The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Martin still couldn't wrap his head around Marian's noggin. This wasn't sdusty old document she could bury and forget about,

reducing the risk of exposure.

It was a construction project, something that was going public once it was up and running. Whether it was a rip-off or not, the

person involved could tell at a glance, especially when they were right under her nose.

But all this was something he would have to deal with behind closed doors when he got back home.

Martin glanced up at Brandon, "I can roll with most of what you're saying, but asking Marian to cclean about not being

Yolanda? That's a gamble I'm not willing to take."

He was being upfront about it.

His reluctance to take the risk wasn't out of cowardice like Marian might have been. He wasn't scared of getting an earful for

bringing in an impostor. He was worried about how the old man would take it if he found out the granddaughter he had his heart

set on was a fake. He didn't think the old man could handle that blow.

Right now, Martin had got a whole lot on his plate, with a fire in his chest that he couldn't put out. Just thinking about the mess

Marian had stirred up got his blood boiling with nowhere to vent.

"She needs to cut ties with Yolanda, once and for all."

Brandon was digging his heels in on this one, "Il warned you before, don't let the wolf in. But you had to go your own way. Now

she's gone and done this under Yolanda's name, tarnishing her rep. There's no way I'm letting her carry on like this."

"Can you givestime?"

Martin looked at Brandon, "I need to talk to the doctor first, gauge grandpa's reaction, check out his health, and then make a call.

Just givestime, okay?"

"And what if your call turns out to be a no-go?"

Brandon shot back, "You're just gonna let her keep playing pretend? Even if she comes clean in Marian's name, Yolanda's the one

left holding the bag."

Martin was at a loss for words.

He tried to negotiate with Brandon, "What if we keep it on the down-low? Any kind of compensation, just nit. We keep this

quiet, I'll squash today's news, and Sophia will be back as the chief designer. I'll make sure she gets all the credit she deserves."

That was the least damaging solution he could think of.

No need to worry about upsetting the old man, and he could make sure to apologize and compensate where it was due.

But Brandon shot down his offer flat, "No way!"

"Marian has to apologize publicly. A media blackout only goes so far, but it can't cover everything. This needs to be settled with

Sophia and the public."

Martin rubbed his temples, feeling the headache coming on.

"Givetwo days," he pleaded with Brandon. "Just two days, can you do that? I'll give you a satisfactory answer."

"One day!" Brandon held his gaze, "I can only give you one day! By this ttomorrow, | need to see Marian's public apology."

Martin nodded with a heavy heart, "Alright. I'll get on it."

With that, Martin was already out the door.

A crowd was still waiting in the lobby, all with different expressions on their faces.

When Martin and Brandon re-entered, everyone couldn't help but stand up and look their way.

Louis was the most anxious and cup to ask, "How'd it go? Did you guys cto a decision? What's the plan?"

"Let's talk back home."

Martin said it coolly and turned to Sophia.

"Ms. Yearwood, I'm truly sorry about the design issue. I'll make sure you get a satisfactory response from my end."

Sophia nodded graciously, not pressing him.

"Mr. Frost, I'll wait for your update."

Martin nodded slightly and instructed his assistant to handle the situation with the guests and reporters, then left with Louis and

Marian in tow.

On the way, Louis was beside himself with worry, bombarding Martin with questions about what exactly was going on and whether

he had finalized any plans with Brandon.

Marian, too, was nervously looking at Martin, too scared to speak up.

Martin didn't want to worry the old man, so he forced a smile, "Grandpa, don't fret. I'll handle it."

Louis trusted Martin's ability to deal with things, so he breathed a sigh of relief, reassuring Marian, "Yoli, don't worry. With your

brother here, he'll sort it out."

Marian felt comforted, her voice soft as she thanked him, "Thank you, Grandpa. Sorry for worrying you."

She then looked timidly at Martin and thanked him, "Thanks, Martin."

Martin glanced at her through the rearview mirror, stone-faced, and didn't respond.

Once home, Martin had Leo take Louis to his room to rest.

Exhausted, Louis obediently followed Leo, but not before reminding Marian not to worry too much. After seeing her nod, he went

off to his room at ease.

With Louis's door closed, Martin's smile vanished.

Without a word, he bent down, grabbed Marian by the arm, and yanked her up.

"Cwith me."

Marian staggered as Martin dragged her up to the top-floor study.

The chill coming off Martin had her panicked, trying to break free, but she couldn't. Desperate, she asked him, "What's wrong?"

But Martin ignored her, dragging her into the study with a blank face. Once the door shut behind them, he turned around, hand

raised, and "smack"—he delivered a stinging slap across Marian's face.

Marian toppled to the side, thrown off balance by the force of the slap.

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