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

narrow and bustling with

up to her

pain.

They went that

the crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed through

parka was pulling another girl clad in

coat was sobbing, saying she couldn't run

in the white parka kept dragging her along,

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

in the red coat

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

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,

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

red coat scrambled to her feet, looking helplessly at her

tried to stand, using

footsteps and

girl in the red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng

to get up,

up when she saw a

to run to the cabin, where her mom, dad, and big brother

in the snow, the

and changing into the white parka

the white parka urged her to go, warning that

coat nodded, summoning the courage to

in the white parka watched her friend disappear

one with the snow, until she

exchanged red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry, and exhausted, but

bright to dark,

came.

Her friend didn't return.

parents, and big brother

at the emerald bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears streaming down her

mind like

her forget everything

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

been classmates for two years

often seemed momentarily lost

staring at the bracelet, was

emerged from a nearby room, catching sight of SophiaChapter

and loud,

her senses a bit, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment, but

was still choked, "I wanted you to take

suddenly turned razor-sharp,

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

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

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

I've had this bracelet for

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

Marian's wrist and then back

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

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

and despair of the girl in the white

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

Brandon's voice

Marian's arm

face turned

of Brandon's previous threats to her

looked at her coolly. "What really happened back

wasn't loud, yet it brought that suffocating feeling of

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

remember. After all, so many years had

just looked at her coldly.

I really don't remember," Marian lost control, her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head desperately. "It's been with me since I can remember. I always thought it

more

had been

return and grew

Marian crying hysterically in the crowd. She quickly approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand,

it look as if she and Brandon

reaching for the bracelet in Brandon's hand

"You didn't remember wrong,"

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

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

it was mine."

background like the back of his

wild child, leveraging family connections to get into college.

with the underground scene to

had an extraordinary affection for

learned she was stuck dealing with

unwillingness to abandon Marian to draw him to

clearly, he

man with the intense, hawk-like gaze,

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

the look of a predator who had

put her finger on why she

and Kris had never met before. This was Kris's first time in the country, so in

But Brandon's eyes...

as if

at her before turning his attention

"Kris?"

question, yet his

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

picking on a young lady

icy as he stood protectively in front of

a cold laugh escaping him. "Picking

gaze shifted past

and

it up? Are we really bullying

avoiding

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

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

her head bowed. "Sophia and I

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

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

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

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

worry," Sophia reassured with a smile, her eyes drifting past Amanda to catch Brandon's

intensity, like a mother hen guarding

remained tense, his

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

She

recognized Amanda and shared a bit of history with her. Yet, he was puzzled, as he couldn't recall any connection between

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

prominent family would care so deeply for

gaze shifted to Sophia, but she

was a bit on edge, unsure of Amanda's

and Kris and asked, "Who are these people? It's hardly appropriate to make

that, Amanda turned back to Sophia. "Come on,

Brandon stepped in, his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs.

client right

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

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

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

was at a loss, glancing at

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

you well, and I don't want a meal. I

Amanda's voice softened as she pleaded, "Sophia, I 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

to s

The woman had saved her life and taken care of her during

softly, adding, "Brandon, why don't

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

then gestured towards the

arm through hers, gently steering her towards the

had no choice but

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

they had stood, his expression unchanging. His eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator leading to the floor

be pushed forward by Marian, clearly intent

returned to the crowd, pausing as he caught

unsettled, casting furtive, anxious glances back towards them. Her eyes met Brandon's, and

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

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

signaled the waiter to arrange a

Amanda and Sophia

to

Sophia, he

you stay here with Mrs. FerberChapter

private dining room, Sophia finally let

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

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

looked at

lips together, his profile looking

"Sophia."

turning to face her

Sophia was taken aback.

her side and try to explain things for her," Brandon continued slowly. "It feels like you're more on their side, like they're

I—" Sophia instinctively started to

"You don't have to apologize to me. I know you

was just an

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

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

small, forced smile and nodded, but didn't

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

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

polite demeanor

"Sophia..."

President Poe's

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

President Poe

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

also smiled apologetically, "Sorry for the

worries," President Poe replied cheerfully. "As long as you're okay. I finished reviewing the design

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

Sophia followed them inside.

Poe had reviewed the design for the science museum and found little to comment on. He particularly liked the idea of the

for his students, he appreciated

he did offer some minor suggestions

delighted and eagerly engaged in

clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly

phone was on silent, she could see

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

Poe smiled and said, "Go

smiled apologetically, "Sorry

lowering her voice as she spoke into

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

she hung up and smiled apologetically at President Poe

understandingly. "We can continue another

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

President Poe, "We're not in a

in agreement, "Yes, it's

picked up a pen and began

Amanda's relentless calls

not wanting to disturb her. He simply gestured to his phone and

glanced towards

impatiently, ready to call

of approaching, he took out his

call was answered

voice came through, sounding

here," Brandon said bluntly, his tone

aback, then chuckled softly, "My

she do?"

my wife," Brandon replied. "I don't care how you do it, just get her

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

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

was a pause on the

know I was never after that ten million," Harvey Ferber replied, his voice just as composed.

aware that Harvey Ferber didn't need that money. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept Sophia hidden for so

and gave her a

hold them accountable

clear of the topic of the docks. "My mother truly cares for Sophia like her own

going to take away the one person who

glancing sidelong

was once again dialing

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

seemed taken aback by the unexpected question, pausing for a

withdrew his gaze and spoke slowly to Harvey, "Harvey, you know better than I do whether your mother truly loves

more like a replacement for the daughter she'd

your mother stays out of Sophia's life, I'll agree

Kent and

stopped in his tracks, disbelief written all

Brandon.

puzzled, turned to Kent. "What's

Brandon's words but didn't

"Just keep an eye

he let go of

called, trying to warn

a hand

line was also

are you serious?" he finally asked, voice steady.

at your

"Set a time, and we'll discuss

chuckled lightly. "Mr.

trying to speak but

prove Mr. Ferber's capabilities, kindly have your

Brandon

"Mr. Crawley, are you out of your mind?

and you're

"It's

it away. You

into maritime shipping," Kent

to 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.

maritime shipping

help but feel a pang of

empire dreams, and the maritime

around Aurora Wharf was a significant piece

to give it up seemed unimaginable

Starlight Group,

admired Brandon for his relentless

side of Brandon, willing

finally couldn't resist asking,

dock, right? Given Mr. Crawley's acumen, even if he

lose out."

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

at Kent