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.

was the first time Patricia had been rebuked and she was momentarily at a loss for words. When she did

"Renata's been getting

didn't want someone to take advantage of her in her

comment seemed to

away, Renata insisted, "Get out, get out now! Don't you dare

she might hurt herself, so they quickly

reassured Sophia like comforting a baby, "Don't be scared, Yoli.

overwhelmed with emotion. She turned her head slightly, holding the tears back

at eye level with Renata, choking up as she

Renata clumsily lifted her

and protected like this before. Unable to hold back

and the others panicked, hurrying

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

was overcome with emotion and breathed a

to wipe Sophia's tears, and Sophia

her hand, and Sophia

more.

but shakily took

intervene but held back,

Renata's phone in response to her hopeful look and dialed her

handed Renata's phone back,

to have Rachel save the number.

have our driver

stopped him, "No need. I have a friend living nearby, and

driver take you to

to

Sophia refused once more, not wanting

Brandon's parents, "I'd prefer to

so set in her ways, Louis didn't want to push

a buzz when you get

her goodbyes to Renata,

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

Gerald were still standing there, watching Sophia as

Daniel hadn't taken

just frowned, watching Sophia's retreating figure

Finally, she couldn't help but turn to Rachel and ask, "What's this

flared up again," Rachel said, looking at her with

lady might have been confused before, but she'd never mistaken someone for