The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 538

Marian's heart did a freaking somersault, nearly blurted out to grill him on why he had to spill the beans about her. She was just shooting the breeze, after all. But she swallowed her words, mustering a strained smile at Daniel, "No biggie, I'm not holding a grudge against Mr. Crawley. My bad that day; shouldn't have been such a chatterbox. I didn't see it coming."

She sniffled, her voice trailing off as she hung her head in guilt.

"It's all fate." Daniel sighed heavily, eyeing the nasty bruise on her neck with alarm, "You better not have hurt your neck; let me take you to the doc, okay?" Marian touched her neck and whispered back, "I'm fine, thanks Mr. Crawley. I want to check on Mr. Crawley. With him being like this, I'm really worried."

Daniel was kinda taken aback by her concern for Brandon, remembering how she'd been at loggerheads with him since her return. Even when their families tried to play matchmaker, she'd kept it cool.

Marian avoided Daniel's gaze, her eyelids drooping, "I'm just genuinely worried about Mr. Crawley."

Daniel was touched. He figured Marian's lukewarm response back then was due to her being considerate, knowing someone was already in Brandon's life. That reading made him extra grateful to her, plus the memory of how Yolanda had stood by Brandon when he lost his mom as a kid. So he just nodded, "Just be careful, okay?"

Marian nodded, "I will."

After saying their goodbyes, she bolted out.

Brandon beelined straight for the hotel parking lot and zoomed off in his car. By the time Kent hit the parking lot, Brandon's ride was long gone. Concerned, Kent hopped into his car and tailed him.

Brandon drove back to where Sophia had fallen into the river.

relief degree of terrain which formed the river, the stream's rapid flow, especially after last night's downpour, along with the convergence of mountain creeks could

in the foundations. Only one possibility remained: she didn't fall into the foundations but hit

concrete pillar. Normally, she would've fallen right into it, but since she wasn't found there, Brandon figured Sophia's survival instincts made her veer off at the last second. Still, she was

heart clenched uncontrollably, sending a chill through

as he searched the water fruitlessly for Sophia, he'd simultaneously called in hydrologists to estimate the current's speed and calculate how far she could've been carried. Professional rescue teams were also mobilized to search downstream, hoping against hope that Sophia had been washed ashore. But as time ticked

dared not contemplate

short but swift, quickly merging into the main river, not far

saving herself. If she'd

couldn't bear to think further. He drove along the river toward the sea outlet, his car's air conditioning on full blast, but all he felt was an icy

to the sea outlet, and even into the ocean itself. No one had given up hope, all still

parked near the mouth, heart

the steering wheel, wracked

silent for a while before looking up at him, then sighed deeply, opened the door, and stepped out, gazing into the endless

efforts from the police and rescue teams were still active

has been expanded out to the open sea," Kent said softly,

sandy beach carved by the river

sea, back to the river that had swallowed Sophia, wanting to dive in once more

intent and hastily spoke up to stop him, "Mr. Crawley, you can't

suit jacket as he walked and handed