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'm fine. I just wanted a drink. My chest feels tight."

Jasper closed his eyes wearily, his breath heavy with alcohol.

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

Xavier hurried to pour a glass of warm water, then found two tablets and helped Jasper swallow them.

Julien's medication supply was

already running low. Xavier knew he had to contact him soon to replenish it before Jasper's conditiono

spiraled out of control.

Concerned, Xavier asked, "What happened, Mr. Beckett? Why are you drinking like this?"

"Xavier, my chest... feels tight."

Still tipsy, Jasper thumped his fist weakly against his chest.

Worried he might hurt himself, Xavier caught his hand. "What happened? Did that bastard Justin give you trouble again? Tell me!"

"Alyssa... do you really have to take your act this far?"

half-closed as he muttered, "Are you really just pretending? Or...

was stunned. "Him" could only

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

phone and turned on the recorder, hoping to capture

soft snores-he had

Chapter 700

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

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

breaths, she nervously opened the search engine and typed in the phone number for YUCN University. Seeing the numbers pop up

still a

at another

had just arrived in their reserved

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

spoke, he walked over and gave Brandon a friendly pat on the shoulder before turning to Sophia with a smile. "You two

with a smile. "No need,

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

"You should have introduced

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, a few of you have been openly dating, including you and the top student, someone named Sophia,

his throat, slightly

looked at President Poe, puzzled.

for them to sit and continued, "You're

dared to have a high

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

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

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

Sophia was speechless.

amused look. "Make sure

missing the sarcasm, nodded cheerfully. "I'll be sure to pass

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

taken aback. "She's

shyly smiled and greeted him,

Sophia?" President Poe

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

he might not have recognized her

hairstyle could completely throw him

shouldn't you have kept a photo of such an outstanding

faces," President Poe admitted, still a bit bewildered. He turned to

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

frowned in

before," Sophia explained apologetically. "But I'm

"If she's your

said. "I'll explain it all to

been for the science center's design competition at the university,

each other's existence, drifting

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

eye."

was your appreciation that made it possible," Sophia politely

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

Poe grinned, "Absolutely, I don't think young ladies should feel pressured to drink at

that, he raised his own glass, clinking it against Brandon's

they settled back into their seats, the conversation naturally drifted

Poe was

"Hey, Auntie."

stepped out of the private room, she answered

"Sophia, are you busy?"

voice came through

with a

haven't fully recovered yet, so why are you working? What's up with that

to work. It's not even that exhausting, just a bit of

drags you away against your will,

wasn't the first time Amanda had expressed her

Amanda on this matter. She appeared easygoing, but she was strong-willed. Once she decided Brandon was a problem, no amount of explanation from Sophia would change her mind. Amanda just assumed Sophia was charmed by his looks and

an understanding with Amanda, Sophia opted to change the subject. "So,

urgent, and I need

a slight sense of relief. Hearing Amanda's concerned tone, she couldn't help but

need to worry," Amanda said, not offering further

you need anything,

room, leaning on the railing. Initially, she positioned herself where Brandon could see her but the restaurant was busy and as she unconsciously stepped aside to let people pass, she gradually moved out

His eyes followed Sophia from the moment

doorway, he felt a bit more at ease but his gaze never strayed from

President Poe, reviewing some

occasionally glanced up at Brandon,

attention on Sophia. He

sucha

eye afraid she

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

head with a chuckle, apologizing

go check on

that, he got

to give Sophia

assistant urged

up the call. After

hung

turning to head

s

bustling with

to her forehead, her

pain.

went that way,

forest, the crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed

little girl dressed in a pale white parka was pulling another girl clad in a bright red coat, both running for their lives

in the red coat was