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

did notice. His eyes followed Sophia

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

President Poe, reviewing some

occasionally glanced up

on Sophia. He couldn't resist teasing,

sucha

afraid

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

with a chuckle, apologizing to President Poe,

check on

that, he got

continued to give Sophia some random

her assistant urged her

the call. After

Sophia hung up

relief, turning

s

bustling with people.

up to her

pain.

chase them! They went that way,

forest, the crunching footsteps and angry

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

red coat was sobbing, saying she couldn't

white parka kept dragging her along, desperate

the girl in the red coat tripped over something,

in the red coat

scrambled to her feet, quickly covering her friend's mouth with

properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to have the red coat girl's foot catch on a dried-out tree branch,

a small slope, finally coming to a halt when her knee slammed into

scrambled to her feet,

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

footsteps and shouts continued

coat was paralyzed with fear, ng

parka struggled to get up, but it

her eyes lit up when she saw a small

she took off a bracelet from her wrist-a string of emerald beads-and handed it to the girl in the red coat. She told her to run to the cabin, where her mom, dad, and big brother

the snow, the girl in the white parka switched jackets

coat hesitated, taking the bracelet and changing into the white

in the white parka urged her to go,

red coat nodded, summoning the courage

white parka watched her friend disappear

snow, until

eyes fixed on the direction her friend had gone, clutching the exchanged red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry, and exhausted, but she didn't dare close her eyes of move, terrified of missing the moment

sky turned from bright to dark, and

came.

Her friend didn't return.

parents, and big brother

the emerald bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears streaming down her cheeks without her even

her mind like a movie on

making her forget everything around

growing alarm. She knew it was

been classmates for two

and while she often seemed momentarily lost when spotting it, she

of Sophia crying silently, staring

from a nearby room,

was sharp and loud, immediately drawing everyone's

tone of certainty brought Sophia back to her senses a bit, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment, but she didn't

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

eyes suddenly turned

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

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

amnesia? How could she remember something that

name, "You shouldn't say things so casually. I've had this bracelet for as

so sure yet confused, a certainty that slowly

at the bracelet on Marian's

just called her Sophia, so she knew her, and they were

her mind were real, why would she let the

girl in the white puffer coat from

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

it's yours," Brandon's voice

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 the bracelet off her wrist, his

turned

Brandon's previous threats to

coolly.

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

her face pale. "I don't know. I've had the bracelet for

been with her since she could remember. After all, so many years had passed. If Sophia could forget, then maybe she could

looked at her

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

breakdown attracted more and

who had

seen her return and grew worried. She

she saw Brandon opposite her. Her

phones to record making it look as if she and Brandon were bullying Marian. Worried about the impact of Brandon and the Starlight Group, she anxiously tugged on

to explain, reaching for the bracelet in

"You didn't remember wrong,"

outstretched hand back. "And you don't need to apologize. I personally designed and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts, and your name engraved on the inside. There are old photos

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

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

background like the back

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

average at best, but he used his connections with the underground scene to run

an extraordinary affection

over, once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave the country, he secretly made

abandon Marian to draw

clearly, he

with the intense, hawk-like gaze,

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

predator who had finally

quite put her finger

This was Kris's first time

But Brandon's eyes...

shirt loosened instinctively, as if wanting to

glance at her before turning

"Kris?"

with a question,

glanced at the woman behind him, Sophia, and began to piece together who Brandon might be, though he wasn't entirely

picking on a young lady in

he stood protectively in front

escaping him. "Picking on a young

gaze shifted

and

on Marian. "Ms. Barlow care to step forward and clear it up? Are we really bullying you,

mumbled, avoiding Brandon's

her up, she couldn't muster

bracelet's origin kept her

"Sophia and I are classmates

aback by

up at Sophia with a friendly smile. "Sophia, don't you remember? We were in grad school together,

need to worry," Sophia said awkwardly,

her from head to toe. "You look thinner

I'm fine, please don't worry," Sophia reassured with a smile, her eyes drifting past

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

Brandon remained tense, his eyes still

to ensure Sophia was indeed in good

Amanda, looked on with curiosity. She was surprised

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

frowned, having overheard Sophia call Amanda "Godmother." She remembered Daniel's investigative report mentioning Amanda Ferber,

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

shifted to Sophia, but she couldn't discern

a bit on edge, unsure of Amanda's

and Kris and asked, "Who are these

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

attempted to lead Sophia away, Brandon stepped in, his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs. Ferber, my wife

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

"What client? You've just recovered. The doctor and I have told you countless times not to overwork

just a meal with a client,

I went through a lot to get

loss, glancing at Brandon for

Amanda. "Mrs. Ferber, we're grateful for all 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

know you well, and I don't want a meal.

I've been holding back from visiting, afraid of disturbing you, but I've been so worried. Please, just come sit with me for

to s

saved her life and taken care of her during recovery.

don't you

call him "Mr. Crawley" but found it awkward due to Amanda's clear hostility. So, she settled on "Brandon," though

at her, then gestured towards the restaurant next door. "This way,

verge of speaking when Sophia looped her arm through hers,

had no choice but to

and Kris had quietly slipped

they had stood, his expression unchanging. His eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the

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

pausing as he caught sight of

appeared unsettled, casting furtive, anxious glances back towards them. Her eyes met Brandon's, and she

causing Brandon to furrow his brow again. However, the

of the restaurant, warmly holding Sophia's hand and chatting

let his annoyance show. He signaled the waiter

Amanda and Sophia

Sophia to their

to Sophia, he

stay here with Mrs.

soon as they stepped out of the private dining room, Sophia finally let go

she said, sighing. "My godmother, Amanda, can be a bit overbearing sometimes. She doesn't always think about how her

see or hear them when Sophia apologized. But before she

looked at him,

pressed his lips together,

"Sophia."

name softly, turning to face her

Sophia was taken aback.

don't like it when you take her side and try to explain things for her," Brandon continued slowly.

I—" Sophia instinctively started to

"You don't have to apologize to me. I know

was just an instinctive

a line between them,

up at him.

a small, forced smile and

bracelet he had pulled from

Sophia had held Marian's arm, tears in her eyes, insisting the bracelet

polite demeanor showed

"Sophia..."

but just then, President

there you are! I was wondering if something was holding you up. You've

and Brandon turned to see President Poe approaching

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

apologetically, "Sorry

Poe replied cheerfully. "As long as you're okay. I finished reviewing the design drafts and

gesturing for President Poe to head back to

Sophia followed them inside.

and found little to comment on. He particularly

truly cared for his students, he appreciated designs that benefited

did offer some minor suggestions

eagerly engaged in discussion with President

who clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly

phone was on silent, she could see the

interrupt President Poe's thoughts, and considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent, calling again and again until Sophia

President Poe smiled and said,

apologetically, "Sorry about

picked up the phone, lowering her voice as she spoke into it, "Godmother,

come find you as soon as

hung up and smiled apologetically at President Poe

understandingly. "We can continue another time if you need

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

then turned to President

"Yes, it's fine.

a pen and began making notes on

was focused, but Amanda's relentless calls had left

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

glanced towards

her phone impatiently, ready to call Sophia again but

he took

call was

voice came through, sounding slightly

get your mother out of here," Brandon said bluntly, his

then chuckled

she do?" he

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

savior, Mr. Crawley,"

to you and your family for saving Sophia. I once promised a ten million dollar reward for any

pause on the other