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?"

you really

stunned. "Him" could

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

he discreetly took out his phone and turned on the recorder,

was Jasper's soft snores-he had already passed out drunk on

Chapter 700

her smile slowly vanishing with it. Once Marian was out of sight, Patricia's expression

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

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

if there's still a teacher named

door at

just arrived in their reserved private room when they

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

on the shoulder before turning to Sophia with a smile. "You two have already met, I assume? No introductions

a

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

chuckled, "You should have introduced us

Poe looked at him 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, a few of you have been openly

his

looked at President

them to sit and continued, "You're surprised

you dared to have a high

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

at her, then turned back to President Poe with a grin. "President,

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, he had no choice but to separate you two in class-one east, one west, one in

Sophia was speechless.

gave President Poe an amused look. "Make sure to thank him for me, will

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

Poe. "Let me formally introduce you:

Poe was taken

shyly smiled and greeted

Poe was still

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

he might not have recognized her

of hairstyle could completely throw him off. He just never connected the dots between the Sophia in front of him and

shouldn't you have kept

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

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

Poe frowned

was Arlene before," Sophia explained apologetically. "But I'm also

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

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

it hadn't been for the science center's design

each other's existence, drifting further apart

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

eye."

made it possible," Sophia

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

young ladies should feel pressured to drink at

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

the conversation naturally

President Poe was absorbedChapter

"Hey, Auntie."

soon as Sophia stepped out of

"Sophia, are you busy?"

voice came through

discussing work with

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

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

Amanda said with a hint of displeasure. "A man who drags you away against

first time Amanda had expressed her doubts about

problem, no amount of explanation from Sophia would change her mind. Amanda just assumed Sophia was charmed by his looks and was defending him at every

Amanda, Sophia opted to change the subject. "So,

"Oh, we were supposed to have lunch today, right? Harvey has something urgent, and I need to go over there, so I can't make it for

Sophia replied, feeling a slight sense of relief. Hearing Amanda's concerned tone, she

need to worry,"

Sophia didn't press further. "If you need anything, just let me

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 of

notice. His eyes

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

President Poe, reviewing some

occasionally glanced up

Sophia. He couldn't resist

sucha

eye afraid she

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

just shook his head with a

go check

that, he got up

Amanda continued to give

her assistant

up the call.

Sophia hung up

relief, turning to

s

was narrow and bustling with people.

to her

pain.

chase them! They went that way,

the crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed through

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

girl in the red coat was