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 followed Sophia from

When she stopped at the doorway, he felt a bit more at

President Poe, reviewing some

plans, occasionally glanced up at

attention on Sophia. He

sucha

afraid she

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

shook his head with a chuckle, apologizing

go check

that, he got up and

phone, Amanda continued to give Sophia some random

assistant

up the

Sophia hung

in relief, turning to

s

and bustling with people.

up to her forehead,

pain.

went

frosty forest, the crunching footsteps and angry shouts

parka was pulling another girl clad in a bright red coat, both running for their lives through the

red coat was sobbing, saying

kept dragging her along, desperate to keep

something, pulling

red coat burst

mouth with her hand,

could 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

girl in the 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

coat scrambled to her feet, looking

the pain and the urge to cry, the girl in the white parka bit her lip to hold back her tears. She tried to stand, using the rock for support, but the pain was too much, and the tears flowed freely as she failed to

of angry footsteps and shouts continued

the red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng closer to

in the white parka struggled to get

when she saw a small cabin not too far

beads-and handed it to the girl in the red coat. She told her to run to the cabin, where her mom,

coat wouldn't draw attention in the snow, the girl in the white parka switched jackets

the bracelet and

girl in the white parka urged her to go, warning that the

the girl in the red coat nodded, summoning the courage to sprint down

watched her friend disappear

one with the snow, until she

kept her 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 they

from bright to dark, and

came.

Her friend didn't return.

and big brother never came

wrist, tears streaming down her cheeks without her even

images flashed through her mind like a movie on fast

her completely, making her

She knew it was

two years and

countless times, and while she often seemed momentarily lost when spotting it, she had never reacted so intensely

sight of Sophia crying silently, staring at the

emerged from a nearby room,

and loud,

Sophia back to her senses a bit, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment, but she

you to take it to my parents, but you

turned razor-sharp, fixing

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

clearly didn't remember.

amnesia? How could she remember something

so casually. I've had this bracelet for as long as I can remember. How could

tone was so sure yet confused, a certainty that slowly

Marian's

she knew her, and they were probably quite

if those chaotic images in her mind

despair of the girl in the white puffer coat

her grip on Marian's hand. But in the next second, the

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

hand was gripping Marian's arm through her

turned pale

previous threats to her life loomed

her coolly. "What really happened back

it brought that suffocating feeling of

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

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

just looked at her coldly. "You're

not! I really don't remember," 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 more

who had been

and grew worried. She came out to look for her

approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about to move people aside, froze, hesitating to get

and Brandon were bullying Marian. Worried about the impact of Brandon and the Starlight Group, she anxiously tugged on

for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to return it

"You didn't remember wrong,"

pulled her 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

had been pointing fingers at the two of them

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 urge her, just watched her expressionlessly

background like the back of his

of Dennis, Kris was adopted 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

was average at best, but he used his connections with the

extraordinary

stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't

had banked on Kris's unwillingness to abandon Marian to

he bet

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

was doing the same to him. Compared to Kris's composure, Marian, standing just behind him, felt her heart race under Brandon's

of a predator

finger on why she felt

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

her before turning his

"Kris?"

his name with a question, yet his tone was full of

Sophia, and began to piece together who

you folks picking on a young lady

was icy as he stood protectively in front of

smirked, a cold laugh escaping him.

gaze shifted past

and

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

mumbled, avoiding

her up, she couldn't muster the courage to boldly claim she

the bracelet's origin kept her

one's bullying anyone," Marian said softly, her head bowed. "Sophia and I

surprised glance, taken aback by the claim of

"Sophia, don't you remember? We were in

don't need to worry," Sophia said awkwardly,

was having none of it. She clasped Sophia's hands tightly, inspecting her from head to toe.

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

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

remained tense, his eyes

anyone but Sophia. After a thorough inspection to ensure Sophia was indeed in

She was surprised by the woman's affection for

on the other hand, recognized Amanda and shared a bit of history with her. Yet, he was puzzled,

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

such a prominent family would care so deeply for someone they considered an outsider. Unless,

calculating gaze shifted to Sophia, but

was a bit on edge,

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

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

his arm barring their

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

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

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

on you. I went through a lot to

was at a loss, glancing

you've done. We were planning to visit you to express our

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

to Sophia, Amanda's voice softened as she pleaded, "Sophia, I changed my whole schedule for you. I've been holding back from visiting,

to s

hesitated. The woman had saved her life and taken care

"Brandon, why don't you join us?

due to Amanda's clear hostility. So, she settled on "Brandon,"

glanced at her, then gestured towards the restaurant next door.

her arm

no choice

and Kris had quietly

expression unchanging. His eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator leading to the floor below, where Marian

to be pushed forward by Marian, clearly intent on getting them out

gaze returned to the crowd, pausing as he caught sight of Patricia, who had also

them. Her eyes met Brandon's, and she

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

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

Amanda and Sophia

to their

to Sophia, he said,

you stay here

the private dining room,

can be a bit overbearing sometimes. She doesn't always think about

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

looked at

lips together, his profile

"Sophia."

name softly, turning to face her

Sophia was taken aback.

things for her," Brandon

I—" Sophia instinctively

interrupted, "You don't have to apologize to me. I know you didn't mean

was just an instinctive

a line

at him. "I'll be more mindful

gave her a small, forced smile and nodded,

pulled from Marian's wrist.

held Marian's arm, tears in her eyes, insisting the bracelet was hers, he had

now, Sophia's polite demeanor showed no

"Sophia..."

began, but just then, President Poe's voice echoed from

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

President

tone. "We ran into a little issue outside,

smiled apologetically, "Sorry

you're okay. I finished reviewing the design

for President Poe to head back to

Sophia followed them inside.

science museum and found little to comment on. He particularly liked the idea of the new cultural

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 on the cultural gallery — nothing

engaged in discussion with President

who clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly calling Sophia's

on silent, she could see the

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

President Poe smiled and said, "Go ahead and take

apologetically, "Sorry about

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

of something. I'll come find you as soon as

that, she hung up and smiled apologetically at President Poe again, "Sorry about

President Poe asked understandingly. "We can continue another time if you need to

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

to President Poe, "We're not in a rush; let's

"Yes, it's fine.

pen and began

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

gestured to his phone and whispered, "I'll step outside to take a call," before

Brandon glanced towards

phone impatiently, ready to call Sophia

of approaching, he took out his phone and

call was answered

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

mother out of here," Brandon said bluntly,

aback, then chuckled softly,

did she

care how you do it, just get her out of here

savior, Mr. Crawley,"

and your family for saving Sophia. I

was a pause