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

eyes followed Sophia from the

up the phone. When she stopped at the doorway, he felt a bit more at ease but his gaze never

President Poe, reviewing some

up at Brandon, noting

He couldn't resist teasing,

sucha

eye afraid

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

with a chuckle, apologizing to President

go check on

that, he got up

phone, Amanda continued to give Sophia some random

assistant

up the

Sophia hung up

in relief, turning to

s

narrow and bustling with people. As

her

pain.

them! They went that way, go find

and angry shouts echoed

girl dressed in a pale white parka was pulling another girl clad in a

was sobbing,

the white parka kept dragging

over something, pulling the girl in the white

girl in the red coat

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

barely move, and not knowing how to carry someone properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to have the red coat girl's foot catch on a dried-out tree branch, sending them both

down a small slope, finally coming to a halt when her

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

white parka bit her lip to hold back her tears. She tried to stand, using the rock for support, but the

angry footsteps and shouts continued

the red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng closer

in the white parka struggled to get

lit up when she saw a small

in the red coat. She told her to run to the cabin, where her mom, dad, and big brother would be. They would recognize the bracelet. She

the snow, the

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

the white parka urged her to go,

nodded, summoning the courage to sprint down towards

girl in the white parka watched her friend disappear into

the snow, 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 of move, terrified of missing the

sky turned from bright to dark, and then dark to light again, no

came.

Her friend didn't return.

big brother

the emerald bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears

flashed through her mind like a movie on fast

her

growing alarm. She knew it was the bracelet

two years and

seen the bracelet countless times, and while she often seemed momentarily lost when spotting

sight of Sophia crying silently, staring at the bracelet,

a nearby room, catching

sharp and loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention around

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

be for you," Sophia's voice was still choked, "I wanted you to take it to my parents, but you

turned razor-sharp, fixing

staring at Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure

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

just told her not long ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could she remember something that only

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

yet confused, a certainty that slowly

on Marian's

so she knew

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

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

grip on Marian's hand. But in the next second, the arm she had released

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

turned pale

to her

at her coolly. "What

it brought that suffocating feeling of near-death

head frantically, her face pale. "I don't know. I've had the bracelet for as long as

since she could remember. After all, so many years had passed. If Sophia could forget,

looked at

control, her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head desperately. "It's been with me since

attracted more and

who had

in the restaurant, hadn't seen her return and grew worried. She came out

hysterically in the crowd. She quickly approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about to move people

even pulling out their phones to record making it look as if she and

tried to explain, reaching for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to return it to Marian. "I'm sorry,

"You didn't remember wrong,"

hand back. "And you don't need to apologize. I personally designed and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts,

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

"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. He didn't even

Kris's background like

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 and get involved in

his connections with

an extraordinary affection

from coming over, once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't

Kris's unwillingness to abandon Marian

clearly, he

the man with the intense, hawk-like gaze, Brandon's lips curled into a cold

calculated calm, Kris was doing the same to him. Compared to Kris's composure, Marian, standing just behind him,

of a predator who had

her finger on why she felt

and Kris had never met before. This was Kris's first time in the country, so in theory, Brandon shouldn't know him at

But Brandon's eyes...

loosened instinctively, as if wanting to distance herself from

cast a dismissive glance at her

"Kris?"

with a question,

sized up Brandon, glanced at the woman behind him, Sophia, and began to piece

folks picking on a young lady

he

smirked, a cold laugh escaping him. "Picking on a

gaze shifted past

and

to step forward and clear it up? Are

avoiding Brandon's piercing

she couldn't muster the courage to boldly claim she was

the bracelet's origin kept

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

surprised glance, taken aback by the claim

"Sophia, don't you remember? We were in grad school together, and we work

said awkwardly, trying to adjust to the public

was having none of it. She clasped Sophia's hands tightly, inspecting her from head to toe. "You look thinner to me. You're

reassured with a smile, her eyes drifting

intensity, like a mother hen guarding

his eyes still fixed on

indeed in good health, she finally turned her attention to Marian and Kris, giving

She was surprised by the woman's

recognized Amanda and shared a bit of history with her. Yet, he was puzzled, as he couldn't recall any connection between Amanda and Sophia. His thoughts lingered on

the crowd, Patricia frowned, having overheard Sophia call Amanda "Godmother." She remembered Daniel's investigative report

a prominent family would care so deeply for someone they considered an outsider. Unless, of course, Sophia wasn't who she claimed to

gaze shifted to Sophia, but she

too, was a bit on

at Marian and Kris and asked, "Who are these people? It's hardly appropriate to

that, Amanda turned back to Sophia. "Come on, let's go get you something nice to

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

meeting a client right now. I'll get in touch with you

at her sternly. "What client? You've just recovered. The doctor and I have told

meal with

an eye on you. I went through a lot to get you back on your feet, and I can't let you risk it all

at a loss,

all you've done. We were planning to visit you to

for thanks," she replied coldly. "I don't know you well, and I don't want a meal. I just want to catch up with my

been holding back from visiting,

to s

The woman had saved her life and taken

don't

him "Mr. Crawley" but found it awkward due to Amanda's clear hostility. So,

gestured towards the restaurant next

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

no choice but

Sophia noticed Marian and Kris had

scanned the crowd, landing on

only to be pushed forward by Marian, clearly intent

the crowd, pausing as he caught sight of Patricia,

them. Her eyes met Brandon's, and

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

holding Sophia's hand and chatting away,

annoyance show. He signaled the waiter to arrange a private booth

Amanda and Sophia

to

Sophia, he said,

you stay here with Mrs.

the private dining room, Sophia finally let go

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

walked far enough that Amanda couldn't see or hear them when Sophia apologized. But before

at him,

lips together, his profile looking

"Sophia."

turning to face her with

Sophia was taken aback.

take her side and try to explain things for her," Brandon

sorry, I—" Sophia instinctively

interrupted, "You don't have to apologize to me.

was just an instinctive

suggested she was still drawing a line

looking up at

gave her a small, forced smile

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

eyes, insisting the bracelet was hers, he had seen a glimpse of

now, Sophia's polite demeanor

"Sophia..."

but just then, President

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

to see President Poe approaching

Brandon said, returning the smile with an apologetic tone. "We ran into a little issue outside, but we were just heading back

also smiled apologetically, "Sorry

no worries," President Poe replied cheerfully. "As long as you're okay. I finished reviewing the

gesturing for President Poe to head back to

Sophia followed them inside.

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

a headmaster who truly cared for his students,

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

engaged in discussion with President

who clearly lacked patience, was

Sophia's phone was on silent, she could

resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent, calling again

and said, "Go

apologetically,

her voice as she spoke

of something. I'll come find you as soon as I'm done. Please, go ahead with

she hung up and smiled apologetically at President Poe

"We can continue another time

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

exchanging a glance. Brandon then turned to President Poe, "We're not in a rush; let's

in agreement, "Yes,

up a pen and began making notes on

focused, but Amanda's relentless calls had left her somewhat

to disturb her. He simply gestured to his phone and whispered, "I'll step outside to take

glanced towards Amanda's

agitated, checking her phone impatiently, ready

Instead of approaching, he took out his phone and

was answered

Crawley?" Harvey Ferber's voice came through, sounding

out of here," Brandon

seemed taken aback, then

did she do?"

don't care how you do it, just get

wife's savior, Mr. Crawley,"

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

was a pause on the other