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

was narrow and bustling with people. As Sophia

to her forehead, her

pain.

them! They went that way,

forest, the crunching footsteps and angry shouts

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

girl in the red coat was sobbing, saying she couldn't run

kept dragging her along, desperate to

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

in the red

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

to carry someone properly, she stumbled through the snow, only to have the red coat girl's foot

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

the red coat scrambled to her feet, looking helplessly at

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

of angry footsteps and shouts

paralyzed with fear, ng closer to

to get up, but it was

eyes lit up when she saw a small

girl in the red coat. She told her to run to the cabin,

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

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

girl in the white parka urged her to go, warning

nodded, summoning

watched her friend disappear

one with the snow, until she

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

dark, and then

came.

Her friend didn't return.

parents, and big brother never came for her

bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears

flashed through her mind like a movie

completely, making her forget everything

Sophia with growing alarm. She knew

classmates for two years

she often seemed momentarily lost when spotting it, she had never

silently, staring at the bracelet, was

emerged from a nearby room, catching sight of SophiaChapter

was sharp and loud,

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

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

turned razor-sharp, fixing on

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

long, and Sophia clearly didn't

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

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

yet confused, a certainty that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality back from the chaotic

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

Sophia, so she knew her, and they were probably quite

were so close, and if those chaotic images in her mind were real, why would she let the

despair of the girl in the

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

Brandon's voice

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 expression stern

face turned

shadow of Brandon's previous threats to her

her coolly. "What really happened back

brought that suffocating feeling

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

since she could remember. After all, so many

at her coldly.

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

more and more

had been

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

hysterically in the crowd. She quickly approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon

crowd growing, with some even pulling out their phones to record making it look as if she and Brandon were bullying Marian.

explain, reaching for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to

"You didn't remember wrong,"

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

pointing fingers at the two of them suddenly grew quiet, turning their

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

Kris's background like the back

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

his connections with the underground scene to run the company successfully in the local

extraordinary affection

was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave the country,

on Kris's unwillingness to abandon Marian to draw him to the

clearly, he

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

to him. Compared to Kris's composure, Marian, standing just behind him, felt her heart

look of a predator

her finger on why she felt this

This was Kris's first time in the country, so in theory, Brandon

But Brandon's eyes...

grip on Kris's shirt loosened instinctively, as if wanting to distance

at her before turning his

"Kris?"

a question,

and began to piece together who Brandon might be, though he wasn't

you folks picking on a young lady in broad daylight-got

was icy as he

laugh escaping him. "Picking on

gaze shifted

and

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

Marian mumbled, avoiding

back her up, she couldn't muster

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

bowed. "Sophia and I

her a surprised glance, taken aback by the claim of

don't you remember? We were in grad school together, and we work at the same architectural firmChapter

not losing weight, really, Godmother, you don't need to worry," Sophia said awkwardly, trying to adjust to the public attention and

inspecting her from head to toe. "You look thinner to me. You're always putting

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

like a mother hen guarding her chicks from a

remained tense, his

to ensure Sophia was indeed in

on with curiosity. She was

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

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

why such a prominent family would care so deeply for someone they considered

gaze shifted to Sophia, but she couldn't

a bit on edge, unsure

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

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

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

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

have told you countless times not

I know. It's just a meal with a client, not hard work,"

went through a lot to get you back on

loss, glancing at

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

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

back from visiting, afraid of disturbing you, but I've been so worried. Please,

to s

woman had saved her life and taken care of her during recovery. Refusing

softly, adding, "Brandon, why don't you

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

her, then gestured towards the restaurant

when Sophia looped her arm through hers, gently steering

no choice

Sophia noticed Marian and Kris

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

attempted to look back several times, only to be pushed forward by Marian, clearly intent

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

anxious glances back towards them. Her eyes met

again. However, the situation at hand didn't allow him

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

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

Amanda and Sophia

Sophia to

Sophia,

you stay here

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

godmother, Amanda, can be a bit overbearing sometimes. She doesn't always

enough that Amanda couldn't see or hear them when Sophia

at

lips together, his

"Sophia."

her with a serious

Sophia was taken aback.

like it when you take her side and try to explain things for her," Brandon continued slowly. "It feels like you're

Sophia instinctively started

have to apologize to

was just an

still drawing a line between them,

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

a small, forced smile

the bracelet he had pulled from Marian's

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

polite demeanor showed no

"Sophia..."

but just then, President Poe's voice echoed from

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

and Brandon turned to see President Poe approaching

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

smiled apologetically, "Sorry for the

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

Brandon suggested, gesturing for President Poe to

Sophia followed them inside.

the science museum and found little to comment on.

truly cared for his students, he

he did offer some minor

was delighted and eagerly engaged in

Amanda, who clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly calling Sophia's

Sophia's phone was on silent, she could see the

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

smiled and said, "Go ahead and take the

smiled apologetically, "Sorry about

her voice

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

hung up and smiled apologetically at President Poe again,

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

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

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

agreement, "Yes, it's fine.

picked up a pen and began making

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

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

Brandon glanced towards

her phone impatiently, ready to

Instead of approaching, he took out his phone and dialed

was

voice came through,

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

seemed taken aback, then

did she

care how you do it, just get

wife's savior, Mr. Crawley," Harvey reminded

calmly. "Harvey Ferber, I'm grateful to you and your family for saving Sophia. I once promised a ten million dollar reward for any information about her. Though you didn't provide information, you saved her. I'll

was a pause on

I was never after that ten million," Harvey Ferber

need that money. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept Sophia

saved Sophia and gave her

them accountable

also knew that Harvey Ferber's real interest was in the docks. "Brandon," Harvey continued, steering clear of the topic of the docks. "My

one person who genuinely loves her without any

glancing sidelong at Amanda

to contain herself, was once

her?" Brandon questioned

taken aback by the unexpected question, pausing for

"Harvey, you know better than I do whether your mother truly loves her or just wants to

more like a replacement for the daughter

ends around Sophia. If you ensure your mother stays out of

and

disbelief written all over his

Brandon.

puzzled, turned to Kent. "What's

words but didn't see

keep an

of Theresa's hand and

he called, trying to

raised a hand to halt

the line was

he finally asked, voice steady. "I'm

you at

about business," Brandon replied. "Set a

lightly. "Mr. Crawley, always

was beside himself, trying to speak but was

prove Mr. Ferber's capabilities, kindly have your mother disappear

within three minutes," Brandon concluded

finally found his voice. "Mr. Crawley, are you

you're giving away the

at him. "It's a transaction, not

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

expansion into maritime

and size are more than enough to provide for Theresa for a lifetime. I

Kent was speechless.

expanding into maritime

help but feel

business empire dreams, and the

Wharf was a significant piece of that

to give it up seemed

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 were one and the

Brandon for his relentless drive and

side of Brandon, willing to

from the side, Susan finally couldn't resist

just a dock, right? Given Mr. Crawley's acumen,

lose out."

dock is like a gold mine. It practically prints money. Selling it off like this is a huge

Susan looked at Kent