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?"

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

Xavier was stunned. "Him" could only mean Justin.

"Mr. Beckett, to be honest, deep down, you've never moved on from Madam Alyssa... You still care about her, don't you? You still love her, right?"

As Xavier spoke, he discreetly took out his phone and turned on the recorder, hoping to capture Jasper's confession.

But in the end, all he recorded was Jasper's soft snores-he had already passed out drunk on the couch.

Chapter 700

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

She reached for her phone 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 deep breaths to calm herself. But after only a couple of seconds, her trembling hand reached for the phone again.

With a few more deep breaths, she nervously opened the search engine and typed in the phone number for YUCN University. Seeing the numbers pop up on the screen, she steadied herself and dialed.

"Hello, could you please tell me if there's still a teacher named Wendy Cooper at your university?"

Next door at another restaurant

Sophia and Brandon had just arrived in their reserved private room when they ran into President Poe.

President Poe seemed surprised to see Brandon there. He paused for a moment, then broke into a wide grin. "Brandon? What brings you here today?"

As he spoke, he walked over and gave Brandon a friendly pat on the shoulder before turning to Sophia with a smile. "You two have already met, I assume? No introductions needed?"

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

"Good to hear," President Poe said with a chuckle. "I was going to introduce you two earlier, but I know how busy Brandon is with work. I didn't want to impose."

Brandon chuckled, "You should have introduced us sooner, President."

President 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 dating, including you and the top student, someone named Sophia, I think."

Brandon cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed.

Sophia looked at President Poe, puzzled. "What?"

amused President Poe, who gestured for them to sit and continued, "You're surprised too, huh? You seemed like such a

to have a high

couldn't help but ask, glancing

turned back to President Poe with a grin. "President, you're

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

Sophia was speechless.

amused look. "Make sure to thank him

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

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

Poe was taken aback.

smiled and greeted him,

Poe was

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

so he might not have recognized

was a bit face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw him off. He just never connected the dots

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

I wouldn't remember 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

frowned in

Sophia explained apologetically. "But

turning to Brandon. "If she's your wife,

said. "I'll explain it all to you

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

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

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

eye."

your appreciation that made it possible," Sophia

chuckled 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

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

glass, clinking it

back into their seats, the conversation naturally drifted

President Poe

"Hey, Auntie."

Sophia stepped out of the private room, she

"Sophia, are you busy?"

familiar voice came

work with a client,"

so why are you working? What's up with that man? He

good to me. It's my choice to work. It's

him," Amanda said with a hint of displeasure. "A man who drags you away against your will, who knows what he's really like? Don't just believe everything he says. Keep your

wasn't the first time Amanda had expressed her doubts about

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

understanding with Amanda, Sophia opted to change the subject. "So, Auntie, why did

has something urgent, and I need to go over there, so I can't

of relief. Hearing Amanda's

no need to worry," Amanda said, not

press further. "If you need anything, just let

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 Brandon's sight

did notice. His eyes followed Sophia from the moment

doorway, he felt a bit more at ease

President Poe, reviewing some

occasionally glanced up at Brandon, noting

He couldn't resist

sucha

eye afraid she

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

his head with a chuckle, apologizing

go check

he got up and

continued to

her assistant

up the

hung up

in relief, turning

s

hallway was narrow and bustling with people.

instinctively reached up to her forehead, her brows

pain.

They went that way,

the crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed through the snow-covered

parka was pulling another girl clad

the red coat was sobbing, saying

the white parka kept dragging her along, desperate to keep

red coat tripped over something,

the red coat burst

feet, quickly covering her friend's mouth with her hand, then crouched down to lift her onto her back, trying to

could barely move, and not knowing how to carry someone properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to

slope, finally coming to a halt when her knee slammed into a protruding rock. The pain made tears spring to her eyes instantly, but at

red coat scrambled to her feet, looking

She tried to stand, using the rock for support, but the pain was too much, and the tears flowed freely as she failed

them, the sound of angry footsteps and shouts continued

the red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng closer

struggled to get

around, terrified, and her eyes lit up when she saw

told her to run to

red coat wouldn't draw attention in the snow, the

the red coat hesitated, taking the bracelet and changing into the white parka but

in the white parka urged her to go, warning that the bad guys would catch

summoning the courage to sprint down

girl in the white parka watched her

until she

direction her friend had gone, clutching the exchanged red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry, and exhausted, but she didn't dare close her eyes

to dark, and then dark to light

came.

Her friend didn't return.

parents, and big brother never

wrist,

mind

her

growing alarm. She knew it was the bracelet that

for two

and while she often seemed momentarily

crying silently, staring at the

room, catching sight of

and loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention around

brought Sophia back to her senses a bit, her expression showing a hint of

voice was still choked, "I wanted you to take it to my parents, but

eyes suddenly turned razor-sharp, fixing on

eyes widening in alarm, staring at Sophia, who looked

Sophia clearly didn't remember.

that Sophia had amnesia?

so casually. I've had this bracelet for as long as I can

was so sure yet confused, a certainty that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality back from the

glanced at the bracelet on Marian's wrist and then

Sophia, so she

images in her mind were real, why would she let the

clearly felt the sadness and despair of the girl in the white puffer coat

teary eyes showing a hint of self-doubt, and unconsciously loosened her grip on Marian's hand. But in the next second, the arm she had released was suddenly gripped by a

Brandon's voice came

to her side. One hand was gripping Marian's arm through her clothes, and the other had already pulled the bracelet off her wrist, his expression

turned pale

previous threats to her life loomed over her

coolly. "What

voice wasn't loud, yet it brought that suffocating feeling of near-death rushing back to

her face pale. "I don't know. I've

After all, so many years

looked at her coldly. "You're

I really don't remember," Marian lost control, her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head desperately. "It's been with me since I can

attracted more and more

who had

grew worried. She came out to look for

crowd. She quickly approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about to move people aside, froze, hesitating to get any