The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 699

Marian cast a puzzled glance at Patricia, whose expression seemed to shift like weather on a stormy day. Tentatively, she called out, "Mrs. Crawley?"

Patricia snapped out of her thoughts, suddenly aware that Brandon might be nearby. She muttered quietly, "Let's head inside first."

She turned on her heel and made her way toward the restaurant where they had agreed to meet, intentionally putting some distance between herself and Marian.

Marian noticed the deliberate space Patricia created between them. Her face darkened for a moment, but she managed to suppress her feelings and followed Patricia into the private dining room. Once inside, she assumed a casual air and remarked, "Mrs. Crawley, you didn't seem all that surprised to see Sophia and Brandon. Is Sophia really back?"

Her expression was one of feigned delight, as if she were genuinely thrilled about Sophia's return.

Patricia gave her a sideways glance. "After everything Sophia's done to you, why are you so happy she's back?"

In Patricia's mind, without Sophia, Marian wouldn't have been left so isolated, even the Frost family would have stood by her.

Marian let out a "gracious" smile, tinged with bitterness. "We were classmates and colleagues, after all. I'm just glad she's safe."

As she spoke, her fingers seemed to unconsciously graze the emerald bracelet on her wrist.

Brandon had left the bracelet behind, finding it too tainted for his liking.

Thinking of Brandon's disdainful attitude, Marian's lowered gaze stirred with a touch of resentment.

notice this. Her attention was drawn

as if it were

often lamented to Patricia, recounting how all her memories were of Yolanda and the Frost family. She insisted she was Yolanda, but the test results said

but whenever she

family?" Patricia asked, eyeing the bracelet that seemed to

eyes and shook her head

Grandpa wasn't well the other day. I wanted to

them, bringing joy to

irony. "They just don't believe I'm Yolanda. But how could I not be? I remember family trips as a child,

Patricia many times, so often that Patricia sometimes wondered if Marian was

comfort her. "Perhaps some things just need time to be proven. And

Patricia's placating tone. She met Patricia's gaze. You think lying don't you? But I'mnot. I really got lost; I'm not their biological daughter. The Barlows found me, and that's

ran high, and it was

"You're not your parents'

identity was revealed, Brandon mentioned that Martin Frost had asked Marian to play along, assuring her she had a complete family. He never said

by Patricia's reaction. "Yes,

Yolanda, and you're adopted?" Patricia pressed

of

nodding,

she wasn't Yolanda and