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.

footsteps

paralyzed with fear, ng closer to her

parka struggled to get up, but

her eyes lit up when she saw a small cabin

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

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

coat hesitated, taking the bracelet and changing

parka urged her to go, warning that the bad guys would catch

coat nodded, summoning the courage to sprint

parka watched her friend disappear into the

until

her eyes fixed on the direction her friend had gone, clutching the exchanged red coat tightly. She was cold, scared, hungry, and

the sky turned from bright to dark, and then

came.

Her friend didn't return.

big brother never came for her

the emerald bracelet on Marian's wrist, tears streaming

through her mind like

her forget

alarm. She knew it was the bracelet that triggered

had been classmates for two years and

seemed momentarily lost when spotting it, she had

staring

a nearby room,

and loud, immediately drawing everyone's attention around

her senses a bit, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment, but she didn't loosen her grip on Marian's hand one

"I wanted you to take it to my parents, but you left with it and

turned razor-sharp, fixing

eyes widening in alarm, staring at Sophia, who looked bewildered and unsure

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

had amnesia? How could she remember something that only the two of them

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

confused, a certainty that slowly pulled

the bracelet on Marian's wrist and then

called her Sophia, so she knew her, and

in her mind were real, why would

the sadness and despair of the girl in the white puffer coat from

Marian, her teary eyes showing a hint of self-doubt, and unconsciously loosened her grip on Marian's hand. But in the next second, the arm she had released was suddenly gripped by a broad,

Brandon's voice

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

turned

threats to her life loomed

looked at her coolly. "What really

brought that suffocating feeling

"I don't know. I've had the bracelet for as long as I can

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

at her coldly. "You're

don't remember," Marian lost control, her face pale and tears streaming down as she shook

more and

had been

in the restaurant, hadn't seen her return and grew worried. She came out to

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.

if she and Brandon were bullying Marian. Worried about the impact of Brandon and

remembered it wrong," she quickly tried to explain, reaching for the bracelet in Brandon's

"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 engraved on the inside. There are old photos as proof."

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

pitiful look, crying with tears like raindrops on flowers, shaking her head desperately. "I really don't know. It's been with me since I can remember. I truly thought it was mine." Brandon's lips curled with a cold indifference, long accustomed to her easily spun lies. He didn't even urge her, just watched

like

overseas and was always a bit of a wild child, leveraging family connections to

connections with the underground scene to run the

had an extraordinary affection for

stop him from coming over, once he learned she was stuck dealing

unwillingness to abandon Marian to draw him to the

he

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

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

of a predator who

couldn't quite put her finger on why she felt this

time in the country, so in theory, Brandon shouldn't know him at

But Brandon's eyes...

grip on Kris's shirt loosened instinctively, as if wanting to distance herself

a dismissive glance at her before turning his attention back to

"Kris?"

name with a question, yet his tone was full of

began to piece together who

folks picking on a young lady

voice was icy as he stood protectively in front of

cold laugh escaping him. "Picking

gaze shifted

and

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

mumbled, avoiding Brandon's piercing

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

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

head bowed. "Sophia and I are classmates and

glance, taken aback

you remember? We were in grad school together, and we work at the same architectural

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

it. She clasped Sophia's hands tightly, inspecting her from head to toe. "You look thinner to

fine, please don't worry," Sophia reassured with a smile, her eyes drifting past

furrowed, his eyes locked on Amanda with a wary intensity, like a mother hen guarding her chicks from a hawk. Sophia gave him

Brandon remained tense, his

in good health, she finally turned her attention to

unfamiliar with Amanda, looked on with curiosity. She was surprised by

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

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

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

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

a bit on edge, unsure

Kris and asked, "Who are these

"Come on, let's

stepped in, his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs. Ferber, my wife

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

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

It's just a meal with

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

was at a loss, glancing

done. We were planning to visit you to

she replied coldly. "I don't know you well, and I don't want a

to Sophia, Amanda's voice softened as she pleaded, "Sophia, I changed my whole schedule for you. I've been holding back from visiting, afraid

to s

her life and taken care of

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

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

glanced at her, then gestured towards the

her arm through hers, gently steering her towards

no choice

Kris had quietly slipped away during the

scanned the crowd, landing on the escalator leading to the floor

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

caught sight of Patricia, who

them. Her eyes met

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

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

He signaled the waiter to arrange a private booth and

Amanda and Sophia

Sophia to their

to Sophia,

stay here

stepped out of the private dining room, Sophia finally let go of Brandon's

sometimes. She doesn't always think

hear them when Sophia apologized. But before she could say

looked at

together,

"Sophia."

to face her with a serious

Sophia was taken aback.

Brandon continued slowly. "It

sorry, I—" Sophia

to apologize to me. I

just

was still drawing a line between

looking up at him.

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

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

tears in her eyes, insisting the bracelet was hers, he

demeanor showed no sign of

"Sophia..."

just then, President Poe's voice echoed from

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

and Brandon turned to see President Poe approaching

Brandon said, returning the smile with an apologetic tone. "We ran into a

"Sorry for the wait,

replied cheerfully. "As long as you're okay.

the room," Brandon suggested, gesturing for President Poe

Sophia followed them inside.

the science museum and found little to

a headmaster who truly cared for his students, he appreciated designs that benefited

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

engaged in discussion with

Amanda, who clearly lacked patience, was repeatedly calling Sophia's

Sophia's phone was on silent, she could see

resisted answering. Yet Amanda

President Poe smiled and said, "Go ahead and take the

smiled apologetically, "Sorry

phone, lowering her voice as she

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

up and smiled apologetically at President Poe again, "Sorry about

asked understandingly. "We can continue another time

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

simultaneously, exchanging a glance. Brandon then turned to President Poe, "We're not

in agreement, "Yes, it's fine. Let's

and began making notes

but Amanda's relentless calls had left her

wanting to disturb her. He simply gestured to his phone and whispered, "I'll step outside to take a call," before

Brandon glanced towards

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

deeply. Instead of approaching, he took out his

call was

voice came

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

seemed taken aback, then chuckled

she do?"

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

wife's savior, Mr.

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

pause

that ten million," Harvey Ferber replied, his voice

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

because they saved Sophia and gave her a third chance

to hold them accountable for

Harvey Ferber's real interest was in the docks. "Brandon," Harvey continued, steering clear of the topic of the docks. "My mother truly cares for Sophia like her

you really going to take away the one person who genuinely

lips together, glancing

herself, was once again dialing her

really love her?" Brandon questioned softly, observing

seemed taken aback by the unexpected question, pausing

I do whether your mother truly loves her or just wants to

daughter she'd lost, compensating for her guilt

want any loose ends around Sophia. If you ensure your mother stays out of Sophia's life, I'll agree to the

and

disbelief written all

Brandon.

puzzled, turned to Kent. "What's going

words but didn't

"Just keep an eye on

go of

he called, trying

a hand to

on the line

serious?" he finally

you at your

business," Brandon replied. "Set a time,

"Mr. Crawley, always

himself, trying to speak

prove Mr. Ferber's capabilities, kindly have your mother disappear from

three minutes," Brandon

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

and you're giving

at him. "It's a transaction,

it away.

expansion into maritime shipping,"

"Starlight Group's current assets and size are more than enough to provide for Theresa for a lifetime. I don'twant her to grow up burdened with the responsibilities of

Kent was speechless.

maritime shipping was

couldn't help but feel a pang

own business empire dreams, and the maritime

Aurora Wharf was a significant piece of that

to give it

never my dream," Brandon said, 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.

admired Brandon for his relentless

of Brandon, willing to slow down, was hard to

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

Crawley's acumen, even if he sells it, he

lose out."

gold mine. It practically prints money. Selling it off like this is a huge loss,"

at Kent in

turned to

no immediate loss, aren't you

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

control who she contacts."

think I'm that foolish?" Brandon shot him a look. "You really

over the dock without

his breath,

your IQ has

him a sideways

ways of

had over his mother

docks he could

for Sophia, he

mix.

Amanda clearly wasn't

about how Amanda had treated Sophia earlier, Brandon's eyes

his

up a call, and whatever was said must

things and left, talking on her

went.

to anyone."

now. You have fun with Uncle Kent and Aunt Susan, alright?"

Susan, however, reacted like they'd been stung by bees, both

out, "Who's Uncle?"Chapter 707

let's set up a

sit down for a proper meal to express his gratitude and say

nodded in

the cultural gallery

Poe handed the

adjustments, nothing that altered the overall concept. Since Sophia had been involved, he felt confident about the changes, so he nodded. "Looks good

Let's finalize

major task, and

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

throughout, occasionally glancing at Sophia, who

the bracelet he had taken from Marian's wrist, waiting

showed no signs of wrapping

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,

but be fascinated by their story, which

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

yet had a chance to speak to Sophia when Theresa and Susan

voice ringing clearly as she spotted Sophia, her face

making Theresa wait due to work, Sophia hugged her

movie. As soon as she wrapped her arms around Sophia's neck, she asked eagerly, "Are

and Sophia said in