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

notice. His eyes followed Sophia from

the phone. When she stopped at the doorway, he felt a bit more at ease but his gaze

President Poe, reviewing some

plans, occasionally glanced up at Brandon, noting

on Sophia. He couldn't resist

sucha

eye afraid

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

shook his head with a chuckle, apologizing to

check on

that, he got up and

Amanda continued to give Sophia some random

her assistant

up the call.

Sophia hung up

in relief, turning to head

s

and bustling with people. As

to her forehead, her brows knitting together

pain.

them! They went that

frosty forest, the crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed through the

a pale white parka was pulling another girl clad in a bright red coat, both

red coat was

white parka kept dragging her along,

girl in the red coat tripped over something, pulling the girl

the red coat burst

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

similar sizes, she 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 a dried-out tree branch, sending them both tumbling to the

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 had

scrambled to her feet, looking helplessly at

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

the sound of angry footsteps and shouts continued to

in the red coat was paralyzed with

parka struggled to get up, but it

eyes lit up when she saw a small

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

in the snow,

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

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

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

the white parka watched her friend disappear into

with the snow, until she was out of

eyes fixed on the direction her friend had gone, clutching the exchanged red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry, and

as the sky turned from bright to dark, and then dark to light again,

came.

Her friend didn't return.

parents, and big brother never

Marian's wrist, tears

images flashed through her mind like a movie

making her forget everything around

growing alarm. She knew it

been classmates for two years and colleagues for

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

staring

from a nearby room, catching

sharp and loud, immediately

back to her senses a bit, her expression showing

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

eyes suddenly turned razor-sharp,

at Sophia, her eyes widening in alarm, staring at Sophia, who looked

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

just told her not long ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could

tried calling her name, "You shouldn't say things so casually. I've had this bracelet for as long as I can remember. How could it

certainty that slowly pulled

at the bracelet on Marian's wrist and then back at

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

were so close, and if those chaotic images in her mind were real, why

the girl in the white puffer coat

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

doubt it, it's yours," Brandon's voice came

confused, turned her head. She hadn't realized when Brandon had come to her side. One hand was gripping Marian's

turned pale

shadow of Brandon's previous threats to her life loomed over

looked at her coolly. "What really

loud, yet it brought that suffocating feeling of near-death rushing back

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

insisted that the bracelet had been with her since she could remember. After all,

looked at

lost control, her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head

breakdown attracted more and

who had been

hadn't seen her return and grew

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

crowd growing, with some even pulling out their phones to record making it look as if she and Brandon were bullying Marian. Worried about the impact of Brandon and the Starlight Group, she anxiously tugged

it wrong," she quickly tried to explain, reaching for the

"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,

two of them suddenly grew quiet, turning their attention to

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. He didn't even urge her,

knew Kris's background like

eldest son 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

he used his connections with the underground scene to

had an extraordinary

coming over, once he learned she was stuck dealing

to abandon Marian to draw him to the

clearly, he bet

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

doing the same to him. Compared to Kris's composure, Marian, standing just behind him, felt her

was the look of a predator who had

quite put her finger on

was Kris's first time in the

But Brandon's eyes...

as if wanting to distance herself from

her before turning his attention back

"Kris?"

said his name with a question, yet

Sophia, and began to piece together who Brandon might be,

a young

as he stood

cold laugh escaping him. "Picking on a young

gaze shifted past

and

focusing on Marian. "Ms. Barlow care to step forward and clear it up? Are we really bullying you, or is your conscience not so

mumbled, avoiding Brandon's piercing

her up, she couldn't

bracelet's origin kept her from making any

said softly, her head bowed. "Sophia

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

We

you don't need to worry," Sophia said awkwardly, trying to adjust to the public attention

tightly, inspecting her from head to toe.

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

were furrowed, his eyes locked on Amanda with a wary intensity, like a mother

remained tense, his eyes still fixed

seemed oblivious to anyone but Sophia. After a thorough inspection to ensure Sophia was indeed in good health, she finally turned her attention to Marian and Kris, giving them

looked on with curiosity. She was

he was puzzled, as he couldn't recall any connection between

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

affection for Sophia seemed genuine, but Patricia couldn't fathom why such a prominent family would care so

to Sophia, but she

a bit on edge, unsure

cast another indifferent look at Marian and Kris and asked, "Who are these

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

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

client right now. I'll get in touch with you later,

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

It's just a meal with a

insisted. "I'll feel better keeping an eye on you. I went through a lot to get you back on your feet, and

loss,

were planning to visit you to express our thanks, but since we've bumped

look. "No need 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

I changed my whole schedule for you. I've been holding back from visiting, afraid of disturbing you,

to s

her life and taken care

adding, "Brandon, why don't you join

awkward due to Amanda's clear hostility.

towards the restaurant next door.

verge of speaking when Sophia looped her arm through hers, gently steering her towards the restaurant. "Come

had no choice but

noticed Marian and Kris had quietly slipped

scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator leading to the floor below, where

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

caught sight of Patricia,

towards them. Her eyes met Brandon's, and

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

the restaurant, warmly holding Sophia's hand and chatting away, inadvertently-or perhaps

the waiter to arrange a

Amanda and Sophia

Sophia to

Sophia, he

you stay here with Mrs. FerberChapter

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 words might affect

hear them when Sophia apologized. But before she could say more, Brandon stopped

looked at him,

pressed his lips together, his profile

"Sophia."

face her with a

Sophia was taken aback.

don't like it when you take her side and try to explain things for her," Brandon continued slowly. "It feels like you're more on their

Sophia

don't have to apologize to me. I know you didn't

just an

suggested she was still drawing a line between them, and that made him

sorry," Sophia repeated softly, looking up at him. "I'll be more

smile and

the bracelet he had pulled from Marian's

insisting the bracelet was hers, he had seen a glimpse

Sophia's polite demeanor showed no sign

"Sophia..."

but just then, President Poe's voice

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

to see President Poe

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

"Sorry for

"As long as you're okay. I finished reviewing the design drafts and wanted to discuss them with

back in the room," Brandon suggested, gesturing for President Poe to

Sophia followed them inside.

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

for his students, he

his extensive experience at the school, he did offer some minor suggestions for improvement on the cultural gallery — nothing major, just

and eagerly engaged

clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly calling Sophia's

Sophia's phone was on silent, she could see

and considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent, calling again and again

President Poe smiled and said, "Go ahead and

apologetically,

voice as she spoke

I'll come find you as soon as I'm

apologetically

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

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

simultaneously, exchanging a glance. Brandon then turned to President Poe, "We're

nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's fine. Let's

pen and began making notes

was focused, but Amanda's relentless

to disturb her. He simply gestured to his phone and

Brandon glanced

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

approaching, he took out

call was

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

of here," Brandon

aback, then chuckled

she do?" he

care how you

savior, Mr. Crawley," Harvey

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

a pause