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

The hallway was narrow and bustling with people. As Sophia triChapter 702

Sophia instinctively reached up to her forehead, her brows knitting together in

pain.

"Quick, chase them! They went that way, go find them!"

In the frosty forest, the crunching footsteps and angry shouts echoed through the snow-covered landscape.

A little girl dressed in a pale white parka was pulling another girl clad in a bright red coat, both running for their lives through the snow.

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

But the girl in the white parka kept dragging her along, desperate to keep moving.

Suddenly, the girl in the red coat tripped over something, pulling the girl in the white parka down with her.

The girl in the red coat burst into tears.

The 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 to carry her.

But with their 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, sending them both tumbling to the ground.

The girl in the white parka hugged the other tightly 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 her eyes instantly, but at least their fall had stopped.

The girl in the red coat scrambled to her feet, looking helplessly at her friend.

Despite the pain and the urge to cry, the girl in the white parka bit her lip to hold back her tears. She tried to stand, using the rock for support, but the pain was too much, and the tears flowed freely as she failed to rise.

sound of angry footsteps and shouts

the red coat was paralyzed with fear,

struggled to get

around, terrified, and her eyes lit up when she saw a small cabin not

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 mom, dad, and big brother would be. They would recognize the bracelet. She promised to

bright red coat wouldn't draw attention in the snow, the girl in the

and changing into the white parka but was too

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

girl in the red coat nodded, summoning the courage to sprint down towards

in the white parka watched her friend

the snow, until she was

red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry, and exhausted, but she didn't dare close her eyes of move, terrified of missing

dark, and then

came.

Her friend didn't return.

and big brother never came for her

on Marian's wrist, tears streaming

mind like a movie

her completely, making her forget everything

alarm. She knew it

for two years and colleagues

seen the bracelet countless times, and while she often seemed momentarily lost when spotting it, she

Sophia crying silently, staring at the

from a nearby room, catching sight of

loud, immediately drawing

her expression showing a hint of bewilderment,

was supposed to be for you," Sophia's voice was still choked, "I wanted you to take it to my parents, but you left with it and never came

eyes suddenly turned razor-sharp,

at Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure but

didn't remember. She couldn't even recognize the bracelet, so how

had amnesia?

I've had this

certainty that slowly pulled

bracelet on Marian's wrist and then

called her Sophia, so she knew her, and they were

her mind were real, why would she

despair of the girl in the white puffer coat from her jumbled

self-doubt, and unconsciously loosened her grip on Marian's hand.

doubt it, it's yours," Brandon's voice

hadn't realized when Brandon had come to her side. One hand was gripping Marian's arm through her clothes, and the other had already

face turned

shadow of Brandon's previous threats to her

at her coolly. "What really happened

that suffocating feeling of near-death rushing back to

know. I've had the bracelet for as long as

her since she could remember. After all, so many years had passed. If Sophia could forget, then maybe she

at her coldly. "You're

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

attracted more

had

her return and grew worried. She came out to

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

out their phones to record making it look as if she and Brandon

for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to return it to

"You didn't remember wrong,"

commissioned that bracelet. I

them

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 to her easily spun lies. He didn't even

like the back

up overseas and was always a bit of a wild child, leveraging family connections to get into college. It wasn't until

acumen was average at best, but he used his connections with the underground scene to run

extraordinary affection for

was stuck dealing with legal issues and

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

he bet

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

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

a predator who had

finger on why she felt this

first time in the country, so in

But Brandon's eyes...

Kris's shirt loosened instinctively, as if

at her before turning

"Kris?"

question, yet his tone

the woman behind him, Sophia, and began to

folks picking on a young lady in broad daylight-got

he stood protectively in front

laugh escaping him.

gaze shifted past

and

Marian. "Ms. Barlow care to step forward and clear it up?

Marian mumbled, avoiding

couldn't muster the courage to

mention of having receipts for the bracelet's origin

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

glance, taken aback by the claim of being classmates and

"Sophia, don't you remember? We were in grad school together, and we

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

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

worry," Sophia reassured with a smile, her eyes

locked on Amanda with a wary intensity, like a mother hen guarding her chicks from a

Brandon remained tense, his eyes still fixed on

Sophia. After a thorough inspection to ensure Sophia was indeed in good health,

Amanda, looked on with curiosity. She was surprised by the woman's affection

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

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

prominent family would care so deeply for someone they

gaze shifted to Sophia,

too, was a bit on edge, unsure

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

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

attempted to lead Sophia away, Brandon stepped in, his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs. Ferber,

meeting a client right

The doctor and I have told you countless times not to overwork yourself. If others

know, I know. It's just a meal

better keeping an eye on you. I went through a

was at a loss,

visit you to express our thanks, but since we've bumped into each other, please join us for a

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

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

to s

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

Sophia agreed softly, adding, "Brandon, why don't you join

due to Amanda's clear hostility. So, she

her, then gestured towards the restaurant

when Sophia looped her arm through hers, gently steering

choice but to

turned, Sophia noticed Marian and Kris had quietly

expression unchanging. His eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator leading to the floor below, where Marian

only to be pushed forward by Marian,

caught sight of

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

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

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

He signaled the waiter to

Amanda and Sophia

to

to Sophia, he said,

stay here with Mrs.

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

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

that Amanda couldn't see or hear them when Sophia apologized. But before she could say more, Brandon

looked at

together,

"Sophia."

face her with

Sophia was taken aback.

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

I—" Sophia

interrupted, "You don't have to apologize to me. I know you didn't mean

just an instinctive

she was still drawing a line between

at him.

smile and nodded, but didn't say

clutched the bracelet he had pulled from Marian's wrist. The smooth beads

Marian's arm, tears in her eyes, insisting the bracelet was hers, he had seen a glimpse of

Sophia's polite demeanor showed no sign of

"Sophia..."

but just then, President Poe's voice echoed

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

Brandon turned to see President

tone. "We ran into a little issue outside, but

smiled apologetically, "Sorry for the wait,

long as you're okay. I finished reviewing the design drafts and

suggested, gesturing for President Poe to head back to the

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

cared for his students, he appreciated designs that benefited

offer some minor suggestions for improvement on the cultural gallery — nothing major, just small

engaged in

lacked patience, was repeatedly calling Sophia's

silent, she

Poe's thoughts, and considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent,

persistence, President Poe smiled and

smiled apologetically, "Sorry

the phone, lowering her voice as she spoke into it, "Godmother,

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

smiled apologetically

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

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

Brandon spoke simultaneously, exchanging a glance. Brandon then turned to President

agreement, "Yes, it's

began making

relentless calls had left

simply gestured to his phone and whispered, "I'll step outside

Brandon glanced

impatiently, ready to call

exhaled deeply. Instead of approaching, he took out his phone and

was answered

Ferber's voice came through, sounding slightly

get your mother out of here," Brandon

then chuckled

she do?" he

don't care how you do it, just get her out

Mr. Crawley," Harvey reminded

to you and your family for

a pause on the

Ferber replied, his voice just as composed.

didn't need that money. Otherwise,

because they saved Sophia and gave her a third chance at life,

want to hold them accountable for

the docks. "My mother truly cares for Sophia

going to take away the one person who genuinely loves her without any blood

lips together, glancing sidelong

contain herself, was once again dialing

she really love her?" Brandon questioned softly,

taken aback by the

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

more like a replacement for the daughter she'd lost,

loose ends around Sophia. If you ensure your mother stays out of Sophia's life, I'll agree to the dock transfer agreement,"

Kent and Susan approached with

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

Brandon.

to Kent.

heard Brandon's words but didn't see

keep an eye on

that, he let go of Theresa's

Crawley," he called, trying

a hand to halt

the line

serious?" he finally asked,

you at

Brandon replied. "Set

chuckled lightly. "Mr. Crawley, always

trying to speak but

Ferber's capabilities, kindly have your mother disappear from

three minutes," Brandon concluded and

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

back, and you're giving

at him. "It's a

it away. You know how crucial that

expansion into maritime shipping,"

and size are more than enough to provide for Theresa for a lifetime. I don'twant her to grow up burdened with the responsibilities

Kent was speechless.

maritime

feel a pang

business empire

around Aurora Wharf was a significant piece of that

it up

the CEO of Starlight Group, not Brandon's personal dream." "What's the

Brandon for his relentless drive and invincibility in

side of Brandon, willing to slow down,

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

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

lose out."

gold mine. It practically prints money. Selling it off

looked at Kent in

to

even if there's no immediate loss, aren't you

his wo

control who she contacts."

Brandon shot him a look.

hand over the

muttered under his breath, "I swear, ever since Ms.

IQ has taken a

shot him a sideways glance,

his own ways of

Harvey Ferber had over

docks he

for Sophia, he wouldn't

mix.

Amanda clearly wasn't that

had treated

his

a call, and whatever

things and

went.

to anyone." With that, he stepped forward and gave Theresa a gentle

You have fun with

like they'd been stung by

out, "Who's Uncle?"Chapter 707

a small nod. "Yeah, let's set up a dinner with

for a proper meal to express his gratitude and say farewell. Otherwise, knowing Sophia's

in

for the cultural gallery at the Science Museum with Sophia. Why don't you take a look and see

spoke, President Poe handed the revised

adjustments, nothing that altered the overall concept. Since Sophia had been involved, he felt

Let's finalize it,

and happily chatted away, reminiscing about their school days over

and listened to the stories as if hearing them for the first time, her reactions more

glancing at Sophia, who was wide-eyed with curiosity, but he didn't contribute much to the

bracelet he had taken from Marian's wrist, waiting for the right moment to talk to Sophia

signs of wrapping

former stars-one a designer, the other a benefactor -return as accomplished alumni was a rare delight. Especially since they were once considered a potential couple during their school years, a topic of much speculation among teachers. Seeing them now as a real-life power couple, both intelligent and attractive, was an extraordinary occurrence in

help but be fascinated by their story, which made

engrossed in tales from their school days, Brandon didn't rush to end the meal. He stayed until President Poe was

President Poe, Brandon hadn't yet had a chance to speak to Sophia when Theresa

her voice ringing clearly as she spotted Sophia, her face lighting up with

due to work, Sophia hugged

hadn't forgotten about the movie. As soon as she wrapped her arms around Sophia's neck, she asked eagerly, "Are you done with work? Can we go to

and Sophia said