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?"

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

it turns out you dared to have a high school romance."

"Are we even dating?" Sophia couldn't help but ask, glancing at Brandon, surprised by the revelation.

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

President Poe laughed heartily. "Not dating? Really? Your advisor said 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, he had no choice but to separate you two in class-one east, one west, one in front, one in back. That's how he nipped your little romance in the bud."

Sophia was speechless.

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

President Poe, missing the sarcasm, nodded cheerfully. "I'll be sure to pass that on."

Brandon smiled, then suddenly pulled Sophia closer, turning to President Poe. "Let me formally introduce you: my girlfriend, and wife, Sophia."

President Poe was taken aback. "She's Sophia?"

Sophia shyly smiled and greeted him, "Hello, President Poe."

"Really, Sophia?" President Poe was still in shock.

He wasn't one to

to keep up with

so he might not have recognized her

hadn't personally taught them and was a bit face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw him off. He just never

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

photo, I wouldn't remember faces," President Poe admitted, still a

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

frowned

was Arlene before," Sophia explained apologetically. "But

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

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

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

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

Sophia. "It's all thanks to Sophia's talent that her work

eye."

made it possible,"

his glass in a toast, while his other hand

young ladies should feel

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

seats, the conversation naturally drifted back to the design plans

President Poe

"Hey, Auntie."

soon as Sophia stepped out of the

"Sophia, are you busy?"

came through the

I'm discussing work with

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

It's my choice to work.

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

the first time Amanda had expressed her doubts about

found it difficult to communicate with 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

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

"Oh, we were supposed to have lunch today, right? Harvey has something urgent, and I

worries, we can reschedule," Sophia replied, feeling a slight sense of relief. Hearing Amanda's concerned tone, she

fine, no need to worry," Amanda said, not

further. "If you

room, leaning on the railing. Initially, she positioned herself where Brandon could see her but the restaurant was busy and as

notice. His eyes followed Sophia from

phone. When she stopped at the doorway, he felt a

President Poe, reviewing some

plans, occasionally glanced up at Brandon,

on Sophia. He couldn't resist

sucha

afraid she

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

head with a chuckle, apologizing to President Poe,

go check on

got up and

phone, Amanda continued to give Sophia

her assistant urged

the

Sophia hung

turning

s

was narrow and bustling with people. As

reached up to her forehead,

pain.

went that way,

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

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

girl in the red coat was

in the white parka kept

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

red coat

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

someone properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to

down a small slope, finally coming to a halt when

girl in the red coat scrambled to her feet, looking helplessly at

the girl in the white parka bit her lip to hold back her tears. She tried to stand, using the rock for support, but the pain was too much,

angry footsteps and shouts continued to echo

was paralyzed with fear,

in the white parka struggled to

lit up when

her to run to the cabin, where her mom, dad, and big brother would be. They would recognize the bracelet. She promised

in the

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

her to go, warning that the bad guys would catch

summoning the courage to

the white parka watched her friend disappear into

until she was out

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 move, terrified

sky turned from bright to dark, and then dark

came.

Her friend didn't return.

grandparents, parents, and big brother

on Marian's wrist, tears streaming down her cheeks without her

mind like a movie

her completely, making her

Sophia with growing alarm. She knew

been classmates for two

bracelet countless times, and while she often seemed

silently, staring at the bracelet, was profoundly

a nearby room, catching

was sharp and loud, immediately drawing everyone's

bit, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment, but

you to take it to my parents, but you left with it and never came

turned

Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure but could accurately recount what happened

for so long, and Sophia clearly didn't remember. She couldn't even

had amnesia? How could she remember

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

that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality back from

on Marian's

so she knew her, and they were probably

and if those chaotic images in her mind were real, why would she let the

felt the sadness and despair of the girl in the white puffer coat from her jumbled

Marian's hand. But in the

it, it's yours," Brandon's voice came

gripping Marian's arm through her clothes, and the other had already pulled the bracelet off

face turned pale

Brandon's previous threats to her

at her coolly. "What really happened

voice wasn't loud, yet it brought that

pale. "I don't know. I've had

insisted that the bracelet had been with her since she could remember. After all, so many years had passed. If Sophia could

at

not! I really don't remember," Marian lost control, her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head

more and more

had been

hadn't seen her return and grew

abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about to

pulling out their phones to record making it look as if she and Brandon were bullying Marian.

reaching for the bracelet in

"You didn't remember wrong,"

need to apologize. I personally designed and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts,

pointing fingers at the two of them suddenly grew quiet, turning their attention to Marian, who was crying like she

that pitiful look, crying with tears like raindrops on flowers, shaking her head desperately. "I really don't know. It's been with me since I can remember. I truly thought it was mine." Brandon's lips

background like the

just like Marian. He grew up overseas and was always a bit of a wild child, leveraging family connections to get

but he used his connections with the underground scene to run

extraordinary

even though Marian tried her best to stop him from coming over, once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave the country, he secretly made his way over, against everyone's

to abandon Marian to

clearly, he bet

man with the intense, hawk-like gaze, Brandon's

Compared to Kris's composure, Marian,

of a predator who had finally cornered

put her finger on why she felt this

was Kris's first time

But Brandon's eyes...

on Kris's shirt loosened instinctively, as if

glance at her before turning his

"Kris?"

his name with a question, yet his tone was

began to piece together who Brandon might be, though

you folks picking on a young lady in broad

he stood protectively in front of

smirked, a cold laugh escaping him. "Picking

gaze shifted

and

step forward and clear it up? Are we really bullying you, or is your conscience not so

avoiding

up, she couldn't

for the bracelet's origin kept her from

bowed. "Sophia and I

a surprised glance, taken aback by the claim of being

at Sophia with a friendly smile. "Sophia, don't you remember? We