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

her gaze lingering on the missed

was somewhat distracted by the list of missed

then at Theresa, who was focused on her

were classmates for two years, and I didn't

arms appeared to be just over a year old, so she must have been born during their student

were quite similar to Sophia's, mother and daughter sitting together

said softly. "It was cold then, heavy coats and all, so my bump wasn't too obvious. By the time it was noticeable, I had her early at

chuckled, "That explains

couldn't help but take another look at Theresa and asked Sophia, "Doesn't Brandon know

nodded slightly, remaining

when Brandon was about

didn't see the surveillance," Ivan

forced a

were tangled,

ready to face the sentence, and suddenly there's a reprieve, but

would be simpler to face a swift end rather than this drawn- out

Brandon, Theresa's curiosity was

name "Brandon" meant,

Ivan, then confusedly at

stroked

Theresa and then at Sophia, "Is she the

replied, "Half and half, I

the subject and changed the topic, "What brings

"Just some business."

mall with his father,

wealth before and had faced discrimination and mistreatment, which made her naturally wary of

nodded, not pressing

sized up Ivan and finally asked, "Mommy, who is this

my colleague, call him Uncle

brushing off the question because of Theresa's

"Oh," still not quite grasping what a colleague meant but adorably said, "Hello, Uncle

her sweet

complicated; stumbling upon the fact that Sophia had a

thing, but realizing she had

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

was disrupted by the unexpected encounter with Brandon, and the

her to the amusement park, and Sophia

catch a flight back to West district that evening,

"I'll tag along."

to the

want to give the kiddo the

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

nodded and

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

mom.

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

thanks a bunch,

said her thanks with

Brandon missed their flight back to the West district and had to

plenty of flights between the two cities, so the