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?"

eyes half-closed as he muttered, "Are you really just pretending? Or... have you already fallen for

was stunned. "Him"

down, you've never 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

in the end, all he recorded was Jasper's soft

Chapter 700

with it. Once Marian was out of sight, Patricia's expression turned serious and anxious

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,

engine and typed in the phone

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

door at

just arrived in their reserved private room when they ran into

a moment, then

pat on the shoulder before turning to Sophia with a smile. "You two

shook her head with a smile. "No need, we've

introduce you two earlier, but I know how busy Brandon

"You should have introduced us sooner,

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

his

looked at President

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

dared to have a high school

but ask, glancing at Brandon, surprised

her, then turned back to President Poe with a

he used to see you waiting at 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 sleep over it for days. In the end,

Sophia was speechless.

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

cheerfully.

pulled Sophia closer, turning to President Poe. "Let me

Poe was taken

greeted him, "Hello,

Sophia?" President Poe

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

not have recognized her from

and was a bit face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw him off. He

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

with a photo, I wouldn't remember faces," President Poe admitted, still a bit bewildered. He turned to Sophia, "Weren't you called Arlene

revealing the science center design proposal. But

Poe frowned in

before," Sophia explained

Brandon. "If she's your wife, why did you

it all to you another time. In

genuinely grateful if it hadn't been for the science center's design competition

unaware of each other's existence,

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

eye."

your appreciation that made

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 explained to President Poe, "Sophia's not feeling her

don't think young ladies should feel pressured to

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

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

Poe was

"Hey, Auntie."

Sophia stepped out of the private room, she answered the

"Sophia, are you busy?"

voice came through

I'm discussing work with a client,"

working? What's up with that man? He brings you back

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

displeasure. "A man who drags you away against your will, who knows what

the first time Amanda had

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

opted to change the subject. "So, Auntie, why did you

urgent, and I need to go over there, so I can't make it for

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

need to worry," Amanda

you need anything, just let

room, leaning on the railing. Initially, she positioned herself where Brandon could see her but

did notice. His eyes followed Sophia from the

phone. When she stopped at the doorway, he felt a bit more at ease but his gaze never strayed from

President Poe, reviewing some

occasionally glanced up at Brandon,

on Sophia. He couldn't resist

sucha

eye afraid

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

his head with a chuckle, apologizing to

check on

got up and

Amanda continued to give

assistant

up the

Sophia hung

relief, turning to head

s

narrow and bustling with people. As Sophia

up to her

pain.

They went that way, go find

crunching footsteps and

parka was pulling another girl clad in a bright

coat was sobbing, saying she