him up. Hearing airport announcements in the background, Don blurted out in surprise, “You’re at the airport?”

Yep, Brandon replied, short and sweet, grabbing his coat from the scanner and walking towards the exit.

“Why the sudden takeoff?” Don asked, puzzled, “I was hoping to chat with you about setting up a joint venture today

Just email me the proposal,” Brandon said, still sounding distant, “I’ll have someone look into it.”

“Sure thing. I’ll send it your way,” Don agreed, wrapping up the business talk before slipping back into personal territory, “Why the rush to leave?”

Busy with company stuff, Brandon wasn’t in the mood to chat, “Gotta go.

He hung up before Don could respond.

up. He’d always the type to deal with things on his own, keeping his emotions

had no chance

Chapter 97

prepped earlier, along

shot back a straightforward

over the phone didn’t sound fine,

you can, and we’ll tweak it if needed]

over] Brandon

later, Brandon replied, [Let’s roll with this.]

a voice message. “The Starlight Group has office space ready to

his feet, arms flailing in excitement, throwing up a “ye” sign. Just then, Sophia walked in with the proposal, and catching sight of Don’s uncharacteristic jubilation, she froze, wondering if she’d

salvage some dignity, “Uh, what

resentful glance at the door, cursing whoever left it open and let his boss vibe just fly

Sophia always seemed so calm and collected, Don always felt a tad

to notice his discomfort and approached him with the fresh–off–the–press proposal. “1 was supposed to run some ideas by you last night, but something came up at home and I

over the

pleased. “Looks good. Go

circled a section on the draft with a pen, “I suggest we try a new color scheme here, with ultramarine blue as a base.”

took a look and nodded, “Got it.”

the marked–up proposal, Don stopped

around, puzzled.

Don coughed lightly. “So, here’s the thing. Our business in Ephemora is

of “the Starlight Group,” Sophia’s hand paused on

Starlight Group, and this project will be the new company’s debut in Zenitha, a way to make some noise. You’ve just graduated and you’re mobile, so how about you consider coming back to Zenitha with us for the launch?”

a hint of regret, “That might be a bit inconvenient for me.”

you’ve got Starlight Group on your resume, plus the title of Head Designer, whether you wanna keep climbing the ladder. here, transfer to the mothership, or jump ship, It’s gonna be a massive boost

deal. And when you go back, the perks are gonna be better than what you’re getting now, What with the Starlight Group backing you up, Don added. “If you’re worried about settling in, don’t sweat it. The company’s got your back with a relocation package

until the next morning that Sophia’s number was

off, but when

onto a sliver of hope, guessing she might be tied up in a meeting.

the afternoon and got the same disconnected tune, he got the picture–Sophia had

little pad Sophia had taken him to the night before, only to find the real estate

was clearly tidied up, the design drafts on the table nearly all gone, though the books

luggage was obviously packed up and

a glance at the busy agent. “What happened to the last

replied in passing. “The place is up for grabs now. You looking to rent?”

and span before

giving the room a final once–over before heading out.

agent was left scratching his head at Brandon’s cold exit.

Brandon fished out his cell and chuckled as he stared at the number Sophia

Classic Sophia.

the softest touch, yet make the cleanest

faded, Brandon’s face turned stone-cold, and he deleted the number, tossed the phone aside, and pulled away, the car quickly

didn’t linger in Wye City, heading

security, Don buzzed him up. Hearing airport announcements in the background, Don blurted out

sweet, grabbing his coat from

takeoff?” Don asked, puzzled, “I was hoping to chat with you about setting up a

sounding distant, “I’ll have someone