The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 288

"Madam," Sophia softened her voice, offering gentle reassurance, "Why don't you head back and get some rest? I'll come visit in a couple of days, okay?"

Renata shook her head on the spot. "Nope, you should stay over. Otherwise, you'll vanish again in no time."

Sophia was momentarily stumped and turned to look at the others for help.

The others were equally at a loss, taking turns trying to patiently persuade the stubborn Renata, who was adamant about leaving with Sophia.

Just as the standoff continued, Patricia's puzzled voice rang out from behind. "What's going on here?"

Sophia had her back to Patricia as she faced Renata. Hearing the voice, she hesitated for a split second, her lips pursing slightly, but she didn't turn around.

The others, not catching Sophia's reaction, had already turned their attention to Patricia and Daniel, who was stepping out of the car.

"What brings you here?" Rachel asked with a smile.

"We heard Renata went missing and were worried sick, so we rushed over," Patricia said with forced casualness as she approached with concern, "How is it? Did you find her?"

"Yeah, we found her, thanks to Sophia here."

Rachel said with a smile, then turned to introduce Sophia, "See, Renata still won't let her leave."

"Sophia?"

Patricia frowned, instinctively looking up at Renata before noticing Sophia standing beside her, her frown deepening.

Daniel had also locked the car and was walking over when he saw Sophia, slowing his pace.

Noticing the odd expressions, Rachel frowned slightly, "Do you guys know each other?"

Patricia wanted to say that Sophia was Brandon's ex-wife, but seeing Marian and the entire Frost family there, and not wanting to dredge up Brandon's past marriage and possibly create an awkward situation, she just laughed it off without responding.

Sophia didn't respond either and wasn't keen on sticking around. She turned to Renata with patience, "Madam, I really have to go. Could you please go back and rest?"

Perhaps sensing Sophia's change in mood, Renata's grip on Sophia's hand loosened a bit, her confused face showing a hint of hurt.

Sophia was flooded with guilt but forced herself to steel her heart and not intervene.

Renata, reluctant to let go, came up with a compromise after some thought, "Then could you leave your phone number? I'll call you when I have the time, okay?"

Patricia, trying to be helpful, chimed in, "Renata, no need for that. We've got plenty of people here. Anything comes up, just reach out to us. No need to trouble Sophia."

"Shut your trap." Renata suddenly snapped at her with a cold face.

Patricia was taken aback.

gentle, speaking softly and never raising her voice, let alone scolding anyone. This was the first time Patricia had been rebuked and she was momentarily at a loss for words. When she did recover,

not expecting the outburst, quickly stepped in to soothe Patricia, "Renata's been getting worse

laugh, "It's okay. I just didn't want someone to

to trigger Renata

Patricia away, Renata insisted, "Get out, get out

hurt herself, so they quickly stepped in to hold

others away, protectively placing Sophia behind her, and reassured Sophia like comforting a baby, "Don't be scared, Yoli. I'm here, and no one's gonna

to spill from Sophia's eyes as she was overwhelmed with emotion. She

be at eye level with Renata, choking

eyes, Renata clumsily lifted her hand, trying to wipe them away, while soothingly saying, "Don't cry,

this before. Unable to hold back any

and the others panicked, hurrying

awkwardly, quickly making up an excuse, "I just suddenly thought

overcome with emotion and breathed a

Sophia's tears, and Sophia let

slowly retracted her hand, and Sophia said

more.

didn't stop her but shakily took out her phone, insisting on

anxiously, wanting to intervene but held back, remembering Renata's

Renata's phone in response to her hopeful look

Sophia's phone rang, she handed Renata's phone back, "Madam,

childlike as she turned to have Rachel save the number. Sophia said

me have our driver

to tell Marian to call the family driver, but Sophia stopped him, "No need. I have a friend living nearby, and I'd like to

let the driver take

again about to

once more, not

"I'd prefer to walk

ways, Louis didn't

get home, so we can chill out," he reminded

her goodbyes to

to the yard, got a helping hand from Marian, who was sweet enough

there, watching

hadn't taken

just frowned, watching Sophia's

lady had called Sophia "Yoli" and couldn't shake off her concern. Finally, she couldn't help but turn to Rachel and ask, "What's this Yoli business?

again," Rachel said, looking at her

been confused before, but she'd never mistaken someone