The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 397

Brandon didn't look at her; he just opened his arms and gently embraced her.

"You are a bit off tonight," Sophia murmured, not pushing him away. "What happened?"

"Nothing." Brandon croaked softly. "I just suddenly remembered things from the past, and I feel like I owe you an apology."

"There's nothing to apologize for," Sophia whispered back. "The path I chose was mine to take. Our marriage was a mutual decision, without any coercion. I have my own faults to bear."

Lifting her head to look at him, Sophia added, "So you shouldn't blame yourself."

Brandon glanced at her, caressed her hair with his hand, but remained silent.

Deep down, he wished she would argue with him, give him an earful for not being attentive enough.

To care and to hope means she paid attention.

The flip side of that is to have enough detachment to be objective.

Now, Sophia and he were bound together only because of their kid.

He cracked a smile at her, "Let's sleep for now."

Sophia nodded, "OK."

Aaron was anxious because he couldn't see Daniel at the hospital.

The bid meeting for the Frost Group was about to kick off, and without connections to pave the way, he knew his company didn't stand much of a chance.

Countless established corporations vied for this project, and his held no advantage.

His intention wasn't to gobble up the entire project. Initially, a partnership was what he had in mind-Let the big players take the lion's share while he got a slice of the pie.

That's why he had approached Mr. Gellar for a partnership, envisioning him winning the whole deal, while he just contributed a minor investment for a small stake, pocketing a few million, perhaps up to ten.

Mr. Gellar was the big fish he had clung to while Sophia and Brandon were still married, thanks to Brandon's uncle status. Though not in Brandon's league, Mr. Gellar had a decent reputation in the West district real estate scene.

At first, it was Mr. Gellar who had cozied up to him, offering brotherly flattery.

But once Mr. Gellar got wind of Brandon and Sophia's divorce, his responses cooled.

Fortunately, Aaron was decent in his dealings. He had not abused his brief advantage; he always treated Mr. Gellar with respect. So even though Mr. Gellar became colder, he didn't kick Aaron out of his social circle.

Aaron knew that for a network to last, being useful to others was crucial.

Over the past two years, he'd been conscientiously keeping the relationship with Mr. Gellar. Beyond the routine exchange of gifts during festivals, he also attended to minor issues for him, like arranging hospital stays for relatives, or sorting out schooling issues for their children—all facilitated by the network he had established when he was Brandon's brother-in-law. He was thorough in his approach, and would often visit Mr. Gellar to sit awhile, serve tea, drive guests around—anything practicable to assist, he would do. Over these years, their relationship had stayed pretty solid.

Aaron had thought, given his rapport with Mr. Gellar, that he would be included in the Frost Group project, even if just to reap some benefits. But to his surprise, Mr. Gellar had never brought up the matter.

When Aaron broached the topic, Mr. Gellar seemed uneasy, saying he wasn't even sure he could land the Frost family project and didn't want to lead Aaron astray, suggesting Aaron might as well bid on his own.

The sincerity of this advice was unclear to Aaron, but with an invitation to bid, he wouldn't pass up the chance. He even approached the Frost family with a gift to test the waters.

From the attitude of the Frost family's members, Aaron gathered that they looked down on him.

But the trip wasn't in vain; he accidentally uncovered the relationship between the Frost family and the Crawley family, which was a significant discovery.

Now that Sophia had reconciled with Brandon, Aaron planned to leverage the Crawley family connection to persuade the Frosts.

But with Daniel out of reach, he felt anxious.

guy was always swamped. In the past, when Aaron needed something, Brandon would just delegate it to his subordinates, a bunch of paycheck collectors who were all smiles while being

their hands, Aaron had no choice but only to chase

when prodded, they

when he checked back, they'd act all surprised to hear the task was incomplete and would claim they needed to check with others. After some investigation, they'd realize they had simply forgotten, followed by profuse apologies

Brandon for help, especially with

and Patricia was a

their less affluent relatives. They

Aaron preferred to deal with them exclusively, but he never expected Daniel to be laid up with cerebral hemorrhage at such a critical time, and it

he couldn't afford to wait

several days of frustration and two fruitless visits to Daniel, which were stopped at the elevator

more stressed, the Frost Group published a list of qualified bidders, from which his company's name was

from his restless seat. He couldn't worry if Brandon was reliable

call was diverted to Brandon's

in a meeting. What can I do for you, Mr. Yearwood?" Kent's voice on the other end was

couldn't fault him for anything. Thus, he maintained his decorum and politely said, "I need to speak

to say," Kent was still playing Mr. Nice Guy. "The meeting is crucial. Mr. Crawley might be tied up for

I'd like to have dinner with him tonight, at 7 p.m. at

that would be inconvenient," Kent replied regretfully. "However, I could relay your message, and

out of town? Since when? How long

left today." Kent was telling the truth; Brandon had indeed left for a business trip that day

are unsure when he'll

left Aaron's worry

time Brandon returned, the

what I can do. Thanks,

a heavy sigh, threw his phone on the

and stretched out,

woes.

came out of another room, dressed

while. Tell your Mom not to worry

she gets back."

briefed Aaron, he sat down to slip on

over, noticing he was putting on some formal

are you going?" he

to return to his previous work in renovations. His outings had been limited to short walks in the

time he'd made

will check in on her kid as well," Haley said, and then turned to remind Aaron, "Don't mention it

a sudden jolt of excitement, "You've got dinner with

his sudden burst, "What's the big

declared, swiftly heading to

was uneasy, "What

there be in joining my sister for dinner?" Aaron said while rummaging for clothes, half-turning to Haley, "Dad, can

made sense

paid little attention to his sister. Most older brothers were

resented Sophia in their youth for sharing the affection of their parents and wasn't always the kindest brother, things changed as they grew up-

to see a harmonious sibling relationship in the Yearwood family. As their

nodded and urged Aaron, "Hurry up then, I'll wait for

"Got it."

door. He reemerged shortly after, looking quite presentable-which was

little. Be nice to her," Haley couldn't help but advise Aaron, "She only has one brother, and if you don't look

tough about her life?" Aaron dismissed the notion, "She never lacked food or clothes. Despite our family's struggles, you and my mom worked hard to put her through university. She got into a top high school, and you didn't hesitate to

expenses-of course, we had to let her go," Haley said, with a touch of pride, "We owe it to her intelligence and success that she could help with buying a house even before graduating. Otherwise, you and Barbara would

cause precedes the effect. Without us, she wouldn't have her successes and her present life,"

shook his head with a resigned sigh and left the