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?"

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

you dared to have a high school

couldn't help but ask, glancing

to President Poe with a grin.

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

Sophia was speechless.

"Make sure to thank him for me, will

sarcasm, nodded cheerfully. "I'll be

closer, turning to President Poe. "Let me formally

was taken

shyly smiled and greeted him,

President Poe was

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

might not have

face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw

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

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

the folder he brought, revealing the science

frowned

Sophia explained

Brandon. "If she's your wife,

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

was genuinely grateful if it hadn't been for the science center's design competition at the university,

Sophia might have remained unaware of each

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

eye."

was your appreciation that made it possible,"

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

"Absolutely, I don't think young ladies

it against Brandon's

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

President Poe was

"Hey, Auntie."

as Sophia stepped out of the private room, she answered

"Sophia, are you busy?"

came through

discussing work with a client,"

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

to me. It's my choice to work. It's not even that exhausting, just

who drags you away against your will, who knows what he's really like? Don't just believe everything he says. Keep your

time Amanda had expressed her doubts about

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

understanding with Amanda, Sophia opted to change the subject.

today, right? Harvey has something urgent, and

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

no need to worry," Amanda

further. "If you need anything, just

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

eyes followed Sophia from the moment

at the doorway, he felt

President Poe, reviewing some

up

on Sophia. He couldn't

sucha

afraid

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

head with a chuckle, apologizing to President

go check

that, he got up and

Amanda continued to give

her assistant urged

up the

hung

relief, turning to head

s

bustling with people. As

instinctively reached up to her forehead, her brows

pain.

chase them! They went that way,

forest, the crunching footsteps and angry

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

girl in the red coat was sobbing, saying she couldn't

kept dragging her along, desperate to

girl in the red coat tripped over something, pulling the girl in the

red coat burst into

white parka scrambled to her feet, quickly covering her friend's mouth with her hand, then crouched down to lift her onto her

to carry someone properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to have the

the white parka hugged the other tightly as they rolled down a small slope, finally coming to a halt when her knee slammed into a protruding rock. The pain made

to her feet, looking helplessly at

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

the sound of angry footsteps and shouts continued to echo

the red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng closer to her

white parka struggled to

lit up when she saw a

it to the girl in the red coat. She told her to run to the

in the snow, the girl in the white parka switched

bracelet and changing into the white parka but was too scared to

her to go, warning that the bad guys would catch

the girl in the red coat nodded, summoning the courage to sprint down towards the

the white parka watched her friend

the snow, until she was out of

her eyes fixed on the 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 of

sky turned from bright to dark, and then

came.

Her friend didn't return.

big brother never came for

at the emerald bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears streaming down

mind like a

completely, making her forget everything around

growing alarm. She knew it was

been classmates for two years and colleagues

times, and while she often seemed momentarily lost

silently, staring at the bracelet,

room,

was sharp and loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention

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

Sophia's voice was still choked, "I wanted you to take it to my parents, but you left with it and

turned razor-sharp,

eyes widening in alarm, staring at Sophia,

Sophia clearly didn't remember. She couldn't even recognize the bracelet, so how

ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could she remember something that only the

her name, "You shouldn't say things so casually. I've had this bracelet for as long as I can remember. How could it

a certainty that slowly

bracelet on Marian's

her Sophia, so she knew her, and they were probably quite

her mind were real, why

girl in the

eyes showing a hint of self-doubt, and unconsciously loosened her grip on Marian's hand. But in the next

yours," Brandon's voice came softly

side. One hand was gripping Marian's arm through her clothes, and

face turned

previous threats to her life loomed over

her coolly. "What really happened back

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

know. I've had the bracelet for as long

remember. After all, so many years

just looked at

remember," Marian lost control, her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her

breakdown attracted more

had been

return and grew worried. She came out

She quickly approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about