"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
celebrity news, so he might not have recognized her from there. But
was familiar with Sophia and Brandon's achievements as students. Still, he hadn't personally taught them and was a bit face-blind; a change of hairstyle could completely throw him off. He just never connected the dots between the Sophia in front of him and the Sophia from the school's stories.
Brandon looked at him with a smile. "President, shouldn't you have kept a photo of such an outstanding student?"
"Even with a photo, I wouldn't remember faces," President Poe admitted, still a bit bewildered. He turned to Sophia, "Weren't you called Arlene Bright before?"
He worried he was mistaken and flipped open the folder he brought, revealing the science center design proposal. But the designer's name was now clearly "Sophia."
President Poe frowned in confusion.
"I was Arlene before," Sophia explained apologetically. "But I'm also Sophia."
"Then..." President Poe was still confused, turning to Brandon. "If she's your wife, why did you ask me for her WhatsApp?"
"That's a long story," Brandon said. "I'll explain it all to you another time. In any case, thank you."
He was genuinely grateful if it hadn't been for the science center's design competition at the university, he might never have known Sophia was still alive.
He and Sophia might have remained unaware of each other's existence, drifting further apart in their separate worlds.
"I can't take credit for that," President Poe responded with a laugh, turning to Sophia. "It's all thanks to Sophia's talent that her work stood out and caught your
eye."
"It was your appreciation that made it possible," Sophia politely replied.
Brandon 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 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 best, so she'll be sticking to tea instead of wine."
President Poe grinned, "Absolutely, I don't think young ladies should feel pressured to drink at events like these."
With that, he raised his own glass, clinking it against Brandon's and Sophia's before taking a hearty sip.
As they settled back into their seats, the conversation naturally drifted back to the design plans for the science center.
While President Poe was absorbedChapter 701
"Hey, Auntie."
As soon as Sophia stepped out of the private room, she answered the phone.
"Sophia, are you busy?"
Amanda's familiar voice came through the line.
"Yes, I'm discussing work with a client," Sophia replied softly.
On the other end, Amanda frowned, "You haven't fully recovered yet, so why are you working? What's up with that man? He brings you back without a word, and then you're off to work immediately?"
"It's not like that. It's not his fault," Sophia quickly defended 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 can finish in half an hour. You don't need to worry."
"You always defend 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 guard up."
This wasn't the first time Amanda had expressed her doubts about Brandon.
Sophia 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 Sophia was charmed by his looks and was defending him at every turn.
Unable to reach an understanding with Amanda, Sophia opted to change the subject. "So, Auntie, why did you call?"
Amanda's attention shifted as expected. "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 lunch. Just calling to let you know."
"No worries, we can reschedule," Sophia replied, feeling a slight sense of relief. Hearing Amanda's concerned tone, she couldn't help but ask, "Is Mr. Ferber alright?"
"He's fine, no need to worry," Amanda said, not offering further details.
"Alright," Sophia didn't press further. "If you need anything, just let me know."
While talking, Sophia stood in the hallway outside the private room, leaning on 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 Brandon's sight without noticing. s
notice. His eyes followed Sophia
up the phone. When she stopped at the doorway, he felt a bit more at ease but his gaze never
President Poe, reviewing some
plans, occasionally glanced up at Brandon, noting
attention on Sophia. He
sucha
eye afraid
off"
sŵnovels
IMS
head with a chuckle, apologizing to
check
that, he got up
continued to give Sophia some random
assistant urged her
the call. After
Sophia hung
relief, turning to
s
bustling with people. As Sophia triChapter
reached up to her
pain.
They went that
frosty forest, the crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed through
a pale white parka was pulling another girl clad in a bright red coat, both running for their lives through the
red coat was sobbing, saying she
the white parka kept dragging
the red coat tripped over something,
red coat burst
to her feet, quickly covering her friend's mouth with her hand, then crouched down to
she could barely move, and not knowing how to carry someone properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to have
rolled down a small slope, finally coming to a halt when her knee slammed into a protruding rock. The pain made tears spring to
scrambled to
tried to stand, using the rock for support, but the pain was too much, and
of angry footsteps and shouts continued to echo
red coat was paralyzed with fear,
in the white parka struggled to get
lit up when
string of emerald beads-and handed it to the girl in the red coat. She told her to
the snow, the girl in the white parka switched
the red coat hesitated, taking the bracelet and changing into the white
in the white parka urged her to go, warning that
the red coat nodded, summoning the courage to
parka watched her friend disappear
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
sky turned from bright to dark, and then
came.
Her friend didn't return.
brother never came
Marian's wrist, tears streaming down her cheeks
mind like
making her
with growing alarm. She knew it was the bracelet that
classmates for two years
she often seemed momentarily lost
staring at the bracelet, was profoundly
room, catching
voice was sharp and loud,
to her senses a bit, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment,
"I wanted you to
suddenly turned razor-sharp, fixing on
at Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure but could accurately recount
had known each other for so long, and Sophia clearly didn't remember. She
her not long ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could
so casually. I've had
confused, a certainty that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality back from the chaotic
glanced at the bracelet on Marian's wrist and
so she knew her, and they were
they were so close, and if those chaotic images in her mind were real, why would she let the bracelet
felt the sadness and despair of the girl in the white puffer coat
Marian, her 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 broad, strong
yours," Brandon's voice came softly to
head. She hadn't realized when Brandon had come to her side. One hand was gripping Marian's arm through her clothes, and the other had already pulled
face turned pale
shadow of Brandon's previous threats to
looked at her coolly. "What
brought that suffocating feeling of
face pale. "I don't know. I've had the bracelet for as long as I can
bracelet had been with her since she could remember. After all, so
just looked at her
pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head desperately. "It's been with me since I can remember. I always thought it
attracted more and more
had
in the restaurant, hadn't seen her return and grew worried. She came out to
hysterically in the crowd. She quickly approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand,
even pulling out their phones to record making it look as if she and Brandon were bullying Marian. Worried about the impact of Brandon and the Starlight
explain, reaching for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to return it to Marian. "I'm
"You didn't remember wrong,"
apologize. I personally designed and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts, and your name
had been pointing fingers at the two of them suddenly grew
it was mine." Brandon's lips curled
knew Kris's background like the
just like Marian. He grew up overseas and was always a bit of a wild child, leveraging family connections to get into college. It wasn't until after graduation that he decided to buckle down
business acumen was average at best, but he used his connections with the underground scene to run
extraordinary
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
to abandon Marian to draw him to
clearly, he bet
intense, hawk-like gaze,
Kris was doing the same to him. Compared to Kris's composure, Marian, standing just
a predator who
finger on why she felt
never met before. This was Kris's first time
But Brandon's eyes...
on Kris's shirt loosened instinctively, as if
dismissive glance at her before turning his attention back
"Kris?"
with a question, yet his tone was full
woman behind him, Sophia, and began to piece together who Brandon
you folks picking on a young lady in broad daylight-got any
voice was icy as he stood protectively in front
smirked, a cold laugh escaping him. "Picking on a
gaze shifted
and
on Marian. "Ms. Barlow care to step forward and clear it up? Are we really bullying you, or is your conscience
avoiding Brandon's piercing
her up, she couldn't muster the
bracelet's origin kept her from making
softly, her head bowed. "Sophia and I are
a surprised glance, taken aback by the claim of
a friendly smile. "Sophia, don't you remember? We
don't need to worry," Sophia said awkwardly, trying to adjust to the
having none of it. She clasped Sophia's hands tightly, inspecting her from head to toe. "You look
with a smile, her eyes drifting past Amanda to catch Brandon's
a wary intensity, like a mother hen guarding her chicks from
his eyes
in good health, she finally turned her attention to Marian and Kris, giving them
unfamiliar with Amanda, looked on with curiosity. She was surprised
recognized Amanda and shared a bit of history with her. Yet, he was puzzled, as
Daniel's investigative report
Patricia couldn't fathom why such a prominent family would care so deeply
calculating gaze shifted to Sophia, but she couldn't
on edge,
asked, "Who are these people? It's hardly
Sophia. "Come on, let's go
in, his arm barring their path.
a client right now. I'll get in touch with you later,
a meal with
I went through a lot to get you back on your feet, and I can't
a loss, glancing
Amanda. "Mrs. Ferber, we're grateful for all you've done. We were planning to visit you to express
look. "No need for thanks," she replied coldly. "I don't know you well, and I
Sophia, Amanda's voice softened as she pleaded, "Sophia, I changed my whole schedule for you. I've been holding back from visiting, afraid of disturbing you, but I've been
to s
life and taken care of her during recovery.
"Brandon, why don't you join us? I'd like to
call him "Mr. Crawley" but found it awkward due to Amanda's clear hostility. So, she settled on "Brandon," though it felt unfamiliar on
gestured towards the restaurant next door. "This way, Mrs.
scowled, on the verge of speaking when Sophia looped her arm through hers, gently steering her
had no choice but to
Marian and Kris
His eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator leading to the floor below, where
back several times, only to be pushed forward by Marian, clearly intent on getting them out of
as he caught
towards them. Her
quickly averted her gaze, her flustered demeanor causing Brandon to furrow his brow again. However, the situation at
the entrance of the restaurant, warmly holding Sophia's hand and chatting away, inadvertently-or perhaps intentionally-
didn't let his annoyance show. He signaled the waiter
Amanda and Sophia
Sophia to
to Sophia, he said,
you stay here with Mrs.
private dining room, Sophia finally let go
She doesn't always think about how her
Amanda couldn't see or hear them when Sophia apologized. But before she could say more, Brandon
at
his lips together, his profile
"Sophia."
to face her with
Sophia was taken aback.
it when you take her side and try to explain things for her," Brandon continued slowly. "It feels like you're more on their side, like they're your family instead of
I—" Sophia instinctively started to
"You don't have to apologize to me. I know you didn't
just
drawing a line between
softly, looking up at him. "I'll be more mindful next
gave her a small, forced smile and nodded, but
he still clutched the bracelet he had pulled
had held Marian's arm, tears in her eyes, insisting the bracelet was hers, he had seen a glimpse
now, Sophia's polite demeanor showed no
"Sophia..."
just then, President
was holding you up. You've been gone
and Brandon turned to see President
to keep you waiting," Brandon said, returning the smile with an apologetic tone. "We ran into a little issue outside, but we were just
smiled apologetically, "Sorry for
"As long as you're okay. I
back in the room," Brandon suggested, gesturing for President Poe to head back to
Sophia followed them inside.
Poe had reviewed the design for the science museum and found little
headmaster who truly cared for his students, he appreciated designs that benefited
with his extensive experience at the school, he did offer some minor suggestions for improvement
and eagerly engaged
clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly calling
she
thoughts, and considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent, calling
Poe smiled and said, "Go ahead and
smiled apologetically,
up the phone, lowering her voice as
of something. I'll come find you as soon as I'm done. Please, go ahead
and smiled apologetically
understandingly. "We can continue another time if you need
"No, it's fine."
"No, it's fine."
spoke simultaneously, exchanging a glance. Brandon then turned to President Poe, "We're not in a rush; let's finish discussing the design
nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's
picked up a pen and began making notes on the
Amanda's relentless calls had
his phone and whispered, "I'll step
Brandon glanced towards Amanda's
visibly agitated, checking her phone impatiently, ready
of approaching, he took
call was answered
Ferber's voice came through, sounding
here," Brandon said bluntly, his tone
aback, then
did she
care how you do it, just get her out of
Mr. Crawley," Harvey
get it, and that's why I politely asked you to handle it, rather than having someone forcibly remove her," Brandon said calmly. "Harvey Ferber, I'm grateful to you and your family for saving Sophia. I once promised a ten million dollar reward for any information
a pause on
Read The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate Chapter 706
Read The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 706
The Read when his eyes opened series by Novelxo.com has been updated to chapter Chapter 706 .
In Chapter 706 of the when his eyes opened series, Sophia Yearwood visits her husband Brandon Crawley's office for the first time after two years of marriage. While waiting for him, she observes the dynamics in the office, including the presence of a girl named Hannah. Later, Sophia hands Brandon a file from his mother and casually mentions his mom's request. Despite the facade of a successful marriage, Sophia is secretly contemplating divorce due to Brandon's lack of love. They have a routine lunch together, revealing the cold and focused nature of Brandon's personality. Sophia envies the intimacy of other couples and decides to ask for a divorce that night after a passionate encounter with Brandon. Brandon surprisingly agrees calmly, and the next morning, Sophia leaves their home, leaving the signed divorce papers behind. Brandon, seemingly unaffected during a meeting, abruptly leaves, leaving his colleagues confused about his sudden change in demeanor...... Will this Chapter 706 author Novelxo.com mention any details. Follow Chapter 706 and the latest episodes of this series at Novelxo.com.
The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate Chapter 706
The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 706