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

Brandon, however, did notice. His eyes followed Sophia from the moment she

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

President Poe, reviewing some

design plans, occasionally glanced up at Brandon, noting his

unwavering attention on Sophia. He couldn't resist teasing, "Keeping,

sucha

ose eye afraid she Dran

off"

sŵnovels

IMS

Brandon just shook his head with a chuckle, apologizing to President Poe, "I

should go check on her."

With that, he got up and left.

On the phone, Amanda continued to give Sophia some random advice

before her assistant urged her to

wrap up the call. After saying

goodbye, Sophia hung up and

signed in relief, turning to head back.

s

hallway was narrow and bustling with people. As Sophia triChapter

reached up to her forehead,

pain.

They went that

crunching footsteps and angry

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

was sobbing, saying she couldn't

kept dragging her along, desperate to keep

coat tripped over something, pulling the girl in the white parka down

girl in the red coat burst into

friend's mouth with her hand, then crouched down to

could barely move, and not knowing how to carry someone properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to have the red coat

when her knee slammed into a protruding rock. The pain made tears spring to her

scrambled to her

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

of angry footsteps and

in the red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng closer to

girl in the white parka struggled to get up, but

when she saw a small cabin not

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

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

the bracelet and

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

red coat nodded, summoning the courage to

the white parka watched her

snow, until

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

dark, and then dark to

came.

Her friend didn't return.

and big brother

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

through her mind

her completely, making her forget everything around

She knew it

two

while she often seemed

Sophia crying silently, staring at the bracelet, was profoundly

room, catching sight

and loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention

a bit, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment, but she didn't loosen her grip

was still choked, "I wanted you to take it to my parents, but you left with it and

suddenly turned razor-sharp,

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

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

ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could she remember something that only the two of

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

that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality back from the

Marian's wrist and

had just called her Sophia, so she knew her, and

her mind were

of the girl in

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

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

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

turned pale

previous threats to her life

coolly. "What

brought that suffocating feeling of near-death rushing back

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

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

just looked at her coldly. "You're

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

attracted more and more

had

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

she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand,

and Brandon were bullying Marian. Worried about the impact of Brandon and the Starlight

remembered it wrong," she quickly tried to explain, reaching for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to return it to Marian.

"You didn't remember wrong,"

commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts, and your name engraved on the inside. There are old photos as

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

I truly thought it was mine." Brandon's lips curled with a cold

background like the back of his

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

used his connections with the underground scene

had an extraordinary

though Marian tried her best to stop him from coming over, once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave the country, he secretly

had banked on Kris's unwillingness to abandon Marian to draw him

he

hawk-like gaze, Brandon's

Kris with a calculated calm, Kris was doing the same to him. Compared to

the look of a predator who had finally

put her finger on why

before. This was Kris's first time in

But Brandon's eyes...

shirt loosened instinctively, as if wanting to distance herself from

cast a dismissive glance at her before turning his attention back to

"Kris?"

said his name with a question,

behind him, Sophia, and began to piece together

you folks picking on a young lady

voice was icy as he

cold laugh escaping him. "Picking

shifted

and

to step forward and clear it up? Are we really bullying you, or

mumbled, avoiding

couldn't muster the courage

having receipts for the bracelet's origin kept her from making any

said softly, her head bowed. "Sophia and

a surprised glance, taken aback

looked up at Sophia with a friendly smile. "Sophia, don't you remember? We were in grad school together, and we work at the same architectural firmChapter

to worry," Sophia said awkwardly, trying to adjust to the

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 Amanda to

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

remained tense, his eyes still fixed on

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 a

on with curiosity. She was surprised by the woman's affection for

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

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

such a prominent family would care so deeply

Sophia, but she couldn't

on edge, unsure

and Kris and asked, "Who are

"Come on, let's go

lead Sophia away, Brandon stepped in, his arm barring their path. "Sorry,

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

recovered. The doctor and I have told you countless times not to overwork yourself. If others don't care about

I know. It's just a meal with a

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

a loss, glancing at

remained composed, addressing Amanda. "Mrs. Ferber, we're grateful for all you've done. We were planning to visit you

a cool look. "No need for thanks," she replied coldly. "I don't know you well, and I don't want a meal.

whole schedule for you. I've been holding back from visiting, afraid of disturbing you, but I've been so worried. Please, just

to s

life and

adding, "Brandon, why don't you join us? I'd

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

the restaurant next

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

no choice but to

noticed Marian and Kris had quietly slipped

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

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

as he caught sight of Patricia, who had also just

them. Her eyes met Brandon's, and

his brow again.

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

his annoyance show. He signaled the waiter

Amanda and Sophia

Sophia to their

Sophia,

stay here with Mrs. FerberChapter

soon as they stepped out of the private dining room,

a bit overbearing sometimes. She doesn't

far enough that Amanda couldn't see or hear them

at

his lips together, his profile

"Sophia."

face her with a serious

Sophia was taken aback.

things for her," Brandon continued slowly. "It feels like you're more

I—" Sophia instinctively started

don't have to apologize to

was just an instinctive

such instincts suggested she was still drawing a line between them, and

looking up at him. "I'll be more mindful next

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

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

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

demeanor showed no sign of

"Sophia..."

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

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

President Poe

apologetic tone. "We ran into

also smiled apologetically, "Sorry for

Poe replied cheerfully. "As long as you're okay. I

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

Sophia followed them inside.

little to comment on. He particularly liked the idea

for his students, he appreciated designs that benefited

school, he did offer some minor suggestions for improvement on the

eagerly engaged in

who clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly calling

on silent, she could see the

considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent, calling again and again until Sophia had no choice but to

President Poe smiled and said, "Go ahead and

smiled apologetically, "Sorry

voice as she

come find you as soon as I'm done. Please, go

apologetically at President

understandingly. "We can continue another

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

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

"Yes, it's

and began making

but Amanda's relentless calls had

phone and

glanced towards Amanda's

agitated, checking her phone impatiently, ready to

took

was answered

Ferber's voice came through, sounding

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

then chuckled

she do?" he

"I don't care how you do it,

Mr. Crawley," Harvey reminded

it, and that's why I politely asked you to handle it, rather than having someone forcibly remove her," Brandon said calmly. "Harvey Ferber, I'm grateful to you and your family for saving Sophia. I once

was a pause on

million," Harvey Ferber replied, his voice just as composed. "I

aware that Harvey Ferber didn't need that money. Otherwise,

saved Sophia and gave her a third chance at

to hold them accountable for

docks. "Brandon," Harvey continued, steering clear of the topic of the

take away the one person who genuinely loves her without any

lips together, glancing sidelong at Amanda in the

contain herself, was once again

love her?" Brandon questioned softly, observing Amanda's frustrated

aback by the unexpected question,

slowly to Harvey, "Harvey, you know better than I do whether your mother truly loves her or just wants to control her." After a

it was more like a replacement for the daughter she'd

ensure your mother stays out of Sophia's life, I'll agree to the dock transfer

and Susan approached with

stopped in his tracks, disbelief written all over his face as

Brandon.

turned to Kent. "What's going

Brandon's words but didn't see

keep an eye on Theresa for

he let go of Theresa's hand and

Crawley," he called,

a hand to halt

the line was

serious?" he finally asked, voice steady. "I'm

you at

never joke about business," Brandon replied. "Set a time, and we'll discuss the contract

chuckled lightly. "Mr.

beside himself, trying to speak but was silenced by

prove Mr. Ferber's capabilities, kindly have

within three minutes," Brandon concluded

Crawley,

and you're giving away the

at him. "It's a

is as good as giving it away. You know how crucial that dock

into

expand into maritime shipping," Brandon said slowly. "Starlight Group's current assets and size are more than enough to provide for Theresa for a lifetime. I don'twant her

Kent was speechless.

into maritime shipping

feel a

business empire

Wharf was a significant piece

it up seemed

my dream," Brandon said, meeting his eyes. "That was just the dream of the CEO of Starlight Group, not Brandon's personal dream." "What's the difference?" Kent didn't understand. To him, Brandon and the CEO

relentless drive and invincibility

side of Brandon, willing to slow down,

finally couldn't resist asking, "What's

Crawley's acumen, even if he

lose out."

is like a gold mine. It practically prints money. Selling it off like this is a huge loss," Kent

Susan looked at Kent in