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?"

wanted a drink. My chest

closed his eyes wearily, his

your wine cabinet! At this rate, you'll be

glass of warm water, then found two tablets

Julien's medication supply was

running low. Xavier knew he had to contact him soon

spiraled out of control.

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

chest...

his fist weakly

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

do you really have to take your act

muttered, "Are you really just pretending? Or...

stunned. "Him"

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

and turned on

soft snores-he had already passed out drunk on

Chapter 700

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

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 for the phone

opened the search engine and typed in the phone

if there's still

door at another

just arrived in their reserved private

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

Brandon a friendly pat on the shoulder before turning

head with a smile.

chuckle. "I was going to introduce you two earlier,

should have introduced us sooner,

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

his throat, slightly

President Poe, puzzled.

sit and continued, "You're surprised

dared to have

even dating?" Sophia couldn't help but ask, glancing at Brandon, surprised by

at her, then turned back to President

he didn't want to talk to you directly and risk upsetting you, so he lost sleep over it for

Sophia was speechless.

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

nodded cheerfully. "I'll be sure to pass that

smiled, then suddenly pulled Sophia closer, turning to President Poe. "Let me formally

taken

shyly smiled and greeted him,

Poe was still in

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

news, so he might not have recognized

change of hairstyle could

"President, shouldn't you have kept a photo of

photo, I wouldn't remember faces," President Poe admitted, still a bit bewildered. He

flipped open the folder he brought, revealing the science center design proposal.

Poe frowned

Sophia explained

to Brandon. "If she's your wife,

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

hadn't been for the science center's design competition at the university, he might never have known Sophia was

have remained unaware of each other's existence,

can't take credit for that," President Poe responded with a laugh, turning to Sophia. "It's all thanks to Sophia's talent that her work

eye."

that made it possible,"

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

I don't think young ladies

that, he raised his own glass, clinking it against Brandon's and Sophia's before taking a

settled back into their seats, the conversation naturally drifted back to the design plans for

Poe was absorbedChapter

"Hey, Auntie."

as Sophia stepped out of the private room,

"Sophia, are you busy?"

familiar voice came through

discussing work with a client," Sophia

are you working? What's up with that man? He brings you back without a word, and then you're

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