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?"

I just wanted a drink. My

his eyes wearily, his

drink? It looks like you've finished every drop in your wine cabinet! At this rate, you'll be reaching for the

to pour a glass of warm water, then found two tablets and helped

Julien's medication supply was

low. Xavier knew he had to contact him

spiraled out of control.

Xavier asked, "What happened, Mr. Beckett? Why

chest...

Jasper thumped his fist weakly

he might hurt himself, Xavier caught his hand. "What happened? Did that

you really have to take your

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

stunned. "Him"

be honest, deep down, you've never moved on from Madam Alyssa... You still care about her, don't you? You still love

Xavier spoke, he discreetly took out his phone and turned on

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

Chapter 700

Marian's silhouette fade away at the restaurant's entrance, her smile slowly vanishing with it. Once Marian was out of sight, Patricia's expression

reached for her phone on the table, unlocked it, and was about to open an app when she hesitated, as if it were something dangerous. She tossed the phone back onto the table, taking deep breaths to calm herself. But after only a couple of seconds, her trembling hand reached

in the phone number

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

at another

just arrived in their reserved private room

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

shoulder before turning to Sophia with a smile. "You

with a smile. "No need, we've

"I was going to introduce you two earlier, but I know how busy Brandon is with work. I didn't want to

have introduced

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 said you're one of the most outstanding students but also the one they worry about the most. Apparently,

his throat, slightly

looked at President Poe,

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

dared to have

help but ask, glancing at Brandon,

at her, then turned back to President Poe

so worried you two would get too involved and neglect your studies. But he didn't want to talk

Sophia was speechless.

gave President Poe an amused look. "Make sure to

the sarcasm, nodded cheerfully. "I'll be

President Poe. "Let me

Poe was taken

smiled and greeted him, "Hello, President

President Poe was

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

he might not have recognized her from there.

and was a bit face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw him off. He just never connected

you have kept a

still a bit bewildered. He turned

mistaken and flipped open the folder he brought, revealing the science center design proposal. But the designer's name was now

frowned in

explained apologetically. "But I'm

confused, turning to Brandon. "If she's your wife, why did you ask me for her

all to

design competition at the university, he might never have known Sophia

unaware of each other's existence, drifting

responded with a laugh, turning to Sophia. "It's all

eye."

your appreciation that made

but it also takes someone with a good eye to recognize them, President Poe. Here's to you." He raised his glass in a toast, while his other hand gently placed a freshly poured cup of

don't think young ladies should

clinking it

naturally drifted back to the design plans

Poe

"Hey, Auntie."

as Sophia stepped out of the private

"Sophia, are you busy?"

familiar voice came through

with a client," Sophia replied

frowned, "You haven't fully recovered yet, so why are you working? What's up with that man? He brings you back without

to work. It's not even that exhausting, just a bit of paperwork that I can finish in