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?"

fine. I just wanted a drink.

wearily,

It looks like you've finished every drop in your wine cabinet! At this rate,

water, then found two

Julien's medication supply was

he had to contact him soon to replenish it before

spiraled out of control.

"What happened, Mr. Beckett? Why

my chest...

his

caught his hand. "What happened?

really have to

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

was stunned. "Him" could only mean

moved on from Madam Alyssa... You still care about her, don't you? You still

he discreetly took out his phone and turned on the recorder, hoping to capture Jasper's

soft snores-he had already passed out drunk on the

Chapter 700

fade away at the restaurant's entrance, her smile slowly vanishing with it. Once Marian was

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

a few more deep breaths, she nervously opened the search engine and typed in the phone

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

door at another

in their reserved private

there. He paused for a moment, then

the shoulder before turning to Sophia with

head with a smile. "No need,

two earlier, but I know how busy Brandon is with work. I didn't want to

chuckled, "You should have introduced

and breathes work, actually wanted to meet a girl? Just the other day, the former principal and your class advisor were chatting

his

at President

who gestured for them to sit and

to have a high school

Sophia couldn't help but ask, glancing at Brandon, surprised by

her, then turned back to President Poe with

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

Sophia was speechless.

look. "Make sure to thank him for me, will

nodded cheerfully. "I'll be sure to

suddenly pulled Sophia closer, turning to President Poe. "Let me formally introduce you: my girlfriend,

taken aback.

smiled and greeted

President Poe was still in

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

so he might not

Sophia and Brandon's achievements as students. Still, he hadn't personally taught them and was a bit face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw him off. He just never connected the dots between the Sophia in front of

with a smile. "President, shouldn't you have kept a photo

a bit

folder he brought, revealing the science center design proposal. But the designer's name was now clearly

frowned

explained

Poe was still confused, turning to Brandon. "If she's your wife, why did

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

science center's design competition at the university, he might never have known Sophia

have remained unaware of each other's existence, drifting further

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

eye."

appreciation that made it possible," Sophia politely

as he joined in, "Sophia's talents are undeniable, 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 warm tea into Sophia's hand. Smiling, he

I don't think young ladies should

it against Brandon's and Sophia's before taking a hearty

the conversation naturally drifted

Poe was absorbedChapter

"Hey, Auntie."

soon as Sophia stepped out of

"Sophia, are you busy?"

came through

discussing work with a client,"

so why are you working? What's up with

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