The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 327

Don fearlessly popped the question, "Mr. Crawley, Mrs. Crawley?"

"No need."

Daniel squeezed out these words through gritted teeth, clearly fuming.

Don got the hint and didn't fan the flames any further. He just looked at the couple amidst the crowd and said to Daniel and Patricia, "Look, I'm an outsider and really shouldn't butt into family business, but I gotta say, every dog has his day, right? Brandon's no naive kid. He knows the score, what he wants and what he doesn't, better than anyone."

Daniel and Patricia just gave him the cold shoulder, not uttering a word.

"We all have our pros and cons," Don continued, eyeing Daniel and Patricia. "But it's easy to get trapped in our own little bubbles, cramming people into boxes based on our preconceived notions, which eventually leads to bias and losing the ability to judge objectively. Maybe we could try stepping out of our comfort zones and give people a fair shake, huh?"

Daniel gave him a sidelong glance, his face a mask of ice. "I've been around the block more times than you've walked to school, kid. I don't need a lecture from you. I know exactly what she is, and what kind of circus her family is. So what if she's got some credentials? That doesn't speak to character."

He was livid, his anger making him forget to keep his voice down. The volume was up, and Brandon, who was mingling with guests, suddenly looked over, his expression cooling, giving Daniel a fleeting glance.

Realizing his voice had been too loud, Daniel was too late to backtrack and too proud to cover it up, so he just kept his steely face and pretended not to notice Brandon's look.

Patricia, though feeling hard done by, still had some concern for her stepson, Brandon. Uncertain about how much he heard of Daniel's rant, she forced a chuckle and made excuses to Don, "Daniel hasn't been sleeping well lately, a bit on edge. The doc says he's got a bit of an anxiety thing going on, makes him fly off the handle easily, spouting all sorts of nonsense. Don't take it to heart."

She raised her voice a tad, deliberately or not.

Don kept up the polite smile, responding, "No worries, we've all been there. Totally get it."

But while his lips said 'understanding', whether Brandon would feel the same was out of his hands.

He couldn't help but glance over at Brandon.

Brandon's expression was calm, his gaze indifferent, a chilliness that was almost palpable.

He didn't come over to clash with Daniel, not wanting to ruin Sophia's big debut, only sparing an awkward and uneasy Patricia and Daniel a covert look before turning his attention to Sophia.

speaking at a measured pace, exuding warmth and composure. It was hard to

quietly by her side, dealing with the stream of well-wishers

were invited, there

keen

from reporters trying to seize the

and reporters

approached with a drink,

"Thank you, Mr. Dempsey."

glass gently

thanking you," Don said with a smile, toasting her before

lips pursing slightly, eyes lowered in silence for a moment before looking up at Brandon, "Brandon, let me toast

her eyes, "Why

Sophia's voice paused briefly, then she

saw genuine gratitude in her eyes, deep and

you

ago, I wanted to drop out," Sophia

for not pushing me back

added, pausing again before looking at him, "thank you for giving me

remained silent, just looking at

all the formality all of a

and then turned to Brandon, "Also, I owe you an apology. I said some really harsh things to you

that, she raised her glass to him and tilted her head back to finish it in one go, but Brandon quickly

"Don't drink anymore."

placed her glass on a passing waiter's

"Maybe I'll toast with juice

she reached for a juice, Brandon took

lounge for a bit."

to guests, excused himself and

Sophia, "Ms. Yearwood's tired. Take her to the