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

paralyzed with

girl in the white parka struggled to get up, but it

her eyes lit up when she saw a

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 wait for her

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

bracelet and changing into the white parka but was too

in the white parka urged her to go,

nodded, summoning

in the white parka watched her friend

the snow, until

had gone, clutching the exchanged red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry,

sky turned from bright to dark, and then dark to light again,

came.

Her friend didn't return.

brother never came for

the emerald bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears streaming down her cheeks without her

images flashed through her mind like

completely, making her forget everything

Sophia with growing alarm. She knew it was

had been classmates for two years

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

Sophia crying silently, staring at the

a nearby room,

sharp and loud,

showing a hint of bewilderment, but she

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

suddenly turned razor-sharp,

Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure but could accurately recount what happened

long, and Sophia clearly didn't remember. She couldn't even recognize the bracelet,

hadn't Patricia just told her not long ago that Sophia had amnesia? How could she

name, "You shouldn't say things so casually. I've had this bracelet for as long

tone was so sure yet confused, a certainty that slowly pulled

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

had just called her Sophia, so she knew her,

close, and if those chaotic images in her mind

the girl in the white puffer

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

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

She hadn't realized when Brandon had come to her side. One hand was gripping Marian's

face turned pale

Brandon's previous threats to her

her coolly. "What

that suffocating

pale. "I don't know.

her since she could remember. After all,

looked at

her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook her head desperately. "It's been

attracted more and

who had been waiting

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

Marian crying hysterically in the crowd. She quickly approached but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about to move people aside, froze, hesitating to get any closer.

saw the crowd growing, with some even pulling out their phones to record making it look as if she and Brandon

I remembered it wrong," she quickly tried to explain, reaching for the bracelet in Brandon's hand to return it to Marian. "I'm

"You didn't remember wrong,"

I personally designed and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts, and your name engraved on the inside. There are old photos as proof."

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

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

Kris's background like the

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

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

an extraordinary affection for

once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave the country, he secretly made his way over, against

Kris's unwillingness to abandon Marian to draw

he

with the intense, hawk-like gaze,

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

look of a predator

couldn't quite put her finger

before. This was Kris's first time in the country, so in

But Brandon's eyes...

as if wanting to distance

a dismissive glance at her

"Kris?"

his name with a question, yet his tone

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

on a young lady in

voice was icy as he stood protectively

escaping him. "Picking on a

shifted past

and

forward and clear it up? Are we really bullying you, or is your conscience not so clear?"

Marian mumbled, avoiding Brandon's

couldn't muster the

receipts for the bracelet's

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

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

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

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

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

reassured with a smile, her eyes drifting past Amanda

brows were furrowed, his eyes locked on Amanda with a wary intensity, like a mother hen guarding her chicks

remained tense, his eyes still fixed

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

curiosity. She was surprised by the woman's affection

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

Sophia call Amanda "Godmother." She remembered Daniel's investigative report

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

shifted to Sophia, but she couldn't discern anything

on edge, unsure of

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

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

his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs. Ferber, my wife has commitments. She can't leave right

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

looked 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,

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

loss, glancing

remained composed, addressing Amanda. "Mrs. Ferber, we're grateful for all you've done. We were planning to visit you to express our

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

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 come sit with

to s

saved her life and taken care of her during recovery.

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

but found it awkward due to Amanda's clear hostility. So, she

her, then gestured towards the restaurant next door. "This way, Mrs.

verge of speaking when Sophia looped her arm through hers, gently steering her towards the

no choice but to

Kris had quietly slipped

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

be pushed forward by Marian, clearly intent on getting them

gaze returned to the crowd, pausing as he caught sight of Patricia,

unsettled, casting furtive, anxious glances back towards them. Her

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

restaurant, warmly holding Sophia's hand

signaled the waiter to

Amanda and Sophia

Sophia to

to Sophia, he

stay here with Mrs. FerberChapter

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

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

see or hear them when Sophia

at him,

together, his profile looking

"Sophia."

to face her with a serious expression.

Sophia was taken aback.

her side and try to explain things for her," Brandon continued slowly.

Sophia instinctively

interrupted, "You don't have to apologize to me.

was just

she was still drawing a line between them, and

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

gave her a small, forced smile

clutched the bracelet he had pulled from Marian's

eyes, insisting the bracelet was hers, he had

polite demeanor showed

"Sophia..."

began, but just then, President Poe's voice echoed from behind

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

President Poe approaching with a

tone. "We ran into a little

also smiled apologetically, "Sorry for the wait, President

worries," President Poe replied cheerfully. "As long as you're okay. I finished reviewing the design drafts and wanted to discuss them

Brandon suggested, gesturing for President Poe to head back to the

Sophia followed them inside.

reviewed the design for the science museum and found little to comment on. He particularly

cared for his students, he appreciated designs that benefited

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

delighted and eagerly engaged in discussion with

patience, was

silent, she could see the calls coming

thoughts, and considering it impolite, she resisted answering. Yet Amanda was insistent, calling again and again

Poe smiled and said, "Go ahead and take

apologetically, "Sorry about

the phone, lowering her voice as she spoke into

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

and smiled apologetically at

urgent?" President Poe asked understandingly. "We can continue another time if

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

Brandon then turned to President Poe, "We're

"Yes, it's fine. Let's

picked up a pen and began making notes on the

was focused, but Amanda's relentless calls had

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

Brandon glanced towards

visibly agitated, checking her phone impatiently, ready to call Sophia

deeply. Instead of approaching, he took out his phone

call was

voice came through, sounding

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

aback, then chuckled

did she do?"

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

savior, Mr. Crawley," Harvey reminded

you to handle 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

pause on

never after that ten million," Harvey Ferber replied, his voice just as

money.

they saved Sophia and gave her a third chance at

want to hold them

"Brandon," Harvey continued, steering clear of the topic of the docks. "My mother truly cares for Sophia like her own daughter.

you really going to take away the one person who genuinely loves her without

glancing sidelong at

herself, was once again

her?" Brandon questioned softly, observing Amanda's frustrated

by the unexpected

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

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

Sophia. If you ensure your mother stays out of

then, Kent and

written all over his face as he

Brandon.

to Kent.

words but didn't see

keep an eye on Theresa for

let go of Theresa's hand and hurried

Crawley," he called, trying

a hand to halt

on the line was also

you serious?" he finally

at your

never joke about business," Brandon replied. "Set a time, and we'll discuss the contract

chuckled lightly. "Mr. Crawley, always

was beside himself, trying to speak but was silenced

Ferber's capabilities, kindly

minutes," Brandon concluded and hung

"Mr. Crawley, are

and you're

"It's a transaction, not a

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

company's expansion into maritime shipping," Kent

shipping," Brandon said slowly. "Starlight Group's current assets and size are more than enough to provide for Theresa

Kent was speechless.

into maritime shipping was

but feel

had his own business empire dreams,

around Aurora Wharf was a significant piece

give it

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 the

Brandon for his relentless

Brandon, willing to slow down,

Susan finally couldn't

Given Mr. Crawley's acumen, even if he sells

lose out."

It practically prints money. Selling it off

at

turned to Brandon.

no immediate loss, aren't you

back on his wo His mom's a living person,

control who she contacts."

that foolish?" Brandon shot

over

knows," Kent muttered under his breath, "I swear, ever

IQ has

him a sideways glance, too uninterested to

ways

much control Harvey Ferber had over his

docks

he wouldn't mind adding

mix.

Amanda clearly wasn't

Amanda had treated Sophia

turned his

a call, and whatever was

and left, talking on her phone

went.

and Susan. "Don't mention this to anyone." With that, he stepped forward and gave Theresa

with Uncle Kent and Aunt Susan, alright?" Theresa nodded

they'd been stung by bees,

out, "Who's Uncle?"Chapter 707

a small nod. "Yeah, let's set

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

nodded in agreement.

sitting nearby, chuckled and said, "Brandon, I just made some tweaks to the design for the cultural gallery at the Science Museum with Sophia. Why don't you take a look and see if you have any thoughts or

he spoke, President Poe handed the revised plans to

overall concept. Since Sophia had been involved, he felt

finalize

beamed, clearly relieved to have settled a major task, and happily chatted away, reminiscing about

stories as if hearing them for the first

simply smiled gently throughout, occasionally glancing at Sophia, who was wide-eyed with curiosity, but he didn't

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

signs of

a potential couple during their school years, a topic of much speculation among teachers. Seeing them now as

but be fascinated by their story, which made

school days, Brandon didn't rush to end the meal. He stayed until President

Brandon hadn't yet had a chance to speak to Sophia when Theresa and Susan Kent suddenly appeared,

clearly as

guilty for making Theresa wait due to work,

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