The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 324

The sudden stop of footsteps made Don pause mid-sentence on the phone, and he instinctively looked back to find Sophia staring at him, which left him a bit red- faced, too.

He muttered into the phone, "You dug your own grave, now lie in it. I've got something up, gotta bounce."

After hanging up, Don turned to face Sophia.

"When did you sneak up?" he asked with a grin, trying to act all cool and casual.

Sophia was slightly embarrassed herself. "Just got here, actually. Had a bit to sort out with you, saw you heading this way, so I tagged along."

"I was actually about to holler at you." Sophia hurried to clarify, hoping to avoid any misunderstanding.

"Don shrugged, "Guess I was too caught up in the call to notice you. You heard all that just now?"

Sophia hesitated a moment before nodding gently.

"Right," Don said, nodding in return.

"Grandpa Louis wasn't in the best shape, and Martin didn't want his grandpa to die with regrets, so he faked Marian's paternity test to say she was Yolanda," Don added.

"Does Brandon know about this?" Sophia asked softly.

Don hesitated but eventually nodded. "Yeah."

"And he," Sophia paused briefly, "when did he find out?"

"From the get-go."

Don couldn't help but pause when he said those words and looked at Sophia with concern.

Sophia just gave a slight smile before asking, "Is he still on the hunt for Yolanda?" "I don't know," Don admitted honestly. "Haven't seen him bring it up." Sophia nodded, "Got it, thanks."

Don couldn't read her expression and tried to lighten the mood. "So, what's up? You needed me for something?"

"Just wanted to chat about taking the day off tomorrow," Sophia said with an apologetic chuckle, "If it's a hassle for the company, I can skip the break."

"Sure thing," Don responded, a tad surprised at Sophia's willingness to back down.

Sophia gestured behind her. "Guess I'll get back to it."

Don nodded. "Yeah, sure."

Sophia headed to the front hall to help welcome guests.

Though she'd been feeling down these past few days, she didn't let it affect her work. After greeting a bunch of guests, Sophia popped into the break room for a touch-up.

She needed to reapply her makeup.

The upcoming groundbreaking ceremony had her slated to speak as the lead designer.

There was a staff break room and an executive one.

Don had set Sophia up in the executive lounge.

Sophia initially thought to just use the staff room, but as it was busy with no mirrors available, she found herself in the executive lounge next door.

It was empty and more comfortable for her.

freshen up

a mule, he didn't allow Marian's name to be added to the project design list, and he even had the

abruptly upon seeing

you doing

her haughty demeanor creeping back, "This is set aside for the lead designer. Who

accompanied her, also noticed

said, frowning deeper in annoyance, "That's absurd! He refused Marian but allowed you in? What's he playing

even a company to mess

turned to his bodyguard.

bodyguard stepped forward, blocking him and Patricia. "Mr. Crawley, Mrs. Crawley, this isn't your lounge.

not her lounge,

lose her temper, but she couldn't help frowning at Sophia, worried that Sophia's designer

enough story

project, and by extension, to its behind-the-scenes designer Vivian. But due to Don's subtle machinations, they hadn't had a chance to

had intended to pop by before the ceremony to say

be a tough nut to crack. Instead of persuading them to give up, he

outcome was a no-brainer. Don relayed

he'd reply apologetically, "Mr. Crawley, Mrs. Crawley, I can't make that call, Brandon's

in limbo, unable to

project designer and make introductions, never expecting to run into

Sophia's

job was to shield Sophia from Daniel and Patricia's meddling, so he politely told

he physically blocked them, rather firmly

totally snubbed and, in a fit of rage, forgetting all

my company, my project, and you think you can stop me from going to any lounge I want? Mind your own beeswax!" Patricia shouted at Sophia inside,

that, she spun around to her trailing secretary, "Get Mr. Dempsey on the horn, will ya? The ceremony's about to kick off, where the heck is the head

secretary nodded hastily, "Right on

a little, unfazed by

stood up

and Daniel were blocking the

way," Sophia said softly, not bothering to engage

scolded, "Is that

act their age, you can't expect the younger ones

bypass him, but Daniel chimed in, "We need to talk about

paused for a

looked at Daniel, "What kid? What do

watching, didn't spell it out,

her disgust, politely and calmly responded, "Sorry, I

turned to leave, and the bodyguard quickly stepped in to block

Crawley, Mrs. Crawley, please step

guard said, while firmly guiding them towards another lounge, no ifs or buts

insulted, Patricia couldn't help but lash out

Don arrived in the lounge next door, walking straight

commotion at Sophia's door.

ruckus about?" he asked,

him, acted as if she saw a lifeline, bombarding

she's

Don looked perplexed.

started, we'd come over with Mr. Crawley to say hi and get acquainted," Patricia

disgust, and said to Don, "The project's been going on for ages, and it's unheard of for the client to not even see the head designer. We're tight with you, we trust

chuckled, "Oh, she's