The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

"Jasper, you're back," Justin greeted with a faint smile. Even so, his grip on Alyssa only tightened, showing no sign of letting her go. His eyes gleamed with an

intense possessiveness.

Alyssa's heart skipped a beat. As she looked into Jasper's deep, distant eyes, tears welled up quietly. At that moment, she felt her entanglement with Justin was nothing short of disgraceful.

Nevertheless, having come this far with her act, she knew all her efforts would be in vain if she gave up now. So, she had no choice but to keep playing her part.

Instead of pulling away from Justin, she even curved her lips slightly in a faint smile.

"Hi, Mr. Jasper."

Mr. Jasper?

Jasper's expression darkened. His fists clenched, his eyes unreadable.

"W-What are you two up to?" he asked hoarsely.

Justin's eyes twinkled slightly as he maintained his calm, elegant smile. "I hosted a guest at Seaview Manor tonight. We happened to discuss a business partnership, so I invited Lyse over for dinner as well.

"We just finished, and I was about to send her home. If I'd known you were coming tonight, I would've asked you to join us."

"Join us?" Jasper forced a cold smirk. "If I were around, you probably wouldn't have the appetite to eat. Besides, wouldn't I have ruined the mood for you and Ms. Alyssa?"

His icy, mocking words pierced Alyssa's heart. Her gaze faltered.

"Jasper, you're much more adorable now than before. At the very least, you've developed a sense of humor."

Justin brushed past Jasper casually, still holding Alyssa by the hand. "It's getting late. I'd better send Lyse home so she can rest. We'll chat another time."

As Alyssa passed Jasper, her silky dark hair brushed lightly against his shoulder, carrying a familiar scent that lingered in the air.

His heart thudded violently, and he parted his lips slightly. He couldn't help turning around, only to see the frail Justin, who was always afraid of the cold, removing his wool coat and draping it gently over Alyssa's shoulders by the door.

For some reason, Jasper's heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. He stared fixedly at Alyssa's back, waiting. Waiting for her-the woman who had always hated Justin-to refuse his kind gesture.

But instead, she lifted her alluring face toward Justin and smiled sweetly. "Thank you," she said.

"No worries. The night breeze is chilly. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold."

Jasper watched helplessly as the two left together, Justin's arm casually resting around the small of Alyssa's back.

To Jasper, Justin's gentlemanly gestures were nothing but a blatant claim of ownership. He clenched his jaw so hard he could taste the tang of blood at the back of his throat as his chest rose and fell heavily.

Seaview Manor was cloaked in silence in the dead of night.

After everything that had happened, the place no longer felt like a home. It was more like an extravagant yet desolate palace—a stage for power struggles.

Xavier hurried through the dim, empty corridor, its creepy atmosphere resembling that of a horror movie set. No timid soul would dare linger here for long.

Fortunately, Xavier wasn't afraid of ghosts. He'd met people far more terrifying than any ghost.

"Mr. Beckett, are you in there? It's me!"

He knocked urgently. After a moment, a muffled voice came from within. "Come in..."

Xavier pushed the door open and froze in shock. Empty bottles of red

wine, whiskey, and other spirits

littered the coffee table or

One even

rolled to a stop at his feet.

The room was dimly lit by a single floor lamp. Jasper sat slumped on the floor,

leaning against the couch, chugging red wine straight from the bottle.

"Mr. Beckett, what are you doing? You shouldn't be drinking like this-not in your current condition!"

Frightened and frustrated, Xavier

ет

rushed over, snatching the empty bottle from Jasper's hand. With all his strength, he helped him sit upright on the couch.

"Dr. Lovelace warned you repeatedly. The medication he developed can keep your condition stable, but you must not overdrink or let your emotions spiral!

"If your central nervous system is thrown off again and the medicine loses its

effect, not even God can save you! Is this really what you want?"

just wanted a drink. My chest

closed his eyes wearily, his breath heavy

drop in your wine cabinet! At

glass of warm water, then found two tablets and

Julien's medication supply was

to contact him soon to replenish it before

spiraled out of control.

Beckett? Why are you drinking

my chest... feels

thumped his fist weakly

Xavier caught his hand. "What happened? Did that

you really have to take

bleary eyes half-closed as he muttered, "Are you really

stunned. "Him" could only mean

you've never moved on from Madam Alyssa... You still care about her, don't you? You

his phone and turned on the recorder, hoping to capture Jasper's

end, all he recorded was Jasper's soft snores-he had already

Chapter 700

restaurant's entrance, her smile slowly vanishing with it. Once Marian was out of sight, Patricia's expression turned serious and

was about to open an app when she hesitated, as if it were something dangerous. She tossed the phone back

the search engine and typed in the phone number for YUCN University. Seeing the

could you please tell me if there's still a teacher named Wendy Cooper at

at another

reserved

Brandon there. He paused for a moment, then broke into a wide grin. "Brandon? What brings

and gave Brandon a friendly pat on the shoulder before turning to Sophia

with a

hear," President Poe said with a chuckle. "I was going to introduce you two earlier, but I know how busy

chuckled, "You should have introduced us sooner,

in surprise, teasing, "Did I hear that right? Brandon, the guy who lives and breathes work, actually wanted to meet a girl? Just the other day, the former principal and your class advisor were chatting about you. They

his

President Poe,

Poe, who gestured for them to sit and continued, "You're surprised

turns out you dared to have

couldn't help but ask, glancing at Brandon,

turned back to President Poe with a grin. "President, you're spreading rumors

the school gate every day, walking home together, attending night classes together. He was so worried you two would get too involved and neglect your studies. But he didn't want to talk to you directly and risk upsetting you, so he lost

Sophia was speechless.

gave President Poe an amused look. "Make sure to thank

missing the sarcasm, nodded cheerfully.

President Poe. "Let me formally introduce

was taken aback.

greeted

Sophia?" President Poe was still in

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

might not have recognized her

he hadn't personally taught them and was a bit face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw him

smile. "President, shouldn't you have kept

admitted, still a bit

flipped open the folder he brought, revealing the science center design proposal. But the designer's

Poe frowned in

explained apologetically. "But I'm also

turning to Brandon. "If she's

said. "I'll explain it all to you another time. In

design

Sophia might have remained unaware of each other's existence, drifting further apart in their separate

that," President Poe responded with a laugh, turning to Sophia. "It's all thanks to Sophia's talent that her work stood out and

eye."

that made

He raised his glass in a toast, while his other hand gently placed a freshly poured cup of warm tea into Sophia's

don't think young ladies should feel pressured to drink at events

it against Brandon's and Sophia's before taking

seats, the conversation naturally

President Poe was absorbedChapter

"Hey, Auntie."

out of the private room,

"Sophia, are you busy?"

familiar voice came through

I'm discussing work with a client," Sophia

yet, so why are you working? What's up with that man? He brings you back without a

not like that. It's not his fault," Sophia quickly defended Brandon. "He's been really good to me. It's my choice to work. It's not even that exhausting, just a bit of paperwork that I can finish in half an hour. You don't need to