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.

Above them, the sound of angry footsteps and shouts continued to echo menacingly.

The girl in the red coat was paralyzed with fear, ng closer to her friend.

The girl in the white parka struggled to get up, but it was no use.

She looked around, terrified, and her eyes lit up when she saw a small cabin not too far away.

Quickly, she took 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 wait for her there.

To make sure the bright red coat wouldn't draw attention in the snow, the girl in the white parka switched jackets with her.

The girl in the red coat hesitated, taking the bracelet and changing into the white parka but was too scared to run.

The girl in the white parka urged her to go, warning that the bad guys would catch them otherwise.

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

The girl in the white parka watched her friend disappear into the distance,

becoming one with the snow, until she was out of sight.

She kept her eyes fixed on the direction her friend 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, terrified of missing the moment they came back for her.

But as the sky turned from bright to dark, and then dark to light again, no one

came.

Her friend didn't return.

Her grandparents, parents, and big brother never came for her either...

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

her mind like a movie on fast

her

She knew it was the bracelet that triggered this

classmates for two years and

and while she often seemed

silently, staring at the bracelet,

nearby room,

and loud, immediately drawing

back to her senses a bit, her expression showing

wanted you to take it to my parents, but you

turned razor-sharp, fixing

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

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

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

casually. I've had

a certainty that slowly pulled Sophia's rationality

bracelet on Marian's wrist

had just called her Sophia, so she knew her,

in her mind were real, why

clearly felt the sadness and despair of the girl

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

yours," Brandon's voice came softly

head. She 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 pulled the bracelet off her wrist, his expression stern yet

face turned pale

Brandon's previous threats to her life

at her coolly. "What really happened

loud, yet it brought that suffocating feeling of

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

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

at her coldly.

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

breakdown attracted more and more

who had

seen her return and grew worried. She came out to look

but stopped abruptly when she saw Brandon opposite her. Her hand, which was about to move people aside, froze, hesitating to

and Brandon were bullying Marian.

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,"

to apologize. I personally designed and commissioned that bracelet. I have the receipts,

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

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.

background like

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

best, but he used his connections with the underground scene to run the company

extraordinary

once he learned she was stuck dealing with legal issues and couldn't leave the country,

unwillingness to abandon Marian to draw him to

clearly, he bet

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

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

of a predator who had finally

couldn't quite put her finger on why she

never met before. This was Kris's first time in the country, so in theory, Brandon shouldn't know him at

But Brandon's eyes...

as if wanting to distance herself

cast a dismissive glance at her before turning his attention back

"Kris?"

a question,

glanced at the woman behind him, Sophia, and began to piece together who Brandon might be, though he wasn't entirely

on a young lady in broad

he stood

escaping him. "Picking on

shifted past

and

forward and clear it up?

Marian mumbled, avoiding

with Kris there to back her up, she couldn't muster the courage to boldly claim she was

for the bracelet's origin

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

taken aback by

don't you remember? We were in grad school together, and we work at the same architectural firmChapter

need to worry," Sophia said

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

reassured with a smile, her eyes drifting past

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

remained tense, his eyes still fixed

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

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

with her. Yet, he was puzzled, as he couldn't recall any connection

crowd, Patricia frowned, having overheard Sophia call Amanda "Godmother." She remembered Daniel's investigative report mentioning Amanda Ferber, mother of Harvey Ferber from the Ferber Group, and pieced things

family would care so deeply for someone they considered

to Sophia,

was a bit on edge, unsure

"Who are these people? It's hardly appropriate to make

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

his arm barring their path. "Sorry, Mrs. Ferber, my wife has commitments.

right now. I'll get in touch

client? You've just recovered. The doctor and I have told you countless times not to overwork yourself. If others

meal with a client, not

I'll join you," Amanda insisted. "I'll feel better keeping an 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

planning to visit you to express our thanks, but since we've bumped

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 to catch up with my

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

to s

hesitated. The woman had saved her life and taken care of her

don't you join us? I'd like

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

glanced at her, then gestured towards the restaurant next

looped her arm through hers, gently steering her towards the restaurant. "Come on,

no choice but to

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

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

to the crowd, pausing as he caught sight of Patricia, who

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

again. However, the situation

already reached the entrance of the restaurant, warmly holding Sophia's hand and chatting away, inadvertently-or perhaps

let his annoyance show. He signaled the waiter to

Amanda and Sophia

to

to Sophia,

you stay here with

the private dining room,

she said, sighing. "My godmother, Amanda, can be a bit overbearing sometimes. She doesn't always think about how her words might affect

see or hear them when Sophia apologized.

looked at

his lips together, his profile

"Sophia."

softly, turning to face her with a serious

Sophia was taken aback.

things for her," Brandon continued slowly. "It feels like you're more on their side, like they're your family instead

I—" Sophia instinctively started to

don't have to apologize to me. I know

was just

drawing a line between them, and that

repeated softly, looking up at him.

smile and nodded,

clutched the bracelet he had pulled from

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

Sophia's polite demeanor showed

"Sophia..."

President Poe's voice echoed

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

Brandon turned to see President Poe approaching with a

tone. "We

smiled apologetically, "Sorry for the

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

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

Sophia followed them inside.

and found little

who truly cared for his students, he

minor suggestions for improvement on the cultural gallery

and eagerly engaged in discussion

patience, was repeatedly calling

was on silent, she could see the

Yet Amanda was

persistence, President Poe smiled and said,

apologetically, "Sorry about

voice as she spoke into it,

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

that, she hung up and smiled apologetically at President

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

"No, it's fine."

"No, it's fine."

spoke simultaneously, exchanging a glance. Brandon then turned to President Poe, "We're not in a rush; let's

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

up a pen and began making notes on the

but Amanda's relentless calls had left her

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

glanced towards

phone impatiently, ready to call Sophia again

Instead of approaching, he took out his phone and dialed

was answered

voice came through,

Brandon said bluntly, his tone

taken aback, then chuckled softly, "My

did she do?"

don't care how you do it,

savior, Mr.

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 ten million dollar reward for any information about her. Though you didn't provide information, you saved her.

pause on

Ferber replied, his voice just as composed.

that money. Otherwise, he wouldn't

and gave

hold them accountable for

that 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 own

really going to take away the one person

pressed his lips together, glancing sidelong

to contain herself, was once

Brandon questioned softly, observing Amanda's

seemed taken aback by the unexpected question, pausing for a

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

it was more like a replacement for the daughter she'd lost, compensating for her guilt while still

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

and

in his tracks, disbelief written all over his

Brandon.

to

words but

"Just keep an eye on Theresa

that, he let go of Theresa's hand and

Crawley," he called, trying to warn

a hand

the line

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

you at your

never joke about business," Brandon replied. "Set a

chuckled lightly. "Mr.

himself, trying to speak

kindly have your

minutes," Brandon concluded

his voice. "Mr. Crawley, are

back, and you're giving

at him. "It's

giving it away. You know how

company's expansion into maritime shipping,"

current assets and size are more than enough to provide

Kent was speechless.

maritime shipping was your

feel a pang

had his own business empire dreams,

around Aurora Wharf was a significant

to give it up seemed unimaginable

was 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. To him, Brandon and the CEO were one and the

for his relentless drive and invincibility

willing to slow down, was hard to

from the side, Susan finally couldn't

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

lose out."

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

Susan looked at Kent in

to Brandon.

there's no

wo His mom's a living person, he

control who she contacts."

foolish?" Brandon shot him a look. "You really think

over the dock

under his breath, "I swear,

IQ has

him a sideways glance, too uninterested

his own ways of dealing

Harvey Ferber had over his mother would determine

docks he could

Amanda truly cared for Sophia, he wouldn't mind

mix.

Amanda clearly

how Amanda had treated Sophia earlier, Brandon's eyes

turned his

just picked up a call, and whatever was said must have

quickly gathered her things and left,

went.

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

to find Mom now. You have fun with Uncle Kent and

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

out, "Who's Uncle?"Chapter 707

"Yeah, let's set up a dinner

important to sit down for a proper meal to express his

nodded in agreement.

for the cultural gallery at the Science Museum with Sophia. Why don't

handed the revised

Since Sophia had been involved, he felt confident about the

Let's finalize

Poe beamed, clearly relieved to have settled a major task, and

to the stories as if hearing them for the first

smiled gently throughout, occasionally glancing at Sophia, who was wide-eyed with curiosity, but

had taken from Marian's wrist,

no signs of wrapping up the

of the school's 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

fascinated by their story, which made the meal stretch

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

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

out joyfully, her voice ringing clearly as she spotted Sophia,

Theresa wait due to work,

her arms around Sophia's neck, she asked eagerly, "Are you

Brandon and

the words left their mouths, Brandon had already opened his arms

let Daddy carry

shook her head. "I want Mom

might be tiring. Let Daddy do

really. I can carry her," Sophia

big for her age, slender

reasoning, shifted her weight to him

help but tease Brandon. "Wow, Mr. Crawley, you've really turned into quite the devoted

recalled that despite his reserved demeanor, Brandon had always been considerate, even during their rare outings

other hand, remained silent, looking pensive since Brandon had decided to abandon the Aurora Wharf

expression and asked with concern, "Is something bothering you,

Brandon glanced at him.

a grin. "Oh, no, just got work on my

for today, Kent," Sophia

"Paid time off beats sitting in

to have a romantic epiphany, things would

throwing another glance at

was cool, carrying an unspoken

their earlier conversation to

tempted to ignore the

about Brandon's sacrifice, she would definitely

Sophia could deter

despite his inner turmoil, Kent didn't have

growing impatient, reminding them eagerly, "The

there now," Brandon reassured her softly, leading the way with Sophia and Theresa to the cinema

Kent followed along instinctively.

him playfully, teasing, "Why are you

preoccupied with thoughts of the Wharf

wrong with being a

I can help with the kid," he replied. Mr. Crawley's hot just going to ditch me

"Why don't you join us? It's

movie together."

considered it,

briefly handed Theresa to

seized the opportunity to join him

"Mr. Crawley," he began.

how to

him,

just ran into Marian at the restaurant entrance, and Patricia happened to be there too. The day we found Sophia, I coincidentally bumped

say much

bought the tickets, he chose the matinee for

a cartoon," Brandon said, turning to look at Kent. "You're on your

Kent just blinked. "..."

off," Brandon said, patting Kent on the shoulder before walking over

up to