The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

He might not have known the reason, but ever since he stumbled upon the issue, he's tiptoed around the nYolanda in front of

them, even referring to Marian by her current ninstead of “Yolanda.”

Just now, seeing Marian's reaction, he blurted out, reminded of young Yolanda clinging to Brandon, without intending to hit a nerve.

Marian seemed oblivious to the subtle change in the air, defiantly eyeing Don. "Who remembers stuff from when they were a kid?

We were just little squirts back then. Plus, people change, you know."

Marian glanced at Brandon, giving him a once-over. "l have no idea what my grandpa saw in you, insisting on playing matchmaker

with us."

Brandon looked up, giving her a chilly glance. "I'm not interested in you, Ms. Barlow, thanks."

"Feeling's mutual, I'm not into you either, Mr. Crawley, thanks," Marian retorted, her voice rising a notch, as if her tail had been

stepped on.

Sophia couldn't help but look up at her.

Marian was puffing up like a blowfish at Brandon.

Suddenly, the phrase "frenemies" popped into Sophia's head.

Usually, those who start off disliking each other end up falling head over heels in love.

She couldn't help but glance at Brandon.

Brandon just happened to look up at her.

Their eyes met mid-air.

Sophia felt like she'd been caught red-handed.

She awkwardly chuckled and turned back to continue discussing the previous plan with Ivan.

Don caught every bit of their reactions. It was always the same, acting all cool and indifferent, but when it ctto really find

someone else, they both got all up in arms.

To him, it seemed like Brandon and Sophia were flying kites with each other.

They seemed to revel in the freedom of the vast sky, both letting go, but actually, they were holding onto the strings of each

other's kites.

They were simply keeping each other at a safe, controllable distance, and once that control slipped, they'd both go haywire.

He didn't know how long they'd keep up this dance, whether it was tiring. As the go-between, he was definitely worn out.

Under this mindset, Don suddenly felt a mischievous urge to stir the pot.

He looked over at Marian and Brandon with a grin. "You guys know what you look like right now?"

Marian looked at him. "What?"

"Like something straight out of a soap opera," Don said, leaning forward, elbows propped on the conference table, eyeing them

both, "Isn't that how they all go? The leads can't stand each other at first, but end up madly in love, right?"

Marian was speechless.

After a moment, she blurted out. "Fuck off!"

Brandon gave him a frosty glance. "Don!"

Don, feigning ignorance, turned to Sophia and Ivan with a grin. "Sophia, don't they remind you of a soap opera?"

Sophia, called out, had to look up and hesitantly nodded. "Um."

Brandon's gaze turned colder at her.

Don, not fearing the consequences, continued. "They've got that soap opera look, too. A handsman, a pretty woman, the cold

and domineering CEO, the feisty and charming spitfire. This ship is solid, right?"

Sophia didn't say anything.

Marian glared at Don speechless. "Don, shut it. You've been watching too many of those s. | could never stand him, not an

ounce of warmth in him."

Don looked at her with a smile. "Don't make such absolute statements, who knows what might happen?"

Then he couldn't help but sneak a peek at Brandon.

Brandon was tilting his head slightly, staring at him with a warning clear in his eyes.

As if he hadn't noticed, Don turned to Sophia and pressed on. "Right, Sophia?"

Sophia couldn't reply, let alone dare to look at Brandon.

Brandon was the last person who liked being set up, especially in public.

"Mr. Dempsey, don't draginto this," she said with an awkward smile, trying to change the subject.

Brandon looked at her. "Is this about dragging you into something?"

Sophia's smile stiffened as she pursed her lips, then looked at him. "Isn't this what you want?"

Marian, confused, looked at them. "Want what?"

Don glanced at her, but didn't speak.

Sophia's question was also his.

He thought Yolanda was different to Brandon.

But when the person was finally found, Brandon's reaction was not as expected; no joy or delight, and Yolanda had bectaboo.

Brandon even seemed to dislike Marian.

Don couldn't fathom the reason and looked at Brandon.

Brandon wasn't looking at anyone, just staring motionlessly at Sophia. "Do you really know what | want?"

Sophia pursed her lips, silent, unsure how to respond.

"You seem to have quite the interest in settingup with others," he continued, his voice eerily calm, "Why?"

Sophia didn't reply, just sipped her lips.

Ivan, unable to watch this any longer, tried to smooth things over with a laugh. "Why is it taking so long for everyone to come

back? Should we go down?"

"Shut up!"

Brandon suddenly cut him off, without a trace of politeness.

He didn't even look at Ivan, his eyes still locked on Sophia.

Don looked at Ivan worriedly.

Ivan just smiled reassuringly at him.

Don had a hunch he'd taken his joke too far and couldn't find a better solution quickly, so he stood up and said to Ivan and Marian.

"Let's go see what's taking so long with the lunchboxes; how can fetching a meal turn into such a lengthy ordeal."

He rambled on, trying to take Ivan and Marian away and leave sspace for the two.

But before he could get far from the conference table, the noise had already started outside.

"Lunch is here."

With Cindy's spirited voice, the door to the meeting room was pushed open, and a stream of people entered with lunchboxes in

hand.

As soon as they walked in, they sensed something was off in the room. They looked nervously at Sophia and Brandon sitting down,

unable to discern much but sensing that Brandon's aura was distinctly chilly.

And it was overwhelmingly oppressive.

The previous laughter and noise immediately subsided.

Nobody dared to make a peep. Everyone just tiptoed over, carefully placing the takeout boxes in front of Brandon and Sophia,

whispering, "Mr. Crawley, your meal is ready," before scurrying out of there.

Don piped up, "Let's head to the empty conference room next door to eat, folks. Let's not mess up the tables here."

As he was about to lead the way out, Brandon spoke up, "Let's just eat here and get back to the meeting after!"

No one dared to move an inch. They all returned to their seats, silently lifted the lids off their takeout boxes, and ate in complete

silence.

It was the most difficult meal they had ever tried to swallow.

The afternoon meeting was carried out under the ssomber atmosphere.

Don went for a quick and decisive approach in this heavy atmosphere.

A meeting that was supposed to last over two hours was brutally shortened to 45 minutes.

After covering the important points, Don crisply declared, "Meeting adjourned!"

Everyone got up in perfect sync and left the room swiftly and orderly, even their footsteps were hushed.

Don was planning to leave with everyone else, but just then his phone rang.

He picked it up.

It was a call from the matchmaker who was supposed to set Brandon up on a blind date.

The girl was now available and wanted to meet that evening. The matchmaker was asking about their availability.

Normally, Don would've readily agreed on Brandon's behalf.

But today was different.

He didn't dare to refuse for Brandon, nor did he dare to accept. He replied, "Letcheck and I'll call you back," and hung up. Then

he looked at Brandon.

"Brandon, about the blind date we talked about, she's free to meet tonight. What do you think?"

"Set it up."

Brandon stood up, neatly gathered the documents on the table, and as he walked away, said, "Arrange the tand place. I'll be

there on ttonight."

With that, he was out the door.

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMwWLHIOfiflO&1

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMyWL11I01F1081

mMMwWLIIOfiflO&1