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

and bustling with people.

instinctively reached up to her

pain.

them! They went that way,

crunching footsteps and

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

coat was

parka kept dragging

girl in the red coat tripped over something,

the red coat burst

covering her friend's mouth with her hand,

through the snow, only to have the red coat girl's foot catch on a

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

coat scrambled to

back her tears. She tried to stand, using the rock for support, but the pain was too much, and

them, the sound of angry footsteps

coat was paralyzed with

in the white parka struggled to get up, but it

lit up when she

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

in the snow, the girl in the white parka

in the red coat hesitated, taking the bracelet and changing into

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

nodded, summoning

watched her friend

snow, until she was out of

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 came back for

as the sky turned from bright to dark,

came.

Her friend didn't return.

brother never came for

Marian's wrist, tears streaming down

flashed through her mind like a movie on fast

making her forget everything around

watched Sophia with growing alarm. She knew it was the bracelet that triggered this

classmates for two years and colleagues for

seemed momentarily lost

crying silently, staring at

a nearby room, catching sight

sharp and loud, immediately

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

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

turned razor-sharp, fixing on

at Sophia, who

so long, and Sophia clearly didn't remember. She couldn't even

hadn't Patricia just told her not long ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could she remember something that only the two

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

tone was so sure yet confused, a certainty that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality back from

the bracelet on Marian's wrist and then back

called her Sophia, so she knew her,

images in her mind were real, why would she let the bracelet stay

of the girl in

her grip on Marian's hand. But in the

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

had come to her side. One hand was gripping Marian's arm through her clothes, and the other had already pulled

face turned pale

shadow of Brandon's previous threats to

looked at her coolly. "What really

brought that suffocating

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

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

at her

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

attracted more

who had been waiting

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

she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about to move people aside, froze, hesitating to

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

the bracelet

"You didn't remember wrong,"

don't need to apologize. I personally designed and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts, and your name engraved

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

look, crying with tears like raindrops on flowers, shaking her head desperately. "I really don't know. It's been with me since I can remember. I truly thought it was mine." Brandon's lips curled with a cold indifference, long accustomed

knew Kris's background like the back

of a wild child, leveraging family connections to get into college. It wasn't until after graduation that he decided to buckle down and get involved

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

an extraordinary affection for

once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave

unwillingness to abandon

clearly, he

gaze, Brandon's lips curled into

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

look of a predator who had finally cornered its

quite put her finger on

had never met before. This was Kris's first time in the country, so in theory, Brandon shouldn't know

But Brandon's eyes...

instinctively, as if wanting

dismissive glance at her before turning his attention back to

"Kris?"

name with a question, yet his tone was

up Brandon, glanced at the woman behind him, Sophia, and began to piece together who Brandon

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

voice was icy as he stood protectively in

a cold laugh escaping

gaze shifted past

and

up? Are

mumbled, avoiding Brandon's piercing

Kris there to back her up, she couldn't muster the courage to

for the bracelet's origin kept

her head bowed. "Sophia and I are classmates and colleagues. There must

a surprised glance, taken aback

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

Sophia said

from head to toe. "You look thinner

with a smile, her

intensity, like a mother hen guarding her chicks from a hawk. Sophia gave

remained tense, his eyes

inspection to ensure Sophia was indeed in good health, she finally turned her

with curiosity. She was surprised by

was puzzled, as he couldn't recall any connection between Amanda and Sophia. His

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

Sophia seemed genuine, but Patricia couldn't fathom why such a prominent family would care so deeply for someone they considered an outsider. Unless, of course, Sophia wasn't who she claimed

gaze shifted to Sophia, but she couldn't

a bit on

and asked, "Who are these

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

Amanda attempted to lead Sophia away, Brandon stepped in, his arm barring their path.

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

and I have told you countless times not to overwork

a meal with

went through a lot to get you back on your feet, and I can't let you risk

was at a loss,

grateful for all you've done. We were planning to visit you to express our thanks, but since we've bumped into each

you well,

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

to s

had saved her life and

"Brandon, why don't

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

the restaurant next

looped her arm through hers, gently steering her towards

choice but

turned, Sophia noticed Marian and Kris had quietly slipped away during

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

look back several times, only to be pushed forward

he caught

back towards them. Her eyes met Brandon's, and she froze, caught

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

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

the waiter

Amanda and Sophia

to

to Sophia, he

you stay here with Mrs. FerberChapter

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

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

had walked far enough that Amanda couldn't see or hear them when Sophia apologized. But before

at him,

his lips together, his profile looking

"Sophia."

name softly, turning to face her with

Sophia was taken aback.

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

Sophia instinctively started to

"You don't have to apologize to

was just

drawing a line between them, and

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

small, forced smile and nodded, but

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

arm, tears in her eyes, insisting the

Sophia's polite demeanor

"Sophia..."

then, President Poe's voice

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

President Poe approaching with a

apologetic tone. "We ran into a

"Sorry for the wait,

as you're okay.

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

Sophia followed them inside.

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

truly cared for his students,

offer some minor suggestions for improvement on

eagerly engaged in

who clearly lacked patience,

was on silent, she could see

President Poe's thoughts, and considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent, calling again and again until Sophia had no choice but

and said, "Go ahead and

smiled apologetically, "Sorry

phone, lowering her voice

I'll come find you as soon as I'm done. Please, go ahead with what you're

apologetically at President Poe again, "Sorry

"We can continue another time if you

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

glance. Brandon then turned to President Poe,

nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's

and began

Amanda's relentless calls had left her somewhat

phone and whispered, "I'll step outside to take

Brandon glanced towards Amanda's

impatiently, ready to call Sophia again but dropping it

of approaching, he took out his phone

call was

voice came through, sounding slightly

Brandon said

aback, then chuckled

she

wife," Brandon replied. "I don't care how you

savior, Mr. Crawley,"

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 promised a ten million dollar reward for any information about her. Though you didn't provide information, you

a pause on the other

I was never after that ten million," Harvey Ferber replied, his voice

Ferber didn't need that money. Otherwise, he wouldn't have

gave her a third chance at life,

hold them accountable for

Harvey Ferber's real interest was in the docks. "Brandon," Harvey continued, steering clear of the topic of the docks. "My mother truly cares for Sophia like her own daughter. There's no one in her life who treats

really going to take away the one person who genuinely loves her

pressed his lips together, glancing sidelong

to contain herself, was once again

Brandon questioned

seemed taken aback by the unexpected

do whether your mother truly loves her or just wants to control her." After a brief silence, Harvey admitted, "She does care for Sophia like

for the daughter she'd lost,

ends around Sophia. If you ensure your mother stays

and Susan approached

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

Brandon.

turned to Kent. "What's

words but didn't see

said. "Just keep an

let go of Theresa's hand and

he called, trying to

a hand to halt

line was

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

at your

about business," Brandon replied. "Set a time, and we'll discuss the contract

lightly. "Mr. Crawley, always

speak but was silenced by

capabilities, kindly

Brandon concluded and

voice. "Mr. Crawley, are you out of

you're giving away

looked at him. "It's a transaction, not

as giving it away.

into maritime shipping," Kent

more than enough to provide for Theresa for a lifetime. I don'twant her to grow up

Kent was speechless.

expanding into maritime shipping was your

feel a

had his own business empire dreams, and the maritime

Aurora Wharf was a significant piece of

to give it up seemed

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 were one and

Brandon for his relentless drive and invincibility

this side of Brandon, willing to slow down, was hard

couldn't

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

lose out."

prints money. Selling it

Susan looked at