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

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

however, did notice. His eyes

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

attention on Sophia. He

sucha

eye afraid

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

his head with a

go check

he got

to give

assistant urged her

up the call.

Sophia hung up

turning

s

and bustling with people. As Sophia triChapter

reached up to her forehead, her brows

pain.

went that way,

and angry

white parka was pulling another girl clad in a

girl in the red coat was

girl in the white parka kept dragging her along,

tripped over something, pulling

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 her onto her back, trying

stumbled through the snow, only to have the red coat girl's foot

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 tears spring to her eyes instantly, but at least their fall

in the red coat scrambled to her feet, looking helplessly

the urge to cry, the girl in the white parka bit her lip to hold back her tears. She tried to stand,

the sound of angry footsteps and

red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng

to get up, but it was no

around, terrified, and her eyes lit up when

wrist-a string of emerald beads-and handed it to the girl in the red coat. She told her to run

make sure the bright red coat wouldn't draw attention in the snow, the girl in the white parka switched

and changing into the white

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

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

watched her friend disappear into

one with the snow, until

exchanged red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry, and exhausted, but she didn't dare close her eyes of move,

bright to dark, and

came.

Her friend didn't return.

big brother never came for

emerald bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears streaming down her

mind like a movie

her forget everything around

watched Sophia with growing alarm. She knew it was the bracelet

classmates for two years and colleagues for

countless times, and while she often seemed

crying silently, staring at the bracelet, was profoundly

a nearby room, catching sight of SophiaChapter

loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention

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

you," Sophia's voice was still choked, "I wanted you to take

eyes suddenly turned razor-sharp,

in alarm, staring at Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure but

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

hadn't Patricia just told her not long ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could she remember something that

"You shouldn't say things so casually. I've had this

a certainty that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality back from

the bracelet on Marian's wrist and

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

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

of the girl in the white puffer coat from her

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

it, it's yours," Brandon's

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

face turned pale

to

at her coolly. "What really happened

brought that suffocating feeling of near-death rushing back to

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

she could remember. After all,

just looked at her coldly.

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 remember. I always thought it

breakdown attracted more and

who had been

grew worried. She came out to look for

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

look as if she and Brandon were bullying Marian. Worried about the impact of Brandon and the Starlight Group, she

for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to

"You didn't remember wrong,"

that bracelet. I have the receipts, and your

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

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 curled with a cold indifference, long accustomed to her easily spun lies.

like the back of

leveraging family connections to get into college. It wasn't until after graduation that he decided

he used his connections with the underground scene to run the company successfully in

had an extraordinary affection

she was stuck dealing with legal issues

unwillingness to abandon Marian to draw him to

he bet

the intense, hawk-like gaze, Brandon's lips curled

the same to him. Compared to Kris's composure, Marian, standing

was the look of a predator who had finally cornered its

put her finger on

met before. This was Kris's first time in the country, so in theory, Brandon shouldn't know

But Brandon's eyes...

shirt loosened instinctively, as

dismissive glance at her before turning his attention back

"Kris?"

with a question, yet his tone was full of

Brandon, glanced at the woman behind him, Sophia, and began to piece together who Brandon might

young lady in broad daylight-got

voice was icy as he stood protectively in

smirked, a cold laugh escaping

shifted past

and

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

mumbled, avoiding

she couldn't muster

for the bracelet's origin kept her

softly, her head bowed. "Sophia and I are classmates and colleagues.

her a surprised glance, taken aback by the claim of being classmates

We

worry," Sophia said awkwardly,

of it. She clasped Sophia's hands tightly, inspecting her from head to toe.

a smile, her eyes drifting past Amanda to catch

were furrowed, his eyes locked on Amanda with a wary intensity, like a mother hen guarding her chicks from a hawk. Sophia gave him a

tense, his eyes still

in good health, she finally turned

unfamiliar with Amanda, looked on with curiosity. She was

and shared a bit of history with her. Yet, he was puzzled, as he couldn't recall any connection

"Godmother." She remembered Daniel's investigative report mentioning Amanda Ferber, mother of Harvey Ferber from the Ferber Group,

seemed genuine, but Patricia couldn't fathom why such a prominent family would care so deeply for someone they considered an outsider. Unless, of course,

to Sophia, but she couldn't

bit on edge, unsure of Amanda's

another indifferent look at Marian and Kris and asked, "Who are these people? It's hardly

on, let's go

in, his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs. Ferber, my wife has commitments. She can't leave right

nodded in agreement. "Godmother, I'm meeting a client right now. I'll get in touch

looked at her sternly. "What client? You've just recovered. The doctor and I have told you countless times not to overwork yourself. If others don't care about your health, you

know. It's just a meal with a client, not hard work,"

an eye on you. I went through a lot

was at a loss, glancing at Brandon for

you've done. We were planning to visit you to express our thanks, but since we've bumped into each other, please join us for

thanks," she replied coldly. "I don't know you well, and I don't want a

been holding back from visiting, afraid of disturbing

to s

and

Sophia agreed softly, adding, "Brandon, why don't you join us? I'd like to

found it awkward due to Amanda's clear hostility.

the restaurant next door.

on the verge of speaking when Sophia looped her arm through hers, gently

choice

Marian and Kris had quietly slipped away during the

glanced at where they had stood, his expression unchanging. His eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator leading to

look back several times, only to be pushed forward by Marian, clearly intent on getting them out of

gaze returned to the crowd, pausing as he caught

furtive, anxious glances back towards them. Her eyes met

quickly averted her gaze, her flustered demeanor causing Brandon to furrow his brow again. However, the situation at hand didn't allow

already reached the entrance of the restaurant, warmly holding Sophia's hand and chatting away, inadvertently-or perhaps intentionally- creating a barrier between Sophia

didn't let his annoyance show. He signaled the waiter to arrange a

Amanda and Sophia

to

to Sophia, he

here with Mrs. FerberChapter

they stepped out of the private dining room,

She doesn't always think about how her words might affect others. Please don't take it to

had walked far enough that Amanda couldn't see or hear them when Sophia apologized. But before she could say more,

looked at him,

his lips together, his profile looking

"Sophia."

her with a serious expression. "We

Sophia was taken aback.

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

sorry, I—" Sophia

to me. I know you didn't

was just an instinctive

instincts suggested she was still drawing a line

repeated softly, looking up at

a small, forced smile and nodded, but didn't

still clutched the bracelet he had pulled from Marian's wrist. The smooth beads pressed into

arm, tears in her eyes, insisting the bracelet was hers, he had seen

now, Sophia's polite demeanor showed no

"Sophia..."

began, but just then, President Poe's

wondering if something was holding you up. You've been gone a while, I was just

to see President Poe

with an apologetic tone. "We ran into

apologetically, "Sorry for

you're okay. I finished reviewing the design drafts and

gesturing for President Poe

Sophia followed them inside.

the design for the science museum and found little to comment on.

a headmaster who truly cared for his students, he

experience at the school, he did offer some minor suggestions for improvement

delighted and eagerly engaged

patience,

phone was on silent, she could see

and considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet

the persistence, President Poe smiled and said, "Go ahead and take

smiled apologetically, "Sorry about

phone, lowering her voice as she spoke

as soon as I'm done. Please, go ahead with what you're

she hung up and smiled apologetically at

urgent?" President Poe asked understandingly. "We can continue another time

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

then turned to President

in agreement, "Yes, it's fine.

pen and began making

was focused, but Amanda's relentless calls had left

not wanting to disturb her. He simply gestured to his phone and whispered, "I'll step outside to take a call," before leaving

glanced towards Amanda's

was visibly agitated, checking her phone impatiently, ready to call Sophia again but dropping it

took out

call was answered

Crawley?" Harvey Ferber's voice

of here," Brandon said bluntly, his tone cold and

taken aback, then chuckled

did she do?"

my wife," Brandon replied. "I don't care how you do it, just get

wife's savior, Mr. Crawley," Harvey

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

pause on the