The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 213

Ben spotted the issue too and, pointing at the computer, he demanded, "What's the deal here?"

The man mumbled quietly, "The surveillance broke on Wednesday, haven't gotten around to replacing it yet."

Ben fired back, "If it broke on Wednesday, why didn't you report it to the company? What if something serious happened?"

The man stammered, "I figured it wasn't such a big deal. Thought I could fix it myself and save the company some cash."

Ben retorted, "So you just let it slide until now? Just slacking off and snoozing on the job?"

The man made excuses, "I've been a bit swamped these last couple of days, a one or two-day delay wouldn't really make a difference."

Ben was so livid he was about to throw hands.

Brandon, with a poker face, had already turned and walked out the door.

Ben hurried after him, apologizing profusely, "Mr. Crawley, I'm really sorry about this mess. The company's poor management must've caused you some trouble."

Brandon didn't say a word, his handsome face was tight, like he was fighting to keep his cool.

Seeing Brandon like this, even Kent was a bit perplexed, but as a diligent assistant, he still managed a reassuring smile for Ben, keeping up the niceties. Brandon whipped out his phone to try Sophia again, still no answer.

He stubbornly dialed a second and third time, but it was the same story - no response.

Kent cautiously offered his own phone, "Maybe try with mine?"

He was a bit on edge, wondering if Sophia had blocked Brandon, unsure if that's why the calls wouldn't go through.

Brandon glanced at the phone Kent handed over, grabbed it and was about to dial when Don's call came in.

Brandon picked up immediately, "Talk to me."

Don said, "Someone's checked on her, she's at home, all fine. Just a bit worn out and asleep, that's all."

Kent could clearly see a dimming in Brandon's eyes, a mix of disappointment and worry.

"Got it."

He hung up, handed back Kent's phone, then turned to Ben to thank him.

"Thanks, Mr. Evert, for your help today."

Ben shrugged it off, "No trouble at all."

Brandon managed a half smile, "I've got a plane to catch, so I won't keep you any

longer. Let's catch up some other time."

Ben agreed, "Sure thing. Let's do that."

Brandon then turned and walked away, his smile fading as he did.

Kent quickly said his goodbyes to Ben and hurried after Brandon.

In a pastry shop near the mall

Theresa on her knee, her gaze lingering on the missed calls displayed on

somewhat distracted by the list of

at her phone, then at Theresa, who was focused on her bottle, and asked,

years, and I didn't notice you were

Sophia's arms appeared to be just over a year old, so she must have been born during

were quite similar to Sophia's, mother

and all, so my bump wasn't too obvious. By the

"That

but take another look at Theresa

nodded slightly,

to spill the beans when Brandon was

didn't see the surveillance,"

forced a thin smile,

were

and suddenly there's a reprieve, but it's just a stay of execution,

it would be simpler to face a swift end

the mention of Brandon, Theresa's curiosity

the name "Brandon" meant, but she couldn't help

with her round eyes at Ivan, then confusedly at Sophia, though she didn't

stroked

"Is she the reason you've

and half, I

want to dwell on the subject and changed the topic,

"Just some business."

around the fact he was here to inspect the mall with

before and had faced discrimination and mistreatment,

simply nodded, not

Ivan and finally asked, "Mommy, who is

call

not brushing off the question because of Theresa's young

still not quite grasping what a colleague meant but adorably

her sweet demeanor, "Hey there,

stumbling upon the fact that Sophia had a daughter

thing, but realizing she

noticed the complexity in his eyes but said nothing more, just checked the time on her phone and said

the unexpected encounter with Brandon, and the little

to take her to the amusement

West district

"I'll tag along."

the amusement park,

declined, "I don't want to

After all, kids are impressionable, and the sight of a man hanging out, having meals, and living with her mom could easily plant the

nodded and didn't push

time to get used to Sophia's shift from a single gal

mom.

me up if you need anything. I'm just around the corner,"

a

her thanks with

Mall, Kent and Brandon missed their flight back to

between the two cities, so