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

instinctively reached up to her forehead, her brows

pain.

went

crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed

white parka was pulling another girl clad in a bright

the red coat was sobbing, saying she

girl in the white parka kept dragging her along, desperate

girl in the red coat tripped over something, pulling the

girl in the red coat

girl in the white parka scrambled to her feet, quickly covering her friend's mouth with her hand, then crouched down to lift her onto her back, trying

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

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

coat scrambled to her

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

the sound of angry footsteps and shouts continued

coat was paralyzed with fear, ng closer

white parka struggled to get up,

when she

off a bracelet 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

draw attention in the snow, the girl

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

go, warning that the bad guys

summoning the courage to sprint down towards the

the white parka watched her friend disappear

with the snow, until

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,

to dark, and then

came.

Her friend didn't return.

parents, and big brother

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

mind like a

making her

with growing alarm. She knew

been classmates for two years and colleagues

had seen the bracelet countless times, and while she often seemed

of Sophia crying silently, staring at the bracelet,

from a nearby room, catching sight of

was sharp and loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention

to her senses a bit, her expression showing a

"I wanted you to take it to

turned razor-sharp, fixing on

at Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure

didn't

ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could she remember something that

I've had

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

glanced at the bracelet on Marian's wrist and

called her Sophia, so she knew her,

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

despair of the girl in the white

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

it, it's yours," Brandon's

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

face turned pale

shadow of Brandon's previous threats to her life

looked at her coolly.

brought that suffocating feeling of near-death

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

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

looked at

her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head desperately. "It's been with me since I can remember. I always

more and more

who had been

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

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

their phones to record making it look as if she and

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

"You didn't remember wrong,"

and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts, and your name engraved

finished speaking, the onlookers who had been pointing fingers at the two of them suddenly grew quiet, turning

truly thought it was mine." Brandon's lips curled with a cold indifference, long accustomed to

like the back of

Kris was adopted just 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 graduation that he decided to buckle down and get involved in

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

an extraordinary affection for

stop him from coming over, once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave the country, he

abandon

he bet

gaze, Brandon's lips curled into a

doing the same to him. Compared to Kris's composure, Marian,

was the look of a predator who had

couldn't quite put her finger on why she

time in the country, so

But Brandon's eyes...

Kris's shirt loosened instinctively, as if wanting

dismissive glance at her before turning his attention back to

"Kris?"

name with a question,

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

young lady in broad

icy as he stood

cold laugh escaping

gaze shifted

and

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

avoiding

her up, she couldn't

having receipts for the bracelet's origin kept

bullying anyone," Marian said softly, her head bowed. "Sophia and I are classmates

her a surprised glance, taken aback by the claim

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

Godmother, you don't need to worry," Sophia said awkwardly,

it. She clasped Sophia's hands tightly, inspecting her from head to toe. "You look thinner to me. You're always putting on a brave

a smile,

like a mother hen guarding her chicks

Brandon remained tense, his eyes

oblivious to anyone but Sophia. After a thorough inspection to ensure Sophia was indeed in good health, she

looked on with curiosity. She was

history with her. Yet, he was

Daniel's investigative report

family would care so deeply for someone they considered an outsider. Unless, of course, Sophia wasn't who she claimed

calculating gaze shifted to Sophia, but she couldn't discern anything

a bit on edge, unsure

at Marian and Kris and asked, "Who are these people? It's hardly appropriate

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

away, Brandon stepped in, his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs. Ferber, my wife has commitments.

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

at her sternly. "What client? You've just recovered. The doctor and I have told you countless times not to

know. It's just a meal with a client,

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

at a loss, glancing at Brandon for

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

thanks," she replied coldly. "I don't know you well, and I don't want a meal. I just want to catch up with my

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

to s

woman had saved her life and taken care of her

softly, adding, "Brandon, why don't you join us? I'd like to introduce

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

at her, then gestured towards the

her arm through hers, gently steering her

no choice but

Sophia noticed Marian and Kris

His eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator

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

caught sight of Patricia, who had

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

flustered demeanor causing Brandon to furrow his brow again. However, the

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

let his annoyance show. He signaled the

Amanda and Sophia

Sophia to

to Sophia, he

here with Mrs. FerberChapter

out of the private dining room,

be a bit overbearing sometimes. She doesn't always think about how her

Amanda couldn't see or hear them

at him,

together, his

"Sophia."

turning to face her with

Sophia was taken aback.

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

I—" Sophia instinctively

to me.

was just an instinctive

still drawing a line between

looking up at

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

the bracelet he had pulled from Marian's

insisting the bracelet was hers, he had seen a

polite demeanor showed

"Sophia..."

just then, President Poe's

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

see President Poe approaching with

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

smiled apologetically, "Sorry for the

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

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

Sophia followed them inside.

museum and found little to comment on. He particularly liked the idea

headmaster who truly cared for his

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

engaged in

patience, was

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

Yet Amanda was insistent, calling again and again until Sophia had no choice but

persistence, President Poe smiled and

apologetically, "Sorry about

the phone, lowering her voice as she

of something. I'll come find you as soon as I'm done. Please,

she hung up and smiled apologetically at President Poe again,

"We can continue another time

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

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

"Yes,

up a pen and began making notes on the design

Amanda's relentless calls

phone and whispered, "I'll step outside

glanced

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

deeply. Instead of approaching, he took out

was

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

out of here," Brandon said

aback, then chuckled softly, "My

did she

how you do

your wife's savior, Mr. Crawley,"

I'm grateful to you and your family for saving Sophia. I once promised a

was a pause

after that ten million," Harvey Ferber replied, his voice just

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

and gave her a third chance at life,

them accountable for

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

take away the one person who genuinely loves her without any blood relation?"

lips together, glancing sidelong at Amanda in

was once again

her?" Brandon questioned softly, observing

the unexpected question, pausing for a

loves her or just wants to control her." After a brief silence, Harvey

for the daughter she'd lost, compensating for her

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

and Susan approached with

disbelief written all over his face

Brandon.

puzzled, turned to Kent. "What's

words but didn't see

said. "Just keep an eye

let go of

he called, trying to

raised a hand

on the line was also

he finally asked, voice steady.

you at

joke about business," Brandon replied. "Set a

chuckled lightly. "Mr. Crawley,

speak but was silenced by

kindly have your mother disappear

minutes," Brandon

found his voice. "Mr. Crawley, are you

you're giving

him. "It's a

giving it away. You know how crucial that dock

expansion into maritime shipping,"

more than enough to provide for Theresa for a lifetime. I

Kent was speechless.

expanding into maritime

help but feel a

empire dreams, and

around Aurora Wharf was a

give it up

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

his relentless drive and

of Brandon, willing to slow down, was hard

side, Susan finally couldn't resist asking, "What's this all

Mr. Crawley's acumen, even if he

lose out."

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

looked at Kent