The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 433

Rachel took Marian's nightmare-laden panic for just a bad dream and comforted her for a while before letting go, but remained worried and suggested staying with her through the night.

"I'm fine."

Finally, Marian spoke up, her voice still thin from distress, "You should all go back and rest first."

With a forced smile that barely masked her lingering dread, Marian tried to reassure everyone, who, seeing her slightly improved complexion, left a bit more at ease and returned to their rooms.

Marian locked the door behind them and went back to the bedroom, but sleep now eluded her.

She stared at the bracelet on the floor, thrown down in her moment of distress, and hesitated to pick them up.

The dreamlike memories of her youth held her in a vice grip of panic; she knew these were real.

As a child, she often had such fragmented dreams. After each nightmare, her mother would hold her tight to comfort her, and with their patient and loving pampering, she gradually moved past those nightmarish memories. Yet, these recollections never vanished and were fiercely awakened tonight by her desire for Sophia to be Yolanda.

She didn't sleep a wink all night.

The next day at the company, Marian found herself stealthily glancing at Sophia. The more she looked, the more Sophia's face seemed to merge with the blurry image of her sister from her memories, and the more her heart raced with fear.

Sophia had noticed Marian's occasional stares from early on.

Throughout the morning, whether Sophia was passing through the lobby, in a meeting, or in her office, Marian would zone out watching her now and then.

Sophia didn't know if it was because of her planned public explanation and apology at the media press conference that day, and she had wanted to find a chance to discuss the matter with Marian, but since Marian didn't bring it up, she pretended not to notice.

At lunch, Sophia and Don had work to discuss, so they went to eat together.

Marian followed them but unusually didn't barge in as she normally would; instead, she silently got her own food and ate alone.

While eating, Marian occasionally looked up at Sophia's profile, spacing out as she did so.

He wasn't sure if Marian had apologized to Sophia yet and quietly asked, "What's

as clueless and shook her head, "I don't

to you?" Don

apology, but she did come to see me yesterday.

figuring it was

with her, decided to ask Don in a soft voice, "Mr. Dempsey, I heard that Brandon's father had a stroke and was hospitalized after fighting with Brandon about taking back his shares and stubbornly wanting

eating and looked up at

quietly waiting for

didn't know why she suddenly asked. After

time,

shook his head with a

back, not

No matter how much he tried to hide his emotions, the subtle changes in his aura and eyes were

overthink it," Don couldn't help but advise, "Brandon will handle it." Sophia

still human. He didn't have superpowers to manage such a large company, deal with the conflicts between her, his parents, and the occasional troubles stirred up by her family. He simply didn't have the energy

company that noon; he had gone to the

couldn't get any information; probably they didn't want her to worry, as everyone she asked said he was doing fine and

Brandon returned from the hospital to pick up

4 p.m., with Martin to personally explain the situation with the estate project to the public, and

or from knowing Brandon's ruthless way of handling things. Unlike before, she didn't dare to be as casual with him and quickly dropped her gaze to avoid

her any attention and after picking up Sophia, he called Kent, "Arrange for

except for Ivan and Don, didn't know what was going on, and they were

felt extremely awkward but didn't dare to say anything, clutching her phone

heading there too,

"Come on, you can ride

help but ask Don, "Mr. Dempsey, what's this press conference

her, "Just a press

left hanging but sensed there was more to it

a bit bummed out but didn't want to press further,

respond, his gaze had already moved past