《The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Sophia Yearwood made her way to Brandon Crawley¡¯s office, guided by his secretary. Two years into their marriage, this was her first time stepping foot in hispany. ¡°Mr. Crawley is still in a meeting. Please take a seat for a moment.¡± The secretary offered a warm cup of coffee with a thoughtful exnation. ¡°Thanks.¡± Sophia took the coffee politely and settled herself on the sofa, scanning the spick-and-span reception room with its minimalist gray and white decor-totally Brandon¡¯s style The secretary sneakily sized up Sophia too. She looked young, her wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, and bangs naturally framing her face, giving off a fresh and soft vibe. She wasn¡¯t much of a talker. The secretary was still reeling from the fact that thedy in front of her was Brandon¡¯s wife. More shocking was the idea that Brandon, who always kept his cool and stayed away from thedies, was actually hitched. She couldn¡¯t picture Brandon being all lovey-dovey with a woman. The noisy chatter from outside snapped her out of her thoughts. The meeting might be over, the secretary said quickly, ¡°Sit tight, I¡¯ll go check.¡± Sophia instinctively nced towards the door. A tall person appeared, his head slightly tilted, deep in conversation with someone next to him. The sharp profile cut through the light and shadow, his expression serious and intense. The person next to him¡­ Sophia froze when she caught sight of the girl¡¯s beaming smile and stood up without thinking. Brandon looked up and saw her standing in front of the sofa, hesitating for a moment before frowning. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± The girl discussing ns with him looked up at the sound of his voice and was visibly taken aback to see Sophia. Sophia shed a polite smile at her before turning to Brandon and handing him the file she was holding. ¡°Your,¡± she started to say ¡°Your mom,¡± but switched to ¡°Mom asked me to bring this over to you.¡± Brandon¡¯s mom wasn¡¯t thrilled about herzing around the house, and since Sophia didn¡¯t fancy hanging around his mom either, she took the chance to drop it off. Brandon took the file. ¡°Have you eaten?¡± Sophia shook her head ¡°Not yet.¡± Brandon closed the file and turned to his entourage. ¡°We¡¯ll continue the meeting this afternoon. Everyone go have lunch.¡± The girl by his side seemed to want to say something but bit her tongue, nodded obediently, and then led the curious crowd away, all of them sneaking nces at Sophia. N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Brandon took Sophia down to thepany¡¯s cafeteria for lunch. While waiting for their food, Brandon was still glued to hisptop, fingers flying over the keyboard, his usual cold focus on disy. Sophia propped her cheek with one hand, quietly watching him. He was good looking, with sharp features and a stern brow, his noble nose casting a shadow as he looked down, radiating a cool authority. He always looked this unppable and aloof, even in their most intimate moments. She had secretly crushed on him for eight years, from sixteen to twenty-four, but now, she didn¡¯t want him anymore. Tucked in her bag resting on her thigh was the freshly drafted divorce agreement. Her palm rested on the papers as she hesitated. Strictly speaking, Brandon hadn¡¯t done anything wrong. He just didn¡¯t love her, that¡¯s all. Their marriage hadn¡¯t been for love, so maybe not loving her wasn¡¯t really a fault. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± His deep voice interrupted her thoughts. She shifted her gaze to Brandon. He didn¡¯t even look up, still busy and fixated on hisputer screen Sophia always thought watching Brandon work was a treat. ¡°Hmm?¡± Brandon finally looked up when he didn¡¯t get a response, his gazending on her face Sophia smiled. ¡°Nothing.¡± She casually asked, ¡°When did Hannah start working at yourpany?¡± Hannah was the girl who had been standing next to him. Sophia had shared a ss with them for a year. She was a transfer student, while Brandon and Hannah had been ssmates since their first year of high school, both the ss¡¯s heartthrobs and top students, always the go-to for school events. Rumors had swirled about them being into each other, but for some reason, they never got together, and Sophia, the underdog, ended up with the prize. Not that she was a slouch during her school days-she had aced her way through to university-but when she arrived, Brandon and Hannah were the center of attention, and she was the new kid. By the time she started making waves, school was over, and they all went their separate ways. ¡°Since the start of the year, Brandon¡¯s attention had already returned to hisputer, ¡°I don¡¯t really remember. She got in through HR Sophia nodded and didn¡¯t pry further. Their meals arrived quickly and what followed was a quiet, drawn-out lunch. For two people who liked their peace, it wasn¡¯t a big deal, but. Her eyes wandered to a couple at the next table, yfully feeding each other. Sophia felt a pang of envy. That kind of intimacy was something she and Brandon would never have The man only had eyes for work and efficiency. His life was like a well-wound clock, precise and cold. He had his schedule down to a science, knowing exactly what to do and when. Such a man wasn¡¯t cut out for marriage. Neither was she. ¡°Something on your mind?¡± Brandon looked up, noticing her distraction. Sophia pursed her lips slightly, meeting his eyes with a smile and a nod, ¡°Yeah, kinda.¡± An email notification drew Brandon¡¯s attention back to hisptop. Sophia chuckled, ¡°Go ahead with your work. We can talkter.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± It was an hourter when Brandon finally wrapped up. ¡°Got any nster he asked as he packed away hisputer. Sophia paused, realizing he was asking her, and then replied. ¡°I was thinking of checking out the bookstore, not heading back just yet.¡± Brandon nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll have Kent take you there. Don¡¯t stay out toote¡± Kent was Brandon¡¯s assistant, someone Sophia had met a few times. She nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± Lunch ended ndly, just like their two years of marriage. Sophia didn¡¯t head home from the bookstore until nearly five Brandon¡¯s mom, his mother-inw Patricia Crawley, was still at home, fussing over the cat. When she saw Sophia walk in, she teased the cat with a chuckle. Look at you, totally pampered with food, litter, the whole nine yards. Can¡¯t make a dime, but you are so extravagant! Neither being considerate nor being lucky to get pregnant. You are not a princess but sure have a princess¡¯s attitude What¡¯s the point of you. huh?¡± Her voice was pleasant to the ear, with a hint of yful jest. Sophia pretended not to catch the subtext in her words and gave a casual hello before heading back to her room. And sure enough, a symphony of ttering and Patricia¡¯s unguarded ranting soon followed from outside. She could just picture Patricia¡¯s sourpuss face, which made her miss the freedom she had before getting hitched even more Back then, she only had to fend for herself, with no expectations from anyone, no need to y nice for the sake of it, and certainly no need to walk on eggshells around anyone. Sophia was well aware that Patricia had never been her biggest fan. And she could get why. After all, she and Brandon were from different worlds, as different as chalk and cheese It was just a twist of fate that they ended up together. When she married him, she had no clue about his illustrious status. She thought he was just like her, a regr Joe grinding away for his daily bread. Had she known about the worlds between them, she never would have agreed to marry Brandon. It was a shotgun wedding with no love to speak of At first, Sophia held onto some fairy-tale hopes for the future, which made putting up with Patricia¡¯s two-faced antics behind Brandon¡¯s back somewhat bearable. But now, with different ns in mind for her future, she couldn¡¯t care less about Patricia¡¯s attitude In the end, Patricia stormed out of the house in a huff, frustrated by Sophia¡¯s quiet nonchnce and disregard. Sophia wasn¡¯t in the mood to cook and just ordered some takeout to get by. Brandon had messaged earlier about workingte. Hispany was still expanding; long hours were the norm. Sophia had grown ustomed to his busy schedule. Late into the night, around eleven, Brandon finally got home, while Sophia was still busy in the study. He had grown used to her being busy too. He showered first, and by the time he came back, Sophia had finished up in the bathroom and was propped up in bed reading. She put her book down and turned off her bedsidemp as he approached. Brandon climbed into bed and flicked off the light. As soon as hey down, he rolled over her, his body enveloping her, and his fresh masculine scent drew closer as he kissed her. Brandon was gentle yet forceful in the dark. He shed the aloofness of daytime, and Sophia found it hard to reconcile this passionate and wild side with the man who seemed so indifferent by day, almost devoid of desire. In matters of sex, they were almost perfectly in sync After a while, when the heavy breathing and moans had quieted in the night, Sophia was still held gently in Brandon¡¯s arms. Their sweat-soaked bodies stuck together slightly, but Sophia didn¡¯t push him away. Instead, she gently hugged him back, burying her face in his equally damp chest. ¡°Brandon, she whispered, her voice still breathy. ¡°Hmm?¡± His voice,den with lust, was fatally sexy in the dark. ¡°Let¡¯s get a divorce.¡± She spoke softly, feeling his body tense as she did. Brandon looked down at her, his piercing gaze in the dark like a bottomless abyss of calm. ¡°Why?¡± His voice remained as calm as ever ¡°We were only brought together because of a child, a child we were never destined to have. Maybe it was fate,¡± she replied, meeting his gaze with equal serenity I think I prefer being single. Life doesn¡¯t feel much different with or without you. But without you, I can have fewer expectations, fewer complications. I guess you feel the same.¡± It was like, post-divorce, she wouldn¡¯t have to deal with his mom or his rtives, and he wouldn¡¯t have to deal with her family. Brandon didn¡¯t respond, justy there silently, a storm brewing in his eyes. Just when Sophia thought he wasn¡¯t going to speak, he nodded calmly. ¡°Okay. No exnations, no further questions, just a crisp ¡°okay,¡± the Brandon she knew so well. Sophia smiled at him through the sting of tears she fought back, feeling a bitter mix of emotions even though she got what she wanted. When everything ended cleanly, as she had hoped, the sourness still tangled in her chest. She gently unburied her head and released her hold on him. ¡°I¡¯m going to freshen up.¡± She whispered and was about to get out of bed when her arm was suddenly grabbed. She was yanked back onto the soft mattress, a stormy kiss descended but paused at the shock in her eyes. Brandon¡¯s eyes were a stormy sea, dark and pressing, but eventually, they calmed to an unfathomable still. He rolled over beside her andy t. ¡°Sleep, he said, closing his eyes. The next day, Sophia woke up to find Brandon gone and the house unchanged as if the night¡¯s episode had been just a dream. But Sophia knew things were different now. She packed her bags quickly. She didn¡¯t have much Before leaving, she took onest look around the apartment she¡¯d lived in for two years, left the keys and the signed divorce papers on the coffee table, and sent Brandon a message. [I¡¯ve signed the divorce papers on the coffee table. The divorce is fully entrusted to thewyer. Let me know when you¡¯re ready to finalize it. I¡¯m leaving. Take care.] Brandon was in a meeting when he received the message. He paused, looking off into space The rest of the room, who had never seen him so out of it, especially Hannah, who¡¯d known him for years and never seen him like this, exchanged puzzled looks. ¡°Mr. Crawley? Hannah called softly, reminding him of the ongoing meeting. He nced at her, calmly put down his phone, and continued his previous speech. Just when everyone thought he was back to normal, he abruptly said, ¡°Meeting¡¯s over, grabbed his phone, and rushed out of the conference room, leaving everyone else in bewilderment. ¡®Mr. Crawley, what¡¯s wrong? Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Brandon bee-lined home. It was his first time ducking out of work to head back His pad, spick and span, no longer had any traces of Sophia, except for that divorce agreement on the coffee table, all mussed up by the breeze. Brandon reached for it The agreement was straightforward. Sophia didn¡¯t want a thing. What was hers before the marriage stayed hers after Her signature was already on the dotted line Her handwriting was gorgeous, all flowy and elegant. Brandon zoned out staring at the signature on the divorce papers. No clue how much time had passed when the rustling sound of the door opening snapped him back to reality Brandon whipped his head toward the entrance. Patricia had just stepped in, and his sudden nce startled her big time ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± she asked, puzzled, clearly noticing the flicker of hope on Brandon¡¯s face slowly fade into dead calm. ¡°Nothing much, he replied coolly. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I was worried Sophia might be bored stiff at home alone, just dropped by to keep herpany, Patricia said with a smile, moving towards him, ¡°What¡¯s with the sudden home run today? Something up with Sophia?¡± As she spoke, her brows furrowed with concern, her head turning towards the room. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°She¡¯s fine, Brandon said, looking at her, ¡°Do you drop by often?¡± ¡°Not really, just now and then.¡± Patricia¡¯s face was painted with awkward embarrassment, and upon finishing her sentence, she saw Brandon¡¯s brow furrow She quickly changed the subject to the papers in Brandon¡¯s hand ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Reaching to grab them, but before her fingertips could touch the documents, Brandon pressed them down first. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Brandon said, looking at Patricia, ¡°No need for you toe over if there¡¯s no issue. Sophia¡¯s got her work. cut out for her. We¡¯lle visit you when we get the chance.¡± ¡°She, Patricia began, almost blurting out ¡°What work could she possibly have?¡± but quickly bit her tongue, ¡°Alright then. She couldn¡¯t help but remind Brandon, Sophia¡¯s been recuperating for over a year and still no baby bump. I hope she hasn¡¯t got some lingering issues. Have her get checked at the hospital when she can. I wouldn¡¯t want troubles with having kidster. Brandon said. ¡°It¡¯s the kid I didn¡¯t want.¡± Patricia looked at him, baffled Brandon issued the boot. ¡°You better head back, and don¡¯te around unless it¡¯s necessary.¡± Patricia¡¯s mouth hung open, wanting to protest, but ultimately, she shut it under Brandon¡¯s icy stare, and turned to leave. Brandon watched the door close, nced around the house now devoid of Suphia¡¯s presence, heaved a long sigh, picked up his phone, and dialed his assistant Kent. ¡°Kent, set up a meeting with thewyer, gotta sort out this divorce Huh? Kent was taken aback. Wasn¡¯t it just yesterday he¡¯d sent Sophia over? They didn¡¯t seem to be at odds. Brandon hall aiready hung up, tossing the divorce papers on the coffee table and stepping out the door Sophia moved back to her smell suburban house. She¡¯d bought it before getting hitched, just the right size for her solo living. But it was in this tiny ce where she and Brandon had their one-night stand, which led to the pregnancy that bound them together unwillingly. That night, she couldn¡¯t resist her buddy Susan Cooper¡¯s begging and tagged along to the high school reunion. Who would¡¯ve thought Brandon, the guy who never showed up to these things, would be there too? After high school, she and Brandon lost all contact, didn¡¯t join the ss group chats or reunions. They were like ships passing in the night, briefly crossing paths before vanishing into their own worlds. But Brandon had vanished even morepletely. No one knew where he¡¯d gone or what he¡¯d done. Whenever Sophia casually prodded her high school friends, there wasn¡¯t a peep about Brandon. So, bumping into Brandon after all these years, Sophia was a mix of thrilled and nervous. The crush she never dared to voice was swirling in her chest, but she never found the courage to spill it, even talking to him was stiff and formal, especially with him sitting right next to her their proximity made her even stiff and reserved. Nervous and afraid it¡¯d show, she hid behind eating and drinking, unwittingly getting tipsy Brandon, perhaps out of neighborly duty, volunteered to take her home after the party. Sophia lived alone, and although she was a bit drunk, she wasn¡¯t out cold. Still, the alcohol did a number on her bnce. In her tiny one-room house, she tripped over shoes left by the door as soon as she entered. Brandon, quick on the uptake, caught her and in the inertia of the moment, she ended up in his arms. The lights were off, Brandon had had a few himself, and whether it was the booze or the night¡¯s spell, when their gazes met, the chemistry was undeniable. Alone, tipsy, and with the man she¡¯d pined over for years, their locked eyes became impossible to break away from, and as their breaths drew closer Sophia wasnt one for casual hook-ups. She¡¯d never even had a boyfriend, but that night, she got lost in Brandon¡¯s deep. soft, yet intense eyes It was the gaze and the man she¡¯d fantasized about countless times. That night, they indulged to the fullest, both inexperienced but incredibly passionate. She hadn¡¯t expected Brandon to be as green as her in love and other matters. With his family background and looks, it was impossible he couldn¡¯t have had a girlfriend. But over those two years, Sophia understood why Brandon had been single a man wholly devoted to his work didn¡¯t have the spare effort or time for romance His strict upbringing also made him a stickler for clean living. That night was probably the only slip-up in his life. And for Sophia, too. She had her life all mapped out. She majored in architectural design in college and had a decent amount of talent and skills. She was looking to get some advanced training and was already getting her ducks in a row to apply to the School of Architecture of Apex Engineering University. But one unexpected night threw a wrench into all her ns. She never saw iting. She was pregnant. They hadn¡¯t yed it safe that night, and because they let loose a little too much, they both overslept the next day. With view to rush to, she didn¡¯t have time to swing by the pharmacy for the morning-after pill. She was also kind of ng her fingers, hoping that she was in the clear since it was supposedly her safe period. But as fate would have it. she was caught off guard. Wine Sophis found out she was pregnant, she was at sixes and sevens But Brandon was talking marriage, having the kid and all that jazz. It had only been a fortnight since that night, and they hadn¡¯t been in touch since. Sophia hadn¡¯t nned on telling Brandon in the first ce, but as luck would have it, she bumped into him at the hospital where he was visiting his grandpa. She was a bit red-faced and wanted to keep the test results under wraps, but it was toote. Brandon caught a glimpse of the HCG report she was hiding behind her back, and reached out for it. ¡°Let me see Just a simple, calm sentence, but it wasced with an aura that brooked no argument. Hesitantly, Sophia handed over the results. After staring at the report for a bit, Brandon asked her, ¡°What¡¯s your game n?¡± Sophia shook her head, clueless. She hadn¡¯t anticipated this baby, and its arrival had totally scrambled her life ns. ¡°I¡¯m leaning towards us getting married and having the baby, Brandon said. ¡°But the ball¡¯s in your court. If you¡¯re not up for it, I won¡¯t push ¡°Getting married?¡± Sophia was gobsmacked. She thought Brandon was pulling her leg, but then she saw him nod earnestly, ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± He gave her a couple of days to mull it over. Sophia had been sweet on Brandon for years, but she never imagined that one day he¡¯d pop the question. Torn between confusion and longing, she took two days to think it over and then told Brandon, ¡°So, let¡¯s tie the knot.¡± Just like during a divorce, he simply nodded in agreement, ¡°Okay.¡± On the third day, they picked up their marriage certificate. It seemed absurd, yet somehow it all fell into ce But Sophia never imagined that she and the kid weren¡¯t meant to be. Nor did she expect her marriage to Brandon to fizzle out before their third anniversary. It was a whirlwind start and a whirlwind finish. The past two years felt like a dream. Surrounded by familiar things in her house, Sophia felt an aching emptiness inside. She reyed the night she almost tripped over a shoe and he caught her, the intense look in his eyes haunting her. She could still remember the focus and the emotional turmoil in his eyes, and even now, her heart skipped a beat at the thought. She had thought that was love. That he, like her, had harbored feelings for many years, which led to that night¡¯s passion. Turned out, it wasn¡¯t the case. He was just a bit too tipsy, that¡¯s all. Her heart ached with this realization. Sophia remembered overhearing a tiff between Brandon and his father in the study a few days ago when she was visiting his ce. ¡°Your grandpa was gravely ill back then. He was fond of you and wanted to see you married before he passed. You didn¡¯t want him to leave with regrets, so you rushed things with Sophia. It just so happened that she was pregnant with. your child, so I didn¡¯t say much. It gave your grandpa peace, but it¡¯s been two years, and that child wasn¡¯t meant to be with you guys You¡¯re not nning to drag this out for a lifetime, are you?¡± Tve got my reasons. Mind your own business. ¡°How can i not? They say liquor leads to trouble, and look at you. Because of Ynda Frost, you wouldn¡¯t date anyone, and then you go to some damn reunion, and next thing you know, that woman sneaks into your life.¡± ¡°Dad¡± Brandon abruptly cut off his father Daniel Crawley, his tone icy. This is my fault, not Sophia¡¯s ¡°Alright, alright, I won¡¯t talk about her. Every time shees up, you jump to her defense I¡¯m just asking, what if Yndaes back? Don¡¯t forget, you were engaged to her ¡°She¡¯s nevering back¡± Sophia could tell that Brandon¡¯s voice faded a bit. It was one of the rare moments she could detect a different emotion in his usually calm demeanor. Clearly, this ¡°Ynda girl held a special ce in his heart. This was the first time Sophia had heard the name Ynda, and she felt a bit dazed. She couldn¡¯t quite pin down her feelings. It was just a sense of bewilderment but no aversion or resistance, even a slight curious affinity for the name She didn¡¯t dig into who Ynda was. There was no need. Her issues with Brandon had nothing to do with anyone else. She was just conveniently there when he needed a marriage to appease his grandfather. Now that his grandpa was gone and the child that required his responsibility was also gone, there was no need for them to be tied down for life Sophia knew that unless she spoke up, Brandon would probably never bring up divorce. He¡¯d continue to coexist with her, uneventfully passing the days But Sophia didn¡¯t want to continue. This wasn¡¯t the marriage she wanted. She wanted a husband who she loved and who loved her back, not necessarily loaded, but someone who was considerate, warm, someone who could turn mundane life into contentment, not a man who saw her as an obligation with someone else in his heart. So she brought up divorce, an idea that had been germinating for six months but had left her on the fence. And as she expected, Brandon let go without much fuss He probably breathed a sigh of relief, Sophia figured. The heaviness in her chest persisted as she pressed a hand to it, surveying the small space once brimming with her hopes. The difort intensified, but there was also a faint sense of relief, like she was finally cutting herself some ck. After a while, she picked up her phone and called the real estate agent who had helped her buy the house. ¡°Hi, I¡¯d like to sell my Sunset Vi property. Could you handle that for me?¡± The agent remembered Sophia-soft and pretty, young, with a sweet temperament-she had left a strong impression. ¡°Of course, no problem at all, he replied cheerfully. ¡°Are you nning on upgrading to a bigger ce?¡± ¡°No, Sophia chuckled, deftly steering the conversation away. ¡°Just take care of it for me, thanks.¡± Brandon¡¯s assistant Kent stumbled upon the listing for Sophia¡¯s house for sale two dayster. He¡¯d been looking to move somewhere closer to work and was browsing properties online Sophia¡¯s pad was just a stone¡¯s throw from Brandon¡¯s biz, popped right up when he snooped for digs nearby. He¡¯d been roped into helping with the move when Brandon and Sophia tied the knot, and her ce was decked out all nice and tidy, so it stuck in his mind, spotted it in a heartbeat. He just froze on the spot, couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon in the inner office. Brandon had him on deck to deal with the divorce mess, so he was clued in about the split between Brandon and Sophia In his book, Brandon and Sophia always seemed solid, not all lovey-dovey like some other newlyweds but far from Bitter halves with no beef that¡¯d call for a divorce. He was baffled why they¡¯d suddenly call it quits. Brandon had been anything but a picture of post-divorce gloom these past few days, aside from that out-of-the-blue dash out of the meeting room, he had been business as usual. If anything was off, it was that Brandon¡¯s clocking more hours at the office, practically moved in, and he was cracking the whip harder on work. Everywhere he went. folks were walking on eggshells. The whole office was under a cloud of everyone for themselves. Kent figured the divorce had to be messing with Brandon somehow, maybe the two lovebirds were just going through a rough patch. He was on the fence about spilling the beans on Sophia¡¯s house sale to Brandon; to him, selling the house was like she was making a break for it. You can patch things up while they¡¯re still around, but once they¡¯re gone, game over. He didn¡¯t want to keep slugging it out in this gloomy vibe. So there he was, all twisted up and spacey. Until Brandon¡¯s gaze suddenly broke away from hisputer andnded on him. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Kent almost jumped out of his skin. ¡°N-nothing.¡± Brandon said, ¡°Nothing? You¡¯ve been eyeballing me for an age.¡± ¡°I, uh Kent was in a pickle. Brandon said, ¡°Spit it out.¡± Kent bit the bullet, swiveled his phone screen toward Brandon. ¡°Looks like Sophia¡¯s gonna sell the house. She might be on her way out.¡± He saw Brandon¡¯s hand freeze on the mouse, thought for sure he¡¯d have something to say, but Brandon just coolly shifted his gaze back to the screen. ¡°And? The calm and chilly rejoinder. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 And Kent was stumped. Brandon said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you busy at work?¡±- Kent shook his head like a madman. ¡°Busy, super busy.¡± He sneaked a peek at the darkness outside the window and couldn¡¯t help but give a little nudge. ¡°Mr. Crawley, it¡¯s way past quitting time, and, uh, I¡¯ve got an appointment to check out a ce with a realtor, can I take off now?¡± Brandon nced at the time on hisputer-it was already past seven. He gave a nod ¡°Mhm.¡± Thanks. Mr. Crawley. After a hurried thank you, Kent did a quick tidy up and bolted out the door. When the office door shut, Brandon finally lifted his gaze from theputer, his eyes lingering on the closed door for a moment before drifting to the vast night outside the window. It was the time when thousands of homes were lit up, and the lights in the distant neighborhood were twinkling like stars. Brandon¡¯s mind wandered to the lights at home and Sophia, always curled up on the couch sketching. Sophia¡¯s face shed through his mind, and Brandon¡¯s expression softened. He pulled his eyes away from the window and back to theputer screen. His long fingers hit the keyboard, ready to dive back into work, but after typing just one character, he stopped. The designs and spreadsheets that once captivated him now seemed nd. With a swift move, Brandon pushed the keyboard away, stood up, yanked his suit jacket off the coat rack, grabbed the car keys from his desk, and left. Once in the car, his emotions gradually settled down. Brandon let out a sigh, started the engine, and slowly drove off. Outside the window, the busy streets were a blur of light and color, a hive of activity. Brandon drove aimlessly, not wanting to go home. As he passed by Sophia¡¯s neighborhood, Kent¡¯s words burst into his mind unannounced. ¡°Looks like Sophia¡¯s gonna sell the house.¡± Brandon couldn¡¯t help but nce at the entrance to herplex. Just then, Sophia emerged, and their eyes met in a fleeting moment as she paused. Brandon saw her too, his gaze coolly sweeping over her face. Sophia managed a strained smile. Brandon coldly looked away. Sophia felt awkward, gave a self-macking chuckle, and turned to leave. Suddenly, Brandon called out to her, ¡°Are you going out?¡± His voice was as calm and steady as ever Sophia looked at him surprised and nodded. ¡°Yeah, just need to pick up a few things.¡± Brandon nodded and said nothing more. This was the norm for the past two years. Sophia, too, didn¡¯t say more, just gave a polite smile and walked away. Brandon didn¡¯t make another sound, didn¡¯t follow her, but he didn¡¯t leave either. Sophia could see his car still parked there through the ss of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe entered the supermarket She was there to buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom light Coming out with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still around. They unavoidably locked eyes again. Sophia and Brandon hadn¡¯t split as bitter enemies She couldn¡¯t pretend he wasn¡¯t there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn¡¯t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again, she gave a slight tug of her lips, a sort of greeting Brandon showed no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia¡¯s breathing feel constrained. As she passed his car Brandon opened the door and followed her up the stairs in silence. Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. Brandon didn¡¯t speak, just silently trailed behind her all the way to her apartment door. Finally, Sophia couldn¡¯t bear it and turned hesitantly. ¡°Do you need something?¡± Brandon said, ¡°No¡± Sophia was silent ¡°Got any food at home? Sophia couldn¡¯t help but remind him, ¡°You know, we¡¯re divorced.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t an old friend swing by for a meal?¡± Sophia was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the door. Brandon noticed the bulb in her hand, his brows knitting slightly. ¡°Light¡¯s out?¡± Sophia nodded. ¡°Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned out.¡± Brandon reached out. ¡°Give it here.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, I can do it.¡± Sophia¡¯s refusal was cut short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from her. He nced at the bathroom fixture, grabbed a chair from the hallway, and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, ¡°I¡¯ll go turn off the power,¡± and shut off the circuit breaker, plunging the room into darkness. She turned on her phone¡¯s shlight to help him see. ¡°Can you see alright? ¡°Yeah.¡± Brandon¡¯s deep, steady voice came from above as he skillfully removed the old bulb. Sophia had never seen Brandon change a bulb before, but it seemed like smart folks have a knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia¡¯s eyes drifted from his hands to his face, his sharp profile silhouetted against the light, intense and focused. She watched, transfixed. Brandon quickly finished the job and stepped down from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping back to put some distance between them. Brandon¡¯s gaze shifted from her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet he said nothing. His silence made Sophia feel even more ufortable. ¡°I go check if the light¡¯s working now.¡± With that, she turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light filled the room. Sophia¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her in front of him. She looked up in a panic, and his hand smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath closed in, and Brandon sealed her lips with a kiss. Sophia instinctively tried to push him away. The hands around her waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon deepened the kiss with an undeniable assertiveness. Sophia couldn¡¯t resist N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Heavy breathing began to fill the cramped space. Brandon pushed Sophia against the wall, kissing her somewhat fiercely. Sophia had rarely seen Brandon so rough and domineering, his demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn¡¯t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of losing control, when the piercing ringtone of the cellphone shattered the room¡¯s intimacy. Brandon abruptly stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek against his corbone. Sophia could clearly sense his breathing slowly stabilizing. Brandon let her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and handed it to her. ¡°Thanks.¡± Sophia said softly, not looking up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as she turned away, Hello, who¡¯s this?¡± Brandon nced at her before heading to the electrical switch by the door. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but nce at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. ¡°Is this Sophia Yearwood?¡± Sophia¡¯s attention was momentarily pulled back. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. Who¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Ms. Yearwood, congrattions on your eptance into the School of Architecture at Apex Engineering University.¡± Sophia was stunned for a moment, then joy spread rapidly. ¡°Really?¡± The jubnt voice caused Brandon to turn and look at her once more. Sophia, a bit embarrassed, suppressed her excitement and thanked the caller before hanging up. She opened her email on the phone and indeed found the eptance letter. Joy surged through her veins, and she wanted to let it out. Looking up to see Brandon watching her, she pressed down the feeling again, embarrassed. ¡°What happened?¡± Brandon asked, reaching for the electrical switch. Sophia shook her head slightly. ¡°Nothing, just some work stuff.¡± ¡°Work?¡± Brandon frowned, he had never seen her so thrilled about work, ¡°You¡¯re lying to me.¡± Busted, Sophia hesitated, ¡°It¡¯s about my studies. I got epted into Apex Engineering University.¡± Brandon¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Applying to university isn¡¯t something you do overnight. How long have you been preparing? Sophia bit her lip. ¡°Six months.¡± Brandon¡¯s expression softened. ¡°So, you¡¯ve been nning to divorce for half a year now, right?¡± Sophia pressed her lips together, silent. Indeed, it was half a year ago that she had begun to entertain the idea of divorce. It was then that she applied to the School of Architecture at Apex Engineering University, hoping to pick up where her life n had been interrupted by pregnancy and marriage. She had studied architectural design in college and had always intended to further her studies: But her family wasn¡¯t well-off and wouldn¡¯t support such endeavors, so she started side hustles from her freshman year to save money well in those years, saved a decent amount, and if it hadn¡¯t been for that one night at a ss reunion, where the got carried away with Brandon, ended up pregnant, she would have graduated on time. But that night took her life on a detour, turning her from an enthusiastic career newbie full of passion for life into a weak, self-doubting housewife, struggling daily with domestic chores and disdain from Brandon¡¯s family. She didn¡¯t want to live like that anymore. Her silence was an admission. Brandon turned his face away, coldly ¡°I see. He said. ¡°I wish you all the best.¡± Then he opened the door, ready to leave. ¡°Brandon. Sophia called out to him without thinking Brandon¡¯s steps halted, but he didn¡¯t turn around. That day at your ce, I overheard the argument between you and your dad in the study,¡± Sophia said softly, ¡°It was after that day that I decided to get a divorce.¡± Brandon suddenly turned to look at her. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Sophia chuckled awkwardly, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to eavesdrop, just happened to walk by. I¡¯m really sorry for causing such a hassle for you and your folks This whole marriage was aedy of errors, anyway. We¡¯re from different worlds You¡¯ve got your own true love, and I¡¯ve got my pride. Your parents can¡¯t stand me, and I¡¯m not about to twist myself into a pretzel to fit in. So, let¡¯s just call it quits, shall we?¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes were locked onto her, his lips pressed into a thin line, silent.- Sophia held his gaze quietly too. I know my family background and personal circumstances might not be up to par with yours, but there¡¯s someone out there who¡¯ll think I¡¯m the bee¡¯s knees. I won¡¯t force a square peg into a round hole, Sophia said with a smile, ¡°I wish you and Ynda all the best May you lovebirds find your happily ever after.¡± Brandon remained silent Sophia didn¡¯t push the conversation further. She offered a polite smile and turned to head back to her room. ¡°Ynda is Mr. Frost¡¯s youngest daughter. She went missing when she was five. I was the one who lost sight of her, Brandon suddenly spoke up Sophia turned around in surprise ¡°If she¡¯s still alive, she¡¯d be about your age, he continued, locking eyes with her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know about her.¡± Sophia instinctively apologized. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Brandon cut her off. ¡°There¡¯s no issue of one of us not being good enough for the other. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t take better care of you¡± ¡°It¡¯s my fault, Sophia said. ¡°It¡¯s not on you,¡± Brandon exhaled softly, regaining his usualposure, ¡°I¡¯ll have thewyers handle the divorce, and make sure the assets are divided fairly ¡°No need,¡± Sophia declined with a smile, ¡°It really wasn¡¯t anything to do with me anyway.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond, just watched her quietly from a short distance, his gaze as deep and still as a dark, bottomless pool Sophia¡¯s smile faltered, her hand gesturing towards the back, ¡°Well. I¡¯ll be off then¡± Suddenly, Brandon stepped forward and enveloped her in a tight embrace. ¡°Take good care of yourself, he whispered in her ear, then quickly let go and walked away without looking back. Sophia stood there, watching his retreating figure. His tall silhouette, stretched by the lights, remained firm and resolute. devoid of any hesitation or dragging of feet It was the Brandon she knew. Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. She couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, but soon her tears started to fall uncontrobly, big, heavy drops Sophia wanted to stop them, but for some reason, she couldn¡¯t, and her throat was tight with emotion Tilting her head back, she forced the tears back and, upon returning to her room, she deleted Brandon¡¯s WhatsApp and phone number. After that, she dove into the hustle and bustle of preparing to study abroad. She was lucky. Her visa came through quickly. The day before leaving the country, Sophia found time to swing by her family home. As soon as she walked in, she saw her brother Aaron Yearwood lounging on the couch ying video games, looking totally content. Aaroin, six years her senior, was a handsome guy with a decent education. He¡¯d been a hard worker in his student days. but as the only son their mother Laura Yearwood had spoiled him rotten, never wanting him to endure hardship This codding had inadvertently bredziness in him. He couldn¡¯t handle the grind, had lofty ideals but low work ethic, and 11.41 couldn¡¯t keep a job for more than six months. He¡¯d eitherin about the mundane work wasting his life, gripe about the low sry not worth his time, or im his boss was a bonehead who didn¡¯t get him in the end, it was always someone else¡¯s fault, never his. So, seven or eight years post-graduation, he had achieved zilch, always daydreaming about striking it rich with his own startup, draining his parents¡¯ retirement funds in the process. Loads of start-ups, loads of money down the drain, but never a sess, just bumming around the house all day. He didn¡¯t notice Sophia enter, but their mother Laura, busy in the kitchen, did and immediately came out, her eyes instinctively scanning behind Sophia, Sophia? Why are you back alone? Where¡¯s Brandon?¡± Aaron, absorbed in his game, looked up instinctively toward Sophia¡¯s back, Is Brandon here?¡± Not seeing Brandon, he then asked Sophia, ¡°Did you two have a fight?¡± Sophia replied, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Is he really busy then? Aaron dropped his legs from the coffee table, Oh right, did you talk to him? Tell him to give me that resort project. They need someone to do it anyway, better the money goes to me than some outsider. ¡°And about the vi in the Maple District, have you talked to Brandon? Laura chimed in, ¡°Thatkeside vi is really nice, spacious with great lighting, hot property. The sales office has been on our backs, urging us to put down a deposit. If we don¡¯t do it this week, someone else will snatch up the one we¡¯re eyeing.¡± ¡°If you guys have the money, you buy it. Laura said. ¡°We were thinking of asking Brandon to lend us some.¡± Sophia looked at her ¡°Mom, a vi costs millions. You¡¯re asking to borrow one million just like that, with no way to pay it back That¡¯s not borrowing. That¡¯s gifting Laura¡¯s voice softened, But once your brothernds the resort project, he¡¯ll have the money to pay it back.¡± Yeah, Sophia, Aaron picked up the thread, ¡°you can count on us. We don¡¯t need your money, just a loan. We¡¯ll pay you back with interest. Sophia looked at him, What are you going to offer for the project? You¡¯ve got no experience, no connections, no capital, no credentials. You think your shellpany¡¯s gonna cut it?¡± Ever since she married Brandon, Aaron thought he¡¯d hit the jackpot, knowing that Brandon¡¯s family was involved in real estate. After hearing from his fair-weather friends that construction was lucrative, he quickly set up a constructionpany with zero experience, hoping to score projects through her and Brandon¡¯s connection. He didn¡¯t actually n to do the work himself but to subcontract it at a higher price, then offload it to someone else for cheap, just to pocket the difference. Sophia knew what game he was ying and his real caliber. She¡¯d always shut him down, keeping him from approaching Brandon. But Aaron was a grown man, and she couldn¡¯t stop him forever. Once he realized she wouldn¡¯t help, he¡¯d gone behind her back to Brandon, just like Laura. Laura wasn¡¯t exactly like Aaron, trying to figure out how to make a killing off of Brandon. She was just straight-up eyeing Brandon¡¯s dough. Ever since she married Brandon, Laura puffed up with pride, walking tall and proud, bragging to anyone who¡¯d listen about her swanky marriage, how her son-inw was the bee¡¯s knees, and how he¡¯d bend over backwards for her family. This led all the busybodies and even the rtives out of left field toe knocking, dumping every little thing on their te, from borrowing money to scoring jobs to pulling strings. Laura, always one to keep up appearances, would say yes to everything, then bug Sophia about it. Sophia wasn¡¯t having any of it and shut it all down. Laura, same old story as Aaron, when she realized Sophia wasn¡¯t budging pulled the mother-inw card and went behind her back to Brandon. She even went to Brandon¡¯s folks with nes like, ¡®Sophia¡¯s too shy to ask, so we¡¯re here to talk,¡± or ¡°Sophia¡¯s wom herself out having your grandkids. She¡¯s sacrificed so much for your family, just think about it.¡± ¨C the whole guilt-trip spiel. Sophia only caught wind of all this through Patricia¡¯s snide remarks, No wonder Brandon¡¯s parents looked down on her thinking she was calcting, using her marriage to Brandon as a way to siphon off the family wealth Sophia got it, but 12 413 she had no clue what Brandon thought; he never mentioned any of it. But she guessed he probably wasn¡¯t too impressed either. Knowing all this made her feel super awkward. Aaron, though, couldn¡¯t grasp why she was so mortified. When she mentioned his shady looking company, he lost it. ¡°Howe I¡¯m suddenly a boguspany? Sure, you married rich and now you¡¯re too good for us poor rtives. I see right through you, no wonder you¡¯re always dodging us Laura looked sour too. ¡°Sophia, how can you talk that way about your brother? It¡¯s just a suggestion. If his projects can go to strangers, they can go to family too. Why not give us a leg up? It¡¯s not like we¡¯re after anything.¡± ¡°Then let him win the bid fair and square, Sophia said, dropping her bag. ¡°I¡¯m heading to my room.¡± As the door closed behind her, Laura¡¯s unguarded tirade broke out, ¡°I told your dad we shouldn¡¯t take her in when he found her, not from our own flesh and blood, but no, he wouldn¡¯t listen, had to keep her. Great, now after we scrimped and saved to raise her, put her through school, she¡¯s all grown up and too good for her poor old folks.¡± Sophia sat down numbly at the table, her gaze drifting from the empty room to the jewelry box on the table. Hesitating, she reached out and took it Inside was an antique-looking, high-quality white jade ne that had a masculine vibe, but Sophia vaguely remembered wearing it as a child, though she couldn¡¯t recall who put it on her. The white jade ne was her only memory from her early years. She knew she was picked up by her parents at some random ce. Sophia had known that since she was little. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Sophia didn¡¯t have some kind of super memory. It was just that Laura had always had it in for her since she was a kid. Laura¡¯s favorite line was, ¡°If your dad hadn¡¯t picked you up, you¡¯d have starved to death by now. We¡¯ve fed you, housed you, sent you to school How have we ever wronged you? Is it too much to ask for a little help around the house?¡± With that kind of nagging in her ear day in and day out, it would¡¯ve been tough for her not to take notice. She used to get really upset about it when she was little, not understanding why she wasn¡¯t like everyone else, why she didn¡¯t have parents who doted on her But now that she had grown up, she had come to terms with it. Maybe some folks were just dealt a thinner deck when ites to kin-whether it was parents, kids, or even spouses. They were just not meant to stick around long, and it seemed she was fated to go it alone in this life Lucky for her her dad, Haley Yearwood, had always been decent to her He was the one who found her, and the first person she saw when she came to after passing out with a high fever. Sophia couldn¡¯t really remember what went down back then, but she had this fuzzy memory of being alone out in the middle of nowhere for a long time, freezing cold and starving, scared out of her wits every day So when she woke up to Haley holding andforting her she felt this deep sense of kinship and a bit of fear. She clung to Haley and wouldn¡¯t let go. When they couldn¡¯t find her family. Haley felt sorry for her and decided to keep her and adopt her. Truth be told, their family wasn¡¯t in the best position to take in another mouth to feed, and Laura certainly wasn¡¯t keen on looking after someone else. But she couldn¡¯t win against Haley¡¯s resolve and ended up having to keep Sophia. Haley had been a pushover his whole life, except for the one time he put his foot down about keeping her. Even though he wasn¡¯t able to provide the kind of care and protection a father should, given his constant work outside, Sophia still had a lot of respect and gratitude for Haley. She hade back this time just to see Haley before she went abroad, knowing it wouldn¡¯t be as easy to return once she left the country. Laura, not getting a response from Sophia, had escted to throwing a fit outside, banging pots and pans around. What¡¯s going on now? Haley¡¯s voice came from outside the door. Your precious daughter that we picked up! Do you have any idea how hard it¡¯s been for us to raise her all these years? If not for us, who knows, she might be still grafting away on some assembly line. And would she have had the chance to marry into a family like Brandon¡¯s? Look at her now, acting all high and mighty, too good for her own folks. What¡¯s wrong with helping out the family now that she¡¯s made something of herself?¡± Haley¡¯s voice perked up with surprise, ¡°Sophia¡¯s back?¡± As his voice trailed off, there was a knock at the door. Sophia went to open it and saw Haley standing there. ¡°Dad, she said softly Haley stepped in, lowering his voice, ¡°Don¡¯t mind your mom. She¡¯s all talk.¡± Sophia nodded slightly, ¡°Mhm.¡± Haley asked, ¡°What brings you back all of a sudden? Where¡¯s Brandon?¡± Sophia hesitated, then came clean, ¡°We got divorced.¡± Divorced? Haley¡¯s expression turned serious, ¡°Why?¡± Sophia simply said, ¡°We weren¡¯t right for each other.¡± Haley frowned, ¡®Is it because of your mom and brother?¡± Sopha shook her head, ¡°Just tell them not to bother hirn anymore.¡± Haley looked hesitant. It wasn¡¯t that he wanted to go, but he couldn¡¯t convince Laura and Aaron: Laura called the shots Sophia understood his predicament and smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll talk to them. I just came to see you today I¡¯ve been epted into a graduate program abroad and I¡¯m leaving tomorrow. It¡¯s a two-year program and I probably won¡¯t be able to visit often, so take care of yourself¡¯ She took out a bank card from her purse, There¡¯s some money on this card. Keep it for now and let me know if you need more.¡± Haley quickly tried to give it back, ¡°You¡¯ll need the money abroad. Keep it, I have enough¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m good, Sophia insisted, pushing the card back into his hand. Haley, realizing she was leaving the next day, felt a sudden pang of sadness, ¡°Why are you leaving so suddenly? Studying abroad is such a big step. Isn¡¯t studying here good enough?¡± ¡°I just wanted a change of scenery, to see the world a bit. Don¡¯t worry, two years will fly by. Sophia reassured him, and seeing Haley still looking worried, she added, Besides, the School of Architecture I got into is ranked fourth in the world. I¡¯m so lucky to have been epted That seemed to cheer Haley up, his pride mixed with relief, ¡°That¡¯s great. I always knew you¡¯d go far.¡± Sophia smiled. ¡°Aunt Sophia, a sweet little voice called out, and as the words fell, a two-year-old girl had already wrapped herself around Sophia¡¯s legs. Sophia bent down to scoop her up, ¡°Betty, did you have fun out with your mommy?¡± The little girl nodded vigorously, turning to look at her mother, Barbara Yearwood, who had followed her into the house. Barbara, Aaron¡¯s wife, had been his high school sweetheart, and they got married a couple of years after graduating from college. They had this daughter two years ago. Barbara was a looker and a go-getter, starting from the bottom as a simple insurance sales rep and climbing her way up to sales director, raking in a hefty annual sry. All her earnings, though, were poured into Aaron¡¯s business ventures, which just seemed to evaporate. Barbara never seemed to mind that Aaron wasn¡¯t working or taking care of the kid, and she didn¡¯t kick up a fuss, just soldiered on, earning the bread and raising their child. Sophia couldn¡¯t fathom what spell her brother had cast on Barbara to make her so willing to support him for years on end. If she had to break it down, it probably boiled down to Aaron¡¯s sweet talk and the emotional value he brought to Barbara. Barbara and Sophia weren¡¯t exactly chummy, but when Barbara caught Sophia¡¯s gaze, she politely greeted her. ¡°Sophia, wee back.¡± Sophia acknowledged with a ¡°Mhm,¡± her attention returning to the little tyke snuggled against her neck, tickling her yfully. Laura had followed into the room by then, seeing the tenderness in Sophia¡¯s eyes and couldn¡¯t resist being snarky, ¡°If you love kids so much, you better hurry up and have your own. Otherwise, when he finds someone else to have kids with, you¡¯ll be the one crying about it.¡± After saying that, she couldn¡¯t help but mutter, ¡°I have no clue what you were thinking back then. So young, yet couldn¡¯t even keep a baby. If you had that kid, we wouldn¡¯t have to grovel and beg like this now.¡± Sophia¡¯s expression faded a bit, and looking up at her, she said, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve already divorced Brandon. Please don¡¯t bother them anymore¡± Laurs and Aaron were both taken aback, ¡°What?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t borate. She had a flight that evening and needed to pack her bags. After bidding Barbara and Haley goodbye, the left first. Laura and Aaron were still trying to process the news. ¡°is that for real? Howe they¡¯re suddenly divorced?¡± Haley sighed. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true. She¡¯s leaving tomorrow.¡± Aaron frowned, ¡°Where is she going?¡± Haley replied, ¡°She said she¡¯s going back to school for two years.¡± Aaron¡¯s frown deepened, but he didn¡¯t say anything more. However, he couldn¡¯t keep things to himself and was worried, so he headed to Brandon¡¯spany that afternoon. Upon arriving at the reception, he went straight to the front desk girl. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Brandon.¡± The receptionist smiled at him, ¡°Hello, do you have an appointment?¡± Aaron retorted ¡°He¡¯s my brother-inw Why would I need an appointment?¡± And with that he headed for the elevator The receptionist quickly tried to stop him. ¡°Sir. I¡¯m sorry, I need to confirm with Mr. Crawley¡¯s office first.¡± Aaron, acting like he didn¡¯t hear her pressed the elevator button and tried to barge through, but security quickly stepped forward to stop him, Sir, I¡¯m sorry, you need an appointment to enter thepany. Please understand.¡± ¡®I told you he s my brother-inw, just let your boss know.¡± Aaron was getting impatient and attempted to continue his way, but the security couldn¡¯t let him go. Just then, Kent returned from outside and saw themotion. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± he asked as he approached. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. ¡°Kent¡¯ the security guard greeted him respectfully. ¡°This gentleman ims to be Mr. Crawley¡¯s brother- inw and wants to see him.¡± Kent looked Aaron over skeptically, not seeing any resemnce to Sophia. Aaron could tell what Kent was thinking. ¡°Sophia really is my sister. If you don¡¯t believe me, go ask Mr. Crawley.¡± Somewhat surprised Kent thought for a moment, then told the security, ¡°Let him go up.¡± Security let him through Aaron wasn¡¯t mad at him, just pointed to himself, ¡°I told you Mr. Crawley is my brother-inw and you didn¡¯t believe me.¡± After that he followed Kent to the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor. ¡°Wait outside for a moment, I¡¯ll notify Mr. Crawley¡± When they reached the outer office, Kent whispered instructions and then knocked on Brandon¡¯s office door, ¡°Mr. Crawley.¡± ¡°Come in!¡± Brandon¡¯s deep voice came from the office. Kent pushed the door open, about to speak, when Aaron pushed the door wider from behind him and stepped in. ¡°Brandon, have you divorced Sophia?¡± Kent was speechless. Brandon nced at him. Kent suddenly felt a chill down his spine, ¡°Mr. Yearwood came in by himself.¡± Aaron waved has hand dismissively. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just worried.¡± Then he looked at Brandon, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with you two? Howe you¡¯re suddenly divorced? Sophia¡¯s leaving Kent noticed Brandon¡¯s hand pause on the mouse, looking at Brandon Sander¡¯s expression remained calm. He looked at Amron. ¡®Do you need something?¡± Aaron suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, ¡°Actually, no big deal. I just heard about the divorce. I¡¯m worried about you guys.¡± Brandon replied, ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with us.¡± Aaron breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. A little spat between husband and wife is totally normal. Women, you know, just need a little sweet talk.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond Aaron felt increasingly awkward. ¡°By the way, Brandon, about that resort projectst time.¡± Brandon turned to look at him. ¡°That project isn¡¯t under my management.¡± Aaron¡¯s smile faltered, but he forced it to stay on. ¡°I see His hands rubbed together, feeling lost He had always been straightforward, making friends with everyone easily, sometimes without a sense of boundaries, and he never felt shy in front of wealthy families, but this time, he felt awkward for the first time. Brandon, sensing his dejection and embarrassment, softened his tone, ¡°By the way, isn¡¯t your mom looking at houses in the Maple District? ¡°Yeah, we were thinking about it. Since Sophia¡¯sing home without a ce to stay, we figured we¡¯d get a bigger house We were even thinking of asking you guys to chip in for the down payment Aaron¡¯s voice trailed off, not daring to mention that Sophia had objected. Brandon nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll have Kent transfer it overter.¡± Patricia walked in just then, pausing when she overheard, nced at Aaron. Aaron perked up again, I knew Sophia wasn¡¯t wrong about you. Brandon, you¡¯re a man of vision. Your business is bound to thrive Patricia turned her face away in disgust, her little gesture not escaping Brandon¡¯s notice. He looked at Patricia, What is it?¡± Patricia masked her distaste, ¡°I came to see Kent. I have to fly to the northwest tomorrow, Nell took a leave, and if Kent is free, can you take me to the airport?¡± Speaking, she turned to Kent. Kent nodded immediately, ¡°Sure, Mrs. Crawley.¡± Patricia replied, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone send you the flight info.¡± After speaking, she nced over Aaron, then at Brandon, as if she had more to say ¡°Mom, you can go now, Brandon dismissed her directly, ¡°Next time youe, please let someone announce it first.¡± Patricia looked at him, nodded reluctantly, and left without another word. Aaron, confused, watched Patricia¡¯s retreating figure, then turned to Brandon¡¯s indifferent handsome face, ¡°Do you have a bad rtionship with your mom?¡± ¡°No.¡± A very cold response. Aaron shrugged it off, just a casual question, but he thanked Brandon somewhat sheepishly. ¡°Thanks for the help with the house, Brandon.¡± Brandon gave a slight nod and reached for the reports. Aaron gave him another heart to heart warning. ¡°Sophia might not even fly out tomorrow. You know it¡¯s quite normal for a couple to argue or fight its not rocket science to win someone back Brende paused mid-way while grabbing the report, then calmly spread it out in front of him. Aar dirt cat on to Brandon¡¯s off vibe and kept doling out advice on this and that, finally leaving with a content Brandon stared at the report in front of him, fell silent for a bit, then shoved it aside, grabbed another pile of documents, nced at them, put them down, and emotionlessly shifted his gaze to the window, his fingers gently massaging his forehead Kent, who had been sneakily watching Brandon, seized the moment to knock and enter, asking, ¡°Mr. Crawley, do we need to reschedule tomorrow¡¯s meeting with Mr. Evert?¡± Brandon stopped massaging his brow, opened his eyes, his expression as cool and collected as before ¡°No need!¡± he said Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Sophin¡¯s flight was scheduled for 6 PM, and her busy bee buddy Susan managed to squeeze in some time to drop her off at the airport ¡°So, what¡¯s up with the sudden divorce and heading back to school? In the bustling check-in hall, Susan helped Sophia heave her suitcase onto the conveyor belt and turned to quiz her. She¡¯d met Sophia after transferring high schools, shared senior year and even college with her, majoring in the same thing. They were like night and day-one bubbly and outspoken, the other quiet and well-behaved-but that didn¡¯t put a dent in their friendship. Post-college, Susan didn¡¯t go for a gig rted to her degree. She dived into real estate, schmoozing for a mall, which meant she was on the road most of the time She¡¯d just made it back from a trip when she heard the bombshell. Sophia was divorced and gearing up for a master¡¯s degree Sophia¡¯s whirlwind marriage to Brandon had been a shocker for Susan too. The couple seemed like strangers at reunions, barely mingling, and then bam! Less than a monthter, they tied the knot. Now, out of the blue, they were splitsville She was stumped In the middle of check-in, Sophia shot Susan a look Just wanted a change of pace.¡± Susan raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with life now? No job, but you¡¯re taken care of. That¡¯s the kind of deal most people can only dream of N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Sophia replied, ¡°Better to rely on yourself than others. Plus, I didn¡¯t marry Brandon for his cash.¡± Susan prodded, ¡°So what¡¯s the deal then? Brandon doesn¡¯t strike me as a jerk.¡± In Susan¡¯s book, marriages hit the skids over major differences or cheating. But neither Sophia nor Brandon fit the bill. Sophia said, ¡°It¡¯s not about him. It¡¯s me. Susan chuckled, ¡°A fly-by-night marriage, and now a sh divorce. You weren¡¯t in some kind of contract marriage, were you?¡± Sophia scoffed, Contract marriages are for people who want something. What would I have that he¡¯d want?¡± Susan shot back, ¡®Looks, figure, education, smarts-take your pick. Any of those worth chasing?¡± Sophia nced at her. With his creds, what kind of woman couldn¡¯t he find?¡± Susan thought for a moment True The check-in agent handed back her ID and boarding pass Sophia nced at her watch ¡°Still got some time Grab a bite?¡± Susan nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± She slung an arm around Sophia¡¯s shoulder to head out Sophia was stuffing her docs into her bag when Susan¡¯s arm swung down unexpectedly. Her grip loosened, and the ID she was holding dropped. Bending down to pick it up, a shiny, clean shoe stepped right on it. Sophia could only watch as her ID was pinned underfoot. The shoe¡¯s owner btedly realized the mishap. Sorry, a mellow voice said as he lifted his font and bent down to retrieve the ID. Sophis made eye contact with the shoe guy Sophis? He sounded unsure. She didn¡¯t recognize him at first. Susan, already looking over, greeted with surprise, ¡°Ivan Evert?¡± That jogged Sophia¡¯s memory ivan was an upperssman from the School of Architecture, three years ahead. When she was a freshman, he was a senior and had been their ss mentor for a good half-year Back then, Ivan was a known face-handsome, talented in design, excellent and disciplined, praised by teachers and peers alike. His only w was being a bit cold, keeping everyone at arm¡¯s length, not unlike Brandon. Sophia also kept to herself, quiet by nature and not a fan of socializing or attention seeking. So even though Ivan had mentored their ss, aside from necessary academic interactions, she scarcely dealt with him. Post-graduation, they¡¯d lost touch, and now here they were, crossing paths ¡°Hi, Ivan.¡± Sophia mumbled a greeting, a bit sheepish. Ivan didn¡¯t seem to mind herpse in recognition and politely returned the greeting. Susan had alreadyunched into conversation. ¡°Long time no see, Ivan. Never thought we¡¯d bump into you here.¡± Ivan smiled. ¡°It¡¯s been a while¡± Susan grinning Just the other day I was chatting with a senior about you, and here you are. Talk about fate.¡± ncing at her watch, she asked Ivan. ¡°Are you in a hurry? Join us for a meal.¡± Ivan checked the time and nodded, ¡°Sure To avoid missing the flight, they chose a quieter restaurant with live music near the airport. Once seated, Susan passed the menu to Sophia and Ivan. Check out what you¡¯re in the mood for.¡± ¡°Anything¡¯s fine.¡± Anything¡¯s fine.¡± Both spoke at the same time. Susan paused, then looked at them with a smile. ¡°What¡¯s with the telepathy?¡± Sophia smiled and pushed the menu back to Susan and Ivan. ¡°You guys order.¡± Maybe it was a rough night¡¯s sleep, but her appetite was nowhere to be found. Ivan didn¡¯t decline this time and took the menu. Susan was deep in thought over the choices. Sophia didn¡¯t interrupt, instead scanning the ce out of sheer boredom. And then, someone familiar caught her eye, making her stop short. Susan followed Sophia¡¯s gaze and spotted Patricia at the next table, back to Sophia, bad-mouthing her son and daughter-inw. ¡°No peep from my daughter-inw¡¯s belly Thought it was Sophia who couldn¡¯t, turns out my son doesn¡¯t want any Sophia froze, hearing someone ask Patricia, ¡°Brandon said that?¡± ¡°Yep. I don¡¯t know whether to be happy or sad. Never liked that girl he married-not a good match, no help with his career, and her family¡¯s a burden. Suggested they split and find someone new, but no go. Thought maybe they were tight, but now I see my boy¡¯s just too responsible to ditch his wife and kid. He may seem tough to approach, but he¡¯s always loved kids¡± Susan looked at Sophia, concerned Sophia ched a reassuring grin at her, hoked up lost in thought, and caught Patricia¡¯s eye across the table Maybe his gaze was too intense, because na turned her head in confusion, only to frown slightly when she saw Sophia sitting opposite him. fusers attention had shifted to Ivan Ivan, what brings you here? Here on a business ing?¡± ¡°Nope, Ivan said casually, ¡°I¡¯m a local.¡± Susan¡¯s mouth dropped open in surprise. ¡°What a coincidence! So, Ivan, are you nning to work back here?¡± Ivan shook his head. ¡°Not happening.¡± Seeing Susan still eagerly awaiting more info, he added, ¡°I¡¯m thinking of doing some further studies.¡± Susan chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re not gonna tell me you¡¯re heading to Apex Engineering University for that, are you?¡± She was just cracking a joke and didn¡¯t expect Ivan to pause mid-sip, give her a look, and then shoot a quick nce at Sophia. ¡°You guys going too? ¡°Oh my god. Susan was bbergasted, ¡°You¡¯re seriously heading there?¡± ¡°Y¡¯all aren¡¯t on the same flight, are you? Susan asked, already itching to get Sophia to pull out her ticket for a look. Sure enough, Sophia and Ivan pulled out their tickets, and they were on the same flight. ¡°Perfect, I¡¯ll leave Sophia in your capable hands then, Ivan.¡± Ivan smiled at Sophia. ¡°Congrats. Sophia returned the smile. Thanks.¡± Susan¡¯s phone rang at that moment. She grabbed it, nced at the caller ID, and said with a chuckle as she got up, ¡°Chat away, I gotta take this call.¡± And off she went. Suddenly, it was just Sophia and Ivan left at the table. Sophia and Ivan weren¡¯t close and had nothing much to talk about. With a nagging feeling of nausea in her stomach, she kept quiet, sipping her tea in small gulps and slowly shifting her gaze to the singer on the stage, using it as a distraction from the awkward silence. Ivan didn¡¯t break the silence either. Following her gaze to the stage for a moment, he then let his eyes wander back to Sophia, staring a bit too intently, a hint of nostalgia in his pupils. Meanwhile, Patricia, who had been quietly observing the two, lifted her phone and snapped a picture with a ¡°click, then sent it off to Brandon with a message. [What¡¯s the deal with Sophia? A married woman jetting off abroad with a man. How¡¯s that gonna look?] Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Brandon was in the middle of a meeting with his phone lying next to him. When he heard the ping of a notification, he nced over and caught a glimpse of a text from Patricia, pausing for a beat. Kent, who was presenting at the time, was pretty sharp at reading the room. He paused mid-sentence, his eyes couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon¡¯s phone, only catching the name ¡°Sophia¡± before Brandon smoothly flipped the phone face down on the table and looked up at him. Kent got the jitters, thinking Brandon was about to chew him out, but all he got was a cool, detached nce, ¡°Carry on!¡± Kent hesitated, then nodded and tried to wrap up the design presentation, but as soon as he finished, Brandon¡¯s face scrunched up in displeasure. ¡°Who greenlit this trashy proposal?¡± he asked, his voice was calm but it cranked up the tension in the already tight meeting room to eleven. Kent was caught like a deer in headlights, ncing at Brandon and biting back his words. Brandon¡¯s gaze swept over the others in the room. One by one, they all bowed their heads, feigning deep thought, scared stiff of locking eyes with Brandon and getting called out. ¡°Nobody has an answer? Brandon probed. Silence Everyone mmed up. Help-me looks were sneakily cast towards Kent. Kent, Brandon¡¯s right-hand man and thepany¡¯s VP, was always the one to take the heat, especially lately. Even the slowest folks had picked up on Brandon¡¯s off vibes. He wasn¡¯t snappy or nitpicky, just inexplicably brought a chill to the room, with aser focus on work that could freeze them. And the kicker? He seemed to be on another half the time, like he was hit with a bout of amnesia. With all eyes on him, Kent felt the heat. He could normally handle the blowback, but this time, could he really? Kent tried to make himself small, hoping to slide under Brandon¡¯s radar, but no dice. Brandon¡¯s gaze followed the crowd¡¯s andnded on him. ¡°Since everyone¡¯s looking at you, why don¡¯t you speak for the team, Kent? Brandon said, ncing at the Ephemoran architecture design on the big screen behind him, Who greenlit this trash?¡± Kent was speechless. Man, they were all throwing him under the bus Brandon¡¯s gaze held on Kent. ¡°Kent?¡± Kent, taking a deep breath, looked back at Brandon I, I don¡¯t know.¡± He just didn¡¯t have the guts to spill it. Brandon nced at him, then back at the others. Everyone kept their heads down, pretending to be deep in thought. Mr. Darcy, what¡¯s your thoughts? Brandon called out randomly. Mr. Darcy, scared out of his wits, nced at Kent and lobbed the question back at him. ¡°Kent¡¯s in charge of this project Brandon¡¯s eyes shifted back to Kent ¡°Kent.¡± Kent looked at his colleagues who were all busy pretending to take notes, then hesitantly met Brandon¡¯s eyes, on the verge of speaking. Spit it on Brandon urged. Kent bit the bullet. ¡°Mr. Crawley, It was you who approved the proposal ¡°Andst night,¡± he added, barely above a whisper. The room went dead silent Kent sneaked a look at Brandon and caught a rare glimpse of bewilderment on that handsome face. Brandon turned to look at the design on the screen behind him. Kent, watching him closely, ventured. ¡°Mr. Crawley, you¡¯ve seemed a bit off these past few days. Everything alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Brandon¡¯s expression was back to neutral, ¡°Sorry, my oversight. Redo the design proposal. Meeting adjourned. With that, Brandon grabbed his phone from the table and headed out. When the meeting room door closed, the tension evaporated. The others gave Kent a thumbs-up ¡°Warrior.¡± Kent counted them on his fingers. After all the times I¡¯ve had your backs, you just toss me to the wolves when it counts. Not a single one of you has a heart.¡± ¡°We only have you who can handle Mr. Crawley¡¯s firepower.¡± ¡°Kent, you¡¯ve worked hard. We¡¯ll treat you to dinner sometime.¡± They all chuckled and responded, easing back intofort, but still puzzled ¡°Is something up with Mr. Crawley? He¡¯s been off ¡°Right, right, I noticed that too. He¡¯s been zoning out.¡± ¡°I feel the same. He¡¯s never been like this. Did something happen at home?¡± The gossip-hungry gazes once again unanimously shifted to Kent. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. What could be up with Mr. Crawley? Kent smoothly diverted the topic, ¡°With his passion for work, it¡¯s normal for him to have off days and zone out once in a while.¡± After wrapping up the meeting and bantering with the team, Kent retreated to his office His office was right outside Brandon¡¯s, shared with a few other assistants. They were all casually discussing work until Brandon walked by, prompting everyone to straighten up, sit stiffly, and not make a peep, but they rxed as soon as Kent came in, each covertly exhaling in relief. Kent chuckled and yfully tapped a few heads with the documents in his hand. Everyone was a bit afraid of Brandon, Kent knew, including himself. Not that Brandon had a bad temper. On the contrary, he was known for keeping his cool. He was a workaholic but didn¡¯t expect the same from his employees. He was considerate, offered better compensation thanpetitors, and never lost it with his staff. He was a top-notch bass, but his presence alone, serious and no-nonsense, meant no one dared to cut loose around him. That¡¯s the aura of authority, Kent thought, his eyes drifting through the office space to Brandon. Brandon had flopped into his office chair, tossing his phone onto the desk corner, clearly in a foul mood. Kent figured it had something to do with that ¡°Sophia¡± he had identally glimpsed on Brandon¡¯s phone. He¡¯s only bumped into Sophia a few times, but man, she left a good impression on him. She was easy on the eyes, with sweet and innocent vibe, all quiet and no-fuss. She talked in this soft, slow voice that was just soothing to the ears no rush, no drama queen antics. She was polite and courteous with everyone, not pulling any of that high and mighty actake Patricia, who strutted around like she owned the ce. Thewyer handing mandori¡¯s divorce was hooked up by him, so yeah, he was clued in about the split between Sophia and anton 11 42 But as to why they¡¯re calling it quits, that¡¯s still a mystery to him. Kent¡¯s only sure about one thing. Lately, Brandon¡¯s been off his game, and it got way worse after Kent broke the news that Sophia was putting their house on the market. Suddenly, Brandon¡¯s forgetting stuff he¡¯s signed off on, like proposals that have passed muster. Kent was not just Brandon¡¯s employee. They¡¯re pretty tight off the clock too. But when it came to Brandon¡¯s love life, Kent was in the dark and Brandon¡¯s lips were sealed. He was not tight with Sophia, but from what he¡¯s seen, they seemed solid enough. They weren¡¯t all over each other like some lovey-dovey newlyweds, but they weren¡¯t at each other¡¯s throats either, definitely not at the ¡®bitter enemies¡¯ stage of needing a divorce. Kent still remembered the day Sophia dropped by the office and Brandon had him escort her to the bookstore. They looked just fine, no signs of trouble. But then, out of the blue, this couple that seemed to have zero issues and were a perfect match were hitting him up to help sort out their divorce the very next day. Back in the room, after a moment of silence, Brandon¡¯s gaze shifted back to his phone tossed aside in the corner. He hesitated, then picked it up, checked out the WhatsApp message from Patricia, and opened the photo she sent a shot. of Sophia lost in thought at the bar and Ivan, who¡¯s equally captivated by her. Brandon froze for a sec, eyeing the two in the photo. The portrait mode under the dim light captured every look, every detail, spot on. Being a guy, Brandon got what that enamored stare Ivan¡¯s giving Sophia meant. It was not just being struck by her beauty or a fleeting interest. It was deep, thick, sticky love. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Brandon didn¡¯t know who this Ivan dude was. He had never met him, and he had never seen him in any of Sophia¡¯s photos. Sophia¡¯s phone, Brandon¡¯s fingers paused on his own phone as he suddenly remembered-he had never even scrolled through Sophia¡¯s phone Kent couldn¡¯t make out what¡¯s on Brandon¡¯s phone screen, but he noticed Brandon¡¯s eyes growing colder by the second, frosty enough to shatter ice, his handsome face almost expressionless yet eerily calm, like the sea before a storm. Just when Kent thought Brandon was about to stir up some trouble, he saw him dismiss the photo and text back. [That guy¡¯s on me. Don¡¯t worry your head about it.] Then he killed the phone screen, chucked it aside again, and hollered, ¡°Kent!¡± ¡°Right here, Kent hustled over, all professional-like, ¡°Mr. Crawley, what can I do for you?¡± Brandon looked up. ¡°What time¡¯s my meeting with Mr. Evert? Has he arrived?¡± Kent nodded like a bobblehead, ¡°In ten minutes, and yeah, he¡¯s already in the conference room.¡± ¡°Good, Brandon nodded, grabbed the meeting docs off the desk, and stood up, ¡°Come with me.¡± Kent nodded, ¡°Sure thing.¡± But he couldn¡¯t help but sneak another nce at the abandoned phone and cautiously reminded him, ¡°Mr. Crawley, if there¡¯s an emergency, I can handle it for you.¡± ¡°No need¡± Brandon cut him off with a cool tone and was already out the door. Kent hesitated, looked at the lonely phone, and had no choice but to follow suit. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 At the restaurant, Patricia frowned upon seeing Brandon¡¯s response and couldn¡¯t help but nce at Ivan and Sophia, obviously skeptical. She shot back a message to Brandon [If he¡¯s your guy, what¡¯s his name?] But there was no reply on WhatsApp. Patricia¡¯s face started to cloud over as she waited without a response, and she couldn¡¯t help but look at Sophia again. The gal sitting across from her was just as puzzled and looked at Sophia before turning to Patricia. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± She didn¡¯t know Sophia or recognize her. Patricia shook her head It¡¯s nothing.¡± But her eyes were still fixed on Sophia, with a touch of petnce and a not-so-quiet voice, not to mention her strong presence. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but furrow her brows and instinctively turned around, locking eyes with Patricia. Patricia was still holding her phone, showing no signs of embarrassment at being caught in the act. She just calmly nced at Sophia without saying hi Sophia didn¡¯t make a move to say hi either, just calmly returned her gaze after a brief eye contact. Ivan looked at her thoughtfully. An acquaintance?¡± Sophia nodded with a smile. ¡°Yeah. She didn¡¯t borate. Seeing she wasn¡¯t getting a greeting from Sophia, Patricia¡¯s face sunk, but she was still perched on her elder¡¯s high horse, not quite ready to cross that line. Probably trying to give Sophia a nudge, she picked up her phone again and sent Brandon a voice message. Brandon, don¡¯t cover for Sophia all the time. Busy as you are with work, you still gotta keep an eye on your wife. Sophia¡¯s a married woman, after all. I trust she wouldn¡¯t do anything untoward, but it would look bad if acquaintances started gossiping.¡± She didn¡¯t bother to lower her voice. Sophia could hear her, but didn¡¯t respond, just sipped her tea as if nothing was amiss. Still no peep from Brandon on WhatsApp. Patricia, used to carrying her elder¡¯s authority, couldn¡¯t stand being ignored by the younger generation and lost her temper. She got up and walked over to Sophia, standing between her and Ivan. She nced at Ivan as if by ident, then turned to Sophia. ¡°Sophia, who¡¯s this?¡± She was polite andposed, so Sophia politely introduced him ¡°This is my senior.¡± Patricia sized up Ivan from her lofty position and reached out to him. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Sophia¡¯s mother-in- law.¡± Ivan nodded politely. ¡°Hello¡± Patricia didn¡¯t get the deference or the panic she expected. She gave Ivan another look, then couldn¡¯t help but turn to Sophia. ¡°Sophia, you¡¯re a married woman. You should be mindful of how it looks when you¡¯re with other men.¡± Then she added with an affable smile. ¡°Also, if you need money or anything, just talk to the family. Don¡¯t always have your folkse over. Doesn¡¯t sound good if it gets out.¡± Sophia paused with her cup, turned to her. ¡°What money?¡± Patricia kept up her dignified gentleness. The money for buying the vi. It was our oversight, now that you¡¯ve married into our family.¡± ¡®Sony Sophia stood up, interrupting her. ¡°I¡¯m not aware of this situation. I apologize for any inconvenience caused, and make sure to return every penny once I¡¯ve sorted it out.¡± She nodded apologetically to Patricia, then tumed to Ivan. ¡°Ivan, I¡¯m sorry, but I have some things to take care of and aught have to leave first Make yourselffortable.¡± vgn stood up. ¡®Do you need help with anything? Boch sled and declined, Ro, thank you, van But Ivan had already signaled the waiter. ¡°Where are you headed? Let me drop you off¡± ¡°Really, no need, but thank you.¡± Sophia still refused. Patricia, watching coldly from the sidelines, was visibly upset but tried to keep her temper in check. Susan, noticing themotion, hurriedly wrapped up her phone call and came over worriedly. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I just have to run home for a bit.¡± Sophia looked apologetic at Susan, Susan, I might have to catch up with you next time I¡¯m in the country¡± That¡¯s fine, you do what you need to Susan pulled her, ¡°When I¡¯m free, I¡¯ll fly over to see you¡¯ She pointed at her watch. Just keep an eye on the time and don¡¯t miss your flight.¡± Sophia nodded. ¡°I know.¡± Her ce was just a few minutes away from the airport by taxi. When Sophia got home, Aaron and Laura were there, debating over which apartmentyout to choose, with most of the ns sprawled across the coffee table. Seeing Sophia walk in, both were startled, and Laura even looked up at the clock in confusion. ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to be on a flight this afternoon? Why are you still here?¡± Without saying a word, Sophia walked over with an expressionless face, bent down to grab theyout from the table, and ripped it to shreds. Aaron and Laura were startled by her sudden action and stared at her in shock. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Sophia didn¡¯t say anything, just calmly tossed the pieces into the trash and reached out to them. ¡°Give it to me!¡± Aaron and Laura looked at each other, confused. ¡°Give you what?¡± Sophia said, The money!¡± Aaron and Laura didn¡¯t say anything. Sophia just looked at them calmly. ¡°What did I remind you before? Brandon and I are divorced, and you shouldn¡¯t bother them anymore. And what happened? It hasn¡¯t been long, and you¡¯ve already let my words go in one ear and out the other, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°It was Brandon who said you weren¡¯t divorced.¡± Aaron quickly exined,ing to his senses, ¡°And the money was offered by him, I didn¡¯t ask for it. Sophia said, ¡°If you don¡¯t go to him, how would he just give you money?¡± ¡°I did go to him, but I wasn¡¯t asking for money. Aaron scratched his head, looking a bit guilty. ¡°And it¡¯s not like we¡¯re not giving it back. Just borrowed it for now and will return it when we can.¡± ¡°What will you return it with?¡± Laura was stumped and only after a while timidly said. ¡°If we really can¡¯t pay it back, then we won¡¯t. After all, it was offered by him, and he certainly doesn¡¯tck the money.¡± Sophia was incredulous andughed out of frustration. Just because he doesn¡¯tck the money, you feel entitled to take it? Laura said, ¡°After all the endeavors I¡¯ve put into raising you, he marries you off and you¡¯re fussing over giving us a bit of ¡±s not quite like that Aaron quickly tried to smooth things over, worried Laura might say something even more sutrageous. ¡°Look, it¡¯s not easy for mom and dad either. They fell head over heels for that house. If we miss this chance, there¡¯s no other If we can buy it, let¡¯s grab it now We can worry about paying it backter¡± ¡°So. are we supposed to foot the bill for everything she takes a shine to? Sophia, keeping het cool, said, ¡°That¡¯s not our money to cake. Give it back to him right now, and don¡¯t make me repeat myself Laura said, ¡°Give back what? The down payment¡¯s already been made.¡± Sophia said ¡°Then cancel the house purchase¡± ¡°No way, if we cancel, we won¡¯t get the down payment back.¡± ¡°Then consider it money spent on a life lesson.¡± ¡°Have you lost your marbles? Spending over a ten grand on a lesson¡¯? If they¡¯re willing to give it, just take it. What¡¯s the use of clinging to pride? Cold, hard cash in hand is what counts. Besides, this barely scratches the surface ofpensating you Sophia didn¡¯t want to argue I don¡¯t know what counts for you, but I only feel righteous spending the cash I¡¯ve earned myself. I know which card the money¡¯s on Either you cough up the card yourselves, or I¡¯ll report it lost. Your move.¡± After she started making her own money in college, Sophia thought of regrly sending some to her dad, who wasn¡¯t literate enough to handle banking She gave him a card in her name, but Laura, who held the purse strings at home, turned it into a dedicated card for borrowing money from the Crawley family, all under the pretense that Sophia needed the funds. When Sophia found out, she paid back the Crawleys with her own money, but because Laura kept promising not to borrow again, the card wasn¡¯t immediately canceled. Little did she expect Laura and Aaron to bite off more than they could chew this time Laura¡¯s face turned stormy on the spot. After all we¡¯ve done to bring you up, this is how you repay us?¡± Sophia ignored her and whipped out her phone to call the bank to report the card lost Laura pulled the card out of her pocket and mmed it onto the table. ¡°If you dare cancel this house, don¡¯t bothering back home.¡± Sophia nced at the card on the table, pursed her lips, and reached for it. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry, Sophia looked up at her. ¡°I¡¯ll return the down payment to you, but we can¡¯t ept this money.¡± Laura turned her face away, cold and silent. Sophia didn¡¯t say more. She grabbed the card and was about to leave when Laura lost her temper. ¡°Sophia, if you walk out with that card, don¡¯t ever set foot in this house again.¡± Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Sophia paused in her tracks. Haley, who had rushed back upon hearing the news, looked at her worriedly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sophia shook her head slightly, her eyes reddening as she looked at Haley. ¡°Dad, please take care of yourself.¡± With that, she left without looking back. On the way back to the airport, Sophia transferred the money back to Brandon¡¯s card intact. After hesitating, she dialed Kent. ¡°Kent, could you please let Mr Crawley know that I¡¯ve transferred the money he sent my brother back to his card? Tell him to check his ount.¡± Kent, who was in a meeting with Brandon and Mr. Evert, hesitated and nced at Brandon before responding to Sophia on the phone. ¡°Ms Yearwood, I think it would be better for you to tell Mr. Crawley yourself.¡± ¡°No heed, I¡¯m a bit busy driving right now, Sophia declined. ¡°Just pass my thanks to Mr. Crawley, and let him know that our family won¡¯t be needing that money for now, or in the future If my folks go asking him for money again, tell him not to bother with them.¡± ¡°Kent chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Mr. Crawley is right here. It¡¯s best if you tell him yourself.¡± Without waiting for Sophia to respond, he quickly handed the phone to Brandon. ¡°Mr. Crawley, Sophia¡¯s on the line. Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Brandon nced at him and reached out to take the phone. ¡°Hello?¡± All he got in response was the busy tone of ¡°beep beep¡±. Brandon and Kent fell silent ¡°Maybe Ms. Yearwood identally hit a button, Kent tried to cover for Sophia, ¡°She just told me she was busy, sounded a bit out of breath, like she was rushing somewhere.¡± Brandon ignored him, simply tossing the phone back at him ¡°Don¡¯t mess around with unrted stuff during meeting N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. times. Kent didn¡¯t say anything. Brandon had already turned to Gavin, who looked puzzled, ¡°Sorry for the sideshow, Mr. Evert.¡± Gavin, over sixty and like Brandon, was also a big shot in the construction world, only with a much longer track record. He admired yet was wary of Brandon, the recent rising star. Today¡¯s visit was mainly about seeking coboration, so he brushed off Brandon¡¯s apology with a hearty wave, ¡°No worries, Mr. Crawley, everyone has their emergencies.¡± Then he couldn¡¯t help but nce at Brandon, ¡°Mr. Crawley, if you have urgent matters to attend to, please go ahead. No rush, I just came to have a casual chat anyway¡± Brandon said, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± His gaze fleetingly nced at Kent¡¯s phone, yet his expression remained cool and detached. Seeing through it all, Gavin suggested with a smile, ¡°Mr. Crawley, how about we take a break? I didn¡¯t sleep wellst night either, had a night of grief thanks to my ungrateful son, might as well take the chance to rest up a bit.¡± Kent jumped at the opportunity. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone take you to rx. The restaurant downstairs has afternoon teal ready, why not head down for a bite to tide you over?¡± ¡°Sounds good, Gavin chuckled as he stood up, ¡°I¡¯m actually getting a bit peckish.¡± Kent signaled an assistant toe over and take Mr. Evert and his entourage for a tour, arranging for their afternoon tea. The assistant quickly herded everyone out. As the conference room door closed, Kent hesitantly looked at Brandon, who remained seated and motionless, and softly called out, ¡°Mr. Crawley?¡± ¡°What did she tell you?¡± Brandon suddenly asked. Though he didn¡¯t specify, Kent knew Brandon was asking about Sophia. ¡°Ms. Yearwood said she¡¯s returned the money you transferred to her brother back to your card yesterday. She wanted me to thank you on her behalf, and then she said. Kent watched Brandon¡¯s expression carefully, choosing his words, ¡°Her family doesn¡¯t need the money right now, nor will they in the future. If her rtivese to you again, she said you should ignore them.¡± Brandon¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, he turned his head, pondering as he swept a nce at Kent. Kent got the shivers, ¡°Mr. Crawley Brandon tilted his head to him. ¡°Since when did you and Ms. Yearwood get so chummy?¡± Kent was speechless. Brandon said, is there something she caret-tell me directly, that she needs you to convey?¡± Kens felt wronged How was be supposed to know what kind of tiff these two were in? It was something that could be resolved with a simple phone call, but instead, he had to be the go between, not that he wanted to be the messenger But Kent dared not vent his innerints openly ¡°Mr Crawley, you¡¯ve got it wrong. I don¡¯t have much contact with Ms. Yearwood We¡¯re not that close, Kent exined cautiously. ¡°Maybe Ms. Yearwood couldn¡¯t reach you and it was urgent, so she called my mobile to get to you. After all, everyone knows if they can¡¯t find you, theye to me, right?¡± He finished and pointedly gestured toward Brandon¡¯s office, reminding him, ¡°You forgot your phone when you went out Just now.¡± Brandon¡¯s gaze lifted, passing through the conference room¡¯s ss walls and settling on the phone casually left on his desk. After a brief pause, he stood and walked to his office Kent followed, eager as a beaver He watched as Brandon picked up the phone, lit up the screen, unlocked it, and then, he saw Brandon¡¯s expression suddenly be impassive. Kent¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he involuntarily looked at Brandon¡¯s phone screen, struggling to maintain hisposure. There were no missed calls on Brandon¡¯s phone! Sophia never intended to contact Brandon in the first ce! Kent wished he could p himself on the spot. Why assume things before verifying the facts, giving Brandon false hope? Now, looking at Brandon¡¯s face. He couldn¡¯t help but sneak a nce, Brandon¡¯s handsome face showed no major emotional fluctuations, only his eyes slightly narrowed, expressionlessly staring at the phone. Kent tentatively called out, ¡°Mr. Crawley?¡± Brandon tossed the phone back on the table. ¡°You can go out first.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Kent didn¡¯t dare linger, quickly closing the door behind him as he left. Brandon¡¯s mood had darkened; he nced at the discarded phone, then turned his gaze out the window. After a moment of silence, he still picked up the phone and opened WhatsApp. As soon as he did, he saw a message from Patricia [If it¡¯s someone you arranged, what¡¯s his name?] Brandon scrolled emotionlessly,ing across a voice message, and yed it directly ¡°Brandon, don¡¯t cover for Sophia in everything. You might be busy with work, but you¡¯ve got to keep an eye on your wife. Sophia is a married woman, after all. While I trust she wouldn¡¯t do anything improper, it doesn¡¯t look good for acquaintances to see and gossip.¡± Patricia¡¯s voice, tinged with anger, came through the phone¡¯s speaker Brandon paid it no mind, about to exit the chat when his eyes inevitably fell on a photo Patricia had sent. The man¡¯s entranced gaze at Sophia only worsened Brandon¡¯s sour mood, which he forcibly suppressed. The man looked decent enough, about their age, with aposed and sharp demeanor, tall and upright-a type that could easily make women swoon. Brandon was totally in the dark about what the deal was between him and Sophia. Why on earth did they n to study abroad together when she didn¡¯t even bother giving him a heads up about wanting to take off for school? Thinking about her sneaky moves, prepping for a divorce and further studies behind his back, Brandon¡¯s eyes dimmed once again. He killed his phone¡¯s screen, chucked it aside, and made to leave. Halfway to the door he stopped dead in his tracks His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed with his surging emotions. Spinning around, Brandon snatched up his phone from the table, tapped open Sophia¡¯s WhatsApp, and shot her a message. [Heading out today?] To his surprise, a pop-up hit him in the face. [Sophia has enabled friend verification, and you are not yet her contact. Please send a friend request and wait for verification before you can chat.] Brandon was shocked. Suddenly, he was thrown back to the end of senior year in high school, the post-exam party where the teacher to everyone before it started that Sophia couldn¡¯t make it due to family reasons, and wished everyone else a good time. Out of fifty-eight ssmates, she was the only no-show. After the final exam, she walked out of the exam hall and out of everyone¡¯s lives, gone without a trace. And now, it was the same story She¡¯d chosen to get a divorce and had scrubbed away any ties to him. Brandon had no doubt she¡¯d even deleted his number, so when it came to even the smallest things, like repaying money, she¡¯d rather use a middleman. ssic Sophia. Brandon shook his head with a wry smile. His left index finger gently massaged his forehead, while his right thumb, holding the phone, unhesitatingly opened Sophia¡¯s WhatsApp profile His finger slid down to ¡°Delete Contact¡± and didn¡¯t hesitate to tap. The prompt ¡°Delete the contact Sophia¡¯ and the chat history with this contact popped up, and his finger almost pressed down but paused just before touching the screen, hovering, a moment of hesitation, his grip on the phone tightening slightly. In the end, the finger that was about to confirm the deletion veered off to ¡°Cancel¡± Brandon shut the phone off, pocketed it, scooped up his car keys from the table, and walked out the door. Take care of Mr. Evert for me. I gotta run an errand.¡± Brandon instructed Kent in a subdued tone as he passed by. Confused, Kent stood up. ¡°Huh? Mr. Crawley, are you heading out now? What about your dinner with Mr. Evert tonight?¡± ¡°Cancel it!¡± Kent was speechless Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Brandon had already hit the road, stepping straight into his private lift With a long finger, he pressed the button, and the elevator doors began to close slowly kent, who was hot on his heels, only managed to catch a glimpse of the tautness on Brandon¡¯s handsome face before the doors shut Heading straight down to the basement parking lot, Brandon hadn¡¯t even reached his car before his hand was already ishing out the car keys and hitting the unlock button With a soft ¡°beep,¡± the car unlocked. Brandon strode up yanking the car door open and sliding into the driver¡¯s seat. He buckled up without a second thought hipped out his phone to give Sophia a ring. After a few tones, the call was finally picked up ¡°Hello¡± Sophia¡¯s familiar soft voice came through but Brandon, expressionless, hung up the call in a sh and tossed the phone aside. He had expected this yet for some reason, he had to confirm it. Sophia, who had just scrambled out of the taxi, nced at her phone, puzzled. She had just rushed back to the airport and was about to step out when her phone began to ring. She was feeling a bit queasy-maybe it was motion sickness something and was in a hurry, so she answered the call without a second nce, only to find the caller hung up without saying a word. After a few seconds of busy tones, the screen reverted back to the home interface. Sophia hesitated for a moment then tapped to view her recent call log. She immediately recognized the number at the top of the list, even without a saved name After all, two years of marriage had made that number all too familiar. She wasn¡¯t sure if Brandon was reaching out for something or had dialed her by ident. Her finger hovered over the screen debating whether to call back, but the hesitation made her stop halfway. In the end Sophia didn¡¯t call back She stowed her phone, swallowing down the waves of nausea, and turned towards the security checkpoint. Sophia, over here!¡± As she entered the security hall, she spotted Susan and Ivan waiting by the securityne. Ivan¡¯s gaze settled on her, though his expression remained steady Susan was frantically waving her over, shouting. Over here, over here!¡± Sophia walked towards her, sneaking a nce at her watch. Thankfully, there was still plenty of time, and her quick trip home hadn¡¯t caused much dy. But Susan was like a cat on a hot tin roof, grabbing Sophia and shoving her towards the checkpoint, ¡°Hurry up, don¡¯t miss your flight The jostling only made Sophia¡¯s upset stomach churn even more Ivan, ever so observant, noticed her slightly pale face and frowned. ¡°You okay?¡± Sophia shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m fine, just rushed a bit and got a little carsick Ivan nodded. saying no more Susan handed over a bottle of water, ¡°Have a drink, take it easy Then, turning to Ivan, she instructed, ¡°Ivan, take good care of Sophia from now on Sophia almost choked, feeling Susan¡¯s words were a bit out of line considening she and Ivan weren¡¯t that close. Worried Susan might keep running her mouth Sophia quickly twisted the cap back on the water and handed it back. ¡®Okay, were heading in now I¡¯ll call you when i get there¡± Sunan pushed her off. ¡°Go on, safe travels. As the said it, a hint of sadness crept into her voice, and she moved in for a hug. study. Why you gotta go so far? Her voice trembling with the threat of tears Sophia, now caught up in the emotional moment, gently patted her back but didn¡¯t respond. Sometimes, setting off on a journey is just another way of running away. The memory of the call that was picked up and dropped suddenly pierced her heart. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Sophia pursed her lips, forcing her thoughts back to the present and smiled at Susan, ¡°It¡¯s only two years, it¡¯ll fly by. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m noting back.¡± Susan nodded, her eyes red, reluctantly letting go. Sophia had booked an economy seat, and there was quite a crowd at the security checkpoint. She couldn¡¯t be sure whether Ivan had booked economy as well. He queued up behind her, and they didn¡¯t talk much, but whenever the crowd pushed through, Ivan would considerately shield her with his arm. In that way, he was a lot like Brandon. In certain respects, Ivan and Brandon seemed to share some simrities-not in looks, but in demeanor and the way they carried themselves. Both were calm and modest, both courteous and polite, yet kept everyone at arm¡¯s length with a gentle, caring side to their character. Such men were undeniably charming but falling for them could hurt just as much. Their reservedness wasn¡¯t personal, yet they made no exceptions for anyone. Sophia never dared to hope she could be Brandon¡¯s exception She wondered if Phoebe might be, curious about what Brandon out of control, for a woman, would look like. Unfortunately, she never got the chance to see it. As Sophia retrieved her documents from the staff and walked towards the security scanner, the nearby elevator came to a smooth stop, the doors opened, and Brandon emerged with the crowd, his eyes scanning the flight information on the big screen at the terminal entrance. He easily spotted the flight info for West district to Wye City on the scrolling screen. The flight hadn¡¯t taken off yet. It was still boarding. Brandon turned towards the long line at the security checkpoint. His dark eyes swept over the crowd, but he didn¡¯t spot anyone familiar. His gaze passed through the checkpoint to the ss wall behind the machines, where he caught a glimpse of Sophial picking up her documents and bag from the conveyor. His eyes lingered for a moment, but the slender figure of Sophia was quickly obscured by the throng. Brandon looked away, heading to the check-in counter, pulling out his ID, and handing it to the staff member. ¡°Hello, I¡¯d like to book a ticket, first ss.¡± The staff member asked, ¡°Sure, where are you flying to? What time?¡± Brandon replied indifferently, ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡± The staff member gave him a puzzled look but quickly issued the ticket. Brandon breezed through the first-ss securityne and strutted into the waiting area, heading straight for Gate 22 where Sophia was chilling for her flight, Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Sophia had just cleared security when Ivan finished up too They headed to the boarding gate together, keeping a bit of distance one after the other, barely exchanging words along the way. Once they reached the security hall, they each plopped down onto their own patch of empty seats. Ivan took the spot next to Sophia, whipped out his phone the moment he sat down, looking like he was swamped with work Sophia didn¡¯t peep a word, her gaze drifting from the bustling crowd in the gate area to the window outside. Outside the sky was gradually darkening The tarmac was aze with lights, nes taking off andnding, the night merging with the lights, slowly deepening the sense of parting ¨C Sophia thought back to that call with Brandon ¨C picked up and then abruptly dropped her fingertips grazing the edge. of her phone She felt nowhere near as calm as she had expected. Brandon always had a way of getting under her skin, no matter what. She wanted to call him back ask what was up, but then she remembered their goodbye, how he¡¯d hugged her gently. told her to take care, and the determined stride he took as he walked away. Her fingers, which had been caressing the edge of her phone, finally rxed and she shifted her gaze to the specks of light outside the window. The unease in her gut wasn¡¯t letting up. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse She was in for a flight over ten hours long, and she was starting to worry about a mid-air body breakdown. Her hand instinctively pressed against her chest, hesitating whether she should grab some meds. Ivan nced up at her. ¡°Feeling off?¡± Sophia gave a slight shake of her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine Her eyes caught a glimpse of a pharmacy nearby and paused for a moment. Ivan picked up on her pause ¡°Not feeling well? Sophia, a tad embarrassed Yeah probably didn¡¯t sleep wellst night and didn¡¯t eat much today. My stomach¡¯s throwing a bit of a fit¡± Ivan frowned Stomach acting up?¡± As if on cue, a wave of nausea hit Sophia, and she couldn¡¯t hold back a dry heave to the side, hand covering her mouth. Ivan pocketed his phone and stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s get you some meds before we¡¯re stuck on that ne for hours.¡± Sophia nodded. The pharmacy was just to the side, next to a food joint, its rich food aromas mingled with the greasy scent of cooking oil, constantly assaulting Sophia¡¯s stomach. She raised a hand to block her nose and looked over at the pharmacy staff, asking for some stomach medicine. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. The staffer a cautious pharmacist asked, ¡°Diarrhea?¡± Sophia shook her head. ¡°No, just nauseous and queasy.¡± ¡°How long has this been going on? ¡°Just started this moming.¡± ¡°How long exactly?¡± Sophia thought for a sec. ¡°Felt a bit sick when I got up, but felt better after breakfast. Then, out of nowhere this afternoon.¡± She suddenly stopped, a hazy suspicion crossing her mind, her eyes widening slightly at the potential revtion. Just then, someone walked by with a steaming hot pot of oden, the pungent seafood smell triggering another wave of nausea. Sophia turned away instinctively, gagging, while Ivan quickly patted her back, concerned. ¡°You alright?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t respond, just looked up nkly, pale and a mix of startled and clueless. Ivan¡¯s hand on her shoulder paused, worry in his eyes What¡¯s up?¡± Sophia managed to twist a smile at him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Brandon caught this scene, and his steps slowed to a halt. Ivan¡¯s arm on Sophia¡¯s shoulder looked ambiguouslyforting, and Brandon, not too far but not too close, could easily see the tenderness in Sophia¡¯s smile towards Ivan, and the hidden adoration and concern in Ivan¡¯s eyes. Brandon never thought he¡¯d see the day when Sophia would lean so affectionately into another man¡¯s arms, her unique gentle smile blooming for someone else. The sight clenched his heart in tight spasms. He didn¡¯t know why he¡¯de Even aware of this man¡¯s presence, he¡¯d still chosen to show up. He and Sophia had already said their goodbyes. There was no need for another. Leaving Sophia behind wasn¡¯t necessary either. Departing was her choice, and he respected that, including her choice of that man. He turned his head emotionlessly, without a hint of reluctance, and walked away once more. After pushing down the difort in her chest, Sophia unconsciously pushed Ivan aside and turned around, her gaze inadvertently sweeping a familiar silhouette in the window reflection. The sight made her hesitate and turn around. The crowd surged behind her, but the familiar tall figure was nowhere to be seen. She pursed her lips slightly, reigned in her gaze, and looked to the pharmacy staff. ¡°Excuse me, could I get a box of pregnancy tests?¡± Ivan¡¯s gaze snapped to her. The pharmacist looked at Sophia, surprised, but still handed over a pregnancy test. Sophia headed to the restroom. In the brief wait for the test result, her mind felt empty, a little lost. This was even more bewildering than her first pregnancy. Back then, she was just panicked and clueless, unsure of what to do. Now, it was a deathly kind of nkness She never thought she¡¯d get pregnant, that the moment she signed those divorce papers and stepped out of that house, it was all over with Brandon. She didn¡¯t want any more ties to Brandon in this lifetime But what if she was pregnant? Her fingers tightened around the pregnancy test box, turning white at the knuckles. She suddenly started to fear the result She didn¡¯t understand why life was ying such a joke on her again, just when she was ready to start afresh, to catch herpletely off guard. if she was pregnant, should she keep the baby? Should she let Brandon know? Every question left her utterly baffled She knew if she told Brandon about the pregnancy, he¡¯d definitely want her to keep the baby, and then leave the choice to her whether to marry or not. But she didn¡¯t want to walk that same path again. ¡°She¡¯s not pregnant yet. I always thought it was my daughter-inw who couldn¡¯t have kids, turns out my son doesn¡¯t want them.¡±. The words she¡¯d overheard earlier in the restaurant echoed in her head, and it was then she realized that it was Brandon who didn¡¯t want children. ¡°Looks like the kid¡¯s got a strong sense of responsibility, he¡¯s not the type to ditch his wife and kids. Otherwise, with his personality, there¡¯s no way he doesn¡¯t want a child. Sure, he seems like a cold fish and hard to warm up to, but he¡¯s been a fan of little ones since he was a tot.¡± It was only then that she realized, he had a soft spot for kids. He had a fondness for them, yet he didn¡¯t want the child she was carrying to be his.. Her slender fingers trembled slightly on top of the pregnancy test box. Sophia took a deep breath and slowly shifted her gaze to the test. Two lines, one dark and one light-a positive sign of pregnancy. Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Even though she saw iting Sophia was still momentarily stunned. She stared nkly at the two lines on the pregnancy test feeling a jumble of emotions that were hard to describe-a mix ofplexity with a dash of unexpected joy fluttering through Her left hand unconsciously caressed her t belly, and she found it hard to believe that a life was already taking shape inside The only time she and Brandon had thrown caution to the wind was the night she brought up divorce She was preupied with her thoughts then and didn¡¯t pay attention She couldn¡¯t fathom why Brandon would forget to take precautions either He was usually so careful about that sort of thing She was a bit at a loss about what to do with the baby if she kept it, what about her ns to hit the books and reboot her life? And what if she didn¡¯t? Just the thought made her heart ache unbearably A baby was a gift from heaven, and she couldn¡¯t bear to give up on this little life. But did she have to relive the life she had two years ago? Walking out of the restroom, Sophia was in a daze. Ivan was still waiting at the restroom door Seeing here out, he approached her, ¡°Everything okay?¡± Sophia shook her head apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± He nodded, not prying into the results of the test, just nced at his watch and reminded her ¡°We need to board soon.¡± Sophia hesitated, then nodded and walked with him towards the gate Passing by the pharmacy window, Sophia subconsciously nced at the ss where she had seen Brandonis reflection earlier Under the scattered light and shadow, the window was crowded with unfamiliar faces and silhouettes Sophia silently withdrew her gaze, exhaled softly and headed towards the boarding gate with Ivan Upstairs in the departure lounge Brandon stood with his arms crossed in front of the railing, calmly watching Sophia below as she and the man beside her handed their tickets to the staff, watched as the man took back the tickets for her, and escorted her through the crowd into the jetway Sophia seemed to sense something, her steps suddenly halting as she slowly turned her head, her puzzled gaze shing with Brandon¡¯s mid-air She was startled. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Brandon merely nced at her indifferently before turning away leaving Sophia couldn¡¯t help but smile and said softly under Ivan¡¯s thoughtful gaze, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Brandon got back in the car but didn¡¯t drive off. Sitting in the driver¡¯s seat, his heart felt like it was being tugged at, sore and empty. He let his mind go nk for a moment, and after a brief pause to regroup, his rationality returned, his handsome face settling back into calm. He started the car¡¯s engine and slowly drove out. As he was about to merge onto the road from the airport roundabout, he nced toward the tarmac, where the flight to Wye City was slowly taking off He looked nk for a second, then slowly pressed on the brakes, stopping the car at the roadside. He sat there motionless, his eyes tracking the ne as it smoothly ascended from the ground into the sky until it shrank away out of sight For the first time, a sudden cramp-like pain seized his stomach, spreading to his heart and chest. He pressed a hand to his chest, his gaze cold as he withdrew it and nced at his phone. After a moment of silence, he pulled up Sophia¡¯s WhatsApp, hesitated over her contact, then decisively deleted ¡°Sophia¡± from his contacts, along with her number After doing all this, he tossed his phone aside, restarted the engine, and drove off expressionlessly. Brandon went straight back to the office It was past closing time, and most of the staff had left. Kent was about to leave too when he saw a poker-faced Brandon walking in. Surprised, Kent nced behind him, not seeing Sophia, then couldn¡¯t help but address Brandon cautiously. ¡°Mr. Crawley, did youe back alone? Brandon didn¡¯t even look at him. ¡°What else? Kent was speechless Brandon had already walked past the long office desk and stood in front of hisputer, pulling open a drawer with his left hand. After scanning its contents, he turned to Kent, ¡°Got any antacids?¡± Kent didn¡¯t say anything. Brandon said, ¡°I need an antacid ¡°What? Oh, Kent realized, quickly fetched an antacid for Brandon, and considerately brought him some warm water. Watching Brandon take it, he asked with concern, ¡°Mr. Crawley, are you okay?¡± ¡®I¡¯m fine. His voice was as cool andposed as ever. Kent wasn¡¯t quite reassured and was curious about the follow-up. And what about Ms. Yearwood? He stopped as Brandon¡¯s actions froze, his face tensing against the light. Just when Kent thought he might explode. Brandon¡¯s expression returned to calm, ¡°Why bring her up?¡± Kent hesitated, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just go to see her? Brandon shot him a nce, Who told you I went to see her?¡± Kent thought, ¡°What were you actually doing then? Kent didn¡¯t dare to voice this question, but Brandon read the unspoken query in his eyes anyway. Brandon didn¡¯t answer, instead, he simply said, ¡°Get out!¡± Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Kent got the chills and didn¡¯t dare to say another word, quickly making his exit. Having been by Brandon¡¯s side for years, he had never seen him with such intense emotional swings. Brandon watched the office door close, chucked his phone on the desk, pulled over a chair to sit down, grabbed the mouse to wake up theputer, gave it a quick nce, then looked away Work was thest thing on his mind. He shoved the mouse aside, leaned over to power down theputerpletely, shut it off, left the building, and drove straight home He returned to the home he shared with Sophia after they got married. It was a property he had bought for himself, where he lived solo before tying the knot and eventually turned into their cozy nest for two Located in a residential area in the city center, the house boasted a fantastic river view and was conveniently close to his office. Brandon owned several properties, but this one was his favorite. He enjoyed his solitude. Before getting hitched, living alone never bothered him; in fact, he relished the peace it brought. It wasn¡¯t until he and Sophia got hitched and she moved in, on his suggestion, that the ce began to feel lived in Sophia, like him, wasn¡¯t keen on outsiders intruding on their space, so aside from the cleaning crew that came by for regr maintenance, they didn¡¯t have a live-in maid Sophia had a knack for design, and when she still lived there, Brandon could see her clever touches all over the ce. But when she left, she reset everything back to how it was when she first arrived. Brandon wasn¡¯t sure whether to praise Sophia for her ability to flip things around easily, restoring the renovated ce back to its original state, or tomend her foresight for knowing that things between them wouldn¡¯tst, so she only made changes that were easily reversible Or maybe, she just never nned on sticking around for the long haul. His dark eyes grew colder at that thought. Brandon swung open the liquor cab, nced at the array of fine spirits, and randomly grabbed a bottle. He picked up the bottle opener, pried off the cap, which went flying, but he didn¡¯t care. He took a swig straight from the bottle, then mmed it down on the dining table With an expressionless face, he turned his head away. Just then, the doorbell rang. Brandon nced at the door, silent for a moment, then stood up to answer it. ¡°What took you so long? I thought you weren¡¯t home The door barely opened when Yvonne Crawley¡¯s grumbling came through, along with a toddler¡¯s eeh- ahh¡± sounds. Brandon gave her a look. ¡°What brings you over?¡± His words dripped with annoyance, but his hands reached out for the two-year-old she was carrying. Yvonne was Brandon¡¯s sister, two years his junior, but they didn¡¯t share the same mother She was Patricia¡¯s biological daughter, while Brandon was not. Perhaps because they had different mothers, even though they both inherited their father¡¯s good looks and their mothers beauty, they didn¡¯t quite share the same brainpower. Yvonne was the ssic beautiful airhead, not the sharpest tool in the shed, simple and easily fooled, with a head full of romantic mush She had gotten married a few years back and had a daughter, affectionately called Anna Crawley Little Anna was just two, taking after Yvonne with those stunning good looks, but seemingly inheriting her mom¡¯s alrheadedness,ing off as a bit slow and not the brightest. Anna adored Brandon, and seeing him extend his hands, she happily reached out, leaning toward him. ¡°Hug.¡± Her speech was still developing, barely managing single-syble words. Yvonne pinched her little face. ¡°Forget momma when you see your uncle, huh?¡± She talked tough but was more than happy to hand over her baby girl. As they made the handoff, Yvonne caught a whiff of alcohol and gave Brandon a suspicious look ¡°Brandon, have you been drinking? He nced at her, uninterested, and took the little girl into his arms. Yvonne spotted the bottle and its cap on the floor, her suspicious gaze slowly returning to his face, a mix of shock and caution ¡°Did you and Sophia have a fight?¡± Brandon¡¯s cold gaze swept over her. ¡°What do you want?¡± Yvonne mmed up, her voice shrinking. Just missed you, that¡¯s all.¡± She grew up with Brandon, and although they weren¡¯t super close, thanks to her obtuseness, they never felt very distant. But in the presence of her brother, who was always cold and aloof, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit intimidated. Brandon ignored her attempt at being cute and shifted his gaze to the little girl in his arms, the chill in his dark eyes melting a bit at her adorable face. He pinched her tiny nose, silent, his gaze lingering on her, the tenderness in his eyes softening Yvonne¡¯s heart. She couldn¡¯t resist poking his arm. ¡°Brandon, if you like kids so much, why don¡¯t you and Sophia hurry up and have one?¡± As soon as the words left her mouth, she saw Brandon¡¯s expression grow colder. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Confused, she took a stealthy look around the room, only then realizing not only was Sophia absent, but all traces of her ever living there were gone. ¡°Brandon?¡± she tugged at the hem of his shirt cautiously, ¡°What happened between you and Sophia?¡± His cold nce was all she got in reply. ¡°Is there a reason you¡¯re here?¡± Yvonne quickly shook her head, she didn¡¯t really have any business. She was just passing by, saw the lights on, and decided to drop in. Brandon didn¡¯t bother with her anymore, taking the two-year-old to sit on the couch. The soft light in the living room highlighted his chiseled profile, warming the chill in his eyes. Yvonne had known Brandon for over twenty years as her brother, and she never thought he liked kids that much. He had always been a loner, never keen on ying with them, except for the missing Phoebe. Mention of Phoebe made Yvonne nce at Brandon again. Phoebe was just a year younger than Yvonne. She was only five when she went missing, and Yvonne was six. She was too young to really remember much about Phoebe, just that she wasn¡¯t like the rest of the rowdy rugrats they hung out with. Back then, Phoebe was the good, quiet kid who¡¯d just sit there and watch them y, or she¡¯d tag along with Brandon, quietly keeping himpany. Brandon was mature beyond his years. Plus, Patricia wasn¡¯t exactly warm towards him, and he knew from an early age that his birth mom was out of the picture. So, he always came off as more grounded, or even a bit of a loner,pared to other kids his age. The adults were too busy with work,cking both time and patience to guide a kid who wasn¡¯t exactly their top priority. The other kids, clueless about the ways of the world, would simply shrug and move on if he didn¡¯t join in their games But little Phoebe, bless her heart, never got tired of sticking by his side, chatting with him, and sharing her little treasures-anything tasty, fun, or cool, she¡¯d be sure to share with Brandon first. Over time. Brandon kind of took to having her around and even started teaching her how to read and write on his own initiative. By then, Brandon was already in second grade, and he passed on everything he knew to Phoebe. The grandparents from both families were happy to see the two kids getting along and would joke about setting up a marriage for them. Nobody ever imagined that Phoebe would go missing. A five-year-old lost in the dense woods had almost no chance of survival. When Brandon got wind of Phoebe¡¯s disappearance, he lost it, kicking and punching the adults holding him back, screaming his lungs out to go find Phoebe But what could an eight-year-old kid do on his own to find her? In the end, Brandon couldn¡¯t overpower the adults, but from that moment, he became even more silent and mature, throwing himself into his studies and training like a man possessed When puberty hit and other guys were boasting about girlfriends, Brandon stood apart. Even though he was tall, good-looking and way more talented than his peers, with a line of girls that could stretch down the block, he didn¡¯t show the slightest interest in anyone. Studying became his everything. This wasn¡¯t just academic learning. It included physical training and specialized courses arranged by his granddad to prep him for taking over the family biz. Brandon¡¯s schedule was packed. He endured hardships that others would buckle under, devoid of the youthfulness and vitality typical of his peers. It was only during his senior year of high school that Yvonne saw that spark of life in him, unique to boys his age, once again. Yvonne didn¡¯t know who or what had happened to Brandon that year, but he was alive again, just like the two years before She had a hunch it was all thanks to Sophia. She wasn¡¯t too familiar with Sophia, but the moment sheid eyes on her, she saw a glimpse of Phoebe in her. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Yvonne couldn¡¯t for the life of her remember what little Phoebe looked like, but Sophia had got this same chill, soft vibe that brought on this weird sense of familianty So when Brandon, who had never had a girlfriend before, brought Sophia home out of the blue and announces they had gone and tied the knot, Yvonne totally got why her bro would get married. so fast. Although their mom thought Brandon¡¯s quickie wedding was all because Sophia had got a bun in the oven and his sense of duty kicked in N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Yvonne wasn¡¯t sure, but she could tell Brandon was actually looking forward to that kid. She had caught him more than once buried in mommy-and-baby books, stuff about what moms-to-be should eat, do¡¯s and don¡¯ts, and how to take care of newborns and new moms However, luck wasnt on their side with the kiddo. Every time she saw Brandon looking at her daughter, it was like he¡¯s seeing his own through her eyes. But if he was so into kids, why hadn¡¯t he and Sophia tried for another for the past two years? Most of the time, Yvonne admitted she couldn¡¯t figure out what was going on in her brother¡¯s head. ¡°Brandon,¡± she said, watching his gentle demeanor, and couldn¡¯t help but cautiously ask, ¡°When are you and Sophia thinking of having another kid? You¡¯re not getting any younger, and your career¡¯s solid. It¡¯s about time for a baby, isn¡¯t it? Brandon paused for a sec, totally ignoring her question, and kept ying with the little tyke in his arms. Yvonne nudged him again, ¡°Brandon, have you guys talked about it or what? Is it Sophia who¡¯s not ready, or is it you? I mean, sure, raising kids can be a pain sometimes, but there¡¯s a lot of joy in it too. I feel like something¡¯s missing between you two, and maybe a kid could bring you closer.¡± Brandon froze, his face not looking too hot. ¡°Brandon?¡± Yvonne asked, surprised Brandon turned and dumped the little munchkin into Yvonne¡¯s arms, gave her a look and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have a sister-inw Yvonne was speechless. Brandon was already on his feet, grabbing his car keys off the coffee table. ¡°Remember to lock up when you leave.¡± With that, he was out the door, mming it behind him so hard Yvonne nearly jumped out of her skin. She was totally baffled, staring at the door, trying to figure out what just happened. After a quick once- over of the ce. she realized there¡¯s no trace of Sophia living there anymore. In fact, the house looked exactly like it did before Brandon was married Feelingpletely lost, Yvonne scratched her head, sensing something¡¯s off, and after a moment, sneaked in a call to her mom, Patricia. ¡°Mom, what¡¯s up with my brother and my sister-inw?¡± ¡°What else could it be? Your brother¡¯s always been overprotective of Sophia,¡± Patricia replied, her tone not the best since Brandon¡¯s non-response had her stewing. Even though Brandon wasn¡¯t her biological son, she had raised him since he was two, and as far as she¡¯s concerned, she was no different from his birth mom. But Brandon had always been polite and kept his distance, which made her feel off-bnce whenever she thought about it. Yvonne could hear the passive-aggressiveness in her mom¡¯s voice. ¡°Mom, can we just talk normally, please? I¡¯m at my brother¡¯s ce.¡± Patricia¡¯s tone softened a bit. ¡°What¡¯s he up to?¡± Yvonne said, ¡°He just left¡± She added, ¡®But something¡¯s off with him today. The ce reeks of booze, he got all dark and gloomy when i mentioned Sophia, and he told me I don¡¯t have a sister-inw. They didn¡¯t have a fight and split, did they? The thought shocked Yvonne, her legs crossing and uncrossing as Patricia pondered, recalling how Sophia left for the airport looking like she was heading abroad for a long stay. If it wasn¡¯t a rtionship issue, why else would she be gone so long? If they really split. Patricia suggested after a moment. ¡°You¡¯re close to your brother. Why don¡¯t you find out if it¡¯s really over?¡± ¡°Why should I find out?¡± Patricia said. ¡°To set him up with Novia¡¯s daughter, of course. Yvonne was speechless. Patricia ¡°What¡¯s with that reaction? Hannah¡¯s got the looks, the grace, and the family background. What¡¯s not to match with your brother? ¡°I¡¯m not discussing this with you right now. Whether they match or not is up to my brother, Yvonne cut the conversation short, not wanting to argue about it. ¡°Besides, maybe they¡¯re not even divorced.¡± She hung up before Patricia could say anything else, nced around the empty room, feeling a weird lump in her throat. Not that she was super attached to Sophia, but as someone young and used to lovey-dovey happy endings, she was not thrilled with this kind of split. Plus, she had gotten used to Sophia being her sister-inw. She wanted to clear things up with Brandon but was too chicken to call or WhatsApp him. After a lot of hemming and hawing, she hesitantly sent a message to Sophia, who she was not that close with. [Sophia, you¡¯re not home?] But the message went unanswered Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Sophia finally checked Yvonne¡¯s WhatsApp message the day after she got off the ne. The two of them weren¡¯t exactly tight. Yvonne tied the knot early, and Sophia and Brandon didn¡¯t shack up with his folks at the Crawley family estate. They didn¡¯t swing by often, so the chances to hang out were few and far between. On the odd holiday, they¡¯d reluctantly gather for a meal, but Yvonne, with her head over heels in love, yed to her hubby¡¯s tune: if he said no to visiting, she¡¯d dig her heels in too. So, bumping into each other was rarer than hen¡¯s teeth. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. They weren¡¯t close in real life, and online chit-chat was pretty much non-existent, especially since Sophia wasn¡¯t exactly Miss Social Butterfly Yvonne, on the other hand, loved to chirp away in the family group chat. Sophia would only pipe up when directly called out, otherwise her WhatsApp was just for show, same as Brandon¡¯s That was why when Yvonne hit her up out of the blue, asking if she was home. Sophia found it odd but still replied politely. [Sorry, I was on a flight with my phone off yesterday. I¡¯m not there anymore, what¡¯s up?] Yvonne had waited a whole day for Sophia¡¯s reply, and by then, her enthusiasm had fizzled out, even feeling tad snubbed. She had a bit of a princess temper ¨C quick to re up and cool down. Still stewing, she curtly responded. ¡°Never mind, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Yvonne wasn¡¯t close to Sophia, nor could she say she liked or disliked her. The day before, she felt choked up about their divorce purely because Sophia was her sister-inw, and the reality of Brandon¡¯s failed marriage hadn¡¯t quite sunk in But after a night to let it settle, she¡¯de to terms with the possibility of their divorce. Sophia¡¯s ce in her heart had reset to stranger that was all she ever was, an idental interloper in their lives. Maybe it was the ingrained notion since childhood that Phoebe and Brandon were a pair, and even with Phoebe off the radar for years, Yvonne always assumed Brandon was waiting for her. So, when he brought Sophia into the picture, she got it but needed a hot minute to adjust to the reality of Sophia recing Phoebe. Now, just when she had gotten used to that, she had to revert to her original presumption, which wasn¡¯t too hard. She even leaned toward believing what her mother Patricia said, that Brandon and Sophia got hitched because of a baby No baby stayed, and now they¡¯ve gone their separate ways. Her brother Brandon was always meant to wait for Phoebe. Thinking this way, Yvonne felt a twinge of pity for Sophia. The irritation she had felt evaporated, and to make amends for her earlier tone, she texted Sophia again. [Hey Sophia, what were you doing on a ne? Where you off to?] Sophia found Yvonne¡¯s mood swings weird. Just a second ago, it was clear she was sulking, and now suddenly, she was all eager to please. Yvonne had never shown outright disdain, but she kept her distance, which Sophia had picked up on. Knowing she wasn¡¯t weed, Sophia didn¡¯t push it. For two years, they kept to theirnes and all was well, but Sophia didn¡¯t expect Yvonne to suddenly turn on the charm post-divorce. Not able to figure her out, Sophia responded casually. [I¡¯m abroad for some stuff.) Yvonne, reassured by the reply, wasn¡¯t really prying into Sophia¡¯s whereabouts. It was more about easing her own slight guilt. Sophia¡¯s response just deepened her hunch about the divorce, but after sleeping on it, she didn¡¯t care as much, so she replied politely [Oh, okay then. Take care of yourself] You too take care.] After the courteous exchange, Sophia logged off WhatsApp She grabbed a cab back to her ce, a single-room apartment near the school she¡¯d arranged through an agent before leaving Lugging a heavy suitcase from the airport, ivan stepped in to help and escorted her home. Feeling a bit awkward after settling in, Sophia offered to treat him to a meal, but after scoping out her digs, Ivan suggested, ¡®Let¡¯s go to the hospital first.¡± Sophia was taken aback and slightly embarrassed. She hadn¡¯t told Ivan about her pregnancy; he was an acquaintance, after all. But he must¡¯ve figured it out, even if he hadn¡¯t mentioned it. Ivan asked her, ¡°What¡¯s your n now?¡± Thest person to ask her that was Brandon. The same question tugged at Sophia¡¯s heartstrings, bringing up bittersweet memories. She just shook her head with a smile, staying silent Ivan didn¡¯t press. He just pointed outside, I live in this building too. If you need anything, just holler. He dialed her number, letting her phone ring briefly before hanging up. ¡°That¡¯s my number,¡± he said. ¡°Save it, and call me anytime you need¡± Sophia nced at her phone, surprised he knew her number. Ivan saw the confusion in her eyes. ¡°I had all your numbers when I was your instructor. I didn¡¯t expect you still had the same one,¡± he said. Sophia chuckled, ¡°I never bothered to change it because it was a hassle, but I¡¯m nning to now.¡± She kept the same number since senior year of high school, holding onto it through college. She hadn¡¯t changed it due to lingering hopes and dreams for that boy who warmed her heart during her girlhood days, not wanting to forget, even though it never rang Ivan gave her a deep look, then suddenly asked, ¡°What¡¯s he like?¡± Sophia paused. Ivan was still waiting, expecting her answer. ¡°He¡¯s a good guy,¡± she said, struggling to find the right adjectives to describe Brandon. In her eyes, he was indeed a good person-gentle, considerate, loyal to marriage. There wasn¡¯t really anything wrong with him. It was just that she was being a bit greedy. Ivan nodded, not pressing further, and changed the subject. ¡°Need me to tag along to the hospital?¡± Sophia chuckled and shook her head. ¡°No need, thanks though, Ivan.¡± Ivan nodded, not insisting Take care of yourself Sophia also nodded. ¡®Will do.¡± After Ivan left, Sophia headed to the hospital for a blood test to check her hCG levels. The results confirmed what the pregnancy test had already shown-she was indeed pregnant. Clutching theb report, Sophia sat on a bench outside the hospital for a long time The lingering sunlight of the setting sun draped over her, stretching her already slender figure even longer. It was the time when autumn was just starting to creep in. In this unfamiliar street, amidst faces and crowds that she didn¡¯t recognize, there was an added sense of loneliness that often apanies being in a strange ce at sunset. Sophia still remembered thest time she found out she was pregnant and the mixed emotions she felt bumping into Brandon at the hospital Bnder the turmoil of her emotioris, seeing him suddenly had given her a fleeting sense of security and calm. At a time when she was clueless about what to do, Brandon had appeared, and without any hesitation, he had affered her a solution and took on all the responsibility after learning about her pregnancy Back then, she didn¡¯t have to worry about whether she could provide a child with a rich and healthy environment to grow up in, whether growing up in a single parent home would affect the child¡¯s physical and emotional health, or whether bringing her into this world without being able to offer aplete family would be cruel. ??? ? ?? Brandon had solutions to all her worries back then But now, Brandon was out of the picture. Their rtionship was over for good Thest nce they exchanged at the airport was as cold as those reserved for a stranger-he wouldn¡¯t be offering her any more choices She couldn¡¯t go back to him for advice. The answer would be either to revert to the choice she made two years ago or to stick with her current life. So, even after a long, grueling flight of over a dozen hours, Sophia hadn¡¯t figured out what to do Her decision affected more than just a life; it was about her entire future. Deep down, Sophia wanted to keep the baby. She probably wouldn¡¯t marry again in this lifetime-she had no expectations for marriage or love anymore, but she yearned for a child of her own. This unexpected pregnancy seemed like a blessing from above. But Sophia was also acutely aware that she couldn¡¯t provide aplete family or a father¡¯s love for her child. By not having a traditional family structure even before her child was born, she was taking away a part of what was considered a normal life. She wondered if this would be too cruel for the child. She didn¡¯t dare to make this decision lightly. The long flight hadn¡¯t given her the courage to decide. And the deste loneliness of this twilight couldn¡¯t offer it either. As she gripped theb report tighter in her hand, Sophia sighed deeply, stood up, and as she turned around, her gaze fell on a tall silhouette, and she paused, startled. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 The person turning around just happened to be Ivan, already changed into different clothing. bean definitely caught the shift in Sophia¡¯s eyes from spaced out to downhearted. He looked at her. ¡°Got the wrong person?¡± Sophia chuckled awkwardly Just now, I thought I saw someone I knew. Guess all good-looking people kinda look the same, huh? ivan and Brandon sported simr hairstyles, and they were about the same height. For a moment there, Sophia really thought she saw Brandon She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because the two guys had a simr vibe that threw her off, or if she was just zoning out big time. For a split second, she truly believed she had seen Brandon. Ivan also gave a chuckle, not continuing the topic His gaze lingered on the medical report she was holding, then shifted back to her face Aren¡¯t you heading back?¡± He didn¡¯t pry further Sophia didn¡¯t delve into it either ¡°Was just about to head back.¡± Let¡¯s go together, Ivan said, already turning around. Sophia nced at his retreating figure, her hand instinctively caressing her still-t belly. The feeling wasplicated. She thought she had cut tiespletely, but now, because of the baby, she was facing a deeper entanglement. It was one of the reasons why she was so indecisive. On one hand, she did want to go their separate ways, no strings attached With time, she¡¯d naturally move on. But having a tie meant potential messy entanglements in the future Sophia didn¡¯t want to leave such a ticking time bomb behind. Yet not leaving it meant giving up on the child. The thought of letting go made her heart twinge with a pang of pain. That night. Susan called her sensing that something was troubling Sophia. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Susan sounded worried ¡°You were fine when you left. Howe you¡¯re all heavy-hearted now? Having a rough time at school?¡± Sophia shook her head, fresh out of the shower and ready for bed, while Susan had already called her first thing The time difference meant it was close to midnight for Sophia, while it was just about 7 a.m. for Susan. ¡°I just got here: what could possibly go wrong? Sophia sat on her bed, a giant pillow on herp, phone in one hand, her chin practically buried in the pillow She looked kind of wilted and out of sorts. ¡°Why did you get up so early? Sophia asked. ¡°Don¡¯t you start work at ten?¡± Susan¡¯spany had staggered work hours and she lived close by, so she usually didn¡¯t get up for work until after nine. *Just worried you might be asleep, so I got up early to call you. That¡¯s what happens when you move so far away.¡± Susan, her mouth full of toothpaste foam, muttered causing Sophia tough. ¡°Nice try using me as an excuse. If it weren¡¯t for work, no way you¡¯d get up early.¡± ¡°Work¡¯s just on the side. Calling you is the main event, Susan insisted, not easily fooled, ¡°But seriously, what happened? You don¡¯t look so hot.¡± pregnant Sophia didn¡¯t n on keeping it from her, ¡°Trying to figure out what to do.¡± Susan neay choked on her mouthwash. After hastily finishing her routine, she eximed to Sophia, breathless ¡°What to do? Have the baby, of course. If Brandon wants to step up, let him if not, I help you raise it¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Sophia led then her while faded as she looked at her. He¡¯d definitely step up, but I don¡¯t want his responsibility That¡¯s fee too, fn here to help: Susan decided within seconds, ¡°Ourpany has projects abroad, I can request a transfer to be close and help you and my goddaughter¡± Sophia gave her a look. ¡°For real? Absolutely, Susan said, then hesitated a bit. ¡°As long as Ind the Starlight Group project today a transfer will be a plece of cake. Sophia¡¯s smile faltered just a tad Susan didn¡¯t miss the subtle change in her expression and cautiously asked ¡°You don¡¯t mind, do you?¡± The Starlight Group belonged to Brandon Sophiaughed ¡°Why would I mind? Brandon and I broke up amicably, not like we¡¯re at each other¡¯s throats or anything. If you can bag hispany¡¯s project, it¡¯s not just a simple transfer. With that sess under your belt, you can go anywhere you wantter with plenty of toppanies vying for you,¡± Sophia added, ¡°Wishing you luck to win big¡¯ ¡°Thanks¡± Susan happily epted, ¡°But Brandon¡¯s not someone easy to handle.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you won¡¯t even see him¡± Susan was speechless Sophia said. ¡°This is a business deal and from what I know, Hannah¡¯s in charge of that department right now.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Susan was surprised ¡°Hannah¡¯s at the Starlight Group too? They¡¯re not already¡­you know, right? That exins why you suddenly wanted a divorce¡± ¡°Stop right there. Sophia quickly interrupted, ¡°I only found out she was at thepany the day I decided to divorce. My divorce is my own issue, nothing to do with anyone else.¡± Susan, however wasn¡¯t convinced ¡°If there was nothing between them, why would Brandon agree to the divorce so readily?¡± Sophia fell silent Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Susan said, ¡°Back in school, everyone was buzzing about them being an item. And now, what a coincidence they end up at the samepany, with Brandon giving her such a high-profile gig. I¡¯m not buying it for a second that Brandon doesn¡¯t have a thing for Hannah.¡± ¡°From what you¡¯re saying, it looks like I might have been the third wheel, Sophia said quietly, instantly putting a lid on Susan¡¯s grumbling. ¡°That¡¯s different,¡± Susan shot back. ¡°Whatever might or might not have happened between them back then, when you and Brandon crossed paths, you were both single and ready to mingle.¡± Seeing Susan getting all worked up on her behalf warmed Sophia¡¯s heart. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it, Brandon¡¯s not that kind of guy, Sophia reassured her. ¡°If he agreed to split, it¡¯s just because we weren¡¯t a good fit, and that¡¯s the end of it ¡°Alright then, Susan said, not wanting to stir the pot. ¡°Sorry for bringing up a sore subject.¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°No biggie, I¡¯m not made of ss, and for the record, I was the one who dumped Brandon, okay?¡± ¡°Fair enough. He should be the one crying a river for letting a catch like you slip through his fingers. He¡¯ll regret it big time, Susan said with augh. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll get our revenge. Once I take over the Starlight Group, I¡¯ll hop on the next flight toe hang with you and my goddaughter.¡± Sophiaughed, I¡¯m holding you to that. Can¡¯t wait to hear the good news.¡± ¡°You got it, Susan said cheerfully, finally getting back to business. ¡°But seriously, think long and hard about whether you want to keep the kid. I¡¯m all bark and no bite when ites to this stuff, but at the end of the day, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s pregnant, your life¡¯s the one getting turned upside down, and you¡¯re the one who¡¯s gonna be responsible for the baby¡¯s future. I can only tell you this much. Whatever decision you make, I¡¯ve got your back one hundred percent. Susan added. ¡°If you decide to keep the baby, I¡¯ll be right there with you. I¡¯ve got my nutritionist cert; taking care of a pregnantdy and a baby should be a walk in the park. And don¡¯t worry about my career. Ourpany has branches over there, too. I can request ateral move overseas anytime as long as I pass the assessment, and if I want toe backter, I just apply for a transfer.¡± Sophia nodded. ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Take your time thinking it over. There¡¯s no rush. You still have time, Susan nced at her watch. ¡°You better hit the hay. I¡¯ve got to head to work.¡± Sophia nodded, hung up the phone, turned off the light, and was about to get some sleep when she remembered the project Susan had mentioned. Sophia and Susan didn¡¯t talk shop too often, but she had heard Susan vent about work stuff now and then. She remembered Susan was recently hustling for new tenants for the East Lake District shopping area. Sophia had visited their shoppingplex once. It was a mix of a mall and office buildings, with floors one through seven dedicated to retail, like any other mall, divided into various sections: arge supermarket, fashion area, kids zone, food court, sports section, and an entertainment lounge. They had pretty much filled themercial space, except for the floors above the mall. Thepany¡¯s n was to attract a hotel, aiming for a high-end shopping district feel, surrounded by a posh CBD area, part of the new urban center in the West district nning, so naturally, they had high standards for the hotel¡¯s star rating and reputation. The Starlight Group had its fingers in a lot of pies architectural design, real estate construction, resorts, hotels, entertainment, and more. But the only part of their operations that might intersect with Susan¡¯s job. Sophia guessed, was their hotel business. Starlight Hotel was a luxury business hotel brand tailored for the elite, a brainchild of Brandon himself, focusing on quality over quantity. It was a hot ticket for many shopping districts looking for hotel partnerships. The hotel¡¯s branding was indeed a match for the vibe Susan¡¯splex was going for. But Susan¡¯s tearn had its challenges, being a new district in the making. Whether they could sessfullynd the deal was still up in the air, a real test of the decision-makers¡¯ vision and guts. Hetet projects were tied to thepany¡¯s brand and image, and since it was Brandon¡¯s brainchild, Sophia figured he¡¯d want to have the final say. Given Brandon¡¯s busy schedule, it was unlikely he¡¯d be involved from the get-go. The project probably started with the Market Development Department. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. The Market Development Department. Sophia remembered seeing Hannah in Brandon¡¯s office the day she went to see him. The badge Hannah wore seemed to belong to the Market Development Department. If the project needed Hannah¡¯s initial screening Sophia thought for a moment then shot Susan a text [Are you talking about getting Starlight Hotel on board? If so, you might have to go through Hannah She just joined thepany at the start of the year, still pretty green and trying to find her footing I bet she¡¯s ying it safe right now, picking sure bets to prove her chops. Your project¡¯s got a long ROI horizon and is high-nsk I don¡¯t think Hannah would dare to take a gamble and send it up the chain. Yourpany might get axed right off the bat.] Susan had just wrapped up her prep when she saw the message and her heart skipped a beat. She immediately video called Sophia back Is Hannah in market expansion too?¡± If Hannah was the one handling it, setting aside investment returns and risks, Susan figured Hannah would toss out their proposal without a second nce, especially since she had royally ticked off Hannah back in their senior year of high school Back in the day, Hannah was the ss knockout, acing tests and turning heads with her good looks. She had everyone wrapped around her finger, which kind of went to her head She came off as a bit too cool for school, looking down on everyone Maybe she was just born with a chill vibe and wasn¡¯t keen on getting too chummy with folks. But Susan, young and feisty as she was didnt take too kindly to Hannah¡¯s nose-in-the-air attitude and couldn¡¯t help but needle her whenever she got the chance Things really got interesting when Sophia transferred in. She was so cute that you just can¡¯t help but like-sweet, demure and not one to toot her own hom She was the kind of girl that guys go gaga over Plus, she looked a bit younger than the rest so naturally, the spotlight started shifting from Hannah to Sophia. Susan took a shine to Sophia¡¯s down to earth personality and since Sophia turned out to be a secret brainiac, Susan shamelessly glued herself to Sophia, and soon they were BFFS Hannah, whether it was jealousy over Sophia stealing her thunder or because Susan kept poking her started giving Sophia the cold shoulder, treating her with disdain. Sophia ended up being desk mates with Hannah, and being the new kid, she had loads of questions about the new digs and its rules: Hannah would act all aloof, barely giving her the time of day, answering with a half-hearted nce and a frosty word here and there Susan fiercely protective, couldn¡¯t stand seeing Sophia treated like that and got even more sarcastic with Hannah, totally dissing her, which only deepened the bad blood between them. When they graduated, they didn¡¯t even bother saying goodbye Little did Susan expect that her high school shenanigans woulde back to bite her. As fate would have it, she was about to cross paths with Hannah once again. Sophia was in the know about the whole Susan versus Hannah saga and could hear Susan sounding like she hit rock bottom over the phone. She quickly tried to cheer her up. ¡°She¡¯s probably in the Market Development Department, but I might be wrong, and even if she is there, it doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯ll be the one dealing with you. Don¡¯t sweat it. Just wanted. to give you a heads-up¡± Still bummed, Susan said, ¡°I bet my bottom dor it¡¯s her. When I called, they told me to ask for Ms. Abbott. With so many Abbotts in the world, I never imagined it would be Hannah.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t matter even if it is her, trust me, Sophia reassured her. Tve scoped out your business district and kept tabs on the local policies and investment opportunities. That ce is set to be the new urban CBD, no doubt about it. If you can get the project to Brandon, you¡¯ve got it in the bag. The guy¡¯s got an eye for this stuff.¡± Susan¡¯s eyes lit up ¡°For real? ¡°For real,¡± Sophia nodded The tricky part is getting the project in front of Brandon. He¡¯s not one for backdoor deals, so he might not even look at it if you just hand it over But hispany¡¯s pretty clear- cut about who does what, and it¡¯s tough to jump the chain ofmand. So if your contact turns out to be Hannah and she shoots you down, my advice is to hit up Kent. He¡¯s technically Brandon¡¯s assistant, but he¡¯s basically the second inmand. The guy¡¯s got major clout and he¡¯s cut from the same cloth as Brandon-fair and square. If your pitch rocks, you¡¯re golden.¡± ¡°Kent? Susan didn¡¯t recognize the name, no bells ringing. Sophia said, I¡¯ll shoot you a picter Brandon¡¯s a junkie for the fresh brews at the coffee shop downstairs. The mant never skips his midday caffeine fix, doesn¡¯t even pause for a break. Kent usually heads down to grab his coffee around noon. You could try bumping into him ¡®identally on purpose, maybe drop some paperwork or something.¡± Susan looked thoughtful. ¡°You sure know a lot about Brandon¡¯s routines, even his office habits.¡± Sophia fell silent. Susan said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll stop teasing. Go get some rest, you can¡¯t be burning the midnight oil when you¡¯re pregnant. I¡¯ll head to the office and see what¡¯s what.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sophia nodded. ¡°Take care of yourself. Don¡¯t overdo it, and don¡¯t worry about keeping me company. I¡¯ve got this handled.¡± Susan threw an ¡°OK¡± sign and hung up, her demeanor shifting from the casual vibe with Sophia to serious business mode She put on her makeup with care and left for Starlight Group. Just as Sophia had guessed, the business development manager Susan had to deal with was indeed Hannah. When Hannah saw Susan, she was visibly taken aback, not expecting her to be the one showing up. ¡°Hey, long time no see, Susan said, mustering a smile, but it felt awkward no matter how she tried. Hannah gave her a cool once-over and cut straight to the chase. ¡°We both know what¡¯s what, no need to make things hard on yourself Talk about no sugarcoating Susan dropped the smile. ¡°You haven¡¯t changed a bit over the years.¡± Hannah said, ¡°Takes one to know one.¡± As they sat down across from each other, Hannah reached out. ¡°Let¡¯s see the proposal. If it¡¯s good, we¡¯ll talk. If not, let¡¯s not waste each other¡¯s time.¡± Susan handed it over without any fuss. Hannah gave the documents a cursory nce and handed them back. ¡°Sorry, but yourpany¡¯s area is uncertain right now. We need to think about ROI, and we¡¯re not entertaining this sort of thing at the moment.¡± Just like Sophia predicted. sans didn¡¯t bother lingering Thanks.¡± Chapter 18 Chapter 18 She stood to leave, but Hannah stopped her, ¡°Wait¡± Susan turned. ¡°Something else?¡± ¡°Just thought you¡¯d beg a little, given how much effort went into your proposal,¡± Hannahmented, eyeing the documents in her hand. Susan forced a grin. ¡°So, is this personal for you?¡± ¡®Not really Hannah replied bluntly ¡°I¡¯m just not sold on your business district. I don¡¯t see it pulling in crowds. The country¡¯s littered with these so-called ¡®new areas, but how many actually take off?¡± Susan sized her up. ¡°With that vision of yours, I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re not some corporate spy sent to tank Brandon¡¯s ¡°I¡¯m not that capable, Hannah shrugged Susan found some humor in the situation. ¡°Guess not. But seriously, how¡¯d yound a job at the Starlight Group? I heard it¡¯s tough to get in. Hannah gave her a look ¡°Guess I¡¯m just that good.¡± Susan cracked a wry smile. ¡°I thought with your business acumen, you must¡¯ve gotten in through the back door.¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Susanid it out. You¡¯re not here thanks to Brandon? ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± ¡°Plenty, Susan said, her smile fading as she locked eyes with Hannah. ¡°It affects the happiness of a good friend of mine. So, does it matter?¡± Hannah frowned. ¡°Sophia?¡± ¡°Yeah, Susan nodded. ¡°Didn¡¯t you know? They¡¯ve been married for two years. She saw Hannah¡¯s momentary shock. Susan couldn¡¯t tell if Hannah¡¯s surprise was simply because Brandon and Sophia were married, or that they¡¯d been married for two years, or maybe, just maybe, that Brandon had been ying her? She couldn¡¯t guess, and Hannah wasn¡¯t giving anything away. ¡°What¡¯s it got to do with me?¡± Hannah replied coldly. Susan observed her reaction and chuckled lightly. ¡°Nothing, really. But they just got divorced.¡± The surprise in Hannah¡¯s eyes seemed genuine. Susan still couldn¡¯t tell if her shock included any hint of involvement in Sophia and Brandon¡¯s marital woes. ¡°Is it any of your business?¡± Susan never beat around the bush in all the years she dealt with Hannah. She was always straight to the point, so, without mincing words, she asked her directly this time too. But Hannah, just like before, didn¡¯t give her a straight answer ¡°What gives you the right to grill me? What¡¯s it to you?¡± ¡°Forget it.¡± Susan wasn¡¯t in the mood to y cat and mouse. ¡°Hopefully, it¡¯s got nothing to do with me. Otherwise, it just shows Brandon¡¯s a total jerk and paints Sophia as having lousy taste in men. Better to keep some wishful thinking alive.¡± I¡¯m out.¡± She waved at Hannah breezily, turned on her heel, and left without a second nce. Hannah didn¡¯t call out to stop her, just stood there, unmoving As Susan reached the staircase and nced back at the meeting room, she noticed Hannah¡¯s stunningly beautiful face looking lost in thought Susen: had no clue what was running through her mind, nor did she care. Sophia had chosen to cut ties with Brandon, so om then on, who he married was none of her business. That was the thought, but Susan still felt a twinge of resentment towards Brandon. She couldn¡¯t fathom how he could let go so easily. If he didn¡¯t love her, why did he bother starting something in the first ce? That irritation quickened Susan¡¯s steps, her anger pounding through her feet, not paying attention to her surroundings. She turned around too quickly and bumped into someone, papers flying everywhere with a ¡°smack¡±. ¡°Sorry.¡± Susan quickly apologized, looking up as she did. When she saw Brandon¡¯s familiar handsome face, her apology abruptly got stuck in her throat. Kent, who was following behind Brandon, couldn¡¯t help but scold Susan. ¡°Hey, watch where you¡¯re going? The hallway¡¯s wide enough, how did you manage to barrel right into us?¡± Susan was already peeved at Brandon and shot back. ¡°Isn¡¯t this wide hallway where you guys ran into me too?¡± ¡°We were keeping to the right. Were you?¡± Susan was speechless. Kent wasn¡¯t done. ¡°Didn¡¯t you see we were in the middle of a discussion? And on a call? With our backs turned, who would expect someone toe charging from behind?¡± Susan fell silent. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Brandon, who had finished his call, put away his phone and nced at Kent. ¡°Kent!¡± Kent immediately shut it. Only then did Brandon turn to Susan. ¡°Sorry, I wasn¡¯t paying attention.¡± Susan wasn¡¯t one for making a scene, and at the sound of Brandon¡¯s deep, polite apology, she felt a bit embarrassed. ¡°No harm done, it was my fault. Muttering that, she bent down to pick up her papers. Brandon beat her to it, picked them up without a nce, and handed them back to her. ¡°Sorry.¡± Taking them back, Susan looked at him. ¡°Come on, we¡¯re all old ssmates, no need to be so formal, right?¡± Brandon gave a half-smile as a response, not taking her bait, still wearing that distant, cold demeanor he was known for. Susan chuckled, ¡°You really treat everyone the same, huh? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re like this with Sophia too.¡± As soon as she said it, she could sense Brandon¡¯s aura turn a shade colder. Kent behind him was blinking furiously at Susan, signaling her to drop the subject of Sophia. Confused, Susan nced at him and then remembered the proposal in her hand. She¡¯d already bumped into them, might as well seize the opportunity. ¡°Oh, right, I¡¯m the Market Development Manager at Celestial Synergy. We¡¯re sincerely inviting your hotel brand to join our shopping district. Mr. Crawley, take a look, will you? Our ce is really well-suited for a hotel.¡± This project isn¡¯t my responsibility, Brandon cut her off, pushing the proposal back at her, ¡°You should try our Market Development Department. They¡¯ll weigh it.¡± After a brief apologetic nod, he stepped past her and walked away. Susan pursed her lips, exhaled deeply, and mumbled to herself, ¡°Sophia really called it.¡± Brandon paused mid-step, a moment of silence hanging. He turned back to look at her. ¡°What did she say?¡± Susan looked at Brandon in surprise. Brandon stood still, waiting for her answer. Susan snapped back to reality. ¡°Oh, she said you hate backdoor dealings and nepotism, so going directly to you would be pointless.¡± Brandon gave her a look, his eyes slowly dropping to the proposal in her hands, then extended his hand towards her. Give it to me Susan was stunned Chapter 19 Chapter 19 In the office, Kent couldn¡¯t help but sneak peeks at Brandon in the inner office now and then. After looking over at him, he couldn¡¯t resist giving Susan the once over, his eyes scrutinizing her until she got ticked off, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± She was still miffed about running into him earlier and his incessant babbling. Kent shot back, not in the best mood either. ¡°You sure know how to backdoor your way in with finesse.¡± ¡°That¡¯s got nothing to do with me. I didn¡¯t dare dream of sneaking through your boss¡¯s backdoor He¡¯s the one who came to me asking for the papers Susan found it odd recalling how Brandon reacted when she mentioned Sophia earlier, not at all like he was indifferent about Sophia. She pondered for a moment, then leaned in closer to Kent, lowering her voice, ¡°Hey, let me ask you something, how were things between your boss and his wife before?¡± Kent nced at her, ¡°Why the nosiness? ¡°Just curious She leaned in closer again, ¡°Come on, spill it. ¡°No clue Susan was speechless. So much for her little investigation. ¡°But, Kent eyed her, you sure have a knack for picking your moments. Mr. Crawley never used to give anyone special treatment before.¡± Susan said. Not even Sophia? ¡°You¡¯d have to ask Mr. Crawley about that. Kent stroked his chin, Sophia never asked Mr. Crawley for any favors. Who knows if he¡¯d make an exception for her? Maybe he¡¯s been secretly hoping Sophia woulde to him¡± Susan drew out her voice in disbelief, Pssh ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to dismiss it. Didn¡¯t you notice? The moment you brought up Sophia, his attitude shifted Susan scoffed at him, ¡°That¡¯s not a change in attitude. It just shows your boss is still sore about being dumped by Sophia and can¡¯t get over the blow to his ego.¡± Kent rolled his eyes, not in the mood to argue. Having worked with Brandon for so many years, Kent knew pride wasn¡¯t that high on Brandon¡¯s list Inside, Brandon had finished reviewing the proposal and hit the inte to Kent¡¯s desk Send Ms. Cooper in.¡± Kent hung up and looked at Susan, ¡°Ms Cooper, Mr Crawley would like to see you¡± Susan eyed Kent suspiciously, then nced towards Brandon¡¯s office before heading over and knocking on the door. ¡°Come in.¡± A deep and cool voice came from inside Susan pushed the door and entered. Brandon turned to look at her, ¡°I¡¯ve looked over your proposal, and I think the area has potential. There¡¯s room for partnership Susan looked surprised, ¡°So, do you agree to coborate?¡± didn¡¯t say that.¡± Susan kept silence ¡°That¡¯s just my personal opinion, but the final decision on whether we¡¯ll go ahead with the partnership still needs to be evaluated by the Investment department.¡± Susan nodded. ¡°No problem.¡± She asked further, ¡°When can I expect a response from you guys?¡± ¡°Two weeks¡± Susan frowned, two weeks to get a response, plus the time it would take to finalize contracts, it could take months to seal the deal. This timeline was too lengthy, and she was a bit uneasy about Sophia. ¡°Could we speed things up a bit? Susan asked, adding with a buttered-up smile, ¡°My colleagues are all vying for other clients, and I don¡¯t want to lose out on a head start.¡± Brandon looked up at her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, business has its fate too. If it does get snatched away, then it means the Starlight Group and yourpany weren¡¯t meant to be¡± Susan realized that he was indirectly hinting that he wasn¡¯t that interested in their business proposal. Susan couldn¡¯t tell if Brandon was genuinely uninterested or if it was just business talk. She couldn¡¯t quite read Brandon¡¯s mind and didn¡¯t dare appear too anxious, so she chuckled, ¡°True, I¡¯ll just wait for the good news from you! then While she said this, she couldn¡¯t help but rant to Sophia about Brandon once she got home that evening. Sophia didn¡¯t really want any more news about Brandon, but she patiently listened to Susan¡¯s rant. When Susan mentioned the investment department needing to evaluate, Sophia frowned. Susan, ever so perceptive, instantly noticed the subtle change in Sophia¡¯s mood, ¡°Any problem?¡± Sophia shook her head slightly, ¡°Not really. But Brandon himself has absolute decision-making power. He could settle the whole Starlight Hotel deal on his own, no need to go through anyone or any department.¡± Susan stood up, So, was Brandon intentionally stalling me?¡± ¡°Probably not. Why would he stall you for no reason? If he¡¯s not interested, he¡¯d just say no.¡± Then, Susan thought for a bit, ¡°Is he interested?¡± Sophia couldn¡¯t be sure, I don¡¯t know. He¡¯s always been decisive and straightforward. If he was interested, he would have made the decision on the spot, not left it to the investment department to grind over for half a month. Now Susan was confused too, Then what¡¯s his deal?¡± Sophia spread her hands, indicating she was just as clueless about Brandon¡¯s agenda. Susan was even more baffled. She thought she¡¯d be out of the picture once the project was handed over to the investment department, but instead. she found herself summoned to the Starlight Group for discussions every day, as if they were very interested in their business district, bombarding her with questions daily. The liaison for these talks was Kent, and they took ce either in his office¡¯s conference room or the VIP reception room. So, unsurprisingly, Susan bumped into Brandon day after day, seeing him more times than she had in the past two yearsbined. She and Sophia were like two peas in a pod, and with her job having her run around all over the ce year-round, it was pretty standard for her to duck out of work to hang with Sophia or hit her up during the holidays. But even on those days off or weekends, the chances of bumping into Brandon were slim to none. She couldn¡¯t figure out if Brandon was seriously a workaholic who never took a break or if he was purposely dodging her visits to give her and Sophia some space. But let¡¯s be real, in the past two years, Susan hadn¡¯t exactly been seeing a lot of Brandon. Lately, she had noticed that Brandon seemed to be keeping tabs on her. In the past, even if he was home and she oppped over, he¡¯d do nothing more than toss a polite hey her way before scooting off to his room. But now, although he was not saying he, she had caught him throwing nces her way amidst his busyness, his eyes always looking a tat pensive. ¡°You reckon Brandon¡¯s caught some serious bugtely?¡± In the afternoon, during a break from munching, Susan couldn¡¯t help but gripe to Sophia over a WhatsApp video call, ¡°Dragging me to their company every day. Can¡¯t they just get their act together,y it all out at once and deal with it in one go?¡± Having wrapped up her talks and with lunchtime upon her, Susan couldn¡¯t be bothered to cook at home. So she just stepped out of Starlight Group and hit up the restaurant downstairs to settle her hunger. Sophia was also out grabbing a bite and told her, ¡°You could just talk to him about it.¡± ¡°I brought it up already, no dice. The big boss loves to run people ragged¡± Susan switched her phone to the other hand and looked up to see Brandon and Kent returning from outside, with Hannah trailing behind. Hannah was clutching a folder, her stunningly beautiful face all business, seemingly reporting something to Brandon as you could tell from the way her lips moved that her speech was measured and well-paced. Brandon still had that same cool, detached expression, not looking at Hannah but obviously listening intently. Susan found the whole scene a bit too much to stomach, muttered a ¡°catch youter¡± to Sophia, and hung up before sneakily snapping a photo with her phone. Maybe Brandon had a sixth sense because he suddenly turned his head her way. The sharpness in his dark eyes sent a wave of panic and awkwardness through Susan, but she quickly regainedposure, pretended she hadn¡¯t seen him, and shielded her face with her phone as if she was deep into some game. Brandon turned to Kent and muttered, ¡°You guys go on in.¡± Kent nodded, ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°But, Hannah hesitated, throwing Brandon a look as if wanting to say something but ultimately biting her tongue and nodding obediently, ¡°Okay.¡± Her gaze unintentionally swept over Susan, still ¡°focused¡± on her phone, before she turned away and followed Kent into the building. Brandon started walking toward Susan. Susan kept her eyes glued to her phone, oblivious to theings and goings of the others. Thinking Brandon andpany had left, she casually put down her phone and nced in the direction where Brandon, Kent, and Hannah had been standing, only catching a glimpse of Hannah and Kent¡¯s backs disappearing through the doorway. She patted her chest in embarrassment and, as her gaze swept back over the phone on the table, noticed the screen. still disyed the snapshot she¡¯d just taken. Whether it was her mad photography skills or Hannah¡¯s tantly obvious gaze at Brandon, the admiration and infatuation in her eyes were unmasked. That old irksome feeling toward Hannah crept up on Susan, just like back in their younger days. She was one to quickly let off steam, so without a second thought, she shot the picture over to Sophia along with a text. [Check out the way Hannah¡¯s looking at Brandon. I¡¯d bet my bottom dor there was something going on between them before.] When Susan¡¯s phone pinged with a WhatsApp notification, Sophia picked it up and instantly saw the photo of Brandon and Hannah. There he was, Brandon in his usual sharp ck suit, looking as tall and majestic as ever with his familiar cold, aloof vibe. The guy stood out like a sore thumb, his six-foot-something frame and perfect body proportionsplemented by a chiseled profile that cut a particrly striking figure against theN?velDrama.Org owns this text. night. It was the Brandon she knew all too well, the one whose photo made her heart wrench in a way she couldn¡¯t control. Sophia didn¡¯t want to know anything more about Brandon, his work, his life, or his romantic developments She deleted the photo and sent Susan a text. [He¡¯s single now, free to choose the life he wants. Don¡¯t fret about it too much) After a moment¡¯s thought, she added another line. (I can give you a hand with work stuff, but let¡¯s not talk about Brandon anymore. Honestly, I¡¯d rather not know anything about him] Chapter 20 Chapter 20 san froze for a second when she got the message, then it hit her like a ton of bricks that sending that pic to Sophia was a no go. She had already chosen to study abroad to dodge any news about Brandon, giving herself some breathing room to gradually get over everything to do with him. Yet, here she was, unknowingly stirring the pot. [Alight she shot back a quick reply to Sophia, keeping it short and sweet Being as tight as thieves, she knew Sophia wasn¡¯t ticked off and didn¡¯t need an apology a simple chat would do the trick. Sophia replied with an emoji smile just as fast no long-winded message, but it was an unspoken agreement to let sleeping dogs he Susan couldn¡¯t help but smile back at Sophia¡¯s emoji, zoning out while staring at her phone screen until a shadow seemed to over it On autopilot she looked up and was caught off guard by Brandon standing right in front of her. Brandon stood there, his tall frame and his chilly vibe instantly making her feel like she was in the hot seat. shed an awkward grin. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t say a word, just reached out his hand. Give it to me.¡± Juh Susan was puzzled ¡°Give you what? The photo The one you just snapped Brandon rified. Susan was in silence Brandon didn¡¯t rush her, just watched her calmly and patiently, his hand still outstretched. Despite not being pushy, the bottomless calm in his eyes put Susan under a ton of pressure. As if on autopilot, her hand holding the phone hesitated before handing it over When the cool touch of the phone hit his palm, Brandon nced at her. ¡°Thanks¡± he said already focusing on the phone in his hand. As his deep pleasant voice filled the air, Susan snapped back to her senses. Her phone screen was still on the WhatsApp chat with Sophia N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Wait a sec¡±¡± she blurted out, reaching to snatch her phone back, but it was toote. Brandon had already seen Sophia¡¯s WhatsApp response She could clearly see his gaze linger on the screen, his usuallyposed face turning frosty, the peaceful aura around him chilling just a tad. ¡°Uh¡± Susan forced a smile, her hand trembling as she reached for the phone in his grip, trying to pull it back, but it didn¡¯t budge Brandon didn¡¯t scroll through the chat history. He just stared at the two lines on the screen. Sophia. [He¡¯s single now, free to choose the life he wants. Don¡¯t fret about it too much.] i can give you a hand with work stuff, but let¡¯s not talk about Brandon anymore. Honestly, I¡¯d rather not know anything about him.] Above that was the message Susan had sent to Sophia not long before [Check out the way Hannah¡¯s looking at Brandon. I¡¯d bet my bottom dor there was something going on between them before.] Above the text, the shadow of the photo was faintly visible Brandon clicked on the photo, nced at it, and put it away, his face still calm as he stared at Sophia¡¯s two sentences. Susan also noticed where Brandon¡¯s gazended in his eyes and wanted to kick herself for handing over the phone intimidating look,pletely forgetting to exit the chat. She couldn¡¯t tell if Brandon was more bothered by her rant or Sophia¡¯s reply, she just couldn¡¯t read him. h you okay? Susan cautiously watched his expression, asking hesitantly, ¡°I was just shooting the breeze, don¡¯t take it As she spoke, her hand, shaky as a leaf, reached for the phone in his palm again. Before her fingertips could touch it, Brandon had already turned the phone off and tossed it back to her. ¡°Where is she?¡¯ he suddenly asked, his voice very cool. Susan didn¡¯t know what to say Chapter 21 Chapter 21 She eyed Brandon cautiously, trying to gauge his mood. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Sophia,¡± he said, his handsome faceposed, not bothering with any fake pleasantries. Susan frowned. ¡°You looking for her for something?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t answer, just looked at her, repeating his question: ¡°Where is she?¡± Susan shook her head quickly ¡°I don¡¯t know¡± Afraid that Brandon might not believe her, she quickly added, ¡°I really don¡¯t know She just went that way, we haven¡¯t been in touch, I really don¡¯t know her address. Susan continued, ¡°you¡¯ve got phones and WhatsApp, right? If you wanna find her, just shoot her a message But as soon as the words left her mouth, she saw Brandon¡¯s expression go nk again. He didn¡¯t say anything more, didn¡¯t even ask her to delete the photo, just gave her a look and turned to leave. Susan didn¡¯t know what did she do wrong, but watching his cold silhouette, she couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Brandon.¡± Brandon stopped in his tracks but didn¡¯t turn around. Susan still looking at his back, asked, ¡°You looking for Sophia for something?¡± ¡°Nothing ¡°You¡¯ve seen her messages too. If it¡¯s nothing, then don¡¯t bother her anymore, okay? You¡¯ve both chosen to let bygones be bygones, so just leave it at that. Brandon didn¡¯t respond. Susan saw his deep-set side profile tighten slightly, a bit cold, but he said nothing, neither good nor bad, just walked away, his figure distant and chilly. Susan was clueless about what Brandon was thinking and worried that her words might have blown a potential contract too, but since Sophia said she didn¡¯t want to know about Brandon¡¯s whereabouts, she blocked any messages that came through for Sophia. She thought this deal was going to fall through too, but to her surprise, two dayster, Kent suddenly informed her that Starlight Hotel had agreed toe on board, telling her to start preparing the contract. The surprise was so unexpected, Susan thought she was dreaming and couldn¡¯t help but confirm with Kent over and over, ¡°Mr Crawley really greenlit this project?¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Or what?¡± Kent, losing patience with the repeated confirmations, said, ¡°You think I¡¯ve got nothing better to do?¡± ¡°No, no, it¡¯s not that I just want to double-check,¡± Susan quickly appeased, not wanting to annoy the big shot, and couldn¡¯t help but probe further, ¡°Didn¡¯t Mr. Crawley say before that it needed to go through the investment department for evaluation? Did it pass the review?¡± ¡°Mr. Crawley made the call himself, no need for the investment department. ¡°Hold on.¡± Susan paused, ¡°If Mr. Crawley can make the call himself, why did we have to go through that process before? ¡°How should I know?¡± Kent was just as confused. If Brandon could make the decision himself, why bother with the process? ¡°He works in mysterious ways, Kent added, ¡°Maybe he just didn¡¯t take a shine to you?¡± He might have spoken too loudly because just as he finished, he saw Brandon nce his way from the office. Kent sat up straight and covered the phone¡¯s mouthpiece, lowering his voice, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve let you know. You guys get the contract ready too, grinding out the details is gonna take some elbow grease.¡± ¡°Goth; thanks, Kent. The voice on the other end was chipper as she cooed a ¡°Kent Kent wasn¡¯t used to Susan¡¯s sharine tone and shuddered involuntarily. ¡°Gotta go.¡± With that, Kent hung up without another word, and after the call, he couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon Brandon was still looking at him, and with a nod of his chin toward the room, he motioned Kent toe in Kent didn¡¯t know if his rambling with Susan had been overheard by Brandon or what, but he knocked on the door with trepidation ¡°Mr. Crawley, you wanted to see me? ¡°Yeah Brandon nodded slightly, picked up a folder from the top left corner of his desk, flipped through it, nced at Kent. ¡°Who¡¯s currently in charge of managing the Starlight Hotel¡¯s Ephemoran branchy?¡± Kent was somewhat puzzled. Isn¡¯t it Darcy?¡± Darcy was the regional general manager in charge of the Ephemoran branch, personally appointed by Brandon Kent didn¡¯t understand why Brandon was asking this out of the blue Brandon tossed the file in front of him. ¡°If it¡¯s Darcy in charge, then where is he during all the important meetings and events? Kent, taken aback, caught the file Brandon threw over. There were two reports-one was a financial statement and work report from the Ephemoran branch of Starlight Hotel, which seemed fine. The other was a more detailed report from a third-party perspective,plete with photos of work at important meetings and events Comparing the two, Darcy was prominently in the group photos from the Ephemoran branch, always front and center. But in the unknown report. Darcy was nowhere to be found in any of the actual work scenes, whether he just happened to be absent or wasn¡¯t there at all. Kent didn¡¯t know where the second report came from-whether Brandon had heard something beforehand and arranged for an investigation, whether it was a whistleblower, or if someone was plotting to rece Darcy After running through various spections in his mind, Kent looked cautiously at Brandon: ¡°Mr. Crawley, is there a problem with Mr. Darcy?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Brandon said, reaching for the file in Kent¡¯s hand, flipping through it casually, then closing it and tossing it aside as he stood up. ¡°Book me a flight to Wye City.¡± Kent hesitated, ¡°Mr. Crawley, you¡¯re going to investigate in person?¡± The thought alone made Kent feel like something was off. Starlight Group was a behemoth, and although Starlight Hotel was a brand Brandon had personally brought to life, it had been on the right track for some time now. The operations were stable, growth was steady and on the rise, and Brandon had already established aprehensive management system. There was no need for him to micromanage anymore. Even if problems cropped up, there were people on hand to supervise and investigate. Brandon didn¡¯t need to swoop in personally. On the flip side, Brandon had been focusing on expanding the architectural design businesstely, and the main action was still at the headquarters in Zenitha. That¡¯s where Brandon was really needed. With this in mind, Kent couldn¡¯t help buty it on thick, trying to persuade him, ¡°Mr. Crawley, you don¡¯t need to go there yourself. Just send someone to check it out, will ya? Thepany has a whole department for investigation and oversight. Mr. Twist or Mr Keith are old hands at this and totally trustworthy No need to worry. Or, if you¡¯re not at ease. I can go on your behalf. The HQ here is swamped with work, and Ephemora is a trek. I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll run yourself ragged flying back and forth.¡± ¡°I have my reasons, Brandon said, paying no mind to Kent¡¯s heartfelt advice and already refocusing on hisputer, fingers dancing swiftly across the keyboard, Just book the flight!¡± Kent, frowning, tried to continue persuading him, but Brandon suddenly turned his head and shot him a look that carried e silent warning of ¡°Cut the crap/ Kent was startled into alertness and btedly remembered something¨CSophia was in Wye City too! Suppressing his bubbling suspicions, he looked at Brandon, and their gazes identally met. Kent recoiled as if shocked and quickly averted his eyes, obediently responding. Alright, I get on it right away¡± Chapter 22 Chapter 22 After Sophia told Susan that she didn¡¯t want to hear about Brandon¡¯s recent situation, Susan really kept her word and didn¡¯t bring him up again, not even his name. Instead, she mentioned that her coboration with Starlight Group had gone through evaluation and was now in the contract phase. Though there were always twists and turns before a contract was finalized, Sophia was genuinely thrilled for Susan. These days, Sophia had officiallypleted her enrollment procedures, and life was slowly getting back on track. She was also gradually getting used to life and culture in Ephemora. The only thing she hadn¡¯t quite adjusted to was her severe morning sickness; it was like whatever she ate came right back up, leaving her already frail body feeling even weaker Sophia only realized how bad her health was after herst pregnancy. She wondered if it had anything to do with frostbite she suffered as a child. Back then, she was left in the freezing wilderness for days. After Haley picked her up and brought her home, he was often away working and couldn¡¯t look after her much They weren¡¯t well-off, and Laura¡¯s educational level and love for her were limited. Back in those days, people didn¡¯t really understand the concept of scientific parenting. There was no special effort made to nurse her health, it was a matter of surviving, and if not, well, that was that But Sophia had a tough spirit. Despite frequently falling ill as a child and never being taken to the hospital unless it was really serious, Laura would only take her to a clinic to get some medicine or an antibiotic drip. Once she seemed a bit better, Laura would leave her be, and Sophia managed to survive all those bouts of illness. Before, Sophia never paid attention to health and wellness info and didn¡¯t know much about her own physical condition. She just knew she was often sickly, with a weak immune system and a delicate stomach-eating anything slightly cold would upset it-but she never knew it was this bad. Her first pregnancy was just like now, with severe morning sickness, and she kept eating and throwing up, losing weight until she barely weighed over a hundred pounds Pregnancy was excruciating for her, her body just couldn¡¯t handle the hormonal changes it brought on. And it¡¯s the same story now. As she looked at the mess she¡¯d just thrown up in the sink, Sophia sighed, resignedly turned on the faucet, and rinsed out the basin. Then, patting her empty stomach, she settled back at the dining table to continue eating, despite feeling queasy. Her phone was right there on the table, still on a video call with Susan. They had been chatting when the nausea hit, and Sophia couldn¡¯t help but rush to the bathroom to hurl. Susan was freaking out, and when Sophia sat back down, she bombarded her with questions: How are you feeling? Any better? Should we go to the hospital, or should I get Ivan to check on you?¡± ¡°No, Sophia quickly intervened, ¡°I barely know the guy, let¡¯s not bother him all the time. I¡¯m fine.¡± Sophia and Ivan, although living in the same building, had their own lives. After a brief encounter when she moved in, they hadn¡¯t interacted much, only crossing paths asionally in the lobby for a quick hello, or sometimes coincidentally walking to ss together-they were in the same ss, after all. Sophia didn¡¯t know why Ivan chose to return to school so many years after graduating, especially at a time when it was said that he was sessful Probably just life choices for different stages. Susan nodded, ¡°Alright then. Just take care of yourself, and let me know right away if anything¡¯s wrong I know we shouldn¡¯t impose on people too much, but when you¡¯re abroad and something sudden ¡°Yeah, yeah, I got it. I¡¯m feeling much better now, Sophia said, showing her a spoonful of soup and sipping it down in front of her. ¡°I can still handle this This was already an improvementpared to her first pregnancy, when it was a never-ending cycle of eating and voriting, which left her body wasted. didn¡¯t know if Brandon had been freaked out by her state back then, but he definitely seemed nervous, taking a long leave from work to stay with her. They even hired a nutritionist and a chef to prepare special meals for her but sadly her stomach was too sensitive to absorb anything. At least now, after throwing up, she could manage to eat a little bit. Sophia felt that this was somewhat thanks to Brandon¡¯s careful care over the past two years. Even though he was busy with work and rarely at home, he always paid close attention to her diet and would check in on the meal ns the nutritionist had set up. He¡¯d even make surprise visits to see if she was following the diet strictly So, Sophia didn¡¯t have any hard feelings towards Brandon-she was actually grateful. If it weren¡¯t for the messy and suffocating issues between their families that made her feel trapped in her marriage without an outlet, she wouldn¡¯t have minded continuing to live life alongside himn. Now, although her life wasn¡¯t as affluent as before, at least she didn¡¯t have to worry about whether she was doing well enough or if a wrong word might cause Brandon trouble or lead to misunderstandings. She didn¡¯t have to cater to someone else¡¯s emotions, could do whatever she wanted, and it was liberating andfortable Except for her still disappointing health Sophia¡¯s hand instinctively pressed against her churning stomach. Susan, noticing something was off, asked, ¡®Feeling sick again?¡± Sophia could only nod, ¡°I gotta hang up. She didn¡¯t finish her sentence; the rising urge to vomit sent her dashing back to the bathroom. It was another violent episode of retching, leaving Sophia with an aching gut, a bitter taste in her mouth, and tears nearly forced out by reflex. When she finally recovered, she washed her face, rinsed her mouth, and was about to spit out the water when she felt a dull pain in her lower abdomen. Her hand trembled as she held the cup, an unexined panic setting in. Wondering whether she had overdone it with the vomiting, or if it was something else, she didn¡¯t waste any time. Pulling up her clothes, she saw a faint trace of blood, which left her mind nk for a second. But she quickly composed herself, changed her clothes, grabbed her phone, and hailed a cab to the hospital. The hospital was just a few minutes¡¯ drive from where she lived. After a thorough check-up, the doctor told her it was just a slight spotting. ¡°Ms. Yearwood, your pregnancy is looking a bit shaky right now, and there¡¯s a real risk of miscarriage. Once you get home, you gotta chill out and watch what you eat. Keep up with the nutrition and don¡¯t even think about lifting heavy stuff, the kind-faceddy doc said earnestly, giving Sophia the lowdown. Sophia hesitated a moment before nodding. ¡°Okay¡± Stepping out of the hospital, dusk had already set in. Not many folks on the sidewalk, the autumn breeze whisked up fallen leaves, casting a hauntingly beautiful yet bleak vibe over the street. Sophia gazed at the unfamiliar street corners, that lost and wandering feeling creeping back up on her. Her reflection on the shop window looked worn and fragile. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if this was just the kick-off or if her body was still getting the hang of this whole pregnancy thing. If things kept going south, juggling school and work would be the least of her worries. She fretted that in such shape. holding onto the baby might not even be in the cards. And even if luck was on her side and the baby stayed put, could she, in such poor shape, give enough nutrients to the little one? Could she ensure a healthy start for her child? Thinking back to herst pregnancy, every off-the-chart test result was a real scare. Being pregnant was like a never-ending level-up game, each step a brutal survival of the fittest. came with them Truth be told, Sophia was scared stiff of facing those test results, and the life-or-death calls that ca Whatever choice she made was a huge gamble st time, she lost that bet. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if she was up for rolling the dice again Letting out a long sigh, Sophia looked away, hands stuffed into her coat pockets as she pulled her coat tighter around her. She took slow steps forward, nning to hail a cab up ahead. As she turned the comer, the ¡°Starlight Hotel¡± sign caught her eye unexpectedly, and she paused, looking up at the hotel without really meaning to. Chapter 23 Chapter 23 The hotel was d in steel-gray ss, a skyscraper with over fifty floors that exuded grandeur and high-ss sophistication, matching its brand positioning to a tee. Outside the hotel cars came and went Through the revolving ss doors, stylishly dressed folks were constantlying in and out, with the clientele primarily consisting of young men and women Sophia and Brandon had been married for quite some time now, but they had never stayed at the Starlight Hotel. She hadn¡¯t even set foot inside All she knew was that the Starlight Hotel brand was Brandon¡¯s efforts back in his university days. While everyone else was still patting themselves on the back for making it through the exams and kicking back, while they were busy gaming, dating or joining clubs, Brandon was already diving headfirst into the family biz on top of his studies. He built the Starlight Hotel brand from the ground up, and in just a few years, he turned it into a world-ss luxury hotel chain it was his golden ticket to taking the helm as the big boss of Starlight Group. Back home. Sophia hadn¡¯t seen much of Starlight Hotel-not because there were few of them, but because she hadn¡¯t been out much in the past couple of years. And now, in this foreignnd, stumbling upon a Starlight Hotel felt like a warm hug Seeing familiar words on a street sign amidst a sea of foreignnguages can give her that fuzzy feeling, all the more so when the brand had a special ce in her life. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile, her wandering heart finding a touch of sce in this familiarity, and she found herself drawn towards the hotel The valets and the front desk staff at the entrance were Zenithans As Sophia approached, the security guard greeted her, Wee.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Sophia responded with a smile, findingfort here. She didn¡¯t go in, just peeked inside, and the sight of familiar Zenithan faces deepened the sense of nostalgia, as if she were back home, settling her restless heart even more. The parking valet, noticing she didn¡¯t seem to be heading in, asked with a grin, ¡°Miss, looking for someone?¡± Sophia shook her head and smiled, ¡°Nope, just passing by and thought I¡¯d take a gander.¡± The valet smiled back. Feel free toe in and look around. Our hotel offers a free rest area and afternoon tea.¡± ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ll pass, Sophia smiled, declined politely, and bid farewell to the valet. As she turned to leave, a ck Cayenne slowly drove past her. As it brushed by, Sophia instinctively nced inside the car, and her gaze froze Brandon, who was in the driver¡¯s seat, happened to turn his head at the same time. Their eyes locked in mid-air. There was no npple in Brandon¡¯s deep gaze. After looking at her, he slowly shifted his gaze back to the road ahead, his chiseled profile cool and detached. Sophia calmly withdrew her gaze as well and continued walking. Brandon nced at her in the rearview mirror. In the condensed reflection, Sophia had reached the corner and was hailing a taxi. Brandon tumed his face away, his hand on the steering wheel drawing back before nimbly turning it, and the car headed towards Sophia. Sophia watched as taxi after taxi passed by without any intentions of stopping. Her ce wasn¡¯t far from here, if it were the old days, she¡¯d just walk back But she was in the early stages of pregnancy and didn¡¯t dare to walk too much. After failing to g down a couple of texts, she hesitated and couldn¡¯t help but check her watch, then looked towards home, contemting whether to just hoot it. The unexpected sighting of Brandon had left her a bit shaken, despite her calm exterior, and she didn¡¯t want to nger, though Brandon might have already entered the hote! Still undecided, Sophia turned to leave when the familiar ck Cayenne suddenly screeched to a halt beside her, its window rolling down to reveal Brandon¡¯s cool and indifferent handsome face. ¡°Where to?¡± he asked, his voice as deep and mellow as Sophia remembered, steady as ever Sophia was caught off guard, gesturing vaguely towards home, ¡°Oh, I¡¯m heading home.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you a lift, Brandon said, with a click the car door unlocked, ¡°Get in¡± Sophia instinctively declined, ¡°No need, it¡¯s just around the corner¡± But Brandon repeated firmly, ¡°Get in His tone was still even and calm, but themanding presence in his voice softened Sophia¡¯s resolve. ¡°Really, it¡¯s not necessary. Sophia¡¯s voice softened involuntarily. ¡°I¡¯m just around the corner¡± Instead of replying, Brandon leaned over, opened the passenger door, and then looked at her, ¡°Get in.¡± Sophia hesitated, looking at him. Brandon didn¡¯t rush her, just patiently waited, giving off the vibe that he wouldn¡¯t leave until she got in the car Sophia, being soft-hearted and mild-tempered, had never had a row with Brandon, not even when they divorced-it was all very amicable. She couldn¡¯t muster the energy to throw a tantrum, and under Brandon¡¯s calm and deep gaze, she eventually caved in, opened the door, and got into the car Brandon turned to her, ¡°Where are you staying?¡± Sophia pointed ahead and gave him the address. It was close by, and in no time at all, Brandon pulled up in front of her apartment building. Brandon surveyed the surroundings, then looked up at the apartmentplex, noting that it seemed nice, especially the security, which looked pretty safe. Sophia unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to him, and thanked him, ¡°I¡¯m here, thanks for the ride. ¡°You¡¯re wee, Brandon replied, also unbuckling his seatbelt. Sophia didn¡¯t understand why he was unbuckling, and said instinctively, ¡°It¡¯s fine, you can go on with your day¡± After that, she opened the door and stepped out. But Brandon didn¡¯t drive away as she had suggested; instead, he got out of the car too, looked up at the apartment building, and then at her. ¡°Living solo?¡± he asked Sophia nodded, ¡°Yep, riding solo for now.¡± Guess if she decided to keep the kid around, she would have to upgrade to a two-bed or a three-bed and hire a nanny Brandon¡¯s brows furrowed, and he shot her a look, kinda on purpose. Sophia felt a bit thrown off by his gaze. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± she asked. ¡°Nothing. Brandon said, looking at her. ¡°Mind if I take a peek upstairs?¡± Sophia forced a smile. ¡°It¡¯s not really convenient, you know?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Sophia found herself at a loss for words, just feeling like she didn¡¯t want to get too tangled up with him. Brandon was still expectant waiting for her to spill the beans. it¡¯s just, you know, a guy and a gal alone together doesn¡¯t seem quite right, Sophia blurted out, and immediately felt her excuse was a bit off, considering they had been husband and wife for two years and had seen every inch of each other Brandon looked at her. ¡°You got hitched?¡± Sophia shook her head in confusion: ¡°Nope.¡± She didn¡¯t get why he was asking. ¡°Got a boyfriend?¡± Sophia just shook her head nkly again: ¡°Nada.¡± ¡°So what¡¯s the big deal? You know I¡¯m not that kind of quy.¡± Sophia waspletely speechless once more Brandon was already reaching out to her ¡°Gimme the keys¡± His words were like a spell, and before Sophia knew it, she had obediently handed over her keys. ¡°How¡¯d you end up here?¡± she asked, trying to break the awkward silence in the elevator. Brandon replied simply. ¡°Business trip.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Ah Then theypsed back into a long silence. Sophia was used to this kind of quiet, hands casually stuffed in her coat pockets, standing ramrod straight, eyes calmly fixed ahead totally able to ignore Brandon. But then, out of the blue, he nced at her: ¡°Settling in okay over here?¡± Sophia was taken aback, then nodded: ¡°Yeah, pretty settled. Brandon nodded back and said no more. The elevator stopped on Sophia¡¯s fifteenth floor. Brandon held back the elevator doors, letting her out first before following This was something Brandon always did when they were together, like how he¡¯d instinctively stand on the traffic side when crossing the street, or how he¡¯d open the car door for her before heading to the driver¡¯s seat Sophia didn¡¯t know if these gentlemanly gestures were just his habit with everyone or just with her, she never had the chance topare. Out of the elevator, Brandon unlocked the door and stepped into the ce first, with Sophia trailing behind. She watched as he flicked on the light and scanned the not-so-spacious room. Sophia stayed quiet, not wanting to interrupt, as she leaned against the wall and changed her shoes by the door. Brandon turned around just in time to see her slip off her ts, his gaze pausing before looking at her. ¡°Why the ts? I remember you weren¡¯t into them.¡± Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Sophia¡¯s band twitched as she switched shoes, but she quicklyposed herself Slipping into her slippers, she looked up at him and exined. ¡°Got a hands on ss today, heading to the construction site Walking in heels would be a nightmare, so I swapped them for ts Brandon¡¯s gazended on the trench coat she was wearing ¡°A trench coat to a construction site?¡± ¡°Well Sophia¡¯s voice hitched. ¡°We change into our uniforms at school before heading to the site. We gotta dress the part, you know Brandon gave her a skeptical look but didn¡¯t press further Sophia squashed the nervous flutter and dawdled over her shoes, hanging up her bag filled with medicine and medical reports at the entryway. As she withdrew her hand, she couldn¡¯t help but second quess herself and cast an anxious nce at Brandon Brandon¡¯s attention had already shifted to the room Sophia¡¯s ce was a simple studio apartment The kitchen and bathroom were side by side at the entrance. Beyond that was a makeshift living area with a small sofa and coffee table, and further in was a bed and a closed-off balcony. The interior was clean and bright decorated in a refreshing Nordic style with a hint of countryside charm. Sophia¡¯s living habits, much like when she was married, wereid back and casual. Her room was tidy but dotted with carelessly ced trinkets For instance, the coffee table was spotless, yet the white tabletop was home to a bamboo basket crammed haphazardly with knick knacks Among the clutter Brandon spotted a piece of paper that looked like a medical report his brows furrowing slightly as he walked towards the coffee table Sophia¡¯s gaze involuntarily followed Brandon¡¯s,nding on the medical report carelessly ced in the basket. Her heart skipped a beat, and instinctively she reached out and tugged at the hem of Brandon¡¯s clothes Brandon turned to look at her, his piercing ck eyes filled with questions Sophia forced a calm smile ¡°By the way, you haven¡¯t eaten yet, right?¡± Her hand stealthily pushed the bag, with the buzzing phone inside, back into ce, unaware of the device¡¯s persistent glow Susan stared at her phone as it repeatedly reminded her, ¡°The number you have dialed is currently unavable, and she felt a wave of panic. She didn¡¯t know how Sophia was doing N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Earlier, after witnessing Sophia throw up twice and hurriedly hang up the call, Susan had been on edge, worried something might have happened to her friend. But at the time, she was entertaining a client and couldn¡¯t break away to call Sophia. Later, seizing a moment to duck into the restroom, she managed a quick call to Sophia, who was on her way to the hospital. Susan could hear the unease in Sophia¡¯s voice, clearly flustered, even though Sophia reassured her that it was just a stomachache and she wanted to get it checked out. When the test results came back clear, Sophia immediately sent them to Susan to ease her mind. But Susan was swamped and didn¡¯t have time to respond. Now that she finally had a moment, Susan realized that Sophia had only mentioned the clear test results, not the baby¡¯s condition or her own. Frantically worried, Susan texted Sophia for an update but got no response Phone calls also went unanswered, and Susan¡¯s mind was racing with all sorts of scary possibilities, fearing something had happened to Sophia. After another failed attempt to reach her, Susan decided to call Ivan instead. Ivan picked up after a few rings. ¡°Hello? Susan¡¯s voice was edged with panic as she spoke to the clear male voice on the other end, ¡°Ivan, are you home? Could you check on Sophia for me?¡± Ivan was in the middle of a meal, but his voice turned grave, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± dont know for sure. Sophia¡¯s been throwing up since noon, and she mentioned spotting so she went to the hospital t couldn¡¯t talk to her properly because I was busy, and now i don¡¯t know how she¡¯s doing. I sent her a WhatsApp message, but she didn¡¯t reply. She¡¯s also not answering her video calls or phone.¡± Susan was on the verge of tears. ¡°I¡¯m worried something¡¯s happened to her. Can you please check on her at her ce?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Ivan said, putting down his utensils and standing up ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll go take a look and call you later.¡± With that, Ivan hung up, grabbed his jacket and keys from the coat rack, and left. Back at Sophia¡¯s, Brandon caught a glimpse of the light from her bag and nodded towards it. ¡°Phone.¡± Sophia nced back at the small bag, which wasn¡¯t big enough to hold much. She had stuffed her phone inside when heading to the hospital and hadn¡¯t taken it out since. The medical reports and medication were also crammed on top inside the bag Sophia didn¡¯t dare to open it. She wasn¡¯t ready to tell Brandon about her pregnancy, and she wasn¡¯t sure if there was a need to, as today¡¯s encounter was unexpected Seeing the hesitation on her face, Brandon¡¯s gaze shifted back to her bag. He nced at it, then back at her face. ¡°You hiding something from me?¡± Sophia instinctively shook her head, ¡°Nope. Just some realtor calling. No biggie whether I answer or not.¡± To convince him, she turned and reached into her bag, fumbling for her phone Brandon watched her careful movements, then asked, ¡°Is there something in your bag I shouldn¡¯t see?¡± Sophia quickly shook her head again, ¡°Nothing like that.¡± Her hand found the phone but felt the medicine and papers on top. She tried to slide the phone out without moving anything else, but Brandon stepped forward, reaching out to open her bag himself, startling Sophia into pressing down on his hand. The cool, delicate touch of skin met skin, and Brandon looked at her, ¡°Why are your hands so cold?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been getting coldertely, Sophia¡¯s voice faltered, and her hand hesitantly retreated Brandon didn¡¯t insist on opening the bag. He just looked at her and noted, ¡°I thought you got over that a couple of years ago? ¡°Maybe I just can¡¯t cut it here,¡± Sophia said, her hand clutching the phone in her bag tensed up slightly, hesitating whether to just whip it out. Her heart fluttered with indecision, seemingly at sixes and sevens. Brandon frowned slightly, looking at her, ¡°You¡¯ve also lost a fair bit of weight, I remember you used to be pretty good at rolling with the punches in new ces.¡± Sophia nced at him hesitantly. As long as Brandon was willing, she had nowhere to hide in front of him. Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Brandon didn¡¯t say much, his eyes resting on her face: ¡°Feeling under the weather?¡± Sophia shook her head without thinking. ¡°No, not really. It¡¯s just not limating well to the new environment, plus the food here doesn¡¯t quite hit the spot. Been swampedtely and haven¡¯t had the chance to cook, so I haven¡¯t been eating much. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve shed a few pounds Brandon nced out the window at the ¡°Starlight Hotel¡± and then back at her. ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll have the hotel kitchen. send over meals daily. They serve delicious food, and the chefs are locals. You should be able to stomach that¡± ¡°No need¡± Sophia softly declined, ¡°I won¡¯t have many ssester on, I can cook for myself. Don¡¯t trouble yourself.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no big deal, just sending over some food.¡± As he said this, he pulled out his phone, ready to make the call. Sophia stopped him: ¡°Brandon, please don¡¯t.¡± Brandon turned to look at her Sophia also tilted her head up to meet his gaze, quiet yet resolute. ¡°We¡¯re divorced.¡± She rarely looked at him with such determination. Brandon remembered thest time she had that look in her eyes was after they had just made love, when shey spent in his arms, their skin still warm from each other¡¯s touch. It was with that same look that she had softly said to him, ¡°Brandon, let¡¯s get a divorce.¡± Brandon slightly turned his head away, not looking at her. Sophia noticed his jawline tense and his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing violently, as if he was desperately trying to control something She nced at him curiously. In all their time together, she rarely saw this emotional side of Brandon. He was always calm and amodating, neither sad nor happy, neither angry nor disappointed, like a puppet, indifferent and desireless, void of the normal human passions and desires. But this emotional flicker was just that-a flicker. When he looked back at her, his face was as calm as ever. You decide for yourself.¡± Sophia offered a smile: ¡°Alright.¡± Then she added softly. ¡°Thanks.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond, his expression neutral and his aura still slightly aloof. Sophia didn¡¯t say more, and the familiar silence once again filled the small space. Back when they were married, Sophia was adept at handling such silences. They would do their own things without bothering each other. As a couple, they didn¡¯t need to be so formal, but now she was the host and Brandon the quest. Sophia couldn¡¯t be asfortable as she was during their marriage, and she genuinely didn¡¯t know how to break the silence or deal with Brandon, who seemed to be in a foul mood Just as she was pondering what to do, the doorbell N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. rang. ¡°I¡¯ll get the door, you sit tight, Sophia said, turning to leave but then remembered the test results in the basket on the coffee table. Worried that Brandon might see them, she quickly pretended to tidy up, as if not wanting a guest to see the mess at home. She swiftly gathered the coats, scarves, and bags hanging in the entryway, then grabbed the basket from the coffee table and some other items scattered on the TV cab, stuffing them into the wardrobe. After a quick hair fix, looking like she was afraid of someone seeing the disarray, she finally called out ¡°Coming!¡± and headed to the door Throughout this time, Brandon simply stood with his arms crossed, watching her busily and nervously tidy up the room. As she moved towards the door, he finally spoke up. ¡°Who¡¯s at the door? You seem jumpy.¡± Sophia had no idea who was outside; her frantic activity was purely to hide the test report. Living alone, she had no visitors, so she carelessly left the report out. Little did she know that after half a globe apart, she would bump into him. Probably a ssmate Sophie replied off the cuff opening the door to find Ivan standing there, which took her aback. Brandon noticed her pause and nced past her shoulder at Ivan, who stood at the door with an anxious expression. Ivan was entirely focused on Sophia and didn¡¯t notice Brandon inside. ¡°Susan just called me saying you went to the hospital this afternoon.¡± The words ¡°went to the hospital¡¯ made Sophia reflexively push him: ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside¡± After saying that, she quickly shut the door behind her. Brandon¡¯s expression suddenly darkened. He shifted his gaze from the closed door, taking the opportunity to calm his emotions. Ivan was somewhat surprised by Sophia¡¯s abrupt action. He looked toward the closed door of her apartment, but Sophia had already shut it blocking his view. Sophia pushed him toward the staircase far from the door, making sure Brandon couldn¡¯t hear them before she stopped. ¡°Sorry about that. Sophia said apologetically. Ivan nced back at the firmly shut door, then at her. ¡°Something going on?¡± ¡°No, nothing Sophia replied, looking at him. ¡°By the way, did you need something?¡± Ivan looked at her. Susan said you weren¡¯t feeling well and went to the hospital at noon. She was too busy with work to get in touch with you Later, she texted you but didn¡¯t get a reply, and you didn¡¯t answer her calls. She was worried something happened to you and asked me to check on you ¡°I just got distracted, ran into a friend and didn¡¯t get back to her. I¡¯m fine, Sophia looked at him, ¡°Could I borrow your phone to give her a call?¡± Ivan nodded and handed her his phone. ¡°Thanks, Sophia said, taking the phone and dialing Susan back. The phone barely rang once before it was picked up instantly, Hello? Did you check on her? Is Sophia okay?¡± ¡°Susan, it¡¯s me, Sophia interrupted her questioning with a gentle voice, ¡°I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Where have you been all afternoon? You had me worried sick. Hearing Sophia¡¯s voice suddenly made Susan almost lose herposure, ¡°You didn¡¯t reply to my texts, didn¡¯t answer my calls. Do you know how worried I was? You looked so unwell at noon and then went to the hospital alone, without asking anyone to apany you.¡± ¡°Oops, my bad, totally spaced out and didn¡¯t check my phone. Sophia said, with a guilty whisper trying to reassure her, I¡¯m really fine, just bumped into Brandon this afternoon and missed your texts.¡± ¡°Huh? Susan was caught off guard, ¡°You ran into Brandon? Her voice was loud enough that Ivan, nearby, couldn¡¯t help but nce at Sophia, then slowly turned his gaze towards the firmly shut door of Sophia¡¯s room. Inside the room, Brandon was still standing just as he had been when Sophia left, his eyes fixed on a corner of the room, unwavering, but his mind was anything but calm. The closed door had remained so Brandon turned to look at the door, nced at his watch, then stepped forward and yanked the door open. Just then, Ivan¡¯s gaze shifted back, and their eyes met mid-air. There was no significant stir in either of their expressions, just a quiet assessment of each other across a short distance Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Sophia tumed aroundter than she should have and was momentarily stunned to see Brandon stepping out the door. Then she whispered to Susan, ¡°Got something to take care of now, I¡¯ll hit you up later.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Susan, who was itching to get the scoop on Brandon, was also taken aback but quickly got her act together, ¡°Oh, sure, take your time. Remember to take it easy.¡± ¡°Will do. You too, take it easy. Sophia hung up, handed the phone back to Ivan, and then turned to face Brandon. Brandon stood at the doorway, his tall figure outlined against the light, exuding a calm yet intense presence. He nced at Ivan briefly, then tumed his gaze to Sophia, ¡°Who¡¯s this guy?¡± Sophia was caught off guard at first but quicklyposed herself, slightly turning her body and gesturing towards Ivan as she introduced, ¡°Oh, this is Ivan, my senior from university. He was also our instructor for half a year and now we¡¯re ssmates again.¡± After hearing the introduction, Brandon gave her a look and then turned to Ivan, his lips barely moving as he greeted him with a cool and polite, ¡°Hello Ivan returned the greeting with a ¡°Hello¡± of his own and then looked at Sophia with a questioning gaze. Only then did Sophia remember she hadn¡¯t introduced Brandon. She pointed towards him and said, ¡°He¡¯s my¡­¡± Sophia hesitated, feeling odd about saying ¡°ex-husband, but she managed to get it out with a stumble, ex-husband¡± Brandon frowned slightly at the title, seemingly not fond of it Ivan showed no surprise in his eyes and even nodded politely at Brandon as a form of greeting. Brandon returned the gesture and refocused on Sophia, ¡°If there¡¯s something to discuss, let¡¯s go inside. It¡¯s cold out here¡± ¡°No need, Sophia instinctively refused, noticing that Brandon didn¡¯t seem to be leaving. She couldn¡¯t help but nce at him, ¡°By the way, there¡¯s a lecture at schoolter, and my senior and I need to head back I won¡¯t be able to entertain you. Make yourself at home.¡± Brandon gave her a look. Sophia felt a strange apprehension under his gaze and her eyes drifted away, avoiding direct contact Just when she thought Brandon was about to say something, he simply said. ¡°Be safe.¡± After that, Brandon stepped out, headed straight for the elevator, pressed the button, and got in. As the elevator doors closed, Sophia looked up to see Brandon also looking at her, his face and eyes returning to their usual cold indifference Sophia watched as the elevator doors slowly shut, standing still. In the elevator, Brandon didn¡¯t move either, just calmly watching her until the doors were fully closed. Ivan nced at the descending elevator and then at her, ¡°Everything okay?¡± Sophia shook her head and apologized, ¡°Sorry about that¡± Ivan¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, ¡°No worries He checked his watch and said, ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten yet, right? I¡¯ve just made dinner upstairs, soe up and have some, if you like.¡± Sophia smiled and shook her head, ¡°No, thank you.¡± Ivan didn¡¯t insist, Alright, if you need anything, just give me a shout. I¡¯m right upstairs.¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Thanks.¡± After watching Ivan get on the elevator, Sophia went back inside, As the door closed behind her, the smile on Sophia¡¯s face slowly faded. She looked around the room, which seemed colder and more silent now that Brandon had left. Although she was getting used to living alone and was adapting well, Brandon¡¯s visit still managed to stir up some not-so-bad memories, since they had lived together for two years. Sophia took a deep breath, pushing down the slight difort that had bubbled up inside her, and walked over to the closet where she had hastily stuffed clothes and a storage basket earlier. She opened the closet door. The hurriedly packed items were scattered and messy. Sophia put the clothes and basket back in their ces and took the medical report out of her bag. She nced at the HCG report resting in the basket and gently pulled it out. The report showed a HCG level over 600, and Sophia¡¯s eyes drifted to the top right corner where ¡°early pregnancy¡± was clinically diagnosed She felt a bit dazed and unconsciously stroked her t belly, finding it strange to imagine a life growing inside her. This wonder turned into unspoken anxiety when she remembered the doctor¡¯s words about the unstable fetal condition from that afternoon She gently ced both hands on her belly, looked down, and carefully folded the report, cing it in the drawer of the coffee table before getting up to have dinner. Deep down, she still hoped to have a connection with this child. Brandon drove back to the Starlight Hotel. Just as he pulled up to the hotel entrance, Kent¡¯s call came in. Brandon casually hit the answer button. ¡°Mr. Crawley, have you arrived there? Kent¡¯s somewhat rxed voice came through as soon as the call connected. ¡°Yeah Brandon responded indifferently, turned off the engine, released the handbrake, unbuckled his seatbelt, and stepped out of the car. The valet at the entrance came over with enthusiasm, ¡®Good evening, sir. Will you be checking in at the hotel?¡± Brandon rarely inspected the business here, and when he did, he¡¯d stay briefly under the guise of a customer to secretly evaluate the service, never notifying anyone. Thus, besides a few executives, not many in the hotel knew him. Not one to fuss about appearances, Brandon simply nodded in response to the valet¡¯s greeting with a brief ¡°Yeah,¡± then nced at his car and said, ¡°Please park it for me.¡± As he finished speaking, he tossed the keys to the valet. ¡°Got it. The valet caught the keys with ease and gestured towards the lobby, ¡°Please head this way. The receptionist will assist you with check-in.¡± ¡°Alright, thanks. Brandon said his thanks and headed towards the revolving doors of the lobby. He was on the phone, his mind on other things, kinda out of it and not really paying attention to his surroundings. Just as he got to the doors, a slim person darted out from the elevator direction, yammering away, ¡°Hey, hold up, hold up, let me through first. I¡¯m in a real rush here Before she could finish her sentence, she crashed straight into Brandon. Instinctively, Brandon sidestepped, but the girl charging at him couldn¡¯t hit the brakes in time and-bar- she ended up plopping down on the floor. Her purse and phone she¡¯d been holding flew out of her hands, scattering all over the ce since the bag wasn¡¯t zipped up. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s your deal?¡± the girl muttered on and on, dusting off her clothes and reaching out to pick up her scattered. stuff. Brandon nced down without thinking and his eyes locked on a ssic emerald bracelet with ¡°SY¡± intricately carved on its surface. His eyes narrowed suddenly, and he bent down, grabbing the girl¡¯s wrist in a sh. ¡°Where¡¯d you get this bracelet from?¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 27 Chapter 27 The girl looked up at him, puzzled. ¡°Where did this bracelete from? Of course, it¡¯s mine.¡± As she spoke, she twisted her wrist, trying to pull it back. Brandon looked at her face ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Are you sick or something?¡± The girl was even more baffled. ¡°Who asks for names the first time they meet? I don¡¯t even know you.¡± Brandon frowned slightly, sizing her up with his gaze. The girl was young around twenty-three or twenty-four, with delicate and pretty features. She had a slim and well-proportioned figure, wavy light brown hair, and was dressed in a simple yet chic outfit that screamed youthful fashion Her demeanor was calm with a hint of yful boldness, but her face was completely unfamiliar to him. Feeling Brandon¡¯s stare, she grew anxious. ¡°Let go of me or I¡¯m calling the cops.¡± Then she started shouting. ¡°Help! There¡¯s a creep here!¡± Only then did Brandon realize he was still holding her wrist through her sleeve, a reflex from his wandering thoughts ¡°Sorry,¡± he let go of her hand, nced at the bracelet in her hand, then back at her face with a look of confusion and contemtion. The girl eyed him warily and quickly withdrew her hand the moment she was free. She gave Brandon a look as if he was a nutcase, backing away towards the door and asionally turning back to look at him in wonder. Brandon didn¡¯t pursue her again and headed upstairs to his room. Once there, he called Kent to ask him to pull the hotel¡¯s lobby surveince footage. ¡®Mr. Crawley, what do you need that for?¡± Kent asked, puzzled. ¡°Just send it over, Brandon didn¡¯t borate, ¡°I need it in five minutes.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯m on it, Kent promised right away. ¡°And another thing, Brandon settled on the sofa, check who Ivan Evert is.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Kent waspletely bewildered. ¡°Who¡¯s that now?¡± ¡°Just do it. I¡¯ll send over the basic info, Brandon instructed ¡°Got it, Kent nodded. Efficient as always, Kent quickly retrieved the surveince footage and sent it to Brandon. Brandon¡¯s eyes fell on the bracelet in her hand, the initials ¡°SY etched on it flickering in and out of view as she moved. He furrowed his brow slightly and tapped his long fingers idly on the back of his phone, lost in thought. At that moment, the doorbell rang. Brandon nced at the door and got up to answer it. ¡°Surprise?¡± As soon as the door opened, a handsome face with a big smile appeared, clearly in high spirits Compared to his excitement, Brandon was much moreposed. He let go of the doorknob, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, and nced at the neer. ¡°Who told you ! was here?¡± Don Dempsey¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade. ¡°Who else but your buddy Kent?¡± He tried to push past Brandon into the roorn, but Brandon blocked the doorway with his leg, standing firm like a mountain, and asked, ¡°He called you?¡± No way, Don didn¡¯t mind, still grinning from ear to ear, ¡°I tried calling you when you were on the ne, but couldn¡¯t get through, so I called Kent instead. He said you were on a business trip, so i pried a little and found out you¡¯d flown into Wye City What a coincidence, since I¡¯m also in Wye City. Of course, I had to take the chance to catch up for a drink. It¡¯s been ages since west saw each other¡± Don and Brandon had grown up together, from the same neighborhood, attending the same kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. It was only in high school that Don, the cker, didn¡¯t reach the schrly heights of Brandon, the brainiac, and they ended up at different schools. But that didn¡¯t affect their friendship Brandon had always been a bit aloof, while Don was more outgoing Don had initially been somewhat dismissive of Brandon, finding him too stiff and no fun, but his admiration for strength gradually drew him to Brandon, and he got used to Brandon¡¯s cool responses. Most importantly Brandon was meticulous and considerate, with a keen and unique perspective. While others were still looking short-term, Brandon could think three steps ahead Hanging with Brandon gave Don a sense of security. Brandon might not be as loud and boisterous as Don when it came to friends, but he was sincere and righteous. Over the years, their friendship deepened in a subtle and profound way After the test, when Don chose to study abroad due to not getting into a good university and spent most of his time abroad, they rarely see each other, but it never affected their bond Hearing that Brandon was in Wye City, Don had hurried over after wrapping up his work. Seeing that Don didn¡¯t seem to be lying. Brandon finally moved away from the door, letting him in. ¡°So, what brings you to Wye City? Brandon asked as he watched Don enter and casually shut the door. He walked to the fridge, grabbed two cans of cold beer, and tossed one to him. He had the penthouse suite, with its spacious room and excellent view, where one could even see Sophia¡¯s apartment Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. and school from afar Thinking of Sophia, the earlier scene of her standing by Ivan¡¯s side giving him the cold shoulder shed through hist mind, and his eyes instantly grew colder. Don, oblivious to the change in Brandon¡¯s expression, lifted his left arm and neatly caught the cold beer thrown his way. As he popped the tab, he said, ¡°The firm¡¯s been swampedtely, so I thought I¡¯d hire some frence designers. Came here to check out the college since the School of Architecture here is world-ss.¡± At the mention of ¡°School of Architecture, Brandon¡¯s hand paused mid-motion with his beer. Don raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°No biggie.¡± Brandon popped open a cold beer with a poker face, took a hefty swig, and plopped down on the couch before finally turning to him, ¡°Looks like business is booming Don studied architecture in college Back in the day, he didn¡¯t make the cut at home, so he applied to universities abroad. He originally nned to go for an easy out finance major, but due to a twist of fate ended up in architecture He stuck with it, and after graduating, spent a couple of years at an architectural firm to get some experience andwork. Then he teamed up with a ssmate to start their own firm. The first couple of years were rough, all about the red ink. When Don couldn¡¯t take it anymore, he made a special trip to chat with Brandon. Brandonid out the strengths and weaknesses of his firm and gave him the lowdown on the Ephemoran market, suggesting he ditch residential design and give public architecture a whirl. They hadn¡¯t touched base for a while, and lo and behold, Don¡¯s firm had gone from the red to the ck. Don¡¯s eyes lit up with a hint of pride, ¡°Not too shabby. He raised his cold beer and toasted Brandon from across the room, ¡°Gotta thank you for your sage advice. Brandon lifted his beer for a remote cheers, ¡°Congrats Then he downed the rest of his beer in one go. Don raised an eyebrow at him, ¡°Got the blues?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± Don¡¯t try to fool me, I¡¯ve known you long enough to spot your shady schemes just from the way you roll your eyes¡± Don said as he walked over and sat down next to him, tipping his head to look at him, ¡°Something on your mind?¡± ¡°Nothing Brandon replied, still with that nonchnt tone. Don snorted lightly and prodded again, ¡°Work stuff?¡± ¡°Nah.¡± ¡°Love life?¡± Don scooted closer, ¡°Speaking of which, you¡¯ve been hitched for two years, and I haven¡¯t even had a chance to meet your wife.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t look at him, ¡°You¡¯ve only been back for a few days, right?¡± ¡®True Don nodded, thinking it over. He had been too busy starting up his business to visit. They had video chatted plenty, but with the time difference, it was usually when Brandon was at work On the rare asion that Brandon was home, he was typically holed up in his study, and even if he was eating, he wouldn¡¯t go out of his way to introduce his wife. That just wasn¡¯t Brandon¡¯s style. Don, ever the easygoing guy missed Brandon¡¯s wedding, which was a quick affair. Most of the time, he barely remembered that Brandon was married, so even though it had been two years, he hadn¡¯t met Brandon¡¯s wife. Now that the topic came up. Don casually inquired, So, you¡¯re here. Why not bring your wife along?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but scan the room, Or is she here with you? Let¡¯s grab a meal sometime; I¡¯m curious to see the angel who captured your heart.¡± Brandon nced sideways at him, ¡°Do youe all this way just to pry into my love life?¡± ¡°Just showing a little concern, you know.¡± Brandon ignored him and scooted over, his gaze inadvertently catching his phone still lit up on the coffee table, with the hotel lobby¡¯s surveince video paused, the image of a young girl heading for the revolving door frozen on the screen, her bracelet lifting slightly with her movement. Don noticed where Brandon¡¯s gaze lingered and followed it to the phone, ¡°That¡¯s not your wife, is it?¡± ¡°Nope. ¡°Then why are you eyeballing her? Don leaned in closer to the phone, curious, and caught a glimpse of the girl¡¯s bracelet. He eximed, ¡°Yo!¡± and suddenly turned to Brandon. Is that, He pointed at the girl on the phone, ¡°Ynda?¡± Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Brandon nced at his phone screen and shrugged, ¡°Beats me ¡± ¡°But this bracelet Don pointed at the bracelet in the girl¡¯s hand, ¡°Isn¡¯t that the one you gave to Ynda when you guys were kids? He¡¯d known Brandon since they were little tikes, so of course, he knew Ynda too. Back in the day, Brandon was always kind of a lone wolf because of his mom¡¯s passing, always kept to himself. Only Ynda, the good little girl that she was, liked to quietly stick by his side. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Back then, Don was clueless about the whole life and death gig and was at that impish age where he loved to butt heads with Brandon He¡¯d blurt out whatever came to mind, no filter Seeing Ynda glued to Brandon¡¯s side, he and his buddies would crack jokes about them being an item, predicting she¡¯d end up as Brandon¡¯s bride someday. Little did he know what an item or bride even meant ¨C he was just parroting stuff from the soap operas Ynda, bless her, she was thin-skinned Even though she didn¡¯t quite get the meaning, she sensed it was something positive at her tender age and ended up with tears in her eyes. That was the first time Don got a taste of his own medicine ¨C a good wallop from Brandon After that beatdown, Don got his act together and even started to hero-worship Brandon a bit, shamelessly shadowing him just like Ynda used to. So, he totally remembered that bracelet being Brandon¡¯s birthday gift to Ynda When eight-year old Brandon had his birthday, Patricia, eager to bond with him, had gifted him a top- notch white jade. ne with his initials engraved on it. Later, when Brandon¡¯s dad wanted to give him a birthday gift, the usually silent Brandon piped up with a request to pick his own. Naturally, his dad was over the moon and let him choose And what did Brandon pick? A bracelet modeled after his white jade ne but with Ynda¡¯s initials on an emerald bracelet. Patricia had told him that engraving his name on the ne would keep him safe and sound, so he wanted to pass on the same good vibes to Ynda Since Ynda was still little and he was worried about her getting choked by a ne in her sleep, he went with a bracelet design ¨C but with a twist It was a convertible design that could be worn as both a bracelet and a ne. Although Don hadn¡¯t witnessed the gifting moment, he knew about it and had seen Ynda treasuring that bracelet like it was her life. Even though he was a boy at the time and couldn¡¯t quite recall Ynda¡¯s face, that bracelet was etched in his memory. After all, it was tied to the second whooping he ever got When Brandon gave him the cold shoulder Don would entertain himself by teasing Brandon¡¯s little sidekick, Ynda. At that age, teasing a girl meant yanking her hair or snatching her toys and pretending not to give them back. He identally pulled off Ynda¡¯s bracelet and held it high above her head, just out of reach Watching her get all flustered gave him a sense of pride, and he wanted to tease her even more He never saw iting when Ynda jumped up to grab it back, breaking the chain. Ynda, not one to cry easily, got teary-eyed again. And Don? He got his life¡¯s second beating, courtesy of Brandon. So, even after all these years, Don recognized that bracelet in a heartbeat. The memory was too vivid, and the design was too unique. He shot Brandon a surprised look Brandon was way more chill. ¡°I¡¯m not sure He hadn¡¯t gotten a good look at it yet ¡°It looks super simr, one of a kind in its ugliness. Don remarked, ncing back at the phone screen, then at Brandon, ¡°The age seems about right, and features well, not everyone grows up to be a spitting image of their younger self. Girls change a ton when they grow up, could totally be Ynda Brandon shook his head slowly. ¡°My gut says no.¡± Don raised an eyebrow, ¡°Gut feeling?¡± ¡°Ynda was never this loud¡± He remembered little Ynda as always quiet and well behaved, not a chatterbox sensible and kind- hearted, nothing like the brash and willful stranger from before. If anyone¡¯s temperament was closer, it¡¯d be Sophia¡¯s. Sophia? Brandon paused for a second. Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Den nced at him without thinking. What¡¯s up? Something on your mind?¡± Brandon slowly shook his head, but he still looked like he was deep in thought, as if he was chewing on something. Don, impatient as ever couldn¡¯t take it and gave him a nudge. You know what drives me nuts about you? Whenever ask anything it¡¯s always nothing¡¯s wrong, it¡¯s all good, never a shred of useful info. It¡¯s enough to drive someone up the wall, you get that? What¡¯s the big deal in spilling the beans, huh?¡± Brandon shot him a look and pointed towards the door, ¡°Then please, show yourself out Don¡¯t let me keep you.¡± Don was speechless. In the end, he caved in ¡°Alright, alright, if you don¡¯t wanna talk, then don¡¯t¡± He shifted his gaze back to the girl on his phone. But I¡¯ve gotta say, I don¡¯t buy your take on this. People change, man. After all her whole environment¡¯s changed, and she was just a kid back then, hardly set in her ways. Who knows, maybe she got spoiled rotten by her familyter on.¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Brandon gave another indifferent nce, ¡®When was she ever short of people doting on her? Everyone¡¯s always treated her like she¡¯s the apple of their eye¡± But Dan frowned. ¡°Maybe her family had solid values back in the day, and the current bunch are a bit more high and mighty could¡¯ve rubbed off on her.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t bite, merely casting an almost imperceptible look at the girl on the phone again Don couldn¡¯t help but take another peek too, and again his eyesnded on that hideously mismatched bracelet. ¡°Honestly, if it wasn¡¯t for the ne being so special to her, who at her age would wear such an ugly bracelet?¡± Brandon remarked. That bracelet¡¯s not cheap, you know.¡± Don frowned. ¡°You think she found it or something?¡± ¡°Im not ruling out that possibility Don looked at him thoughtfully, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be happy if there¡¯s a lead on Ynda. You seem less than thrilled, aren¡¯t you the one looking for her?¡± Just being cautious.¡± ¡°Cut it out, Don shot back. Tve known you long enough. Are you worried about your wife?¡± he asked. Brandon¡¯s gaze paused for a fraction. No. His voice was faint Don huffed clearly not buying it. Brandon didn¡¯t bother with a response, just nced at the girl on the phone and then looked away. Logically, a lead on Ynda should be good news, but he wasn¡¯t as excited as he had expected to be He didn¡¯t know if it was because she didn¡¯t match the sweet little girl in his memory and he couldn¡¯t handle any change. in her, or if deep down he hoped Ynda was someone else? His fingers resting on the phone hesitated for a moment Don noticed the sudden stillness of his hand, and his gaze shifted to Brandon¡¯s face, ¡°You¡¯ve got something on your mind. Brandon¡¯s reply was still as calm as a millpond, ¡°No.¡± He changed the subject, ¡°What did youe here for anyways?¡± Just checking in on you Don slung his arm casually over Brandon¡¯s shoulder, ¡°We haven¡¯t hung out in ages, how about wego grab a drink? Brandon shrugged off his arm and stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Don was stunned, ¡°For real? You¡¯re actually down?¡± Inviting Brandon for a drink was just a throwawayment. Don hadn¡¯t dared to hope Brandon would agree. He¡¯d known Brandon for years, and every time he tried to make ns, Brandon was either workingte or heading home Being able to grab a meal with him was thest act of brotherly kindness Brandon wasn¡¯t one for socializing: he hardly ever hit the bars or clubs. His life was work, more work, hitting the gym, and reading A dull and simple life, yet his self-discipline was infuriatingly on point Everyone in their circle wanted Brandon¡¯s discipline, but no one had his determination. Brandon had already reached the door, grabbing his coat off the rack. Seeing Don still gawking at him, he raised an eyebrow, ¡°Changed your mind?¡± ¡°Going, of course, Don bounced to his feet, giving Brandon a thoughtful look, ¡°You¡¯ve got rtionship troubles.¡± It wasnt a question, it was a statement Brandon shut the door with a ¡°bang, not caring whether Don was still in the room, startling Don into hurrying after him. ¡°Hey, I was just poking around, why are you getting all worked up?¡± Chapter 30 Chapter 30 At the most hyped-up local bar Brandon was chilling in a corner, nursing a drink, and zoning out as he stared into his ss Don picked the joint himself saying it was a rare chance to get Brandon out for a drink, so obviously, he couldn¡¯t let Brandon down. But after searching high and low, and being a barfly himself who¡¯s not into clubbing, Don was clueless about where to head Finally, he found this ce online, boasting to be a hotspot for both local and international travelers. Only when they got there did Don realize it was a hunting ground for flirts The thumping music in the dance area was sting his eardrums, and the shing lights were a pain in the eyes, not to mention the wild dancing scene Don had some regrets, but Brandon seemed unfazed. As soon as he hit the bar, he found aer, ordered a random bottle of booze, and started sipping away casually, not bothering to check out his surroundings. He was drinking at his own pace, as usual, taking his time, looking all ssy and highbrow Don couldn¡¯t figure out what was going on in Brandon¡¯s head If you¡¯d say he was having mantal issues, he didn¡¯t look like the typical down-and-out divorced dude. He still had his poise, and his emotions didn¡¯t seem all over the ce But if you¡¯d think everything¡¯s peachy, there was something off about Brandon, a slight deviation from the cool and collected guy Dan knew, like his mind was somewhere else. Don couldn¡¯t help but scoot closer to Brandon and almost had to shout over the booming music, ¡°Brandon, spill the beans, man You and your wife hitting a rough patch? But even without the music, Brandon wasn¡¯t giving him the time of day, let alone now He took a leisurely sip, looked at Don, and asked, ¡°How long you nning to hang around here?¡± ¡°Not sure yet¡± Don shouted back, Depends on how the job hunting goes. We¡¯re hoping to find some long-term stable partnerships, so might take a while.¡± Then he asked, ¡°What about you?¡± Brandon replied, ¡°We¡¯ll see. Don raised an eyebrow. ¡°You too? I thought your life was all ns and schedules, knowing exactly what to do at every moment, never missing a beat¡± Brandon said, ¡°Life throws you curveballs sometimes ¡°Like what?¡± Brandon nced at the girl approaching them with a drink in hand. ¡°Now.¡± Just as the girl was about to drape her arm over his shoulder, Brandon sidestepped, and her arm landed on Don instead. Don instinctively brushed her hand off, not minding her startled expression, and stood up abruptly, ¡°Brandon!¡± But Brandon was already off, not giving him a second nce. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Don hurried after him. They had to cross the dance floor to get out. Young guys and gals were jumping to the rhythm of the music. Don tried to push through the crowd to catch up with Brandon, but every time he got close, the throng pushed him back ¡°Brandon, wait up: Don yelled, desperate Brandon either didn¡¯t hear or didn¡¯t care, just kept going. In a rush, Don shoved through the crowd, identally bumping into a girl¡¯s shoulder. ¡°What the hell?¡± came a sharp scolding, and Brandon, who was just plowing ahead, paused and looked back at Don. Don also looked back and when he recognized the girl¡¯s face, he blurted out. ¡°Ynda?¡± The girl he had just seen on Brandon¡¯s phone earlier. But the girl didn¡¯t seem to react to ¡°Ynda, giving him a puzzled look. ¡°What Ynda? Can¡¯t youe on to someone without being so clich¨¦?¡± Don nced up at Brandon, suddenly feeling like he got where Brandon wasing from. But seeing Brandon¡¯s gaze on the girl¡¯s raised wrist and the bracelet, he paused for a moment, then cheekily said to the girl, ¡°My bad, beautiful Got you mixed up with someone else¡± The girl was cool ¡°No worries.¡± Don patted her shoulder, You look a lot like a friend of mine. Mind if I get your contact?¡± To show he was serious, he pulled out his business card, ¡°I¡¯m Don, the boss at Dempsey Architects. Interested in connecting? The girl looked him over skeptically, then slowly took his card, nced at it, and pulled out her phone, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s add each other on WhatsApp. Brandon didn¡¯t step in, just turned around and left. Brandon didn¡¯t head straight for the parking lot, but wandered aimlessly instead. He didn¡¯t want to go back to the hotel, but also had no idea where else to go. The quiet exotic streets were alien to him at night, with few passers-by except the asional couple. Brandon¡¯s gaze lingered on a yful young couple walking past, then emotionlessly shifted away, looking down the long street The thick walls had already blocked out the bar¡¯s loud music behind him. He wasn¡¯t into the bar scene or wasting time walking or window-shopping, but for him, right now, it was the best way to kill time. Images of a young Ynda and the girl who had just scolded Don, raising her phone, kept intertwining in his mind, but they never quite matched up. As they intertwined, Sophia¡¯s face unexpectedly appeared. Brandon¡¯s steps slowed, he looked up at Sophia¡¯s apartment building, then turned and headed for his car parked outside the bar Before he even reached it, he pulled out his keys to unlock it, swung the door open, and hopped in. His hand on the steering wheel made a swift turn, and the ck Cayenne smoothly slid out of the spot Just as Don burst out of the bar, he saw Brandon and waved frantically. ¡°Wait up.¡± Brandon rolled down the window and replied, ¡°Got something to do, take a cab home¡± He tossed a set of keys to Don, rolled up the window, and zoomed off. Don was speechless Sophia had just finished showering and drying her hair, getting ready to hit the lights and call it a night, when a knocking came from the door Sophia shot a puzzled nce at the door and flicked off the hairdryer With hesitation in her step, she walked to the door and called out, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me, came Brandon¡¯s calm voice from the other side. Sophia¡¯s confusion grew as she checked out the clock on the wall. It was already past eleven. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± she asked. Just open the door,¡± he replied, his tone still cool and even, not loud but with an undertone that brooked no argument. Sophia furrowed her brows, a bit thrown off, but eventually she stepped forward and opened the door There stood Brandon, now donning a slightly more casual long ck coat. His gaze followed the opening door andnded on her face-deep, serene, and inquisitive. Sophia felt oddly scrutinized and her words stumbled out involuntarily choppy, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t speak He just kept looking at her with those deep and tranquil eyes Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Sophia was getting sized up so weirdly that her big eyes were practically squirming under his brooding gaze. Just as she was about to ask him what was up, Brandon beat her to the punch, ¡°Mind if Ie in and chill for a bit?¡± ¡°Not really convenient,¡± she said. But Brandon wasn¡¯t the type to take no for an answer just because of a singlement. He didn¡¯t barge in, nor did he take off, but he just stood there with his eternally calm demeanor, giving off vibes like he wasn¡¯t going anywhere unless she let him in. Sophia¡¯s voice faltered, and her confidence seemed to drain away involuntarily, ¡°I¡¯m closing the door now. Do whatever you want.¡± 52 253 As she was about to shut the door, Brandon suddenly put his hand out to stop it and with a little push, he opened it and stepped inside. Sophia was steaming ¡°You can¡¯t just be this shameless.¡± She and Brandon had never really had a spat, and she¡¯d never really lost her temper at him. Their interactions had always been super chill, which made it pretty hard for her to get all up in his face now. All she could do was to shout at him with a voice thatcked any oomph, which, if anything, sounded a bit coquettish. Brandon rarely saw her get mad like this, so he shot her a look. And just like that, her fiery spirit deted a notch. ¡°I¡¯m going to bed. Even her exnation came out all soft and unconvincing. ¡°I¡¯ll leave in a bit, Brandon said. Sophia hesitated, then let go of the door. Brandon walked in and took a seat on the sofa. When sitting down, he nced at the coffee table and noticed that the medical report that had been there was gone. He couldn¡¯t help but look up at Sophia. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Sophia had a hunch about what he might ask. ¡°My health¡¯s really fine, she said, as she pulled out a blood test report from the top drawer of the dresser, ¡°Just been eating poorlytely and got a bit of low blood sugar. Got it checked out today.¡± She handed the blood test to Brandon. Brandon took a look and, indeed, nothing major. But he remembered there should have been at least two reports from different times today-one on the coffee table and the one in her bag she didn¡¯t want him to see, most likely. Brandon didn¡¯t forget the first thing that man said when he knocked on the door. Susan just called me saying you went to the hospital this afternoon and¡­¡± The sentence was cut off by her anxious interruption. The date on this report was today¡¯s, obviously from the afternoon hospital visit. But the one from the coffee table. His gaze shifted to the drawer behind Sophia. Sophia felt a bit on edge for no reason, her eyes carrying a hint of wariness. Brandoris gaze lingered in her eyes for a moment, but he didn¡¯t press further. Instead, he switched topics. ¡°What was your name before?¡± Her mind was boggled by his out-of-the-blue question. ¡°Just Sophia,¡± the said, ¡°You know that, right? ¡°Always been Sophia? Never changed it?¡± Sophia thought for a moment. She¡¯d been Sophia for as long as she could remember, so she nodded. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Any unusual experiences when you were a kid?¡± Sophia frowned. ¡°Why the sudden interrogation?¡± ¡°No reason, just reminded me of someone.¡± Sophia chuckled. ¡°Ynda, maybe?¡± Brandon just looked at her, saying nothing. Chapter 32 Chapter 32 His eyes had already given her the answer. Sophia had no clue why Brandor, suddenly linked her with Ynda out of the blue. It came totally out of left field. There wasn¡¯t a hint of this earlier in the day. ¡°You ran into some trouble or something?¡± Sophia asked with a frown, ¡°What made you think of this all of a sudden?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t beat around the bush. ¡°I came across a girl who might be Ynda.¡± Sophia felt a sting in her heart, but quickly let it go. After all, she had divorced Brandon while she was still in love with him, and it hadn¡¯t been long since their split. She wasn¡¯tpletely over him yet, so it was natural to feel a twinge at the mention of another girl. After shaking off the feeling, she looked at him with a smile and genuine goodwill. ¡°Well, that¡¯s great news, congrats!¡± But Brandon¡¯s expression suddenly turned bleak.. Sophia picked up on the drop in his mood, ¡°Aren¡¯t you happy about it?¡± ¡°No,¡± he replied curtly, his face betraying his true feelings. Sophia pretended not to notice and gave a forced chuckle in response, suddenly at a loss for how to continue the conversation. So, she just picked up her ss and quietly sipped her water. Brandon looked at her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious?¡± Sophia looked back, puzzled. ¡°Curious? Why should I be?¡± Brandon¡¯s lips twitched into a fleeting half-smile, then he looked at her again. ¡°Fair point.¡± Sophia was a bit lost as to what he meant, and since Brandon didn¡¯t seem inclined to exin, he steered the conversation back. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure if it¡¯s really her.¡± Sophia was stumped on how to reply, thinking maybe her earlier ¡°congrats¡± had been premature. ¡°So.¡± Sophia was still struggling to wrap her head around it, ¡°What does this have to do with me? Why¡¯d youe to me with this?¡± She recalled him asking if she had ever changed her name or had any special experiences as a child, and a flicker of a thought crossed her mind. She looked at him uncertainly. ¡°You don¡¯t think I¡¯m Ynda, do you? Do you have any clues or anything that make you think I might be her?¡± ¡°No.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Sophia frowned. ¡°Then what made you suddenly think of this?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Brandon admitted, truly at a loss as to why he once again drew a connection between Sophia and Ynda. It wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d linked the two. The first time he saw Sophia in high school, standing at the podium, nervously introducing herself with, ¡°Hi everyone, my name is Sophia,¡± her quiet, gentle, and well-behaved demeanor had instantly reminded him of Ynda. The simrity and familiarity of their manners drew his attention to her, but it was also because of this attention that, on graduation day, he found out Sophia had never skipped a grade. Ynda was about three years younger than him; she was in kindergarten when he was already in second grade. Without skipping any grades, she couldn¡¯t possibly be in the same grade as him, and the ages wouldn¡¯t match up So, even though he felt let down at the time, he had to ept the truth. Luckily, they had graduated, and Sophia had disappeared, allowing him to return to his old life trajectory, and their paths never crossed again. Just like before, this time he had no indicators or leads to suggest that Sophia had any connection to Ynda. It was merely because when he saw that girl who might be Ynda, he felt a deep-seated resistance. He knew people change, especially someone like Ynda, who¡¯d been through being lost. Her upbringing could have taken aplete 180, and it wouldn¡¯t be irripossible for her personality to have changed in a different environment. Brandon was well aware that he just couldn¡¯t ept the sweet little girl from his memories turning into someonepletely different. So he¡¯d rather subjectively choose to fit Sophia into Ynda¡¯s shoes. Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Sophia was taken aback by Brandon¡¯s response. He never gave an answer if he wasn¡¯t sure. ¡°There¡¯s always a chance, right?¡± Sophia puzzled, ¡°People don¡¯t just randomly link one person to another without reason.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Brandon nced at her. ¡°Gut feeling.¡± ¡°But, we¡¯ve known each other for more than a day, right?¡± she said, still not getting his sudden hunch. Brandon pursed his lips slightly, seeming reluctant to answer that question. The confusion in Sophia¡¯s eyes deepened. The Brandon she knew was always decisive, even when it came to divorce, he only pondered for a few seconds before nodding firmly. Even when bringing up Ynda, he remained silent for a while before telling her the whole story. She couldn¡¯t think of anything that would make him hesitate. Brandon didn¡¯t miss the confusion in her eyes, but he didn¡¯t want her to probe into this, didn¡¯t want her to know that from the very first moment he saw her years ago, he had already associated her with Ynda. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just a stroke of serendipity, he stood up, ¡°You haven¡¯t given me your answer yet.¡± As he stood, his towering height loomed over her in an instant. Sophia had to look up at him. ¡°I think you¡¯re changing the subject.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one beating around the bush.¡± Sophia was left speechless, squinting at him suspiciously, ¡°You¡¯re ying the me game here. Getting ate-night visit asking if I¡¯m someone else, I have to clear it up, Sophia added, ¡°What if you actually had some evidence or leads?¡± Brandon frowned. Evidence and leads?¡± He looked at her thoughtfully, ¡°Why do you care about this? Normal people would just deny being someone else straight away unless they¡¯re unsure about their own background and looking for answers themselves.¡± As he spoke, his eyes settled on Sophia¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re not your parents¡¯ biological child?¡± His gaze was too probing and sharp, as if he could see right through someone. Sophia had never felt inferior in front of Brandon, but for some reason, when he delved into this issue, she suddenly felt a twinge of embarrassment. This stemmed from the insatiable greed with which Laura and her brother had treated her like a cash cow, constantly demanding from Brandon and his family. She wasn¡¯t Laura¡¯s biological child, but to the Crawley family and even to Brandon¡¯s eyes, she was indulging her unrted family in limitless demands, a realization that made her feel awkward. She chuckled lightly. ¡°How could that be? If I wasn¡¯t their own daughter, could my mom ask you for things so brazenly?¡± Brandon frowned and didn¡¯t respond, although logically it made sense. Sophia looked at him, softening her voice. ¡°Brandon, I can¡¯t be Ynda. Don¡¯t see me as her, or as anyone else. I¡¯m just me. You said before, Ynda is a few years younger than me, so she couldn¡¯t possibly be in the same grade as me, but we were ssmates.¡± She added softly, thinking back to when he mentioned his intuition, her puzzled question ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for more than a day, right?¡± and his reluctance to answer. She suddenly recalled senior year of high school when every time she identally looked back and locked eyes with him, his thoughtful gaze, and the subtle care and protection he had for her that year. Sophia suddenly felt like she understood something, she looked up at him. ¡°Back in school, you didn¡¯t happen to see me as Ynda, did you?¡± Brandon wasn¡¯t surprised she could guess; he had seen Sophia¡¯s intelligence when he first met her. She was always calme and low-key, not showy, but sharp-witted and observant i did have that suspicion at the beginning, he admitted, not avoiding the issue. Sophia smiled, the expected answer, yet still the Brandon she knew. She always liked Brandon¡¯s honesty She just suddenly felt a bit upset. The Brandon she met at seventeen was a ray of light in her not so glorious life. The care and favor he showed her that year made her fall, step by step, and even through the divorce, she never denied the beauty of that year. She thought the Brandon of that year was different towards her, that at least, like her, he had the stirrings of youth and unforgettable memories, hence the idental night of passion at the ss reunion yearster. It turned out that wasn¡¯t the case. Sophia feit & twinge in her nose and a stinging in her eyes, as if liquid was welling up. She forced it down, and when she looked up at him again with a smile on her face. ¡°Thanks for letting me know all this. Anyway, thanks for taking such good care of me back then.¡± She smiled gently, still quietly looking up at him, ¡°I¡¯m not Ynda, so please don¡¯te over anymore. We¡¯re done, let¡¯s not disturb each other anymore.¡± Brandon watched her, silent. Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Sophia cracked a smile, didn¡¯t say much else, and turned to leave. Out of the blue, Brandon grabbed fier arm, a firm grip. Sophia tumed back, puzzled Brandon just stood there, watching her, lips pursed slightly, his jawline tense. Sop was clueless. ¡°Something else on your mind?¡± she asked. Brandon just stared at her, his eyes deep and intense. ¡°We might not be done here,¡± he said, enunciating each word with a clear and calm tone. Sophia frowned, not understanding. Brandon didn¡¯t let go of her arm or say anything more; instead, he suddenly leaned in, reaching towards the wardrobe drawer behind Sophia, the very spot she had just retrieved her medical reports from. Sophia¡¯s face changed slightly, and she instinctively tried to pull away, reaching to cover the drawer. However, Brandon was quicker, easily blocking her attempt his other hand going for the neatly stacked medical reports. Sophia quickly hugged his arm. ¡°Brandon, you¡¯re invading someone¡¯s privacy.¡± Brandon let her hold onto his arm, looking down at her. ¡°I think I have a right to know about this.¡± Sophia¡¯s face paled a bit, her grip on his arm loosening. She didn¡¯t try to stop him anymore, just turned her head slightly away. Brandon didn¡¯t reach for the reports again but looked at her. ¡°You¡¯re pregnant, aren¡¯t you?¡± Sophia pressed her lips together, not responding. Brandon pressed on. ¡°When did you find out? Sophia¡¯s lips tightened. She finally faced him. The day I left the country, at the airport.¡± Brandon remembered that day. He was at the airport too, watching her leave with another man from the second floor. She had seen him too when she looked back, and by then, she already knew she was pregnant. ¡°You never nned to tell me,¡± he said, not as a question but as a statement, his gaze unyielding on her face. Sophia avoided his gaze, speaking softly. ¡°What difference would telling you make? You don¡¯t get a say¡± Brandon stated tly ¡°You don¡¯t want this child.¡± His voice was still calm, almost eerily so. Sophia bit her lip and remained silent. Brandon watched her, also silent. The silence spread between them. After a long pause, Brandon was the one to break it. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. ¡°Is it so hard to keep her?¡± he asked, his voice soft. Sophia¡¯s eyes reddened. She didn¡¯t know how to answer. It wasn¡¯t about whether she wanted to keep the baby, it was about whether she could. Brandon saw the moisture in her eyes. He stepped forward and suddenly opened his arms, gently embracing her Sophia was taken aback and tried to break free when she realized what was happening. But Brandon held her tight, not letting her pull away. Sophia, he said softly, stopping her struggle. ¡°I want our child. Don¡¯t give up on her so easily.¡± His voice was so gentle it brought tears to Sophia¡¯s eyes. She sniffled, holding back the lump in her throat, and gently pushed him away. She didn¡¯t nod in agreement or shake her head in refusal, She never made rash decisions Just to spite Brandon. ¡°I can¡¯t promise you anything right now,¡± she said quietly, looking at him, ¡°I haven¡¯t decided whether to keep her or not. Or rather, she hasn¡¯t decided if she wants to stay¡± She took out today¡¯s medical report from the drawer and handed it to him. ¡°How did you find out?¡± Brandon took the report she handed him, his gaze pausing on the diagnosis that read ¡°early pregnancy.¡± Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Brandon totally saw iting, but when it actually hit him, his heart skipped a beat, as if it got struck by something. That light, floaty feeling was pretty wild. He couldn¡¯t help but start picturing it all, the kiddo cozy in Sophia¡¯s belly, growing up bit by bit. Each daydream made the whole dad-to-be thing feel more real, more tangible. The report Brandon was holding crinkled a bit with the anticipation bubbling up inside. He nced at Sophia, ¡°Still puking your guts out?¡± The softness in his eyes almost knocked her off her feet. She dodged the question with a slight turn of her head, ¡°It¡¯s manageable.¡± Brandon hummed in response, his gaze lingering on her petite frame before asking, ¡°I¡¯ve seen you pregnant before.¡± So when he rocked up and saw her suddenly all skin and bones, plus the medical report casually left on the coffee table, the gears started turning, even though he didn¡¯t dwell on it much then. But the way Sophia tried to y it off with a routine blood test report made it all too obvious. Add to that her evasive maneuvers, so it wasn¡¯t rocket science to figure out what was up. Sophia mmed up. From the moment Brandon popped in unannounced, she knew she couldn¡¯t pull the wool over his eyes ¨C it was just a matter of whether he¡¯d call her out or not. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of moving in, Brandon said. She shot that down without missing a beat, ¡°No way.¡± ¡°Then pack your bags and crash at my ce,¡± He offered her a n B. Still, she shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°It¡¯s one or the other, Sophia. Ie to you, or youe to me,¡± he stood his ground, ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting you go N?velDrama.Org owns this text. solo on this.¡± She was at a loss for words. Brandon could be pretty stubborn when it came to her or the little one¡¯s well-being, and she knew it ¡°Don¡¯t be like that, Brandon, Sophia tried to reason with him, ¡°I can¡¯t move back in with you. ¡°My ce has got two bedrooms. We wouldn¡¯t have to share,¡± he was chill about it, Think of it as roomies splitting rent Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°This little one is as much my responsibility as it is yours. I can¡¯t just leave you two hanging, Brandon said, giving her tiny bedroom a once-over, If you¡¯re not on board, then I¡¯m the one moving in.) Sophia kept silent. ¡°Sophia, this is about your and the baby¡¯s safety I¡¯m not bending on this, Brandon told her, calm but firm, ¡°So, are you packing now, or shall I?¡± He added, ¡°I¡¯m staying at the Starlight Hotel, just around the corner, you¡¯ve seen it this afternoon.¡±. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go, and I don¡¯t want you here, Brandon,¡± she tried reasoning again, ¡°Brandon, I¡¯ve finally taken a step forward, don¡¯t push me back.¡± I¡¯m not pushing you back, Brandon said, ¡°But as long as that baby¡¯s in you, it¡¯s my duty and right to look out for both of you. I¡¯m the father, Sophia,¡± He pressed on, ¡°It¡¯s my responsibility and my right.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. Brandon pulled out his phone and called Don without missing a beat, ¡°Hey Don, can you drop my luggage off at the VIP Condo? Don on the other end. ¡°Huh?¡± Sophia was fuming. ¡°Hey, you can¡¯t just do that!¡± Brandon hung up, turning to her, ¡°Sephia, you¡¯re pregnant. I can¡¯t just sit back and let you live alone. We¡¯re not negotiating on this. If you don¡¯t make a decision, I will. I¡¯m moving in,¡± He added. Sophia had seen his stubborn side before. Brandon was not usually like that, only when it came to her or the baby¡¯s health did he pull rank like this. By deciding for her, he was putting an end to a pointless back-and-forth. When it came to this, she never had room to negotiate with him. Eventually, Sophia had to concede. ¡°You don¡¯t have to move in. I¡¯ll go to your ce.¡± She figured it¡¯s easier to invite trouble in than to send it packing. ¡°But, she fixed her eyes on him, ¡°I¡¯m just trying it out. And if it doesn¡¯t suit me, I can leave anytime.¡± Finally, Brandon nodded, ¡°Okay.¡± Sophia packed a few things and was off, not nning on staying long. Brandon didn¡¯t flex his muscles on that front. They rode the VIP elevator straight to the penthouse suite. This was Sophia¡¯s first time here. The hotel¡¯s decor was all about understated luxury, true to the brand. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but look around a bit more than usual. ¡°You seem like you¡¯ve never visited the Starlight before,¡± Brandon noted.. She nodded, ¡°Yeah, haven¡¯t really done the whole travel thing.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you stay at one either.¡± Sophia thought for a sec, then said, ¡°Your hotels are a bit too pricey for me.¡± The corners of Brandon¡¯s mouth twitched into a brief smile, then disappeared. No matter how expensive, as his wife, she shouldn¡¯t have any issue staying there. But she wanted to keep her independence, to leave without feeling indebted. Sophia caught the fleeting chill of his smirk and pretended not to, shifting her gaze elsewhere. Brandon opened the door to the suite and gave it a quick once-over before saying to her, ¡°You take the master bedroom, I¡¯ll crash in the secondary one. If you need anything, just holler.¡± Sophia peeked inside, hesitantly nodding. Seeing her hesitation, Brandon added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m just here on a business trip, won¡¯t be staying long-term.¡± Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Sophia just gave a slight nod. ¡°If I¡¯m not around here, I¡¯ll make sure someone else takes care of you, so don¡¯t sweat it, Brandon said, as he helped her lug her bags into the master bedroom. ncing at his watch, he added, ¡°It¡¯s getting late, you should hit the sack.¡± Sophia nodded silently again. ¡°You too get some shut-eye.¡± Brandon let out a soft ¡°Hmm¡± and on his way out, he kindly closed the door behind him. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Sophia had already freshened up back at home, so she turned off the lights and got into bed. The mattress in this five-star hotel wasfy and plush, but sleep just wasn¡¯ting to Sophia. In just half a day, it seemed like everything had looped back to square one. Not a great feeling, to say the least. Her hand instinctively rested on her t belly, knowing full well that the heart of the matter was the child inside her, just like it was two years ago. The thought of retracing her past life steps was something she instinctively pushed against. In the dead of night, amidst this resistance, she drifted into a fitful sleep, caught between dreams and reality. Every time she closed her eyes, she was besieged by dreams. In the bizarre dreamscapes, Sophia felt like she was back in Brandon¡¯s West district house, living there alone year-round, a ce vast and empty, devoid of life and, contrary to her expectations, free will. Patricia, with her graceful and proper demeanor, appeared in her dreams, her wordsced with hidden barbs, waking Sophia in a cold sweat. When she looked out the window, the sky was already bright. Sophia ran her palm from her forehead through her hair to the back of her head, feeling the dampness at the roots. She sat in silence for a while, taking in the empty beauty of the room. Just one night, and she was already missing her cozy, albeit cramped, little studio. The room came with an en-suite bathroom stocked with everything one could need. Sophia went through the motions of washing up and getting dressed with a wooden expression. Only then did she open the door to leave her room. The door to the adjacent bedroom was already ajar. Her gaze shifted from the open room to the living room, where, in the open-n kitchen, Brandon was fixing breakfast. His tall, upright figure was dressed in casual home wear,cking the usual sharp aura he had in a suit, reced instead by a more down-to-earth vibe. Brandon could cook, and he was pretty darn good at it, something Sophia had always known. But rarely did she get to taste his cooking or see him bustling about in the kitchen like this. The ordinary life and the day-to-day domesticity were never part of his world. His life revolved around that small desk in his office. On weekends when he wasn¡¯t working, and they were both home, Brandon would asionally whip something up, but it was rare. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if it was because he wasn¡¯t into it, or because she had already taken over all the chores, leaving him no stage to show off his skills. During her long stretches of unemployment, she had developed a Pavlovian response to cook meals on time, as if only by doing so could she prove her worth. But Sophia had always despised this reflex. She couldn¡¯t remember thest time she had seen such a scene. Thest memorable asion was back when they were newlyweds, and she was pregnant. Back then, cooking had be solely Brandon¡¯s domain. Time hade full circle, it seemed. Sensing someone¡¯s eyes on him, Brandon paused his egg-frying, then turned around to find Sophia staring at him, lost in thought ¡°Up and at ¡¯em?¡± he asked, turning off the stove. Sophia gave a gentle nod. ¡°Mhm.¡± She looked kind of out of it. Brandon walked over to her and stood in front. ¡°Rough night?¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Sophia candidly nodded again. ¡°Yeah.¡± The bed giving you grief? Or just not your cup of tea?¡± he asked, brushing her hair back from her face. Sophia shook her head slightly. ¡°Neither.¡± Brandon gave her a deep look but didn¡¯t pry further. ¡°Let¡¯s grab some grub,¡± he suggested Sophia silently nodded, took a seat at the dining table, and watched him set the table. Then he sat down opposite her He ced the warmed milk in front of her. ¡°Start with some milk.¡± Thanks.¡± Sophia murmured her thanks, took a small sip of the milk, and then looked back at Brandon. Brandon was also tucking into his breakfast, juggling a ss of milk in his left hand and a piece of toast in his right. Watching him take a bite of his toast, chewing methodically and taking a small sip of milk, Sophia noted his eating was always graceful and a sight for sore eyes. Brandon swallowed his mouthful of toast before looking at her. ¡°Not hungry?¡± Sophia shook her head gently. ¡°No, not really.¡± She took another sip of milk and then turned to him. ¡°I had a nightmarest night.¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes met hers. ¡°What kind of nightmare?¡± Sophia said, ¡°I dreamed we were still married. Felt like I was suffocating.¡± Brandon just looked at her, silent. ¡°Brandon, you know what? Those two years we were married, I was actually pretty miserable, Sophia said softly. locking eyes with him Sometimes I can¡¯t help but think, maybe the reason we lost that baby was because she could feel my unhappiness. Maybe she knew she wouldn¡¯t be happy in this house, so she left.¡± Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Brandon fell silent for a moment before looking at her, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry. I took you for granted before.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not on you, we just want different things out of life, Sophia said, absentmindedly stirring her milk. When her lips pursed slightly, she looked up at him, ¡°Can you just let me go? I won¡¯t strip you of your rights as a father. You can see her, even take her to stay with you from time to time. Just let me have custody.¡± Brandon¡¯s milk hung in the air as he paused, then slowly set it down, looking at Sophia, ¡°Sophia, I can¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not fair to her either, Brandon said. ¡°She might need a more stable environment to grow up in. ¡°And what about me? Is that fair?¡± Sophia asked softly, ¡°Does having a child mean all my feelings and decisions have to revolve around her? Before I¡¯m a mom, I need to be me first. I have my own thoughts, emotions, and life to live.¡± Brandon pinched the metal spoon in his milk ss with his long fingers, his eyelids slightly drooped, as if deep in thought Sophia didn¡¯t make another sound to disturb him, just sipped her milk quietly. As the rich creamy vor slid down her throat, it used to be a taste of heaven, but hormonal changes during pregnancy quickly turned this delight into an emetic. Before the milk even reached her stomach, the familiar nausea surged within Sophia. She instinctively pressed her hand to her chest and turned her head to retch. Brandon quickly stood up, walked over to her, pulling out a tissue with one hand while gently wrapping his other arm around her shoulder, patting her back. ¡°Feeling rough?¡± he asked, his deep voice tinged with an almost imperceptible anxiety. Sophia shook her head slightly, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Reaching for water, Brandon was already a step ahead, bringing the ss to her lips. ¡°Have some water first As his calm, deep voice fell, the cool rim of the cup was already at her lips. After helping her sip some lukewarm water, Brandon frowned at her, ¡°Feeling better?¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Much better. Thanks.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t reply but kept his palm on her shoulder, gently soothing the difort from the nausea. His hand now picked up a freshly squeezed strawberry kiwi juice, offering it to her lips, ¡°Try some juice.¡± Sophia hummed softly and drank, the fresh juice slightly eased her stomach difort. Having gone through severe pregnancy sickness the first time, Brandon was much more adept at handling it now. All the research he had done was being put to use, even the breakfast he prepared was carefully thought out, considering what nutrients to include and what could alleviate morning sickness. Sophia never denied that Brandon would be a good father, and even when she was pregnant, a good husband. Sophia¡¯s pregnancy sickness was somewhat alleviated with Brandon¡¯s diet, and she managed to eat a bit more.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She had sses today and rushed to school after breakfast. The topic of letting her go, interrupted by the morning sickness, was never brought up again. Brandon personally drove her to the school. Til pick you up after ss,¡± he said as she got out of the car. Sophia neither declined nor nodded, just softly told him. ¡°You should head back. Drive safe.¡± Brandon gave a slight nod, watching her enter the school building before driving away. Sophia hadn¡¯t even entered the ssroom when she noticed a crowd gathered excitedly around the bulletin board, discussing something. Passing by the board, Sophia couldn¡¯t help but nce at it-a job posting for a part-time architectural designer. The hiring firm was Dempsey Architects. Sophia had some recollection of this firm. It had been mentioned in the alumni group. The firm was a rising star in the industry over the past two years, attracting a lot of talented architects and producing several renowned design projects. The job offer was generous, asking for resumes with portfolios, and if hired by the firm, there would be opportunities for long-term coboration, a base sry, andmissions above industry standards. Most importantly, no need to clock in-just submit the projects on time. Sophia felt tempted and couldn¡¯t resist taking a photo of the job ad with her phone. Chapter 38 Chapter 38 During the break between sses, Sophia shot her resume off to Dempsey Architects. This firm not only posted ads around the school but also went the extra mile to host an Info session right there, with jobs up for grabs on the spot. The gig was set for 5 PM in the multimedia ssroom. Sophia had a free afternoon and wasn¡¯t too keen on going back to face Brandon, so she decided to kill some time and check out the info session. Dempsey Architects must have a ster rep in the biz, and the perks they were offering seemed pretty sweet, so naturally, the ce was buzzing with a bunch of students huddling around the promo board outside the ssroom, shooting the breeze about it. Dempsey Architects had clearly put some serious elbow grease into their publicity, decking out the ssroom entrance with a pop-up exhibit that was simple but oozed their vibe, showcasing their sess stories with models and. dioramas. The exhibit was all sleek and ssy, rocking a modern exotic style vibe that Sophia was totally into, and she couldn¡¯t help but get drawn in for a closer look. The joint was packed, and it was definitely shoulder-to-shoulder, but most folks were just breezing through for a quick peek Sophia had always had a thing for architectural design, and she couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away from those models and dioramas, especially when she spotted some clever exotic style garden elements. She zeroed in on the details and was so engrossed that she was oblivious to the horsey going on around her. Just as she was bending over a faux-rock disy, a yful smack from a nearby girl sent a high- rise diorama flying, and the girl¡¯s shriek of pain turned heads as she instinctively dodged away, causing a bit of a ruckus in the crowd. Don was on duty keeping things orderly when the scream andmotion made him snap his head in that direction. He spotted the girl who¡¯d caused the stir-none other than the one who looked like Ynda from the barst night. But before he could say hi, he saw the model she¡¯d knocked was teetering on the brink of copse. Noticing it was about to take a dive towards Sophia, who was still lost in the diorama, he bellowed a ¡°Watch out!¡± and bolted to the rescue. The panicked girl tried to catch the falling model but was too slight to stop it. She staggered back under its weight, tumbling onto Sophia, who was just rising. Caught off guard, Sophia stumbled back, nearly hitting the deck, but at thest second, a sturdy arm swooped in from behind to steady her, while another hand deflected the model. With a loud crash, the model hit the floor, the crowd gasped and instinctively backed off. Sophia, a bit dazed, looked up to see the girl sprawled on top of her and the man whose arm was bracing her. She was a bit knocked for six. Once the model hit the floor, Don finally let out a sigh of relief, turned to Sophia and the girl, and blurted out, ¡°Sorry about that, you guys okay?¡± Sophia gave a little shake of her head, ¡°I¡¯m fine, thanks,¡± while nudging the girl who was still on top of her The girl came to her senses and stuck her tongue out at Sophia in embarrassment, ¡°My bad, sorry.¡± She had a simple, genuine smile with a touch of awkward guilt. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but return the smile, ¡°No worries.¡± Relieved, the girl turned to Don with a hint of surprise, ¡°Hey, it¡¯s you! What are you doing here?¡± Don, brushing off his clothes, shifted his attention to the girl and smiled, ¡°Told youst night I run Dempsey Architects. We¡¯re here recruiting today.¡± He looked at her with a bit of surprise, ¡°You¡¯re not a student here, are you?¡± The girl jutted her chin slightly. ¡°Why? Don¡¯t I look like it?¡± Donughed, ¡°It¡¯s not that, just didn¡¯t expect it.¡± Sophia, seeing they seemed to know each other and were deep in conversation, quietly edged away to leave. Don hadn¡¯t forgotten about Sophia¡¯ near fall and spared her a nce, ¡°Hey, you sure you didn¡¯t hurt yourself?¡± Sophia smiled lightly and shook her head, ¡°No, thanks.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Don persisted, ¡°And nothing hit you?¡± Still, Sophia shook her head gently. ¡°I¡¯m fine, really, thank you,¡± she said, smiling her thanks and not wanting to interrupt, ¡°You guys keep chatting, I¡¯ll go look over there.¡± Don responded with a smile of his own, ¡°Sure thing, feel free to look around, and If you¡¯ve got any questions, just holler. I¡¯m Don, in charge of the exhibit. Here¡¯s my card.¡± Handing her his card, he didn¡¯t miss a chance to introduce thepany, ¡°Our firm is hiring part-time and full-time architectural designers. If you¡¯re interested in joining us, feel free to send in your application.¡± ¡°Will do, thanks. Sophia politely took the card, thanked him, and turned to leave. Don then turned to the girl, head tilted. ¡°You didn¡¯t get hit by the model, did you?¡± ¡°Nope, all good, she assured him, hands patting the air and eyes wide with amazement, ¡°I thoughtst night was just your pick-up game. Didn¡¯t realize you actually owned a firm.¡± Don grinned, ¡°I¡¯m always straight-up. But what about you, remember anything? Ynda?¡± The name ¡°Ynda hit the air, and Sophia¡¯s stride abruptly faltered. Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Sophia heard a girl¡¯s voice griping from behind her, ¡°What¡¯s this Ynda stuff all about? You¡¯re acting like you don¡¯t know me. My name is Marian Barlow, Marian, OK?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know if she was just being oversensitive to the name ¡°Ynda¡¯ and mistakenly thought it was about her, or if it was really just a coincidence. She couldn¡¯t help but turn her head to sneak a peek at the girl, then at Don, both strangers. She shook her head with a chuckle, scolding herself for being too touchy, and then headed to the other side of the exhibition area. The seminar was about to kick off, and everyone had already snagged their seats early. Sophia checked the time on her phone, there was still a while to go, so she walked into the multimedia ssroom. At the entrance, staff were collecting resumes and portfolios. Sophia had brought hers along, too, but hesitated for a moment when she thought of the ¡°Ynda incident from earlier. The girl collecting resumes shot a puzzled look at the resume in her hand, then at her, ¡°Hello?¡± She said it with a meaningful nce at the resume and portfolio Sophia was holding. Sophia hesitated, then handed it over. Thanks.¡± The girl smiled, ¡°No worries.¡± Sophia returned the smile and took a seat in the back row of the ssroom. Whether it was the ¡°Ynda thing messing with her head or not, Sophia was a bit out of it. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. The Marian who had bumped into her earlier was now seated in the front row and waved cheerfully at Don when he walked in through the front door. Don responded with a smile and then stepped up to the podium. Sophia¡¯s gaze drifted from Marian to Don on the stage. If this Ynda was the one Brandon was searching for, were Don and Brandon old pals? Or was it just a coincidence that they both had some connection to Ynda, but no mutual social circle? Sophia¡¯s mind was so caught up in these guesses that she couldn¡¯t focus on the seminar and didn¡¯t feel like sticking around. Seizing the chance as the speaker changed, she slipped out of the room. Don stepped down from the podium and headed to the entrance, where he picked up the stack of resumes that wasn¡¯t exactly thin and started flipping through them. Sophia had just left the multimedia ssroom too; the back door was closed, so she had to take the long way around to the front. To her surprise, she bumped into Don, who was perusing resumes. She gave an awkward smile as a greeting. Don, ever so friendly and recognizing her as the girl who had nearly been hit earlier, asked with a smile, ¡°Leaving so soon? Was the seminar that boring?¡± ¡°Not at all. It was fascinating¡± Sophia replied with a smile. I just have something going on at home and have to hurry back.¡± ¡°Gotcha, Don smiled back. ¡°Family first, don¡¯t let us keep you.¡± Sophia nodded with a smile as a response, not lingering on small talk, and after saying goodbye, she turned and left. Don kept rifling through the resumes and portfolios, focusing more on the portfolios. He wasn¡¯t paying much attention to the resumes until he stumbled upon a new ancient-style design portfolio. The clever fusion of ssical window patterns and garden elements with modern materials caught his attention. He pulled out that portfolio along with the resume, and the name ¡°Sophia¡¯ caught his eye. Her work experience section was pretty bare with no full-time gigs, but her personal achievements listed quite a few projects, some of which were even finishedndmark buildings in the area, some that Don had personally visited. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, not expecting to uncover a gem. He quickly skimmed through Sophia¡¯s portfolio attached to her resume and then turned to the girl collecting resumes, shaking the resume, ¡°Did she drop this off herself?¡± The girl looked up at the resume and nodded without hesitation, ¡°Yeah, but she just left. The girl who just said hi to you.¡± It wasn¡¯t that she had a super memory. It was just that Sophia¡¯s resume was so minimalistpared to the shy ones. around it. The resume was just a simple sheet of A4 paper, so in it made her do a double-take at Sophia, who was a stunner with a unique presence ¨C a rare blend of innocence and grace, bookish yet gentle and demure. She remembered her in a heartbeat, which made it easy for Don to match the face with the resume. Don nced at Sophia¡¯s retreating figure, somewhat surprised, and somehow felt that her work matched her vibe. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it for a sec, call me if you need anything,¡± he said in a rush, taking Sophia¡¯s portfolio with him as he went after her. ¡°Ms. Yearwood.¡± Just as Sophia reached the hall of the teaching building, she heard Don¡¯s voice behind her, slightly out of breath, as if he had hurried over. She turned around, puzzled, to see Don approaching her quickly with a questioning look. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± she asked. Don stopped in front of her, catching his breath while patting his chest, and handed her the resume, ¡°Ms. Yearwood, is this your resume?¡± Sophia looked at it, recognized it as hers, and nodded, ¡°Yeah, what about it?¡± Don, catching his breath, said, ¡°Ms. Yearwood, I¡¯m really into your design work. Would you be interested in joining Dempsey Architects?¡± Sophia was amazed for a moment. She was caught off guard, not expecting this kind of response so soon after submitting her resume. Afraid she would decline, Don quickly added, ¡°It could be a part-time gig, won¡¯t interfere with your studies. ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Sophia said with a smile, eager to clear up the misunderstanding. ¡°Can I take some time to think about it? I¡¯ve been under the weathertely, worried I might not be able to handle both.¡± ¡°No worries, our position is part-time, and we¡¯re looking at a long-term coboration. You can focus on getting better first. Don reassured her, then pulled out his business card and offered it, ¡°My phone number and WhatsApp are on here. Give me a call anytime once you¡¯ve made up your mind.¡± Sophia took it, responding with a polite, ¡°Sure.¡± Don shed her a smile, ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m crossing my fingers for a chance to work with you, Ms. Yearwood.¡± Sophia matched his smile, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡± ¡°Cool, I¡¯ll be on pins and needles waiting for the good news from you.¡± Sophia chuckled and nodded, about to walk away when her phone rang. ¡°Sorry, gotta take this call,¡± Sophia said apologetically, nodding As she turned, she casually hit the answer button without really checking the caller ID ¡°Hello?¡± There was a brief silence on the other end. Sophia nced at her phone, puzzled, and did a double-take when she recognized the familiar string of numbers On the other end, Brandon¡¯s deep voice began to drift through the speaker. ¡°Are you out of ss? I¡¯m right below the teaching building.¡± Chapter 40 Chapter 40 ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m heading back now, Sophia whispered, ¡°Gotta hang up.¡± And then she hung up the phone. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Brandon slowly put down his phone only when the busy signal ¡°beep beep¡± hit his ears, ncing at the screen. The phone had already gone back to the lock screen. He unlocked it and, on the call log page, that dialed number was still just a string of digits. That string of digits had been saved in Brandon¡¯s contacts for eight years. A number he jotted down in his youth, during the time he reconnected with Sophia, he almost never dialed it, even though he knew it by heart without having to save it Brandon couldn¡¯t tell why he never called in those years. He often thought of Sophia, remembered how she stood. quietly at the podium, introducing herself with her unique soft voice, ¡°Hi everyone, I¡¯m Sophia.¡± Every time he thought of her, he couldn¡¯t help but fish out the number, but he never actually dialed it. He couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint his feelings during those years Every time his finger hovered over the call button, memories of the graduation party when the teacher regretfully informed everyone that Sophia couldn¡¯t make it, wishing everyone fun, would flood him with a sense of loss and anger. That year, Sophia had left without a word. On the other hand, after that loss and anger, there was theplex feeling that Sophia was not Ynda. Under the mix of anger andplex disappointment, every time he faced the number, he never followed through with the call. Brandon even thought that Sophia must have changed her number by then. It turned out she kept it all along. He knew her number like the back of his hand, but as for his own number which hadn¡¯t changed in eight years, Sophia didn¡¯t seem to recall it Thinking back to her polite ¡°Hello, who¡¯s this? on the phone just now, Brandon¡¯s eyes dimmed again. If he remembered correctly, this wasn¡¯t the first time she had responded with ¡°Hello, who¡¯s this? She genuinely didn¡¯t know who was on the other end of the line. Sophia¡¯s figure appeared at the turn of the stairwell in the teaching building, quietly looking around. There were quite a few cars parked in front of the building, and she couldn¡¯t spot Brandon¡¯s car right away. Brandon, seated in the driver¡¯s seat, remained still, just watching her search. Sophia nced around but didn¡¯t notice Brandon¡¯s car, and as she turned to head in a different direction, Brandon suddenly honked the horn. Sophia followed the sound and saw Brandon inside the car. She walked over to him. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t see your car just now.¡± Sophia apologized with a warm voice as she got into the car, her politeness tinged with distance. Brandon faintly remembered that Sophia had always been like this. During their school days, upon their reunion, and even during the two years they were married, she never seemed overly affectionate or clingy. It was as if she was always polite to a fault. For the first time, Brandon realized that he actually didn¡¯t like this kind of politeness. in fact, he even despised it. He couldn¡¯t help but nce at her Sophie perplexed by his stare, asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? sta indifferent as Brandon turned the steering wheel emonthly nullion cu Sophia was used to his aloofness and sat up straighter, her gaze shifted to the road ahead, and she stayed quiet. Brandon took a quick look at her. Her beautiful profile bathed in the evening sun, a wisp of hair curled by the wind created a delicate arc beside her cheek, looking serene yet tender. ¡°Are you adjusting okay at school?¡± Brandon asked. Sophia nced at him, surprised. She remembered Brandon wasn¡¯t one for small talk, but she nodded gently, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s alright¡± ¡°Did you have a lot of sses today? ¡°Not really. Sophia didn¡¯t want to outright say she just didn¡¯t want to go back, ¡°Today the school had a recruitment presentation by Dempsey Architects. It looked pretty good, so I checked it out.¡± Brandon turned to look at her. ¡°Are you thinking of looking for a job?¡± Chapter 41 Chapter 41 Sophia gave a little nod. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it if the right opportunity pops up¡± ¡°Can you handle it?¡± Brandon asked. ¡°It¡¯s just a part-time gig. Right now, it¡¯s all about hitting the books.¡± Brandon nodded, dropping the subject. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon, remembering the girl Don called ¡°Ynda¡± they bumped into at the expo. Brandon, eyes on the road, spared her a quick nce. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Sophia wanted to shake her head, but halfway through, she hesitated and then slightly nodded. ¡°I ran into a girl who might be named Ynda at the job fair today.¡± Brandon¡¯s hand on the steering wheel hitched for a sec. Sophia¡¯s gaze drifted from his hand to his chiseled side profile. ¡°But she didn¡¯t say she was Ynda. The guy running the show called her that. The name rang a bell so I couldn¡¯t help but take a few extra looks. Could she be the one you¡¯re looking for?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± Brandon dismissed it without a second thought, his hand smoothly navigating the wheel. Sophia was about to mention that the girl was the right age, but Brandon snapped his head around, shooting her a frosty look. Sophia mped her mouth shut, on instinct. She wasn¡¯t used to this icy version of Brandon and felt a bit out of her depth, her hands unwittingly tangling together on herp. Brandon shifted the conversation. ¡°What do you wanna eatter?¡± ¡°Anything¡¯s fine by me.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was soft, still a bit shaken from Brandon¡¯s sudden chill, her wordsing out hushed. Brandon¡¯s gaze briefly swept over her intertwined hands and then back to her calm face before looking away. ¡°Sorry,¡± he murmured after a while. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Sophia knew what he was apologizing for. She turned to him, offering a sheepish smile. ¡°My bad. I shouldn¡¯t have brought it up.¡± Brandon stayed quiet Sophia gave an awkwardugh, keeping mum after that. Silence sprawled across the car¡¯s interior until they reached the supermarket and didn¡¯t exchange a word until then. When the car finally stopped, Brandon spoke for the first time during the trip. ¡°Let¡¯s go grab some groceries first.¡± Sophia nodded lightly. ¡°Yeah.¡± The grocery shopping was another long stretch of quiet. Brandon did most of the picking and decision-making. Every time he grabbed something, he¡¯d habitually check with Sophia. ¡°This good?¡± Sophia would just agreeably nod. ¡°Mhm.¡± it suddenly hit Brandon that this wasn¡¯t their first grocery run together, but usually, it was Sophia doing the choosing and calling the shots, asking for his opinion with every item like he was doing now. ¡°How about this?¡± And he¡¯d respond with a light nod, ¡°Yeah¡± Brandon never thought they¡¯d end up like this To her, he was just the kid¡¯s dad she had to deal with for now. This realization made him steal a nce at Sophia. Sophia looked puzzled ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± It¡¯s nothing Brandon exhaled. ¡°Let¡¯s just get the groceries¡± Sophia hummed in response, and the rest of the grocery run went pretty much under Brandon¡¯s lead. Once home, Brandon headed straight for the kitchen with the fresh groceries and reminded her over his shoulder, ¡°Take a break. I¡¯ll call you when dinner¡¯s ready.¡± Sophia nodded, tempted to just head to her room, but she wasn¡¯t quite used to being waited on hand and foot, especially by someone like Brandon, who was technically out of the picture After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she stepped into the kitchen. ¡°Do you need a hand with anything?¡± Chapter 42 Chapter 42 ¡°Nah, you go take a break Brandon nced back at her. ¡°The kitchen¡¯s all smoky, not a good ce for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, really. I used to cook for myself, got used to the smell¡± Sophia said, making her way to the countertop full of ingredients She picked up a carrot and the peeler, ready to chip in, but Brandon turned around, snatched the carrot and peeler out of her hands. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Be a good girl, go chill in the living room or head back to your room for a rest, Brandon said ¡°You need to take it easy right now, steer clear of the heavy lifting His voice wasn¡¯t loud, nor was his tone forceful, but there was an undertone of authority that brooked no argument. Sophia hadn¡¯t forgotten how Brandon¡¯s demeanor had turned icy when Ynda came up during their ride home. She was still not quite used to his mood swings, so she just nodded lightly, murmured a soft ¡°Mhmm, and hesitated before leaving the kitchen. Not wanting to just retreat to her room and wait to be served dinner, she settled on the living room couch Brandon was busy in the kitchen by himself, having shed his suit jacket upon entering the home but not yet changed. into something morefortable. He still wore his work attire, a white shirt, and ck dress pants, which oddly matched the homely, smoky kitchen. The guy was tall, over six feet, with a perfect ratio of broad shoulders and long legs, and just the right amount of muscle definition. The white shirt and ck pants gave him an aura of refined asceticism Just standing there, he was easy on the eyes like a painting, radiating a maic hormone-fueled charm. Sophia never denied that she was drawn to Brandon physically, especially during thosete nights when he¡¯de back from work, still in his suit, and lean in to kiss her just as she was about to drift off after turning off the lights Those moments, Brandon would kiss her while simultaneously shedding his jacket and undoing buttons. The crisp white shirt would gain soft wrinkles from their deepening kisses, and the clearly defined muscles on his chest would tease her as buttons came undone. This Brandon was a far cry from his usual restrained and indifferent self, with a smoldering look in his eyes that was incredibly sexy and alluring. They were almost perfectly in sync in that thing. Whether it was stamina, technique, patience, or something else, Brandon was a natural-born king in the bedroom. And during those times, Sophia¡¯s heart would beat twice as hard for him. She adored Brandon when he was passionate the way he looked at her, his unintentional sighs, and his tenderness all made her heart race This Brandon, with tenderness and desire in his gaze, seemed to possess the full spectrum of human emotions, unlike the usually strict, aloof, and seemingly unattainable Brandon of everyday life. Regrettably, that Brandon was a rare sight As if sensing her gaze, Brandon suddenly turned around in the midst of his busyness. Sophia¡¯s eyes, too slow to hide, collided with his eyes. Brandon caught the faint regret and nostalgia in her eyes. His brows knitted slightly, his gaze deepening as he looked into her eyes. Sophia¡¯s face flushed with the embarrassment of being caught, and she awkwardly shifted her gaze away. Brandon¡¯s frown deepened, and he set down his kitchen utensils, walking over to her. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he asked, his voice maintaining its usual calm and depth. Sophia gave a slight smile and a gentle shake of her head, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just got lost in some thoughts, that¡¯s all.¡± What thoughts? Brandon pressed, now standing right in front of her. He was toll, and standing over her while she was seated added a sudden sense of authority. Sophia still shook her head softly. ¡°Really, it¡¯s nothing. Go on with your stuff. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t leave but continued to stand there, gazing down at her with an inquisitive look Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Sophia wasn¡¯t quite used to being under such intense scrutiny. She rose from the couch and pointed towards the back room. ¡°I¡¯m gonna hit the sack for a bit,¡± she whispered, then nced over at the kitchen behind her. ¡°If you¡¯ve got stuff to do, go ahead and dive into it. It¡¯s cool to grab some takeout.¡± Brandon just watched her without moving. ¡°It¡¯s all good, I¡¯m not tied up.¡± Sophia gave a polite smile. ¡°Appreciate it.¡± Brandon forced a smile too, but didn¡¯t respond Sophia gave a half-hearted smile as if to say hi, then tried to walk past him. All of a sudden, Brandon reached out and snagged her forearm. Sophia looked back at him, puzzled. She saw that his eyes were deep, hidden within an abyss of calm. His gaze reminded her of the one he shot her on the way back home when she mentioned Ynda- cold and turning his head to look at her suddenly. Despite the difference in looks and temperature, they both gave her a simr sense of unease. She hesitated, about to speak, but then he yanked on her arm, pulling her into his embrace. As she started to look up in panic, he tightened his grip around her waist, his other handnding on her chin, gently forcing it up. Her face was tilted back involuntarily, and Brandon¡¯s kissnded fiercely and urately, filled with hidden rage. Sophia was stunned, not fully processing what was happening. As she instinctively tried to pull away, the more she struggled, the harsher the kiss became, and the tighter she was held. In the tussle, she found herself pushed up against the wall by Brandon. He pinned her hands above her head against the wall with one hand, while the other supported the back of her head, forcing her to tilt her face up. His lips plundered hers with force and aggression. Sophia frantically tried to push him away, but the more she pushed, the more she seemed to provoke Brandon. She couldn¡¯t figure out what was up with him today. Ever since he picked her up from school, he¡¯d been off. Thest time she saw him this reckless and fierce was the night she mentioned divorce. After they hade to an agreement, she got up to freshen up, and he suddenly erupted like this, pinning her down with a wild disregard that eventually calmed down after her pleading. ¡°Brandon, stop it.¡± Just likest time, she clutched his wrists tightly, pleading in a low voice while trying to break free. There was a momentary pause in his movements. He nced at her, with no desire in his eyes, just a sharp coldness. He didn¡¯t slowly let go of her after that look, likest time. He just kept staring at her, motionless and cold. Sophia couldn¡¯tprehend the icy usation in his eyes, nor did she know what she had said or done wrong to offend him. She had never seen Brandon like this before. He was always so incredibly calm and controlled. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She noticed his eyes slightly widened due to the panic. It seemed like he was savoring her bewildered and flustered state, silently towering over her, not making a move. In the end, it was Sophia who couldn¡¯t stand the pressure of his gaze any longer. She lowered her head slightly and turned it away, her chest heaving with breaths, her whole being still in a daze, tangled with trepidation and rm Brandon also turned his head to the other side. Silence spread through the decent-sized space. After a while, Brandon finally looked at her. ¡°Sophia, how do you manage to pull away so smoothly and cleanly?¡± Sophia was taken aback by the question and instinctively looked up at him. Brandon was still there, unmoving, his eyes still unfamiliarly intense and sharp. Chapter 44 Chapter 44 Chap ¡°Maybe, Sophia¡¯s voice trailed off as she tilted her head away, ¡°Just had a bit more time to brace myself, I guess.¡± Her calm words somehow managed to ignite a fierce glint in Brandon¡¯s eyes. With a flick of his long fingers, he pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him. ¡°You have been prepping for this for over half a year, huh?¡± he asked, his voice eerily calm yet frightening. He hadn¡¯t forgotten the day she got the eptance call from Apex Engineering University When he asked how long she¡¯d been preparing, she¡¯d said six months. Sophia gave a small nod, silently agreeing. Brandon didn¡¯t reply, just stared at her expressionlessly, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing violently with his emotions. He didn¡¯t utter a word, just watched her with that same nk expression. Sophia had no clue why Brandon was suddenly raking up the past. It wasn¡¯t like she had kept their divorce a secret from him, nor had she bolted. Right from the start, she¡¯d been upfront. about wanting a divorce, and he¡¯d agreed without probing for reasons or needing an exnation. Just a simple ¡°okay¡± had ended their marriage, more decisively than she could have managed. Even when they bumped into each other in their neighborhoodter, and he found out she¡¯d been considering divorce for six months, he¡¯d been the one to coolly say take care before walking away, clean and swift, without dragging his feet. Even on the day she left at the airport, him upstairs, her downstairs, his gaze was calm and distant, with no signs of lingering attachment or care. Now, barely a monthter, she didn¡¯t understand why Brandon was suddenly bringing up old times. Was it because of the baby? Her hand instinctively touched her still-t belly, and Sophia realized that all the changes seemed to start after he learned of her pregnancy Brandon noticed where her hand rested and nced at her. ¡°It¡¯s not about the kid, he said, his gaze pausing on her chin which he had been holding, before releasing her. ¡°Sorry,¡± he said, returning to his usualposed self. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Sophia replied softly, her gaze lowered, not looking at him. ¡°You should go back to your room and rest. I¡¯ll call you when dinner¡¯s ready,¡± Brandon said, smoothing her tousled hair. Sophia just nodded obediently, ¡°Okay.¡± Brandon watched her go back to her room, only looking away after the door closed. The lingering light of the sunset poured through the window. Sophia stood there, gazing at the still unfamiliar street outside. Brandon¡¯s breath from just a moment ago still clung to her lips. His slightlybored breathing and anger also seemed to echo in her ears. She found Brandon a bit hard to read, actually. He was usually soposed and steady that it was rare to see him show emotion like this. She didn¡¯t quite understand his sudden mood swing. This wasn¡¯t the Brandon she knew. But she wasn¡¯t presumptuous enough to think that Brandon began to love her. They didn¡¯t have that kind of emotional foundation Her hand drifted to her belly again. Sophia had a hunch that Brandon¡¯s change of heart began with the knowledge of the child¡¯s existence. He had always liked kids and naturally wouldn¡¯t want his child to grow up in a broken home. At that moment, her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp video call. It was Susan. Sophia hit the answer button ¡°Still up?¡± Sophia asked, ncing at the time. It was well past midnight back home. Susan yawned, ¡°Sleep? No time for that, I¡¯ve been swamped. Just finished discussing a contract.¡± Sophia frowned, ¡°What contract is keeping you up sote?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the deal with Brandon¡¯s Starlight Hotel joining our business district.¡± Susan began to vent before catching herself, remembering she wasn¡¯t supposed to bring Brandon up around Sophia. She mped her mouth shut and gave herself a yful p on the lips. She hadn¡¯t forgotten what Sophia had told her about not wanting to hear about Brandon¡¯s whereabouts Sophia chuckled at her friend¡¯s frustration. It¡¯s fine, keep going.¡± And then she inquired, ¡°Haven¡¯t you sealed that project deal yet?¡± Susan replied, ¡°It¡¯s not that easy. We¡¯ve been haggling over the contract for days, going back and forth with amendments. Brandon is a tough cookie, no, it¡¯s their legal department that¡¯s the pain in the neck.¡± Afterining, she couldn¡¯t help but pout at Sophia, ¡°I was thinking of asking Brandon for a fast track, you know, to discuss and make changes directly, so it¡¯s easier for everyone. But I have no idea where he¡¯s disappeared to I¡¯ve been to their office a bunch of times and can¡¯t find him. Even that Kent guy won¡¯t spill the beans, just says Brandon¡¯s on a business trip with no return date. At this rate, your baby will be born by the time we finalize this contract.¡± Then she looked at Sophia with concern, Oh right, how¡¯s your morning sickness been these past few days? I¡¯ve been so busy I forgot to ask. ¡°I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t worry about me,¡± Sophia reassured quickly. ¡°It¡¯s you I¡¯m worried about, staying up so late. Take care of yourself. ¡°I¡¯m young, I¡¯ll be fine, Susan yawned as she stood up, ¡°Tomorrow I¡¯ll try to get hold of that Kent again, see if I can catch Brandon at work. Their legal team is too domineering, and ours isn¡¯t just for show. I feel like I¡¯m being ground down in the middle here. Seeing Susan¡¯s clearly worn-out face, Sophia felt uneasy, ¡°Why don¡¯t you send me the contract? I can show it to Brandon for you. He¡¯s here in Wye City.¡± ¡°What?¡± Susan stopped mid-yawn, shocked, ¡°Did Brandon follow you to Wye City?¡± ¡°No, he¡¯s here on business, and we just ran into each other, Sophia rified softly. This is some crazy coincidence. The world¡¯s so big and yet you bump into each other,¡± Susan shook her head, amused. Only then did she notice the unfamiliar background behind Sophia and paused, bewildered, ¡°You¡¯re not with Brandon right now, are you?¡± Sophia hesitated, then nodded, ¡°I¡¯m staying with him for now. He found out about my pregnancy.¡± ¡°How did he figure it out so darn fast? He didn¡¯t nt a tracker on you or something, did he?¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°As if he¡¯s got that kind of time to kill. It was just a fluke, really. He¡¯s pretty perceptive, you know, so it¡¯s like, trying to keep something under wraps from him is just impossible.¡± Susan nodded in agreement. ¡°True that. So what¡¯s the game n now?¡± she asked, ¡°Gonna keep the baby and raise it together, or are you thinking of getting back together? Or maybe not keeping it?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sophia sighed, ¡°I¡¯m just ying it by ear. But getting back together is definitely off the table. We¡¯re just not a good match.¡± Outside the door, Brandon¡¯s hand paused mid-air, just about to knock. He had just finished making dinner and was about to call Sophia to eat, not expecting to overhear her phone call He nced at the closed door, his fingers twitched, but he didn¡¯t knock. He hadn¡¯t meant to eavesdrop on their conversation, but he identally stumbled upon it. ¡°We¡¯re just not a good match.¡± Sophia¡¯s unique, soft voice echoed in his mind. Brandon didn¡¯t know what she meant by ¡°not a good match¡± with him. But the anger that had finally settled within him was now being stirred up again by her words. He tumed his head slightly to calm the storm inside. The conversation in the room continued, Susan¡¯s voice on speakerphone filtered through the door. ¡°No worries, take your time to think it over. Whatever decision you make, I¡¯ve got your back unconditionally. Like I said before, if you decide to have the baby, I¡¯m here to help you raise her. And if you decide not to, I respect your choice. Don¡¯t feel pressured ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll think about it. Don¡¯t worry about me, Sophia¡¯s voice followed, ¡°Send me the contract, and I¡¯ll have a look for you ¡°Will do.¡± Brandon took a deep breath and after a moment of silence, he knocked on the door. Sophia had hung up the phone and was looking at the contract Susan had sent over. Hearing the knock, she turned her head towards the door, got up, and opened it. Brandon stood at the door. ¡°Let¡¯s eat,¡± he said. Sophia nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± She turned off her phone and joined him. The dinner was already spread out on the table. Brandondled some soup for Sophia and passed it to her. She instinctively stood up to take it. ¡°I¡¯ve got it.¡± Brandon avoided her reaching hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got this.¡± He managed to ce the soup bowl in front of her without letting her touch it, then served her a bowl of rice. ¡°Thanks, Sophia said politely. Brandon didn¡¯t reply, just served himself some soup and sat down opposite her. Sophia could clearly sense the tense atmosphere that had started in the car that afternoon was still there. She opened her mouth to speak, but upon seeing Brandon¡¯s overlyposed face, she fell silent again and started sipping her soup with a spoon. Brandon, too, was quiet, sipping his soup. Sophia wasn¡¯t used to this kind of cold-war atmosphere. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. After a while, she looked up at him. ¡°Did anything bad happen today? Or did I do or say something wrong?¡± Brandon looked at her. ¡°It¡¯s not about you. It¡¯s on me.¡± Sophia shook her head slightly, absentmindedly stirring her soup, then looked at him ¡°Is it because I mentioned Ynda. It seems like all your mood changes started with her. If you don¡¯t like it, I won¡¯t bring her up ever again. But don¡¯t shut me out like this. It makes me unsure how to interact with you.¡± Brandon¡¯s grip on his spoon tightened slightly, then he looked at her calmly. ¡°I really don¡¯t like hearing about Ynda. Don¡¯t mention her again.¡± Sophie nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± But herpliance didn¡¯t soothe Brandon¡¯s irritation. The atmosphere remained tense. Sophia ganced at him, slightly puzzled. ¡°Is there something else?¡± Brandon looked at her, and just when she thought he would default to his usual ¡°it¡¯s nothing,¡± he spoke slowly. ¡°Where exactly do we not match up?¡± Sophia was overwhelmed for a moment. Chapter 45 Chapter 45 Brandon just watched her silently, waiting for her answer.. Sophia hesitated for a moment, and then looked at him. ¡°Did you overhear me on the phone just now?¡± Brandon gave a slight nod, pretty chill about it, ¡°I happened to be at the door and caught a bit of it by ident.¡± Sophia awkwardly tugged at the corner of her mouth, ¡°What a coincidence.¡± Brandon cracked a small smile too, ¡°Yeah, quite the coincidence.¡± His eyes still fixed on her, he repeated his earlier question, ¡°What¡¯s not clicking between us?¡± Sophia¡¯s soup sipping slowed down to a halt as she looked at him, ¡°Why are you all of a sudden so curious about this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just wondering, Brandon said, hisposure as cool as a cucumber. The expected answer. Sophia stirred her soup spoon lightly, falling silent for a while, before looking at him, ¡°Different goals, I guess.¡± Brandon probed, ¡°Like what?¡± ¡°You¡¯re all about work, and I¡¯m all about life, Sophia spoke softly, her eyes on him, ¡°All you want is marriage, but I¡¯m looking for love¡± Brandon¡¯s brow furrowed ever so slightly, he just looked at her, not saying a word. Sophia let out a small chuckle, ¡°Marriage might be just a duty to you. It doesn¡¯t matter who you marry, who the mother. of your children is. To you, a partner might just be a symbol called ¡®wife Anyone could fit the bill, but I can¡¯t. Besides these internal issues, we¡¯re also not a match on the outside.¡± Sophia continued, ¡°Youe from a well-off family, all wealthy and powerful, plenty of girls from simr backgrounds are into you. While my family, we¡¯ve got nothing, and my rtives are,¡± Sophia paused, shook her head with a chuckle, then looked at him again, ¡°Basically, we¡¯re just from different worlds, right? We got together by some fluke, and it¡¯s been a mistake from the start. Now we¡¯re just getting our lives back on track, that¡¯s all.¡± Brandon looked at her, his expression serene, ¡°Were these past two years just a mistake to you?¡± Sophia thought for a moment, then nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡± Brandon¡¯s lips pursed slightly as he turned his head away. Sophia saw his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing, as if he was holding back his emotions, and his chiseled side profile tensed ever so slightly. She looked at him, puzzled. Today, she had seen too many emotional sides of Brandon, a bit off from the Brandon she knew. She wasn¡¯t sure if the problem was with her or with him. She didn¡¯t think she had changed much from before, and their interactions had been pretty consistent. She was always open where she needed to be, so she couldn¡¯t fathom why Brandon, usually so absorbed in his work, was suddenly sweating the small stuff. Brandon didn¡¯t say much else, just turned to look at her with a nce that clearly carried a mix of me and reproach. Sophia felt inexplicably scrutinized and couldn¡¯t help but meet his gaze. Brandon had regained his calm and put some food on her te, ¡°Let¡¯s eat first.¡± Sophia nodded lightly, ¡°Yeah.¡± And then she started eating, taking small bites. She wasn¡¯t really hungry, eating was a bit of a struggle for her. Luckily Brandon was considerate of her appetite. The dinner was thoughtfully prepared, all nutritious yet light and easy to digest foods, so she didn¡¯t end up hurling like she had a few times before. Brandon had clearly put a lot of effort into the meal. Putting down her utensils, Brandon looked at her with concern, ¡°You okay?¡± Sophia nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine Dinner was really to my taste tonight.¡± She also thanked him, ¡°Thanks for this.¡± Brandon stayed silent for a while, then looked at her, ¡°Sophia, you don¡¯t have to be so formal with me.¡± Sophia looked at him, puzzled Brandon regarded her earnestly, ¡°No matter what we were once husband and wife, and I¡¯m the father of our child. We don¡¯t need to be so polite with each other¡± Sophia pulled a small smile, Alright It wasn¡¯t that she liked being formal, but Brandon¡¯s aura of authority was so striking, and he always kept his unique sense of distance, which made her subconsciously polite around him. Brandon also pulled a small smile, as a response Sophia remembered the contract Susan hadn¡¯t signed and couldn¡¯t help but nce at Brandon Brandon caught her look, ¡°Something on your mind? Sophia nodded, ¡°Actually, there is. Not sure if it¡¯s convenient to discuss.¡± Brandon encouraged her, ¡°Go ahead.¡± Sophia began, ¡°Susan is working on that contract with the Starlight Hotel to enter their shopping district, right? They¡¯re pressed for time, but the legal back-and-forth is dragging on. I was wondering if it might be possible to deal directly with you?¡± She finished, a bit sheepish, ¡°I know it¡¯s not standardpany protocol, but you¡¯ve signed so many contracts like this, you must have a clear idea of where you can make concessions and where you can¡¯t. So, I thought maybe you could spare some time ¡°Sure, Brandon interrupted her abruptly Sophia was taken aback, ¡°Huh?¡± Brandon reached out ¡°Give me the contract ¡°Ah? Oh, sure¡± Realizing what he meant Sophia quickly grabbed her phone, considering sending him the electronic version, but then thought it might be inconvenient and didn¡¯t want to take up too much of his time. She noticed a printer in the room and hurriedly got up. ¡°I¡¯ll print it out for you. That¡¯ll be easier to look at And with that, she was about to head to the printer Brandon stood up, leaning in to take her phone from her hand ¡°I got it.¡± As he spoke, Brandon moved towards the printer and adeptly transferred the file to theputer printed a copy, and even used the binding machine to put it all together. He then looked over the contract in his hands, his movements throughout the process smooth and efficient. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but watch him. There was Brandon, casually leaning against the printer, his back lightly propped against the table, his long legs casually crossed. His gaze lowered, he held the contract in his left hand and flipped through the pages with his right, his eyes moving quickly yet attentively, his handsome face absorbed in concentration and seriousness. They say a woman hard at work is captivating, and the same goes for men. This wasn¡¯t the first time Sophia had seen Brandon in work mode, but every time, she found herself drawn to the focus. on his handsome face.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Brandon breezed through the contract, then casually grabbed a red pen from the desk and, with a few swift strokes, made quick edits to the document before handing it over to Sophia ¡°This is the Starlight Group¡¯s bottom line,¡± he said. Sophia was daydreaming, staring at Brandon, and only snapped out of it when he passed the contract to her. ¡°Huh?¡± He shot her a look. Feeling awkward, she numbled, ¡°Sorry, I zoned out there for a sec.¡± He turned the contract towards her. ¡°Shoot this over to Susan. If theirpany can swallow these terms, we sign. If not, we call it quits on the coboration.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Sophia took the contract, unable to stop herself from blurting out a grateful, ¡°Thanks.¡± The word just hung there awkwardly, as she recalled he said there was no need for such formalities. Brandon nced at her again but responded with a casual, ¡°No worries.¡± Sophia cracked a smile in response and then gestured towards the back room, ¡°So, I¡¯ll head back to my room now.¡± He gave a slight nod, ¡°Yeah.¡± After a polite nod, Sophia turned and went back inside. Brandon watched as she closed the door, his gaze then drifting slightly to one side. He couldn¡¯t figure out why it was that he and Sophia just couldn¡¯t be like other couples or married folks- close-knit without all the formalities and awkwardness. Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Sophia zipped back to her room and fired off the contract to Susan. Susan had already hit the sack and only caught wind of the contract from Sophia when she woke up the next day. Still groggy from sleep, her eyes popped open as she got a gander at the contract, and she sat bolt upright in bed, surprise. written all over her face. She eyeballed the contract not once, but twice, just to make sure it was indeed Brandon¡¯s handwriting. Once convinced, she shot a message back to Sophia, all excited. [Holy smokes, you actually managed to wrap up Brandon in one night! How on earth did you pull that off? Didn¡¯t you say he was as tough as nails and never liked to pull strings for anyone?] Sophia caught Susan¡¯s message while riding shotgun in Brandon¡¯s car, as he was giving her a lift to school. She couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon. The Brandon she knew was all about fair y, never bending the rules for anyone, which was why she never bothered him with anything during their marriage. Brandon had thrown her for a loopst night. She had just tentatively popped the question, not expecting him to agree so readily, let alone seal the deal on the spot with such efficiency Sensing her gaze, Brandon found a moment to nce her way. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Sophia shook her head ¡°Nothing major, just got a message from Susan. She¡¯s over the moon and wanted me to pass on her thanks.¡± ¡°No need for thanks. I didn¡¯t do it just to break my rule for her sake.¡± Sophia¡¯s heart skipped a beat at that. She turned her gaze away slightly, her fingers still fidgeting with her phone. ¡°I remember you never made exceptions for anyone before,¡± she murmured. ¡°So, you never came to me for help, right?¡± Brandon said, his foot easing onto the brake as the traffic light flipped from green to red, bringing the car to a smooth halt before the stop line. Then he looked at her, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ever think ofing to me for anything?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to make things tough for you,¡± Sophia said softly, not looking his way. ¡°Was it about not making things tough for me, or not wanting to owe me a favor?¡± Sophia paused, her eyes meeting Brandon¡¯s. Brandon was still looking at her. Sophia hadn¡¯t really thought about it that way. She just genuinely didn¡¯t want to challenge Brandon¡¯s principles. Once she asked for a favor, whether it¡¯s granted or not, feelings can get hurt. She had hesitantly broached the subject with him this time because she knew Brandon had his own standards and lines that wouldn¡¯t be crossed, so helping or not wouldn¡¯t make much difference. ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it,¡± she confessed honestly, ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to put you on the spot before.¡± Her answer seemed to clear the clouds from Brandon¡¯s expression. As the light turned green, Brandon fired up the engine. ¡°Sophia, truth be told, I¡¯ve never minded you troubling me,¡± he said softly as the car pulled away, ¡°sometimes, I even wish you woulde to me with your troubles.¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Sophia shot him a surprised look. Brandon didn¡¯t return her gaze, just focused on driving. Sophia kept quiet, but his words had struck a chord. She had always been a sensitive soul, easily moved by someone¡¯s words, especially when they came from a man she once loved deeply They were soon at the school. It wasn¡¯t quite time for sses yet, but the campus entrance was already buzzing with people hurrying to their ssrooms. Knowing Sophia was pregnant and worried she might rush and hurt herself, Brandon had made a point toe half an hour early. Still, he hadn¡¯t anticipated the crowd, probably there for Dempsey Architects¡¯ presentation and recruitment. While looking for a parking spot, Brandon caught sight of Dempsey Architects¡¯ promotional sign at the gate and remembered Sophia mentioning she wanted to attend the presentation. He gave her a quick look. Sophia was puzzled. ¡°What is it?¡± Brandon nced at the ad sign not too far away. ¡°Is this the presentation you were talking about yesterday?¡± Sophia looked up and nodded. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one. Their work seems pretty solid, and the designers seem talented, so I thought I¡¯d give it a shot.¡± ¡°Did you get in?¡± Sophia shook her head. ¡°No.¡± As she recalled the incident from yesterday with Don calling Marian ¡°Ynda,¡± she couldn¡¯t help but steal a nce at Brandon, trying to gauge from his expression whether he knew Don. But Brandon looked as calm as usual, just patiently weaving through the crowd looking for a spot to park. ¡°Yesterday, the head honcho from their office left me his card and said his name was,¡± Sophia pretended to speak casually, about to say ¡°Don,¡± but before she could get the word out, a figure suddenly darted out from a side path, not looking where they were going and nearly collided with the front of Brandon¡¯s car. Sophia yelped, ¡°Watch out!¡± Just as the ck Cayenne mmed the brakes, jolting Sophia back against the seat. Brandon quickly extended his hand to steady her lower back. ¡°You okay?¡± he asked, his deep voiceced with a hint of concern that was hard to detect. Sophia nodded. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She looked worriedly at the girl who had her hands pressed against the car hood, panicked. ¡°Quick, check if you hit anyone.¡± As she spoke, she was already undoing her seatbelt and getting out of the car. Brandon unfastened his seatbelt as well. ¡°Sorry about that. Are you okay?¡± Sophia hurried over to the girl, apologizing profusely. The girl, still visibly shaken, shook her head, her long hair a tangled mess, obscuring her face. Sophia stepped forward to help her. ¡°You alright?¡± Suddenly, the girl broke free from her grasp, swept her hair back with her hand, and looked up, ready to explode. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you guys? Didn¡¯t you see me? You almost ran me over, do you realize that?¡± As the girl raised her head, her face came into view. Sophia froze-it was Marian, the one Don had called ¡°Ynda¡± yesterday. She instinctively looked at Brandon. Brandon seemed to do a double-take, his gaze shifting to Marian¡¯s wrist resting on her head. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but nce at her wrist too, and did a bit of a double-take herself upon seeing the emerald bracelet. Just then, Brandon turned to look at Sophia and caught the stunned look on her face, which set off a storm in his usually calm eyes. Chapter 47 Chapter 47 ¡°Ever seen that bracelet?¡± Brandon asked. Sophia snapped back to reality shaking her head in confusion, ¡°Nope But Brandon¡¯s eyes were still glued on her, ¡°Your peepers are telling me a different story though, you know it.¡± Sophia still looked like she was at sea, just as clueless. Brandon had never seen such a spaced-out look on her face before. Instinctively, he grabbed her arm, ¡°Sophia? The pain snapped her back to the moment, and she looked at Brandon, whose handsome face was etched with concem and a barely noticeable anxiety, a burning need to uncover the truth. Seeing no one was paying her any mind. Marian, who was in the middle of a hissy fit, got even more ticked off and moved closer to the pair, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with you two? Were you even watching where you were going? What if you had bumped into someone? Sophia¡¯s attention was pulled back, and she quickly apologized to Marian, ¡°Sorry about that, it was our bad. You¡¯re not hurt, are you? It was only then that Marian got a good look at Sophia, recognizing her as the girl from the exhibition whom she¡¯d almost knocked over the day before, and said, surprised, ¡°Oh? It¡¯s you?!¡± With a flick of her wrist, she brushed it off, No sweat, I¡¯m not hurt. Just make sure to watch the road next time, don¡¯t go. running into people again.¡± It wasn¡¯t until after she finished speaking that she realized the guy staring at her was the same one who had grabbed her wrist at the hotel entrance that day. Especially when Brandon¡¯s gazended on the bracelet on her wrist, she quickly covered it with her other hand and took a small step back ¡°What do you want now?¡± she asked nervously. ¡°I¡¯ve told you it¡¯s mine. It¡¯s been with me as long as I can remember, so don¡¯t even think about getting your hands on it. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but nce at the protected bracelet, still looking like she was lost in the fog, but her gaze involuntarily drifted back to Brandon. She saw a slight frown form on Brandon¡¯s forehead, a thoughtful look as he nced at Marian ¡°You¡¯ve had it since you can remember?¡± he asked. ¡°Of course, Marian replied without hesitation, protectively hiding her wrist by her side and sizing up Brandon with a mix of curiosity and assessment, ¡°Who are you, anyway? Why are you so interested in this bracelet?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know why, but she didn¡¯t like the way Marian looked at Brandon or the way Brandon looked at Marian. She wondered if it was residual feelings for Brandon that caused this sort of jealousy, like seeing a rival in love, or if it was simply because Marian could be Ynda, the girl who might be the apple of Brandon¡¯s eye. She didn¡¯t like this feeling and knew she had no right to fuss over it Checking her watch, she then said to Brandon, ¡°How about you two chat? I¡¯ve got ss soon, so I¡¯ll head in first.¡± Brandon shifted his attention to her, ¡°I¡¯!! walk you there.¡± ¡°No need, Sophia declined, ¡°it¡¯s just a stone¡¯s throw away, I can make it on my own.¡± She turned to leave, but Brandon tugged at her hand, ¡°I¡¯ll walk you.¡± Marian nced at the two, a bit puzzled, and kept mum as she bent down to pick up her work badge that had fallen to the ground during themotion. Brandon¡¯s eyes also swept over the work badge on the ground, pausing when he saw the name, phone number, and major listed on it. Sophia noticed his pause. Logically, she knew there was nothing wrong with it. Brandon was looking for Ynda, and it was natural for him to pay attention to someone who might be her. Besides, she and Brandon were divorced, free agents, and even if he got together with Marian, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Emotionally, though, she still felt twinge of discontent seeing Brandon take an interest in the girl who¡¯d been in his heart for over a decade. She kept her feelings off her face. Brandon¡¯s gaze was only fleeting. He walked her to the building. ¡°I¡¯lle pick you up after ss, he said softly, just like always. Sophia nodded as usual, but her thoughts during ss were affected by the incident, often drifting away, especially when she realized she shared a ssroom with Marian. Sophia only noticed Marian was in the same ss halfway through. Today¡¯s ss was arge lecture, several ssesbined. She usually sat at the front and didn¡¯t bother to see who was behind her. It wasn¡¯t until Marian raised her hand to answer a question that Sophia took notice. The feeling of coincidence was subtle. A stand-in meeting the real deal, with fate seemingly getting more tangled. Ivan, sitting next to her, could clearly sense her distraction and absence, not even noticing when the teacher called her name Ivan¡¯s pen tapped discreetly on the desk. Sophia looked at him, confused. ¡°The teacher asked you a question, Ivan whispered, covering his mouth with his hand to tip her off. Only then did Sophia realize that all eyes were on her. Luckily, she was quick on the uptake and had a solid foundation, so after a quick nce at the big screen, she got the gist of the teacher¡¯s question and managed to answer smoothly. After ss, Ivan unusually didn¡¯t rush out but looked towards Sophia, who was still packing up. ¡°Something wrong?¡± he asked, ¡°You seemed off today.¡± ¡°Probably just didn¡¯t sleep wellst night, Sophia admitted a bit sheepishly, grateful, ¡°Thanks for the heads-up earlier.¡± Ivan¡¯s lips twitched, ¡°No worries.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . But he didn¡¯t leave, waiting for her to finish packing. As the other students left in twos and threes, the ssroom emptied out. Sophia was used to leavingte, usually taking her sweet time, but with Ivan waiting, she didn¡¯t want to dawdle too long. and quickly gathered up her notes and books, ready to leave with him. Marian, who had been dilly-dallying with her stuff, took the opportunity to approach Sophia and strike up a conversation. ¡°Fancy running into you here. We are the same major, huh?¡± She had noticed Sophia when she was called upon to answer a question and, after two interactions, had a good impression of her, so she couldn¡¯t resist stepping forward to introduce herself. Sophia was a bit taken aback by her forwardness but managed a polite smile in return, ¡°Yeah, what a coincidence But Marian was clearly the go-getter type, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she reached out to Sophie with an easygoing vibe. ¡°Hey there, I¡¯m Marian Nice to meet you¡± Sophia couldn¡¯t help but shake her hand, ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Sophia.¡± Right off the bat, Marian gave her props, ¡°That¡¯s a lovely name, suits you to a T.¡± Sophia shot back a smile, ¡°Thanks. Your name¡¯s pretty sweet, too.¡± ¡°My name? Nah, it¡¯s so uncool, Marian made a face, then her curiosity piqued, she asked, ¡°By the way, where are you from? Your ent kind of rings a bell. Maybe we¡¯re from the same hood.¡± Sophia shared, ¡°i grew up in the West district.¡± Marian¡¯s jaw dropped in a happy surprise, ¡°No kidding? Small world! I used to hang around the West district when I was a kid, then my family moved to the next-door Zion City.¡± ¡°Small world, indeed, Sophia smiled. ¡°I know, right?¡± Marian looked a tad wistful. ¡°I heard I was originally from the West district too. If I hadn¡¯t gotten separated from my folks when I was little, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up moving to Zion City with my now parents.¡± Then she perked up again, ¡°But hey, my parents and brother now, they¡¯re awesome to me. No regrets, really.¡± Sophia¡¯s mindtched onto the part about getting lost, hesitatingly she looked at her, ¡°You got separated from your family when you were young?¡± Chapter 48 Chapter 48 ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s ancient history I hardly remember much about it, just heard bits and pieces from my family.¡± Marian was an open book when it came to her background, talking about it with an easy breezy attitude as if it were someone else¡¯s tale. There wasn¡¯t a trace of sadness on her face Sophia could tell she was living the good life with her current family. Sophia was kinda digging her vibe and her no-BS personality. She cracked a smile, ¡°It¡¯s totally normal to forget. I barely remember my kiddie days myself¡± ¡°Right?¡± Marian chuckled along. ¡°Those days are ages ago. Who keeps track of all that stuff?¡± ¡°But have you ever,¡± Sophia hesitated, then looked at her, ¡°ever thought about finding your biological parents?¡± ¡°Why bother?¡± Marian shot her a curious look, ¡°My folks and my family are awesome to me. They treat me like their own, and I see them as my family. We¡¯re already a family, so why go stirring the pot? What if I find them and then have to deal with the drama of whether to go back or not? Would I make my parents sad if I left? Better to let sleeping dogs lie. And, if they really cared, they would¡¯ve looked for me by now I¡¯ve been around for years and nobody¡¯se looking. My parents told me they adopted me after no one came forward when the police couldn¡¯t find any missing person report or im for me, Marian added. Sophia didn¡¯t jump in with aeback, it wasn¡¯t her ce to judge, not walking in Marian¡¯s shoes. Marian wasn¡¯t too hung up on the topic either. She whipped out her phone and fired up WhatsApp, ¡°Let¡¯s swap WhatsApp contacts.¡± In the middle of the chat, she had the QR scanner up and handed her phone to Sophia, ¡°I¡¯ll scan you, okay?¡± Sophia hesitated, then nodded, ¡°Sure.¡± She pulled out her phone, opened WhatsApp, and handed over her QR code. Marian quickly scanned Sophia¡¯s WhatsApp. Sophia nced at her phone and sure enough, there was Marian, using her own pic for her profile ¨C a sunny, yful selfie that was easy to spot Sophia hit ¡®ept Marian sent a cheeky sticking out tongue¡¯ emoji, then looked at Sophia, ¡°Let¡¯s keep in touch, yeah? Sophia nodded with a smile, ¡°Definitely¡± Marian sneakily peeped at Ivan, who was waiting for Sophia, and awkwardly stuck out her tongue before saying to Sophia, I¡¯ll let you get back to it then. I¡¯m off, but let¡¯s chat soon.¡± Sophia smiled and nodded, watching her walk away. Ivan also nced at Marian heading off and turned to Sophia, You know, you don¡¯t have to add her if you don¡¯t wanna Sophia hugged her book to her chest and casually picked up her phone from the table, ¡°Nah, it¡¯s cool. Adding folks on WhatsApp is all fun and games at first, but most of them end up like zombies in your contacts list. Give it some time, and you forget who¡¯s who.¡± Ivan just looked at her, offering no argument, ¡°Let¡¯s head out.¡± Sophia was a bit surprised that he wanted to walk out together today. They arrived on the same day and lived in the same apartmentplex but usually did their own thing. Is there something up?¡± she couldn¡¯t help but ask Ivan as they headed downstairs. In her book, Ivan was like Brandon- not the warm and fuzzy type. to nothing much ivan replied, looking her way. ¡°I heard you applied for the architect position at Dempsey Architects The higher ups really liked your portfolio. Aren¡¯t you gonna give it a shot?¡± I haven¡¯t decided yet.¡± That was the truth; she hadn¡¯t had the chance to think it over these past few days. She was somewhat taken aback when Ivan said he knew it. ¡°How¡¯d you know?¡± she asked. ¡°I happen to know their person in charge and heard them mention it.¡± Sophia looked at him, surprised, ¡°Don? You know him?¡± He nodded, ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re acquainted.¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°Small world, huh? Seems like everyone knows everyone.¡± She couldn¡¯t resist giving an example, ¡°Like Marian just now, she seems to know Don from way back.¡± Ivan also chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s a funny coincidence.¡± He then looked at her, ¡°Honestly, Dempsey Architects is a pretty solid tform. It¡¯d be great for your real-world experience while studying and for job opportunities after you graduate, whether you stay in abroad or head back home. You should think about it.¡± Sophia trusted Ivan¡¯s expertise and judgment. She smiled at him, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll seriously consider it.¡± Ivan returned the smile ¨C a faint one, but their exchange made Brandon, who was waiting in the car, feel ufortable. He hadn¡¯t nned on arriving early, just timed it with Sophia¡¯s ss end. Yet, he still caught this scene He had seen Ivan¡¯s gaze on Sophia before, in a photo Patricia sent the day Sophia left. It was the look of a man interested in a woman. Brandon knew he had no right to interfere. They were divorced. He and Sophia were free to date who they wanted. The child unexpectedly on the way was the only thing tying them together now, but legally, they were strangers. Seeing two attractive, well-matched people together made Brandon¡¯s already heavy heart sink further. He didn¡¯t want to witness such a perfectly matched scene. So, before his better judgment took over, Brandon mmed the horn hard. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. The abrupt honk snapped Sophia back to reality, and she instinctively looked over to see Brandon behind the windshield, his expression cool and immobile. She apologized to Ivan, ¡°Sorry, a friend came to pick me up. I gotta go.¡± Ivan sneak peeked into the car too, eyes locking with Brandon¡¯s in a silent standoff, both of them giving each other the briefest of deadpan looks without a flicker of emotion. Ivan looked away first, turning to Sophia and nodding, ¡°Yeah, go ahead with your stuff.¡± Sophia gave a nod back, bid Ivan a quick ¡®see ya, and headed over to Brandon. Brandon popped the passenger door open. Sophia yanked the door and hopped in. Brandon shot Ivan a look and fired up the engine, asking her, ¡°So, you guys are on the same ss now?¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Yep.¡± Brandon nced in the rearview mirror at Ivan who was already walking away and asked, ¡°Is he your kind of Mr. Right?¡± Sophia was speechless. Chapter 49 Chapter 49 She gave Brandon a puzzled look. Brandon was gazing back at her his eyes cool and detached. Sophia realized he was talking about Ivan. ¡°I¡¯ve got no clue,¡¯ she said. She hadn¡¯t gotten close to Ivan, never yed the lovey-dovey couple, and had no idea if he met her expectations in a romance. But to Brandon, her answer rang with a different tune. ¡°No clue¡± meant there was room for further observation, perhaps even a chance for development. He thought Sophia would just say ¡°no,¡± like she always did to him, straight to the point ¨C no beating around the bush, no gray areas. But clearly, Ivan was different in Sophia¡¯s eyes. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. This realization only added to the tightness in Brandon¡¯s chest. He didn¡¯t speak another word, just silently started the engine. Sophia shot him a nce, feeling a bit at sea. His face was still, calm as a millpond, but the tight lines of his profile betrayed the stormy mood he was emitting. Brandon kept mum the whole drive back to the hotel. The car came to a standstill in the underground parking of the hotel. Once parked, Brandon unfastened his seatbelt but didn¡¯t make a move to get out, just sat there like a statue. Sophia looked at him, taken aback. Seeing his off-color expression, she didn¡¯t dare to disturb him and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll head up first.¡± As she spoke, she unbuckled her seatbelt, turned, and pushed the door open to leave. The door had barely cracked open when suddenly a hand reached over,nding on Sophia¡¯s, and forcefully pulled the door shut. Confused, Sophia looked towards Brandon as he leaned in, ¡°What, what¡¯s up?¡± His eyes were deep and tranquil. Brandon didn¡¯t say a word. He just gave her a look, propped his palm against the back of her seat, and then leaned in, kissing her fiercely. Sophia couldn¡¯t say anything. Brandon didn¡¯t give her a chance to react. His other hand wrapped around her waist, pinning her against the seat. kissing her hard and deep. Her slightly parted lips were quickly breached. The forceful Invasion was undeniable and insistent Two years of marriage had taught Brandon exactly how to stir Sophia¡¯s desires, especially when she least expected it I 55 22 Sophia¡¯s rationality crumbledyer byyer under his deepening kiss. She didn¡¯t stand a chance. Brandon knew her body too well, and her body vividly remembered all the reactions he elicited, his dominance, his tenderness, and the palpitations he caused while kissing her. Faced with Brandon¡¯s intensifying kisses a mix of fierceness and gentleness, she was overwhelmed by the familiar scent and warmth between their lips And Brandon showed no signs of stopping. He even seemed to be getting carried away, his hand beside her ear uncontrobly sliding into her hair, firmly cradling her neck and head, tilting it back slightly as his heavy breath filled thepact space. Most of the time, Brandon kissed her gently and patiently. But this intensity was rare, as if he was venting something. Sophia couldn¡¯t fathom it. Her increasingly oxygen-starved brain tumed all her resistance into feeble compliance. Eventually, Brandon¡¯s kisses softened, his lips and tongue caressing hers, his breath gradually calming down. After a while, he finally let her go but didn¡¯t pull away entirely, his palm still gently cupping her cheek, forehead resting. against hers, nose to nose, sharing a breath He looked into Sophia¡¯s hazy eyes, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek as he spoke in a raspy voice, ¡°Sophia, can¡¯t we just start over and give it another go?¡± Sophia¡¯s foggy mind slowly regained a bit of rity, but her uneven breaths made it hard to speak. She could only take small gasps of air, trying to settle the erratic rhythm of her breath. Brandon didn¡¯t rush her, his fingertips gently stroking her swollen lips, his soft voice coaxing her gaze, ¡°All the ipatibilities you¡¯ve mentioned, I can try to change. We can always find amon ground.¡± ¡°Why, why?¡± Sophia asked breathlessly, ¡°You¡¯ve been acting strange these past few days.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¡± Brandon was honest. ¡°I can¡¯t stand the thought of you ending up with another man someday. I don¡¯t want to see you with another man, he said, his voice soft and steady. Sophia watched him, repeating her question, ¡°Why?¡± She saw confusion flicker through Brandon¡¯s eyes. He hadn¡¯t pondered the ¡®why, unsure if it was habit or male possessiveness at y. He was used to Sophia¡¯s presence, ustomed to her being around, and he couldn¡¯t picture adapting to another woman. He knew for sure he didn¡¯t want to make that adjustment. Likewise, he couldn¡¯t bear the thought of Sophia being with another man, especially imagining her lying beneath someone else, the way she only did with him. Such thoughts nearly drove him mad. Sophia didn¡¯t press further but said softly, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that men have this inexplicable possessive urge towards women they¡¯ve been with, regardless of whether they can stay chaste themselves. They hope that woman will belong to only them for life.¡± ¡°Brandon,¡± she continued, looking at him, ¡°is there a chance that this is just possessiveness talking? After all, we haven¡¯t been apart that long.¡± Brandon looked at her and didn¡¯t speak, not denying her spection. He didn¡¯t argue that he had a strong possessiveness towards Sophia. Sophia saw the acknowledgment in his eyes. She smiled slightly and gently pushed him away, ¡°Sometimes things just be a habit. It might feel weird at first, hard to get used to, but give it enough time, and you¡¯ll adapt. Eventually, you might not even remember why you resisted in the first ce.¡± you ¡°Emotions are the least likely to leave traces over time,¡± Sophia said softly, looking at him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have no ns to date or remarry for now. I just want to focus on finishing my studies and figuring out my future path. So don¡¯t need to stress about having to get used to the idea of me finding someone new. By the time you get back into the swing of being single again, you¡¯ll probably have forgotten I ever existed.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was still calm and gentle, not in any rush. ¡°So, don¡¯t sweat it now. It¡¯s not like you to fret over stuff like this¡± Brandon just looked at her, not saying a word Sophia gave him a nudge, ¡°Go on, head back.¡± But Brandon didrit budge, still silently watching her Sophia, don¡¯t try to read me with your own script,¡± he said softly, Sophia looked at him, ¡°So what¡¯s your n?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll get remarried, and have the baby.¡± Chapter 50 Chapter 50 ¡°No way, Brandon,¡± Sophia said softly but firmly, ¡°Moving back here was already my bottom line, Brandon. Don¡¯t push me.¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes were fixed on her, but he said nothing. Sophia stood her ground too. Their gazes met in mid-air. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Eventually, Brandon was the first to throw in the towel. ¡°Let¡¯s head back.¡± Sophia gave a small nod, not wanting to argue over it anymore. She pushed open the car door and stepped out, turning to see Brandon doing the same. Brandon hit the electronic lock to secure the car and walked around the front toward her. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Sophia nodded lightly. ¡°Yeah.¡± With that, she headed toward the elevator bay. Brandon, originally at her side ready to walk with her, froze as a stocky figure caught his eye. He quickly draped his arm over Sophia¡¯s shoulder, subtly sidestepping towards a pir. Sophia looked at him, puzzled. Brandon gave her a zip it look, ncing casually over his shoulder. Instinctively following his gaze, Sophia also looked back and saw two men who had just gotten out of their car and were heading towards their elevator bay. One was tall and thin, the other short and portly, both in their fifties and dressed like corporate hotshots. Sophia wasn¡¯t familiar with Brandon¡¯spany or his work, so she didn¡¯t know their connection to Brandon, but judging by his expression, he didn¡¯t want those two to spot him. Remembering how she first met Brandon at the hotel, where he was staying as a guest and the staff didn¡¯t seem to know him, and how Susan had said nobody knew Brandon was in Wye City, she figured his business trip was meant to be under wraps. So, she yed along and kept quiet. The two men were heading straight for their elevator. The space behind the pir where Brandon and Sophia were hiding was tight ¨C it would be hard not to bump into each other if they looked up. As the men got closer, and the portly one¡¯s gaze swept in their direction, Brandon pulled Sophia towards him, pushing her against the wall. He raised his hand as if to kiss her, his suit jacket lifting to perfectly shield their bodies. Sophia nced at him, then at the approaching men. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, her arms suddenly rose, wrapping tightly around Brandon¡¯s neck. Her jacket sleeve covered his head, and she tiptoed, mimicking a passionate kiss, even tightening her hold on Brandon¡¯s neck as the portly man¡¯s gaze collided with the back of Brandon¡¯s head. They were already close, and with her pull, their lips brushed together. Sophia froze, instinctively looking at Brandon. His eyes were deep, scarily passionate. Sophia¡¯s first impulse was to pull away, but Brandon tightened his grip around her waist and deepened the kiss The portly man and his tallpanion nced at the passionately kissing couple, looked away out of politeness, and walked past with a shake of their heads and a chuckle. Theirughter faded behind them, the elevator doors opened and closed, and all went quiet. Brandoris kiss slowed and eventually stopped. Their eyes met again, and after a brief pause, they simultaneously looked away and let go of each other, each stepping aside. ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°Sorry.¡± They both spoke at the same moment, then both fell silent. ¡°Let¡¯s go up. Brandon said softly. Sophia gave a light ¡°Mhm¡± and followed him into the elevator. They didn¡¯t speak on the way up until the elevator stopped at Brandon¡¯s top-floor residence. He used his keycard to open the door, and Sophia followed him inside. After watching him close the door, she turned to him. ¡°Who were those two guys anyway? Why did we have to dodge them?¡± ¡°The short, chubby guy is the general leader of Starlight Hotel¡¯s Ephemoran branch, goes by the name Darcy,¡± Brandon said, looking at her with no intention of hiding it. ¡°There¡¯s been a bit of trouble with the hotel here, and I came over without telling anyone. Didn¡¯t want to spook the horses at a critical time.¡± Sophia nodded. ¡°Oh, I see.¡± ¡°Thanks for back there, he added, his eyes still on her. Feeling a bit uneasy under his gaze, Sophia looked away slightly. ¡°It was nothing, just lending a hand.¡± Brandon¡¯s lips twitched, but he didn¡¯t pursue the topic further. ¡°You should go rest.¡± Sophia nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡± She turned and went back to her room. Brandon watched the door close, his eyes cooling from calm to the icy focus of business mode. He pulled out his phone and called Kent, asking him to send a copy of the hotel elevator surveince footage to his email. Kent was quick to act; the video arrived shortly after the call ended. Brandon recognized Darcy, but the tall, thin man with him was unfamiliar. Judging by their recent interaction and bodynguage, Darcy seemed to be bowing and scraping to the taller man. Brandon sent a snapshot of the tall, thin man from the surveince to Kent. ¡°Do you know this guy? Kent had a widework and a remarkable memory, especially for faces. It was like he had a photographic memory for people he had seen, a trait that had been a deciding factor for Brandon when he hired him for hisworking skills. Kent was busy, but Brandon relied on him as a human search engine to alleviate the pressure of work After a quick look at the photo, Kent didn¡¯t disappoint Brandon, recalling the man¡¯s identity in an instant. ¡°That looks like. Dennis Barlow, the big boss of our rival, the Barlow Hotel.¡± After finishing his point, he made a special effort to dig up some business registration info online and sent it over to Brandon. ¡°Yep, that¡¯s the name. No pic of the guy on the web, but I¡¯m betting my bottom dor it¡¯s him. His name¡¯s just burned into my brain, you know? When I was your stand-in at that industry mixer and saw the guest list, I couldn¡¯t help but give it the ol¡¯ double-take.¡± Barlow?¡± Brandon furrowed his brow, a memory shing before his eyes of the near-miss with the girl who could¡¯ve been Ynda at the school gates that morning. He remembered the name ¡°Marian¡± on her ID badge, and that he¡¯d first bumped into her at the Starlight Hotel-same ce Dennis had been. Could there be a connection between the two? While video-chatting with Brandon, Kent noticed his pensive look and asked with concern, ¡°Mr. Crawley, you got any worries? Brandon looked at him and said, ¡°Nope. Do me a solid and check out what¡¯s the deal between him and Darcy Kent nodded, ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°And one more thing.¡± Brandon, recalling the stunned look on Sop¡¯s face when she saw Marian¡¯s bracelet that morning, turned to Kent, ¡°snoop around Sophia¡¯s childhood for me, will ya?¡± Kent was taken aback. ¡°Huh?¡± Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Kent just didn¡¯t get it. Why the heck did they need to dig into Sophia¡¯s childhood past? Couldn¡¯t they just straight-up ask her if something was up? N?velDrama.Org owns this text. He recalled that although Brandon and Sophia had split, they weren¡¯t exactly at each other¡¯s throats. Brandon wasn¡¯t in the mood to spill the beans. ¡°Just do it,¡± was all he said. Kent asked, ¡°Can I just hit up Ms. Yearwood directly?¡± To him, it seemed like the no-brainer way to go. But Brandon gave him a nce that said, ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m all mouth and no trousers?¡± Kent mmed up. Brandon sure had that ¡®button your lip¡¯ vibe going on. Brandon could see right through him. ¡°What¡¯s with the face?¡± Kent straightened up, ¡°Nothing.¡± Then, pounding his chest for emphasis, he promised, ¡°I¡¯ll get to the bottom of it, for sure.¡± But his curiosity got the better of him again, ¡°Mr. Crawley, can I ask why we¡¯re digging into this?¡± He blurted it out but worried about setting Brandon off, quickly adding. ¡°It¡¯ll help me zero in on what I need to find out.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to zero in on anything,¡± Brandon shot him down. ¡°Just suss out her rtionship with her family, check if she¡¯s the real deal Yearwood kid, any special stuff from when she was a nipper.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Kent was baffled again, his curiosity rearing its head, ¡°But why?¡± As soon as he looked up, he was met with Brandon¡¯s icy stare and promptly zipped his lips. ¡°I¡¯ll get on it right away,¡± he managed to say after regaining someposure. ¡°I want an update by tomorrow.¡± After dropping that, Brandon ended the call, and the peace returned to his ears. Wherr Brandon nce at his phone and then at Sophia¡¯s tightly shut room door, his thoughts drifted to the surprised look on Sophia¡¯s face that morning when she saw Marian¡¯s bracelet. It was a look of pure bewilderment. He didn¡¯t know why Sophia had that vacant, lost look, as if she recognized the thing, but when they later talked, she denied it. Yet, her denial was tinged with an unfamiliar confusion that perhaps she herself couldn¡¯t fathom. The phone in his palm was idly spinning as his fingers pressed down rhythmically. Brandon was well aware that Sophia might not be Ynda Frost, and he was perhaps unintentionally merging Sophia with Ynda in his mind. Even a nce, a detail, any slight resemnce between them would send his heart racing, afraid he¡¯d miss something. He didn¡¯t know why he was so fixated on seeing them as one, even though Sophia had clearly stated she wasn¡¯t Ynda. But Brandon knew deep down, he couldn¡¯t bear the thought of anyone but Sophia being Ynda. The young Ynda had been with him through the darkest and loneliest times of his life. Her presence back then was too wonderful, a kind of beautiful sce he had only felt with Sophia. How could Sophia not be Ynda? How could she not? The phone in his hand stilled, and Brandon abruptly stood up to call Martin, Ynda¡¯s brother. The call cut off after two rings. ncing at the wall clock, he realized it was the dead of night back home, and Martin was likely asleep. He knew better than to disturb him further; it wasn¡¯t urgent enough to wake Martin. But while reason was one thing, the mor in his heart had him redialing the number. After a long wait, the call was finally picked up. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± The voice was terse and groggy with sleep, but the underlying manners prevented a more explosive reaction. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Brandon¡¯s tone matched the brevity. Martin¡¯s sleepiness receded as he sat up, ¡°What¡¯s up, calling at this hour?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Brandon walked to the window, ¡°I¡¯m in Wye City. Ran into a girl a few days ago who might be Ynda.¡± ¡°Ynda?¡± Martin was now fully awake, ¡°Where did you see her? Where is she now?¡± Brandon replied, ¡°The Starlight Hotel.¡± ¡°Got her contact info?¡± ¡°No,¡± Brandon looked out at Apex Engineering University, ¡°But ! stumbled upon her work badge. She seems to be a student at the School of Architecture of Apex Engineering University.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s cool with you,e by tomorrow,¡± Brandon suggested. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be there,¡± Martin agreed without hesitation, ¡°Keep an eye on her for me. Let¡¯s not tell the family yet to avoid getting their hopes up.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Brandon nodded, ¡°Call me when you get here, I¡¯m at the Starlight Hotel.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± After the call was hung up, Brandon¡¯s gaze lingered outside towards Apex Engineering University before slowly turning back to Sophia¡¯s closed door, deep in thought. In her room, Sophia was sitting at the table, resting her cheek on one hand, looking somewhat dazed. She was supposed to be sketching out some design drawings, with her papers and pencils all spread out, but she just couldn¡¯t get into the groove. Her thoughts were all over the ce-one second she¡¯d be shing back to that image of Brandon going rogue and nting one on her in the parking lot, and the next to that idental lip-lock when she was covering for him, the look he gave her, and the way he suddenly dipped his head to kiss her-that controlled yet unbearable tenderness that zapped her right back to the night of the alumni get-together. When he drove her home, they looked at each other before they slowly melted into a kiss. The desire that night was real, the loss of control was real. Sophia was pining for the Brandon from that night, his eyes clearly brimming with an intense love that was screaming to be let out, but for the life of her, she couldn¡¯t figure out why that intensity had gone in their courteous day-to-day life. Was it because he had mistaken her for Ynda that night? Her mind wandered back to bumping into Marian that morning, and Brandon¡¯s stunned look when he saw her bracelet. She felt a tightness in her chest, but even as she was suffocating in her thoughts, she drifted back to that familiar sense of bewilderment. She thought about the bracelet Marian was wearing. Sophia didn¡¯t know why she was so fixated on that bracelet, zoning out even though she¡¯d never seen it before. Yet the moment sheid eyes on it, her brain felt like it was engulfed in fog, clueless and lost. Sophia couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of her feelings at that moment, and even now, she was clueless as to why her thoughts froze, hypnotized by something she had never seen before. She didn¡¯t know if this was linked to the chunk of memory she was missing, and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder, could she actually have some connection to Ynda? Sophia thought she was losing it, didn¡¯t know if she was getting all messed up because of Brandon, or why else she¡¯d suddenly hatch such a wild guess. Just like Brandon, Ynda was from the West district, but not Sophia. She was picked up by her dad, Haley, in the north. It was onlyter that their family moved to the West district, so there was no way she could be connected to Ynda. But that crazy spection was growing like wildfire in her heart, and Sophia couldn¡¯t control it. Like she was possessed or something, she grabbed her phone and dialed her dad Haley¡¯s number on a whim. Chapter 52 Chapter 52 ¡°Hello?¡± A sleepy voice came through the phone, and that¡¯s when Sophia suddenly snapped out of it, remembering that the time zone here was different from back home. She meant to say she had dialed the wrong number and to let Haley get back to sleep, but before she could speak up, Haley was already sitting up, concerned, asking her, ¡°Sophia, what¡¯s wrong? Did something happen for you to call sote?¡± ¡°No, I dialed by mistake,¡± Sophia quickly reassured, ¡°Sorry, Dad. I didn¡¯t mean to wake you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, as long as you¡¯re okay,¡± Haley replied with a sigh of relief, now fully awake and ready to chat, ¡°How¡¯s it going over there? Settling in okay? Got enough dough? Do you need me to send you some extra cash?¡± ¡°No need, Dad, I¡¯m good. I¡¯m getting along well here, and my ssmates are super nice to me, don¡¯t worry about me,¡± Sophia said softly,forting him, ¡°But now that I¡¯m not there, make sure you take care of yourself and don¡¯t skimp on good food.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m doing great,¡± Haley said with a chuckle, putting her at ease, ¡°Just today I was talking about you with your brother and mom, thinking it¡¯s been a while since you called, wasn¡¯t sure how you were doing. Wanted to call you, but then I heard about the time difference and all that jazz, and I didn¡¯t want to mess with your sses or your rest, so I didn¡¯t dare call. And here you are, calling tonight.¡± His aged voice was filled with joy and contentment. But Sophia felt a twinge in her nose. Before she left, she had a bit of a fallout with her mom and her brother Aaron, and had only called Haley once to check in after arriving, neglecting her dad¡¯s feelings. ¡°How,¡± Sophia hesitated, then softly asked, ¡°How are my mom, my brother and sister-inw doing?¡± ¡°All good, you don¡¯t need to worry, just take care of yourself,¡± Haley said cheerily. ¡°Okay,¡± Sophia responded quietly, sensing Haley¡¯s upbeat mood. She thought for a moment and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Dad, can I ask you something?¡± ¡°What¡¯s up? Go ahead,¡± Haley said. ¡°Back when,¡± Sophia pursed her lips slightly, her voice growing softer, ¡°when you found me, did I ever say anything about my family or my name?¡± Haley paused, then cautiously asked, ¡°Sophia, why are you suddenly asking this? Did you find your family?¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . His tone lost its cheer and took on a cautious note of sadness. ¡°No.¡± Sophia quickly reassured him, sensing his disappointment, ¡°Dad, don¡¯t worry. I met a ssmate today who got separated from her family too, and we chatted about it. I was just curious, that¡¯s all. I¡¯m not nning to look for them.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not trying to stop you from finding your family. It¡¯s just, I can¡¯t help but feel down thinking about the day you might leave and note back,¡± Haley sighed, his tone dropping. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that, Dad,¡± Sophia said, feeling somewhat guilty, ¡°I was just asking, don¡¯t overthink it. No matter what, you¡¯ll always be my dad.¡± Her attempt tofort him didn¡¯t do much to lift his spirits, leading to a series of sighs over the phone. Whether it was the deep of the night stirring up unwarranted sentimental emotions, Haley seemed particrly down.. Sophia regretted bringing up the topic, feeling guilty for disturbing Haley¡¯s peace. As she had grown older, perhaps due to a sense of security, Haley had be reluctant to discuss her past. Whenever the topic of how he found her came up, his mood would instantly plummet, making him seem afraid of her leaving. After this happened a few times, Sophia began to understand Haley¡¯s emotional hang-ups and tried not to press him about her past. But tonight, her mind was clouded, and she had forgotten to avoid this sensitive subject, inadvertently stirring up Haley¡¯s mncholy. ¡°Dad, Sophia called out softly, regretting her words, ¡°I really was just asking. Don¡¯t be upset. I¡¯m not looking for anyone.¡± ¡°It¡¯s my fault,¡± Haley sighed, ¡°It would be natural for you to look for your biological parents. You¡¯ve had it hard growing up with us. I¡¯m not much of a good father and haven¡¯t taken care of you well.¡± Haley¡¯s emotional outpouring was hard to stop. Sophia gently interrupted, ¡°Dad, don¡¯t say that. You and Mom have taken great care of me. If it weren¡¯t for you two, I wouldn¡¯t be where I am today. Don¡¯t talk like that.¡± ¡°Ah, your mom.¡± Haley sighed, about to continue his rant when Laura¡¯s shrill voice suddenly cut through, ¡°Who are you on the phone with in the middle of the night?¡± ¡°It¡¯s no one, dialed the wrong number,¡± Haley meekly replied, then whispered to Sophia, ¡°Let me hang up now, you go get some rest. But before the call ended, Laura snatched the phone away. Laura¡¯s sharp and agitated voice then came through, ¡°I knew it, the only person who would call at this ungodly hour is that ungrateful girl. When she took the money, she was so defiant. She didn¡¯t even want a family if it meant giving the money back. We¡¯ve written her off. We don¡¯t have a daughter like that. Middle of the night, such bad luck!¡± With that, she hung up. Sophia felt a pang of sadness, not sure if it was because of Laura¡¯s words or Haley¡¯s reaction, or something else. Laura¡¯s rant wasn¡¯t directed at her, but it was clearly meant for her to hear. When she insisted on taking that money back to Brandon, she knew her rtionship with Laura was irreparable. Yet hearing Laura say those words so bluntly, Sophia still felt incredibly sad. She had never felt so acutely that she was someone without a home. She didn¡¯t know where she came from or where she should go. If anyone in this world knew who she was, it could only be Haley, the man who found her. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t give her any useful information. She was too young back then and couldn¡¯t remember anything. The feeling was helpless and bewildering. She used to have a home where she could avoid thinking or reminiscing, but now, Sophia knew all too well that she couldn¡¯t return to the ce where she grew up. The sadness spread through her chest, and Sophia didn¡¯t know why she had made that call, seemingly piercing through everything. Her tears, prompted by the spreading sadness, began to fall. There was a knock at the door just then, from the outside. ¡°Sophia,¡± came Brandon¡¯s deep voice, following the knock. Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Sophia was all thumbs as she wiped her eyes and steadied her emotions before looking up toward the doorway and calling out, ¡°Coming!¡± She got up to open the door. ¡°Dinner time,¡± Brandon announced, his gaze pausing ever so slightly when he caught sight of the redness in her eyes. He looked at her more intently. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, his voice softening, his arm lifting in tandem as the back of his long fingers gently touched the damp corner of Sophia¡¯s eye. Sophia involuntarily shuddered at the touch and took a small step back. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said softly, her warm voice tinged with a hint of nasality, ¡°Just got carried away with a TV drama.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Brandon gave her a look. He remembered that she wasn¡¯t into binging series. She was a movie buff, watching all sorts from domestic to international, from drama to mystery to art films, but she seldom indulged in roms. Documentaries were her jam too, especially those about culture and history. She¡¯d asionally dip into TV shows, but only the ones with solid plots, like workce dramas or thrillers. Not many could hit her right in the feels. His eyes flicked to her phone resting on the table. He didn¡¯t call her out on it, just raised his hand to wipe away the tear from her eye. ¡°Let¡¯s eat first,¡± he suggested quietly. Sophia nodded gently, ¡°Mm.¡± During the meal, Brandon could tell Sophia was down in the dumps. Her appetite was already weak due to the early stages of pregnancy, and with her mind on other things, she barely managed a few bites before feeling nauseated. Sophia couldn¡¯t force herself, and the more she tried to eat, the more revulsion she felt. Finally, she had to put down her utensils and looked at Brandon, ¡°I¡¯m full. You can keep eating.¡± He nced at her nearly untouched bowl but didn¡¯t push her, just nodded gently, ¡°Alright.¡± He quickly finished the food in his bowl, put down his utensils, and started cleaning up. Sophia remembered he had hardly eaten and looked at him in surprise, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to eat more?¡± ¡°No worries, I had a meal with a client earlier,¡± Brandon swiftly tidied up the dishes into the dishwasher, washed his hands, and nced out the now-dark window before turning to Sophia in the living room. ¡°Feel like a walk?¡± Sophia was taken aback, ¡°Aren¡¯t you busy?¡± The phrase ¡°feel like a walk¡±ing from Brandon seemed odd to her. Back when they were still married, they¡¯d each retreat to their own rooms after dinner, each with their own study and work. So their post-dinner time was usually spent apart, each to their own, and walks were a rarity, almost nonexistent. Brandon was the kind of guy who wished he could split time in two. He already had a fixed schedule for his workouts, and a stroll was, to him, a waste of time. He never spent time on walks, so the sudden suggestion was puzzling to Sophia. But he was already approaching her, ¡°No need.¡± His response was as straightforward and crisp as ever, and as he spoke, he came to stand in front of her, nced outside into the night, and repeated, ¡°Feel like a walk?¡± Sophia hesitated, then nodded, ¡°Sure,¡± The two of them strolled around the hotel¡¯s/ground level. Not far from there was a bustling square connected to the Lakeside Park. At this hour, it was lively. The locals loved toe here for a walk. The elderly with grandchildren, students from nearby schools, mostly young couples, which made the quiet night lively and tinged with a touch of unfamiliar human warmth. Sophia, like Brandon, wasn¡¯t one for post-dinner walks, always busy in her study after eating, so she rarely got to experience this kind of atmosphere. She thought this was the first time she and Brandon had gone for a walk after dinner. Everything was fresh to her gaze, and the heaviness in her heart dispersed a bit with this novelty. Brandon kept an eye on Sophia¡¯s expressions, standing by her side, his peripheral vision catching the rollerding teens in the square. ready to shield Sophia if they came too close. ¡°Do you usuallye out here?¡± he asked, watching her calmly observe the surroundings and deftly shielding her from the bustling crowd. ¡°Nope. I¡¯m not much of a shopper,¡± Sophia replied softly, turning to look at him, ¡°You probably haven¡¯t been here much either, right?¡± Brandon nodded lightly, ¡°Been pretty busytely.¡± Sophia nodded too, not continuing the conversation. Brandon didn¡¯t say more either, just walked aimlessly by her side. Sophia found this feeling strange. She and Brandon had been married for two years, shared plenty of intimate moments, and indulged without restraint. But once lust was no longer in control and rationality returned, they seemed like strangers who had just met,ckingmon topics and close contact, even hand-holding was rare. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if it was her issue or Brandon¡¯s. She couldn¡¯t be carefree around him. She didn¡¯t know if this restraint was exclusive to Brandon or applied to all men. Before Brandon, she had never been in a rtionship, and after him, she hadn¡¯t had the chance to start something new. She couldn¡¯tpare and determine if the problemy with her or with Brandon. Yet watching the carefree,ughing couples walking by hand in hand, Sophia felt envious. She and Brandon had never been so free and careless, not even during their marriage, and now that they were back to being friends, it was even less likely for them to be like other couples. Brandon noticed where her gaze settled and also looked at the yful,ughing couples, then back to Sophia. He saw envy and a kind of self-constory eptance in her eyes. Brandon, busy with work, never paid attention to what strangers were doing, especially young couples. He thought their flirty teasing and arguments were just the affectations of naive youth. He had never experienced that phase himself. Growing up, his life was all about bulking up and powering through. Whether it was hitting the books or grinding away at work, he was all in,ser-focused on the grind. Hardly ever did he let his mind wander off into other territories. Even when he crossed paths with Sophia during his senior year of high school, he was only concerned with the nuts and bolts of her academic life. He¡¯d fret over whether she was fitting in fine, keeping up with her studies, and given her innocent look, whether she might be getting picked on or not. He¡¯d get all worked up if she was runningte, or feel uneasy if she called in sick. He¡¯d even pull the old ¡®just passing by¡¯ trick near her ce to check if she was around, without ever really mulling over the feelings driving these acts of care. After graduation, when they lost touch, Brandon got caught up in the rat race of juggling studies and work. Thoughts of Sophia would asionally pop into his head, only to be quickly overshadowed by the memory of her ghosting him. That longing morphed into a simmering resentment, which piled up bit by bit, until it became a full-blown ¡®I don¡¯t ever want to see her again¡¯ kind of huff. That is, until that reunion at the ss get-together. That party was actually quite the fluke. Every year since high school graduation, there was always some kind of ss reunion nned. Brandon knew Sophia was a no-show kinda gal, and he didn¡¯t bother either. The one from two years back was a freak urrence. He just happened to be at that restaurant sealing a deal with a client. As he was heading out, he stumbled upon his old ssmates gathering for the feast. They roped him into saying hi, and amidst the sea of faces that had shed their youthful green, he spotted Sophia. Just like back in the day, she was the picture of calm and understatement, perched quietly in a corner, watching everyone¡¯s antics without chiming in. That time, he stayed. He took a seat next to her vacant spot. He could sense her restraint. Though they sat side by side, they barely exchanged words. She wasn¡¯t much of a talker, and neither was he. Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Aside from scooching over a tad when she sat down, all polite and proper, Sophia didn¡¯t make any move to chat him up during the whole dinner. After the meal, the guys were all jockeying to escort the girls home. Sophia had that girl-next-door charm, soft-spoken and serene, the kind of gal guys used to fall over themselves to please back in the school days, and that night was no different. Among the eager beaverds vying to take her home, Brandon piped up, ¡°I live over in West district too. I can give you a lift on my way.¡± He clearly caught the surprise on her face, but Sophia was never one to put someone out. She thanked him and turned down the lift, saying she¡¯d called a cab. But her refusal seemed feeble against the backdrop of her enthusiastic ssmates, and in the end, she gave in and got into his car after a bit of friendly arm-twisting. The ride was light on conversation. Back in the day, they had all those unspoken understandings, even a sort of tacit closeness and reliance, but after a few years apart, there was a certain awkwardness. Yet, that awkwardness turned into a torrent of intense and fatal attraction the moment they bumped into each other in the dark of her room. He kissed her, and then things spiraled out of control. He wasn¡¯t the type to do things on a whim, and neither was Sophia, but that night was the start of a chaos for both of them. Desire overrode all sense of reason. Memories of that night flooded back, and Brandon couldn¡¯t help but steal a nce at Sophia. She was still watching the young couple goofing around, a soft smile on her calm and gentle face, just enjoying the show. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¨C Brandon thought about what she¡¯d said he wanted marriage, but she wanted love. ¡°Is that what you call love?¡± he blurted out, looking at her suddenly. Sophia turned in surprise, not expecting Brandon to notice these things. She always thought it odd to hear ¡°love¡± from Brandon, who had always seemed immune to all things romantic since she¡¯d known him. ¡°Why would you bring that up out of the blue?¡± she asked with augh, ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like you.¡± Brandon just chuckled and didn¡¯t reply, his gaze shifting back to the yful couple. It really wasn¡¯t like him. He could never be like those young guys, making silly faces to get augh from their girls. He¡¯d never had that yful, childlike side. He knew how to protect someone but never quite learned how to make someone happy. His eyes wandered back to Sophia. In many ways, she was like him ¨C both reserved and a bit cool. They would¡¯ve been better off with partners who were more outgoing, someone to spice up life and bring the cheer. That¡¯s why her choice to divorce was the right call for both of them. Sophia noticed his gaze and turned towards him, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Brandon said softly, still fixating on her face, ¡°Just suddenly thought maybe you were right about the divorce.¡± She looked back at him quietly and smiled, ¡°So, are you ready to let me go?¡± He met her gaze silently, his eyes deep. His mind said it was the right decision for both, but his heart surged with resistance and displeasure at her words. Brandon had always been rational and was never one to make life tough for others or force them into anything. So when Sophia mentioned divorce, he didn¡¯t overthink it and agreed right away. To him, they were both adults, entitled to choose their paths and brave enough to stand by their decisions. If Sophia wanted a divorce, he assumed she¡¯d thought it through, and he didn¡¯t want to stand in her way. But now, talking about letting go was just as much a considered decision. And Brandon didn¡¯t want to think about it rationally. ¡°I don¡¯t n to, he said, his voice still low and even, his gaze never leaving her face. Sophia gave her habitualugh, her eyelids drooping slightly, not pressing the issue. As long as their kid was in the picture, there was no room for this conversation. A chill breeze swept over theke, carrying the cold dampness of deep autumn and rustling leaves toward them. Sophia¡¯s softly curled hair fluttered in the wind, and she sneezed. Without thinking, Brandon cupped her ears with his hands, his body angling to shield her from the wind. ¡°Are you cold?¡± he asked, his hands gently rubbing hers. His palms were warm and dry, and the spots he covered felt tinglingly hot. Sophia vaguely remembered, back when they first got together, Brandon had this same thoughtful side. But with their hectic work schedules, dwindlingmunication, fewer outings, and family interference piling up, she almost forgot this side of Brandon as the disappointment with marriage grew, along with nostalgia for her single days before. Seeing her daydreaming, Brandon thought she was cold. He spotted a stall selling scarves and hats up ahead, draped his jacket over her, and said, ¡°Back in a sec,¡± before heading to the stall behind her. Sophia looked back in a daze, watching him swiftly buy a beige knit hat and a matching scarf, then walk back towards her. He stood before her and adjusted her tousled hair with tender care. She looked up at him, and he was half-closed his eyes, his handsome face as calm andposed as ever, his expression serious and focused as he fitted her with the hat and scarf. Only when he was done did his deep eyes finally meet hers. ¡°Better now?¡± Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Sophia gave a small nod, ¡°Mhm.¡± She wasn¡¯t actually cold. The wool hat she was wearing still held onto his warmth. She had always been a pushover for Brandon, especially when he was being thoughtful and tender like this. Brandon didn¡¯t pick up on the ripples in her heart. He raised his hand to cover her ears for a moment and looked at her, ¡°You didn¡¯t eat much back at home. How about grabbing a bite outside?¡± Sophia hesitated for a second before nodding. Behind the square was a night market with street food stalls. Even though it was early in her pregnancy, Brandon wasn¡¯t too strict about what Sophia could and couldn¡¯t eat. It was Sophia who held back a bit, not daring to eat just anything. She only ordered a burger. Their dining spot was just a makeshift tent and a small table set up by the roadside. Brandon also got himself a burger and sat opposite Sophia. This was their first time eating at a street stall like this. The experience felt novel to Sophia, particrly with Brandon sitting across from her in a suit, which seemed a bit out of ce against the backdrop of the humble stall. Sophia thought Brandon might feel ufortable, but then she saw him pick up the disposable utensils and start eating. She couldn¡¯t help but look at him. Brandon nced at her in between bites, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Sophia shook her head, ¡°Nothing.¡± She added, ¡°Just didn¡¯t expect you to be into street food.¡± Brandon gave her a look, ¡°Back in college, there was this whole street of food stalls behind the campus. I used to go a lot ces like this.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Sophia was a bit surprised, ¡°I thought you were the fancy type.¡± ¡°Being fancy started after I began working.¡± Brandon rested his utensils in his te, looking at her. ¡°As a student, I was more easy-going. These past few years running thepany, being busy, and having to maintain thepany¡¯s image meant I didn¡¯t really hit up street stalls anymore.¡± Then he asked her, ¡°What about you? Ever been to ces like this before?¡± ¡°Of course. As a student, who could afford fancy restaurants all the time? We¡¯d stick to street stalls, cheap and tasty.¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°Had a food street behind my college too. I used to go there a lot with Susan. Good times.¡± Brandon also chuckled, feeling nostalgic. He remembered the food street from his student days, always bustling with student couples. Watching them, he¡¯d often think of Sophia, wondering which college she was at, what she was doing, whether she was dating. These thoughts would sometimes take away his appetite. He knew which college Sophia attended. Even though Sophia had left without a word after the test, she had been admitted to a prestigious university due to her high scores. Her name was up there on the honor board, close to his. They were even in the same city, the same university area, and their schools often had joint events. But in that small world, they never crossed paths. ¡°I¡¯ve been to your school before,¡± Brandon said. Sophia was taken aback, ¡°What?¡± Brandon picked up the burger, tilting his head slightly to look at her, ¡°When I first started college and wasn¡¯t so busy, I¡¯d asionally wander around your campus.¡± He wasn¡¯t even sure if he had been harboring a small hope of bumping into Sophia during those visits, though it had never happened. Sophia smiled, ¡°If I¡¯d known you wereing, I would¡¯ve treated you to a meal.¡± He just smiled back, not responding. He doubted Sophia would have actually invited him to eat if she had known he was there. Knowing her, she probably would have just politely greeted him and moved on. Sophia knew her words didn¡¯t carry much weight either. Back in their student days, it was Brandon who looked after her. She had always carefully hidden her crush on him, always feeling a mix of respect, fear, and dependence around him, never daring to make a move even if they had met by chance. Brandon didn¡¯t call her out on it. Instead, he suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s eat first.¡±! Sophia nodded gently, feeling somewhat more at ease, perhaps because of their heart-to-heart, or maybe because Brandon was showing a side of him that wasn¡¯t so distant, or it could have been that the burger and condiments were just really good. Her appetite, which had been poor all afternoon, had surprisingly improved. She finished the burger in one go. Brandon watched her quietly, not really hungry himself. He hade out with her just because he couldn¡¯t rest easy knowing she hadn¡¯t eaten much. This kind of thing was almost unimaginable in his past life. Going for a walk, havingte-night snacks, they all seemed like a huge waste of time to him. But seeing Sophia eat to her heart¡¯s content, Brandon felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction. He didn¡¯t regret taking the time to apany her. Watching Sophia set down her empty soup bowl, Brandon took a tissue and leaned in to wipe the corner of her mouth. Sophia stiffened for a moment when the tissue touched her face, clearly not used to this kind of intimacy. He had wiped her mouth before, but that was when they were married, and the marital rtionship probably made her difort less noticeable and her resistance less strong. Now that they were back to being strangers, her sense of boundaries came through, hence the stiffness when he wiped her mouth, before she took the tissue from him. ¡°I got it.¡± Brandon let her take the tissue, silently watching her without a word, missing the unguarded moments from their earlier conversation. Sophia wiped her mouth and only then realized that she had subconsciously shown her boundaries. She smiled awkwardly and slowly rolled the used tissue into a small ball. Brandon watched the white tissue roll in her fingers, then looked at her, ¡°What happened this afternoon?¡± He was referring to earlier, when she had cried while he had asked her to eat. Sophia pursed her lips, feeling a tinge of guilt for inadvertently setting boundaries, and gave him an embarrassed grin, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s nothing much. I just had a bit of a phone call home and things got a bit sour.¡± Brandon¡¯s mind raced to the money she had refunded him before the flight, ¡°Is it about the cash you sent back?¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t surprised he¡¯d guessed it and gave a slight nod, ¡°Kind of. They sometimes get a bit obsessive over trivial stuff, but it blows over. Don¡¯t let them get to you.¡± Brandon looked at her, ¡°So, you were the one blocking them from reaching out to me before?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t nod or shake her head, just shed an awkward smile, ¡°Guess they must have caused you quite a bit of hassle in the past, huh?¡± ¡°No worries. Just small favors,¡± Brandon said, looking at her. ¡°But what about you? Aren¡¯t you all family? Why would they treat you like that?¡± ¡°Probably because,¡± Sophia paused to think, ¡°my mom¡¯s a bit old-fashioned, ys favorites with the boys, I guess.¡± Brandon chuckled, didn¡¯t pursue the topic, just gazed at her and said slowly, ¡°Sophia, are you sure you¡¯re actually their kid?¡± Chapter 56 Chapter 56 Sophia was stumped by the question, instinctively lifting her gaze to meet Brandon¡¯s. Brandon was staring right back at her, his deep, mysterious eyes calm and tranquil, quietly waiting for her answer. Sophia chuckled softly, her eyshes fluttering down as she fell silent for a moment before looking back at him. ¡°Is it that important?¡± Brandon nodded. ¡°To me, it is.¡± Sophia knew he was talking about the whole Ynda situation. ¡°What if I were her? What then?¡± Sophia asked. ¡°And if I¡¯m not her, what about that?¡± Brandon was caught off guard. He hadn¡¯t thought about that question. He didn¡¯t even want to think about it-the possibility of Sophia not being Ynda. Sophia let out a lightugh. ¡°You¡¯re hung up on her because of all the sweet memories you guys share. But if you¡¯re the only one holding onto those memories, is she still that important?¡± Brandon just looked at her, silent. Sophia¡¯s smile faded. ¡°There¡¯s nothing in my memory linked to you. Don¡¯t pin your hopes on me. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll end up disappointed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Brandon apologized. Sophia smiled again. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± She nced at the empty bowl and stood up. ¡°Shall we head back?¡±. Brandon nodded, rising to his feet, ready to walk back with her when suddenly, the previously calm crowd erupted intomotion, along with a shrill female shout. ¡°Robbery, there¡¯s a robbery!¡± Brandon instinctively looked up and saw a tall,nky Ephemora man clutching a woman¡¯s purse and charging their way. He reflexively reached out for Sophia, pulling her to the side as the man came barreling towards them, his foot hooking back, and with a ¡°snap,¡± a loud thud followed as something heavy hit the ground. Sophia, still shaken, looked up from Brandon¡¯s arms to see the skinny man sprawled on the ground, struggling to get up but quickly subdued by helpful bystanders, his grip on the purse relinquished. The panting girl caught up, bent down to pick up her bag, and when her eyesnded on the familiar, slightly vintage emerald bracelet, Sophia instinctively looked at the girl¡¯s face, and to her surprise, it was Marian. Marian opened her bag to check that nothing was missing, then turned to re at the subdued thief. ¡°Robbing in broad daylight, are you out of your mind?¡± After giving the thief a piece of her mind, without paying him any more attention, she cheerfully approached Brandon. ¡°Hey sir, thanks for that just now.¡± She only recognized Brandon after thanking him. ¡°Huh? It¡¯s you again!¡± But this time, there was a hint of pleasant surprise instead of the previous disdain. Brandon nced at her, his gaze pausing habitually on the bracelet, then slowly moving up to her slightly surprised face, replying coolly with simple words. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± His hand, which had been protectively around Sophia¡¯s waist, gradually loosened. Marian then noticed the girl Brandon was protecting was Sophia and waved at her. ¡°What a coincidence, running into you again.¡± Sophia politely returned a smile. ¡°Yeah, quite a coincidence.¡± Not forgetting the near robbery, she asked with concern. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, just got a little startled when I left the hotel, almost had my bag snatched, that¡¯s all.¡± Marian said nonchntly, gesturing towards the ¡°Starlight Hotel¡± up ahead, ¡°I¡¯m staying over there for now.¡± Brandon thought back to the encounter with Darcy and Dennis Barlow in the hotel parking lot and looked thoughtfully at Marian. Sophia smiled at Marian, ¡°Are you staying at the hotel for a while?¡± Marian replied, ¡°Not exactly, I just got here recently and haven¡¯t found a suitable apartment yet. My dad¡¯s around, so I¡¯m mooching off him, free food and lodging, and I can even squeeze some pocket money out of him from time to time. Plus, staying in the presidential suite is pretty sweet.¡± When Brandon heard the words ¡°my dad¡¯s around,¡± he looked at Marian again. Marian¡¯s attention shifted back to Brandon. ¡°You¡¯re not staying at the Starlight Hotel too, are you? That¡¯s where I ran into youst time. Brandon gave her a nod. ¡°Staying here for now.¡± Marian beamed. ¡°Which room? I shoulde visit you guys when I¡¯m bored at the hotel.¡± Turning to Sophia, she continued. ¡°You guys are staying together, right?¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t sure how to respond to that, especially if Marian was Ynda-it could lead to misunderstandings. As she was pondering how to answer, Brandon simply nodded. ¡°Yeah, together.¡± ¡°Are you two a couple?¡± Marian¡¯s curiosity bounced between them. Sophia shook her head gently. ¡°No.¡± Quickly changing the subject, shemented. ¡°That bracelet of yours is really nice. Where did you get it?¡± Marian yed with the bracelet on her wrist. ¡°This old thing? It¡¯s so ugly. I wouldn¡¯t wear it if it hadn¡¯t been on me since I was a kid. My parents say it¡¯s a talisman that¡¯s supposed to protect me, that¡¯s the only reason I keep it on.¡± Sophia nced at the bracelet, her mind wandering for a moment before returning to Marian. ¡°You¡¯ve had it since you were a kid?¡± ¡°Yeah, my parents told me I had it on when they found me. See the Jesus on it? They believe it protected me, that it¡¯s the reason I was found safely and grew up without harm, so they insist I never take it off.¡± Marian stuck out her tongue sheepishly, ¡°My parents are pretty superstitious.¡± Sophia smiled. ¡°It¡¯s a kind of faith for them, I guess.¡± Her gaze instinctively turned to Brandon. Brandon was looking at Marian, his eyes reflecting thoughts she couldn¡¯t decipher. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. She wasn¡¯t sure if his contemtion stemmed from hearing that Marian had been found or something else. His expression was too calm and deep for her to read. As Brandon¡¯s gaze swept over Marian¡¯s face and settled back on the bracelet on her wrist, his eyes half-closed, it was hard to tell what he was thinking. Sophia kinda had a hunch that the bracelet had something to do with Ynda, even though she didn¡¯t have a clue about the specifics. But judging by the look on Brandon¡¯s face, she had a sneaking suspicion that it was a gift from him to Ynda. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she nced at Marian and, speaking for Brandon, popped the question, ¡°So, do you remember who gave you that bracelet?¡± No sooner had the words left her lips than Brandon suddenly grabbed her hand, abruptly changing the subject. ¡°Let¡¯s head back.¡± Seemingly with no desire to dig for an answer. When Marian heard they were leaving, she hurried to say, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t rush off. I haven¡¯t even had the chance to thank you guys properly. Let me treat you to meal.¡± ¡°No, thanks.¡± Brandon declined and, taking Sophia by the hand, they left. Sophia faintly remembered hitting a nerve with Brandon. He seemed upset that day when she brought up Ynda. ¡°Sorry,¡± she whispered an apology, ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking just now.¡± Brandon¡¯s lips tightened slightly as he nced back at her. ¡°Sophia, you don¡¯t need to confirm anything for me. I can make my own judgments. Chapter 57 Chapter 57 Sophia gave a slight nod, ¡°Mhm.¡± Then she looked up at him, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry.¡± She meant it, was genuinely apologizing. She hadn¡¯t thought it through at the time. She was just fixated on the fact that Brandon was on the hunt for Ynda, and they had finally gotten a lead. It¡¯d be a shame to let that slip away. She¡¯d known Brandon for years and sort of got the gist of his personality. He might not have the guts to ask those question straight up. So, she figured, why not give him a little nudge in the right direction? But Brandon¡¯s expression didn¡¯t soften one bit at her apology. He just looked at her evenly, ¡°You seem pretty keen on me finding Ynda, huh?¡± Sophia was puzzled, ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you¡¯ve been wanting and doing all along?¡± Brandon shot her a look and mmed up. The more puzzled and sincere she looked, the more he felt like he had a lump in his throat. How indifferent must she be to be so gung-ho about helping him find another woman? ¡°Let¡¯s drop that subject.¡± In the end, Brandon closed the topic with that single line. Sophia obediently nodded, ¡°Okay.¡± She didn¡¯t bring up anything about Marian and Ynda again, and when they got back to the hotel, she headed straight to her bedroom. Brandon watched the door close, stared at it for a good while, trying to squash the emotions bubbling up inside him, and then he finally looked away and went to his own room. He knew he should be thrilled about getting news of Ynda. Every single question Sophia had asked earlier was a roundabout way of helping him confirm whether Marian was Ynda. The bracelet he had given her as a child that she still wore, the matching ages, every piece of her story seemed to fit Ynda perfectly. The person he had felt guilty about for over a decade was right there in front of him. He should be over the moon. But he felt no joy or excitement. Every answer from Marian felt like a heavy stone thrown at his chest, weighing him down. The more Marian¡¯s story matched Ynda¡¯s, the less likely it seemed that Sophia could be Ynda. Brandon even started to second-guess himself, wondering if calling Martin over was a mistake. Once Martin arrived, whether Marian was Ynda could be confirmed with a paternity test report. Once confirmed, there¡¯d be no overturning it or fooling oneself. For the first time, Brandon felt the urge to backpedal on finding out Ynda¡¯s true identity. ¡°What will you do if I am her? And what if I¡¯m not?¡± Sophia¡¯s earlier retort echoed in his ears, and Brandon frowned. He¡¯d never really pondered these questions that now demanded to be dealt with head-on. What would he do if Sophia wasn¡¯t Ynda? What could he do? He feared that by then, it wouldn¡¯t be up to him to decide what to do, but that Sophia would have already made her choice. Suddenly, Brandon was scared to take that gamble. Especially not now, when things between him and Sophia were still up in the air, and the kid¡¯s destiny was unknown. Eventually, Brandon dialed Martin back. ¡°Don¡¯te to Wye City tomorrow. It might¡¯ve just been a mix-up on my part, he said, his voice calm andposed, as he pressed the phone to his ear. Martin, awakened for the second time, sounded irritated, ¡°You got it wrong?¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re always careful, aren¡¯t you? You never jump to conclusions without being sure, Martin replied, his anger subsiding as he regained hisposure, not letting Brandon off the hook so easily. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Nothing, Brandon replied, just as calmly, ¡°I just think it¡¯s necessary to do some more digging first.¡± That¡¯s not necessary, Martin cut him off, ¡°Whether she¡¯s my sister or not, a DNA report will settle it.¡± Brandon was silent for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll be disappointed.¡± Martin frowned, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°She does have a story simr to Ynda¡¯s, the age fits, she even has the bracelet I gave her back then. But I just have this gut feeling, she¡¯s not Ynda.¡± Martin was speechless. ¡°I¡¯ve never known you to make decisions based on gut feelings,¡± Martin said, getting up, ¡°I thought you only believed in data and evidence.¡± He and Brandon had known each other for over two decades, and Brandon had never been one to trust anything intangible, including gut feelings. He believed in his judgment. Without offering an exnation, Brandon said, ¡°If she really is Ynda, don¡¯t worry, she¡¯s not going anywhere.¡± Brandon,¡± Martin went silent for a moment and then hit the nail on the head, ¡°What are you afraid of?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond. ¡°If you¡¯re worried that finding Ynda will force you to honor some childhood marriage promise, then don¡¯t be. Those jokes we made as kids, no one takes them seriously. We¡¯ll respect Ynda¡¯s wishes.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about that,¡± Brandon tly denied. But Martin wasn¡¯t letting it go. ¡°Then what is it?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t ept her being Ynda.¡± Martin was left speechless. An unexpected answer. Whether Ynda was Ynda, who Ynda could be, or even what Ynda looked like, none of it could be changed by anyone¡¯s will. Martin thought Brandon knew this. ¡°Has she changed so much that she¡¯s hard to ept?¡± That was the only possibility Martin could think of because if it wasn¡¯t a drastic change, he couldn¡¯t fathom what else would make a usually rational man say something so irrational. ¡°No.¡± Martin said, ¡°Then why?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t exin,¡± Brandon stood up, paced over to the window, and looked out at the lights of a thousand homes, ¡°I just don¡¯t think she¡¯s worth you flying here for. She can¡¯t be Ynda.¡± The certainty in his voice made Martin on the other end of the phone ponder for a moment. ¡°Sure thing.¡± Eventually, Martin on the other end of the phone line gave in. ¡°I trust your judgment.¡± When it came to whether a girl was Ynda, Brandon¡¯s gut was sharper than anyone else¡¯s in their family. Martin wasn¡¯t sure if it was sheer coincidence or if Brandon had developed a keen sense that was different from theirs due to his childhood interactions with Ynda. Over the years, as they grew up, Brandon had always been spot-on with his identification. Whenever they caught wind of something about Ynda and went to verify it, he could tell at first nce whether the person was Ynda, even if they bore a resemnce to her as a child. And every single time, the results proved that Brandon was right. If he said it wasn¡¯t her, it was a sure bet it wasn¡¯t. That¡¯s why, despite numerous leads and faces they¡¯de across over the years, not one turned out to be the real Ynda. ¡°Just hit me up the moment there¡¯s any progress,¡± Martin reminded him. ¡°I¡¯m not so swamped that I can¡¯t make a trip to Wye City.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Got it,¡¯ Brandon replied, but he didn¡¯t hang up immediately. Instead, he turned slightly, letting his gaze linger for a moment on the doorway to Sophia¡¯s room. ¡°When you get a chance, send over a sample of your hair, will ya?¡± Chapter 58 Chapter 58 Martin frowned, ¡°What do we need this for?¡± Brandon replied, ¡°Just in case.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll send it to you tomorrow.¡± Martin nodded agreeably. Brandon said, ¡°Thanks for the trouble.¡± Martin chuckled, ¡°Come on, there¡¯s no ¡®trouble¡¯ between you and me.¡± ncing at his watch, he added, ¡°Gotta cut this short, or it¡¯ll be daylight here before we know it. You should hit the hay too.¡± With that, he hung up the call. As Martin put away his phone, the smile on his face also vanished. He had known Brandon for years, and Brandon was always a man of decisive action. This indecisive side of Brandon was new to Martin. His gut was telling him something fishy was going on. Original from N?velDrama.Org. After mulling it over for a moment, Martin stood up and made a call to his assistant, ¡°Book me a flight to Wye City for tomorrow.¡± After hanging up, Brandon stayed put. He stood by the window, gazing at the myriad lights outside. Knowing Martin as well as he did, he doubted that Martin would be swayed so easily. The more swiftly Martin agreed, the more likely he was plotting something else. Brandon shot a message to Kent, asking how the childhood background check on Sophia wasing along. Kent saw the message the next morning, and it gave him quite the jolt. Brandon had only assigned the task the night before. How could Kent have made any progress so quickly? His own schedule wasn¡¯t even set until today. But with Brandon pushing for an update, Kent couldn¡¯t drag his feet. He shot back a message saying he¡¯d have an update by noon, then hurried to get ready and head out after breakfast. Kent had a vague understanding of Sophia¡¯s family background. They weren¡¯t locals, having moved from the north when she was a child. The chances of neighbors having useful information were slim. Although Brandon hadn¡¯t spelled it out, Kent had been by his side for years and knew what he was after. It wasn¡¯t just Sophia¡¯s childhood. It was her life story from birth to youth. With time pressing, digging up neighbors from Sophia¡¯s hometown for a background check was unrealistic. The people who knew her best were her parents. So after breakfast, Kent picked up some fine wine, coffee beans, and a selection of appetizers, and made his way over to Sophia¡¯s family home. At the Yearwood residence, only Sophia¡¯s father Haley was home, drowning his boredom in alcohol. Kent had met Haley a few times and remembered him as an honest but sprnewhat timid man who always nodded along to his domineering wife, scarcely daring to voice his own opinions. He probably figured a peaceful home trumped all, so he had grown. ustomed to taking it on the chin, yet deep down, he harbored some macho pride. Years of being under his wife¡¯s thumb had left him feeling pent up, so he turned to booze for sce. This drinking habit wasn¡¯t bound by time; breakfast with a ss in hand was the norm. When Kent arrived, he found Haley drinking with barely any food. Haley, with a ss in one hand and utensils in the other, was absentmindedly nibbling on peanuts as he downed his liquor. ¡°Starting early, are you?¡± Kent greeted with a smile as he entered the room, taking a quick Inok around, ¡°Is the missus not home?¡± ¡°She¡¯s gone to visit rtives, Haley replied, weing him in, ¡°What brings you here so early?¡± Haley recognized Kent as one of Brandon¡¯s right-hand men, with many dealings between their families being handled by Kent. Hence, the two were pretty familiar with each other. Just that thepany had a slow day, and I thought of you. Figured I¡¯de over to join you for a couple of drinks.¡± Kent, ever so casual, came in with gifts and snacks, setting them on the dining table and serving them up as if he were in his own home. He called out to Haley, ¡°Come on, Mr. Yearwood, let¡¯s have a drink while the food¡¯s still hot.¡± Haley eyed him suspiciously, ¡°They say you don¡¯t visit the temple without a reason. Spit it out, Kent, you¡¯re making me nervous. ¡°Nothing¡¯s up, really,¡± Kent reassured him, patting the fine bottle on the table, ¡°Someone gifted Mr. Crawley some nice liquor, and he remembered how much you enjoy a good drink. Made a point to have me bring some over to you.¡± Haley rxed and smiled, ¡°Please tell Mr. Crawley I¡¯m grateful. Kind of him to think of an old man like me.¡± Haley had always thought well of Brandon and had even been pleased about Sophia marrying him. It wasn¡¯t about Brandon¡¯s wealth or status. He simply appreciated how thorough and considerate Brandon was, believing Sophia wouldn¡¯t be shortchanged with him. It just hadn¡¯t crossed his mind that the two would end up divorcing. The thought of their divorce made Haley heave a deep sigh. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Mr. Yearwood? Why the long face so early in the morning?¡± Kent asked, setting out the food and uncorking the bottle for Haley, ¡°Here, have a drink first.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Haley murmured, gulping down his drink before picking at the food and taking another sip. He then looked at Kent, ¡°Just thinking about Sophia. Why did they have to divorce? And now she¡¯s gone off so far away. It would¡¯ve been better if she stayed in West district after the divorce¡± Kent smiled, ¡°Maybe they had their reasons. Matters of the heart, only they know the real deal. We¡¯re just onlookers, can¡¯t really see through it all.¡± Haley turned to him, ¡°You¡¯re close with Mr. Crawley. Has he ever mentioned why they divorced?¡± Kent was seriously out of the loop, he was even more clueless than Haley. Just the other day, he was helping out with some errands, and the next thing he knew, he had been roped into helping with divorce papers. He could tell Brandon gave a darn, but when it came to handling the divorce, he was all business, no muss, no fuss. ¡°You know Mr. Crawley¡¯s style. He wouldn¡¯t spill the beans to me,¡± Kent said, topping off Haley¡¯s ss with a grin. ¡°Sophia¡¯s your daughter. Doesn¡¯t she open up to you?¡± ¡°All she said was they weren¡¯t a good fit.¡± Haley let out another sigh and shake of the head. ¡°This kid, ever since she was little, never liked to share anything with us. Always ying her cards close to her chest, only shares the good news, never the worries. We never know what¡¯s really going on in her head. Out of the blue, she came home one day announcing she¡¯s getting hitched, and now, just like that, she¡¯s talking divorce. What¡¯s up with that?¡± Kent¡¯s mind zeroed in on ¡°never liked to.share anything with us,¡± spotting an opening, he chimed in with a smile, ¡°So, she¡¯s been tight-lipped since she was a kid, huh?¡± Haley downed another drink, ¡°When ites down to it, it¡¯s my fault. When I first took her in, I didn¡¯t think about whether her mom might not be too keen on her.¡± Kent¡¯s eyebrows shot up, ¡°Took her in? Was Sophia adopted?¡± Chapter 59 Chapter 59 Haley seemed to realize what he had just blurted out and quickly waved his hands in denial, ¡°Nope, no way, how could my own little girl be a foundling? You must¡¯ve heard me wrong. I was saying I didn¡¯t expect how her mom dislike her when she gave birth. I ain¡¯t got no great talents, always busy with work, ving away outside all day, hardly had time for her. Poor thing had to rough it out when she was little.¡± He denied it so naturally, without a hint of panic or shifty eyes, cool as a cucumber, almost making Kent wonder if he¡¯d misheard. Kent chuckled awkwardly and poured Haley another ss of booze, ¡°Man, my ears must be getting old before their time, I could¡¯ve sworn you said Sophia was picked up by you guys.¡± ¡°No way, I must¡¯ve just been tongue-tied. Drinking too much this early, can¡¯t even talk straight,¡± Haley chuckled, trying to steer the conversation away. But Kent was on his tail, ¡°Sophia¡¯s so lovable now, must¡¯ve been a real sweet and cute kid, huh?¡± ¡°You bet. She was such a darling, a real heart-stealer since she was tiny, pretty as a picture, all rosy- cheeked. Back then, she must¡¯ve been five or six years old, middle of winter, all alone outside, freezing her little face off, but no fussing, no crying. Just huddled up, knees to her chest, staring at me with those big, clear eyes full of terror, not making a peep.¡± Maybe it was the booze talking, but Haley got all nostalgic, knocked back his drink, and went on, ¡°When I walked over, she asked me in this tiny, weak voice, ¡®Mister, are you here to take me home?¡± Kent didn¡¯t point out the slip-up, just filled up Haley¡¯s ss again and asked softly, ¡°What happened next?¡± ¡°Seeing how pitiful she was, I rushed her to the hospital. She clearly felt awful the whole way, but didn¡¯t cry one bit, just clung to me for dear life, afraid I¡¯d leave her behind. It was heart-wrenching, really.¡± Haley downed another ss, ¡°She had hypothermia which led to a bunch ofplications, ended up with pneumonia, high fever for days. When she came to, she was out of it, didn¡¯t remember anything, just me. She¡¯d cling to my shirt, scared I¡¯d ditch her, sick as a dog getting poked and prodded for blood, daily shots, IVs, and through it all, not a single whimper. Tears would well up, but she wouldn¡¯t let them fall. Broke my heart to see it.¡± Haley paused, then with a sheepish grin, he looked at Kent and said, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, really. She was so small, and I wasn¡¯t careful enough, let her get lost. We searched for days and nights, thank goodness we found her.¡± Kent just smiled and didn¡¯t call out the inconsistencies, just kept the booze flowing and said, ¡°Sounds like she had it tough, such a small kid going through so much. Breaks my heart just hearing about it.¡± ¡°Exactly. And she was so good, so obedient, such a great kid. How could her mom not love her?¡± Haley sighed, downing another ss, ¡°All my fault for being so coward and useless. Her mom had a temper since I met her, always throwing fits, smashing things, making the house a madhouse. I tiptoed around her just to keep the peace.¡± Kent refilled Haley¡¯s ss andughed, ¡°Maybe she¡¯s just hot-headed, but no mother doesn¡¯t love her own flesh and blood.¡± Haley didn¡¯t bite, just shook his head with a resigned smile, ¡°Kent, you wouldn¡¯t understand. Every family¡¯s got its own set of troubles.¡± ¡°True that, we all have our own battles,¡± Kent agreed with a chuckle, then prodded, ¡°What happened after? Did Sophia go anywhere else after you brought her home?¡± ¡°Where could she go? Back in the day, we were skint, both her mom and I wereid off, struggling to support one kid, let alone two. Eventually, we couldn¡¯t find work back home, had to drag the siblings here to scrape by. But Sophia¡¯s always been understanding, helping out at home, never a word of comint, and she did well in school too. Got into a top middle school in the city, but we were too broke to send her, though she didn¡¯t let that hold her back, got into a top high school too. I talked it over with her mom, insisting we let her go, but she wouldn¡¯t have it. Ended up letting her study near where we worked for a couple of years until we got transferred to the West district. I didn¡¯t want her all alone over there, so we moved her to a school in West district. She was a ster student, the schools were falling over themselves to have her, even the high school she ended up at, the best in West district, offered to waive her fees because of our situation. We transferred her there, and you wouldn¡¯t believe it, her former school¡¯s principal and teachers were so reluctant to let her go.¡± Haley¡¯s face beamed with pride as he spoke. Kent listened, smiling politely. This part of the story sounded pretty standard, nothing too out of the ordinary, except for the bit about moving to West district high school. Kent remembered Brandon graduated from there too. ¡°What about when she was younger?¡± Kent tried to steer the conversation back, ¡°Before you guys identally lost her, was she just as sweet and sensible?¡± With a chuckle, Haley breezed over the question, ¡°Absolutely, she¡¯s been a good kid from day one, never fussy, always obedient. Neighbors, teachers, ssmates-they all adored her.¡±. Chuckling along, Kent added, ¡°Pretty and smart, who wouldn¡¯t love that? Got any photos of her as a kid? I¡¯m kinda curious what she looked like back then.¡± ¡°Nah, back in those days, we could barely scrape together enough to eat, let alone have spare cash to snap photos.¡¯ Haley waved his hand dismissively and took a big swig from hi ss. ¡°You¡¯ve taken a shine to her too, huh?! Kent chuckled, not daring to admit outright that he was crushing on Sophia too, since his phone was secretly recording the conversation. If Brandon got wind of it, who knew how he¡¯d grind Kent¡¯s gears. Kent hadn¡¯t forgotten how Sophia phoned him to pass on a message to Brandon after sending back the money before she left. The look Brandon gave him could kill, and his snarky tone alone was enough to give Kent a rough time. Haley didn¡¯t care if Kent responded or not, just drowning his sorrows in booze. ¡°She¡¯s got a personality that everyone adores. Howe her mom can¡¯t stand her? Is there really such a thing as mutual repulsion in this world?¡± Kent just smiled and poured him another ss. ¡°Guess some people just don¡¯t click, huh?¡± Haley was getting tipsy after pounding back the hard liquor, not really caring what Kent said, just venting. ¡°You¡¯d think family should get along, right? Sophia¡¯s always been the peace-loving, dutiful type. But her mother¡¯s the drama queen, always stirring up a storm at home. Like the money they returned a while ago, Sophia insisted on giving it back to Mr. Crawley. Her mother¡¯s been holding a grudge, ranting about cutting ties with Sophia, banning her froming home. What¡¯s with all that drama?¡± Kent looked at him, not chiming in; he remembered the incident but didn¡¯t realize there was so much turmoil behind it. ¡°Though, I know we shouldn¡¯t have taken Mr. Crawley¡¯s money. It puts Sophia in a tough spot, stuck in the middle. But I don¡¯t call the shots at home; no one listens to me.¡± After his somber spiel, Haley reached for his ss, ready to guzzle more. Kent stopped him. ¡°Mr. Yearwood, have some food, don¡¯t hit the bottle too hard. It¡¯s bad for your health.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. While saying that, Kent casually loaded up Haley¡¯s te with food and chatted with him until Sophia¡¯s brother Aaron came back. Only then did Kent hand off Haley to Aaron and took off from the Yearwood family. On his way back, Kent video-called Brandon. Brandon was busy at hisputer. It was the weekend, and he wasn¡¯t at work, just grinding away in the study of his presidential suite at the hotel. When Kent¡¯s video call came through, Brandon casually hit ept, his gaze still fixed on theputer screen rather than on Kent¡¯s face on the phone screen, simply responding with a curt, ¡°Talk.¡± His long fingers kept dancing over the keyboard. Kent looked at Brandon¡¯s serious and busy handsome face. ¡°I went to have a chat with Sophia¡¯s dad, Haley, today.¡± ¡°Get to the point.¡± ¡°He identally let slip something. Sophia was found by him in the wild.¡± Brandon¡¯s fingers, previously flying over the keyboard, suddenly paused, his gaze shifting to Kent on the phone. ¡°When?¡± ¡°He said it was when Sophia was around five or six years old. It was winter when he found her, all alone in the wild, frozen purple all over.¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes snapped to Kent¡¯s. ¡°You sure it was winter?¡± Chapter 60 Chapter 60 Kent couldn¡¯t fathom why Brandon was getting all worked up over the ¡°winter¡± thing all of a sudden, but he nodded anyway, ¡°Yeah, just like Sophia¡¯s dad said, I even recorded it.¡± As Kent said this, he clicked on hisputer, ¡°You bet. She was such a darling, a real heart-stealer since she was tiny, pretty as a picture, all rosy-cheeked. Back then, she must¡¯ve been five or six years old, middle of winter, all alone outside¡­¡± Haley¡¯s voice, rough with a hint of booze, slowly drifted from the phone. Brandon cut him off, ¡°Send me the recording.¡± ¡°The whole thing? It¡¯s kinda long, want me to edit down to the highlights first?¡± ¡°Just send it all,¡± Brandon cut him off again, ¡°Send it now.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± As Brandon¡¯s right-hand man for years, Kent knew the drill and was always ready. He quickly sent the prepared recording to Brandon. ¡°Good, go on with your stuff.¡± After giving instructions to Kent on the phone, Brandon hung up, pressed his palm on the mouse, and opened the recording Kent had sent. He didn¡¯t speed through it. Instead, he just put on his headphones, leaned back gently against his computer chair, and hit y. The recording from Kent¡¯s phone was crisp and clear, without any background noise. Brandon had been listening with his eyes closed, but when Haley said, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, when I picked her up back then, I never thought her mom might not like her.¡± he opened his eyes and looked at the audio ying on hisputer. Haley¡¯s denials didn¡¯t stir his gaze or expression, until Kent asked Haley if Sophia was always so sweet and adorable as a child. That¡¯s when a flicker of emotion finally passed through Brandon¡¯s eyes. He stared at the screen, listening to Haley¡¯s hoarse, nostalgic voice recalling the moment he found young Sophia, describing her as five or six years old, in the winter cold, alone outdoors, her little face turning blue from the freeze, not crying or fussing, just hugging her knees, curled up into a ball, with those big eyes staring at him full of terror, not shouting out loud; when he walked over, she asked in a weak voice, ¡°Mister, are you here to take me home?¡± Brandon swallowed hard, slightly tilting his head, his hands crossed on the desk, fingertips pressing into his skin. Ynda had also gone missing in the winter, out in the wilderness. The conversation in his headphones continued. ¡°She had hypothermia which led to a bunch ofplications, ended up with pneumonia, high fever for days. When she came to, she was out of it, didn¡¯t remember anything, just me.¡± As Haley¡¯s voice filled with regret entered his ears, Brandon¡¯s gaze slowly drifted to theputer screen. ¡°She didn¡¯t remember anything, just me.¡± Haley¡¯s regretful voice echoed in his ears, and Brandon thought of something Sophia had said not long ago, ¡°You miss her because you two shared many beautiful memories. But if you¡¯re the only one holding onto those memories, does she still matter?¡± Brandon hadn¡¯t given the question much thought at the time, but if Sophia was Ynda, whether or not she had those memories, she mattered all the same to him. Brandon didn¡¯t get up right away. He listened to the entire recording seriously and patiently. When the voice in his ears stopped, Brandon sat motionless, staring at theputer screen, his expression nk, his mind filled with Haley¡¯s description of a young Sophia. frail, helpless, terrified, yet remarkably well-behaved and sensible. The very image of young Ynda. Suddenly, Brandon longed to see Sophia, eager and impatient. His body reacted to the surge of emotion within hirn, his toes pushing off the desk to move the chair back a couple of steps, and he stood up. As he passed through the living room, he bent down to grab the keys from the coffee table and left the house. On the way to Sophia¡¯s school, Brandon drove fast. The cold wind poured in through the wide-open car window, tossing his hair about. Brandon didn¡¯t bother to close the window, letting the gustse in wave after wave, his hands steady and skilled on the steering wheel, his handsome face slightly tense, his mind reconstructing the image of a small figure, curled up in terror against the snowyndscape. Sophia¡¯s school wasn¡¯t far from the hotel, just a few minutes¡¯ drive. Brandon arrived at the school just as sses were letting out, the ancient, echoing sound of the school bell piercing the campus, and groups of young students began, to emerge from the various buildings.. Brandon stood beneath Sophia¡¯s ssroom building, watching the clusters of young students descend the stairs but didn¡¯t see Sophia among them. He didn¡¯t wait downstairs. Instead, he moved through the crowd and up the stairs.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . He didn¡¯t know where Sophia¡¯s ssroom was or even if she had a ss. He just followed his instincts through the crowd. Like always, Sophia waited until almost everyone had left before she started packing up her things to leave. There were still quite a few people in the corridor,ughing and frolicking with the unique vitality of youth. Sophia didn¡¯t join them, only smiling in response when familiar faces greeted her. Then, amidst the bustling crowd, she spotted Brandon. His handsome face was tense, his eyes searching eagerly through the crowd as he moved. Her steps slowed to a halt. Brandon also saw her and stopped in his tracks. The urgency in his eyes slowly faded, reced by a profound and peaceful softness, as if he had just let out a long sigh of relief. He didn¡¯t approach her, just stood at a distance, letting his gaze rest on her through the crowd, his eyes showing a level of focus and tenderness Sophia had never seen before. Chapter 61 Chapter 61 Sophia was totally drawn in by the intense focus and softness in his eyes. Her gaze just naturally landed on him, full of confusion and cluelessness. She had no clue what was up with Brandon. This was a side of Brandon she¡¯d never seen before, and that look in his eyes, so full of pity and pain, was something she¡¯d hardly ever noticed. Passersby kept sneaking peeks at them, whispering among themselves with a curiosity they couldn¡¯t quite hide. Both of them were quite the eye-catchers on their own Brandon with his tall, straight figure and a cool, aloof vibe that screamed nobility, and Sophia with her delicate, well-proportioned frame and a gentle, peaceful demeanor, with a touch of bookish rity. Standing there, quietly locking eyes through the crowd, they were a sight for sore eyes, like a paintinge to life. Some nosy folks couldn¡¯t help but sneak their phones out, itching to snap a secret photo. Sophia shot a casual nce their way, making the sneaky photographer sheepishly lower their phone. She turned her attention back to Brandon. ¡°Hey.¡± She hesitated a bit, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes remained calmly fixed on hers, but he didn¡¯t say a word. Sophia¡¯s eyes clouded with confusion, and just as she was about to speak again, Brandon¡¯s voice came softly through the crowd, ¡°Sophia, did you ever take photos when you were little?¡± His sudden leap in topic left her already muddled brain struggling to keep up. She hesitated, then shook her head with a puzzled look. ¡°No, I never really had photos taken when I was a kid.¡± ¡°Not even one picture from when you were little?¡± Sophia thought for a moment, then hesitantly shook her head again. ¡°Nope.¡± Still confused, she looked at him. ¡°Why are you asking about this?¡± Brandon shook his head. ¡°No reason.¡± He walked towards her, standing in front of her, looking down with that same pained and tender gaze. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but look up at him in bewilderment. Brandon was tall, and right there in front of her, she had to tilt her head back, eyes full of confusion. Brandon didn¡¯t speak, just quietly looked at her, and then, as her eyes widened slightly, he suddenly reached out and gently hugged her. Sophia froze. ¡°What¡¯s the deal?¡± she asked tentatively, not daring to struggle, sensing that something was off with Brandon today. Brandon didn¡¯t respond, just held her tighter, one hand gently circling her waist and back, the other cradling the back of her head, pressing her close to his chest in a hug that was both pitying and gentle. Sophia was baffled by his actions, standing stiff as a board, her eyes widening in bewilderment, not understanding what had gotten into Brandon. Her hands even hung neatly at her sides, not daring to push him away. ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked, concerned, her body rigid, not daring to make a move. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± His voice was a low, slightly hoarse whisper near her ear, and as the words fell, he hugged her a bit tighter. There was a sense of careful relief, as well as that pity and tenderness she couldn¡¯tprehend. Sophia was full of confusion, her hands twitched, wanting to lift up, but afraid of upsetting him, she softened her voice, ¡°Did something happen to you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re kinda freaking me out,¡± she admitted honestly, her fingers carefully tugging at his clothes, signaling the inappropriateness of the moment. ¡°Nothing. I just suddenly¡± Brandon paused, ¡°felt like hugging you Sophia didn¡¯t ay anything. Brandon gently let her go, looking at her with an embarrassed smile. She awkwardly tugged at her lip, ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re possessed or something.¡± This wasn¡¯t like Brandon. The Brandon she knew was never one to sweet talk orfort people. He was all about facts and logic, cool and rational to the point of being utterly charmless. Brandon also tugged at the corner of his mouth, forcing a slight smile that faded quickly. He didn¡¯t bother exining much, just let his fingers run through her hair in front of her forehead, slowly and carefully straightening it out, then asked softly, ¡°Got any more sses this afternoon?¡± Sophia shook her head. ¡°Nope, that¡¯s it.¡± ¡°Shall we head back?¡± Sophia nced at him with slightly widened eyes, then nodded gently, ¡°Sure.¡± On the ride back, Sophia sat in the passenger seat, sitting up straight as an arrow.. Brandon¡¯s odd behavior today kept her from rxing like she usually would. Today¡¯s Brandon felt like he¡¯d been possessed. Brandon noticed her unease too. From the moment she got in the car, she sat bolt upright, back pressed against the seat, spine ramrod straight, her hands neatly resting on her thighs, nothing like her usual polite distance and calm when facing him. Instead, there was a touch of lost bewilderment. This Sophia reminded him of her back in their senior year of high school, calm and peaceful, with a touch of na?ve innocence typical of young girls. She had the serenity of an older girl but also the pure simplicity of that age, much like little Ynda. He wondered if she had changed over the years to match his pace, or perhaps he had influenced her. Sophia had be much moreposed, always as unppable as him, never too excited or too angry. Even her marriage and divorce had been calmly negotiated. Brandon exhaled deeply, freeing one hand to reach behind her shoulder and gently ruffle her hair, a gesture full of tenderness. Sophia, however, was startled by the touch, her spine stiffening a bit, her eyes widening slightly, though she didn¡¯t dare look at him. Brandon caught the puzzled look in her eyes through the rearview mirror. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I haven¡¯t been possessed,¡± he said suddenly, as if he knew exactly what was on her mind. Sophia managed a faint smile. ¡°You¡¯re just off today.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± His question was slow and light, not really seeking an answer butced with a hint of self- mockery. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but turn to look at Brandon. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Brandon turned to her as well, not nning to keep her in the dark. ¡°I heard some things about your childhood today.¡± Sophia immediately thought of his previous question about her childhood photos, and her mind jumped to Ynda. She chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re still not giving up, huh?¡± Brandon chuckled too, leaving the conversation at that. He indeed hadn¡¯t given up, but unfortunately, he also didn¡¯t have any photos of Ynda as a child to ask if she had looked like Sophia. As a kid, he was totally camera-shy, even downright resistant to having his picture taken. He couldn¡¯t stand the stiffness of posing for the camera, and he definitely wasn¡¯t into those cheesy family photos where his dad and Patricia¡¯s family looked all cozy and chummy. At that age, where he was already bucking the system, he never acknowledged Patricia as his mom. And Ynda just rolled with it. If he hated having his photo taken, she¡¯d ditch the camera too. Back then, she was such a sweet, naive thing without a mean bone in her body, always bending over backwards to please him. Whatever he wasn¡¯t into, she¡¯d give it a miss right alongside him. ?? ? = ?? ???? ?? ??? Brandon couldn¡¯t fathom how someone could be so clueless. At first, he didn¡¯t even bother to be nice to her, but she was like a born softie, couldn¡¯t stand seeing him out of step with the world. She was always there, trying to coax him into fitting in with her careful, gentle ways. Seeing the nostalgia written all over his face, Sophia felt a twinge of something bittersweet, but she managed a smile. ¡°Too bad I can¡¯t help you out,¡± she murmured. ¡°Never been one for picture¡¯s myself, no clue why. Just hated it, so I didn¡¯t keep any photos from those days either.¡± Brandon¡¯s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, falling silent for quite a spell before he finally spoke up in a hoarse voice, ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Ynda wasn¡¯t into photos either. Chapter 62 Chapter 62 When Brandon got back to the hotel, he tried ringing up Martin to check if he¡¯d shipped off the hair samples. He didn¡¯t need to confirm if Marian and Martin were rted, but he was curious to see what would come up between Sophia and Martin. Dialing the number, he got the message. ¡°Sorry, the person you are calling has switched off their phone. Sorry, the number you dialed is powered off.¡± Brandon remembered that Martin wasn¡¯t one to turn off his phone. Given his unique job and hectic schedule, even when he was resting at night or in meetings, he would at most have his phone on silent. If he was off the grid now, chances were he was already on a flight. Maybe even aboard the earliest one, likely almost touching down in Wye City by now. ncing at his phone which had gone back to the lock screen, Brandon tapped it against his palm, lost in thought. When it came to Ynda¡¯s whereabouts, he knew there was no stopping Martin froming. The one thing he was thankful for was that he hadn¡¯t yet passed Marian¡¯s personal info to Martin. He didn¡¯t want Martin getting a DNA test with Marian before the results from Sophia¡¯s test came in. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance Marian was Ynda, he wouldn¡¯t gamble on those odds. But Marian was staying at the Starlight Hotel, and if Martin showed up, he¡¯d likely book a room there too. Despite the hotel¡¯s size, judging by the odds of his and Sophia¡¯s random encounter with Marian, it wasn¡¯t impossible for Martin to bump into her. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Thest thing Brandon wanted was for them to meet face-to-face just yet. After pondering for a bit, he decided to call Don. ¡°Martin¡¯s heading to Wye City, should bending in about half an hour. If you¡¯re free, could you pick him up?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Don was in the middle of something and stood up in surprise. ¡°Martin¡¯sing to Wye City? But why? He¡¯s a busy man with no business here, what¡¯s he doinging over?¡± ¡°Probably got something on his te,¡± Brandon said vaguely. ¡°If it¡¯s not too much trouble, could you pick him up?¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Don agreed without a second thought, ¡°I¡¯m not tied up with anything else.¡± ¡°Great, I¡¯ll catch up with you guyster,¡± Brandon said, about to hang up, but then he remembered the time at the bar when he asked Marian for her WhatsApp and inquired, ¡°Hey, did you manage to get in touch with Marian?¡± Don raised an eyebrow in surprise. ¡°How¡¯d you know her name was Marian? Did some digging on your own?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Brandon responded coolly, ¡°What¡¯s the situation with you two?¡± Taking it as concern about a too-close rtionship with Ynda, Don quickly rified. ¡°What situation, could there be? Tried adding her on WhatsApp a few times with no luck. I was hoping to get her contact for you, so you wouldn¡¯t miss out.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need it, but thanks,¡± Brandon declined tly, ¡°And you might want to stop bugging her.¡± Don frowned. ¡°You¡¯re not looking for Ynda anymore?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not Ynda.¡± ¡°Are you so sure?¡± Don was confused by Brandon¡¯s certainty, ¡°But that bracelet.¡± ¡°Just drop it. If I say she¡¯s not, then she¡¯s not. Don¡¯t mention it to Martin, wouldn¡¯t want to get his hopes up,¡± Brandon instructed, ¡°Just pick him up and bring him to your ce, I¡¯lle by once I¡¯m done here.¡± ¡°Alright, no problem.¡± Don hung up, got ready, and headed out. He lived close to the airport, just a short drive away. He timed it perfectly, arriving at the arrivals hall as Martin¡¯s flightnded. Amidst the bustling crowd, Don spotted Martin, sunsses on, tall and sharp, standing out with his cool demeanor. Don recognized him immediately and waved. ¡°Martin, over here!¡± Martin looked his way. Don noticed a slight frovin between Martin¡¯s brows, as if he wasn¡¯t too pleased to see him. ¡°What¡¯s with the look?¡± Donined on the spot. ¡°I came all this way to wee you, and is that the thanks I get?¡± Taking off his sunsses, Martin approached. ¡°Did Brandon send you?¡± ¡°Who else?¡± Don slung an arm over his shoulder, ¡°Come on, man, we grew up together. Youe to Wye City and only tell him, not me What, am I not your friend?¡± ¡°Whatever you say,¡± Martin shrugged off his arm, looking at him, ¡°Where¡¯s Brandon?¡± ¡°He¡¯s tied up, said he¡¯de byter for a drink.¡± As he spoke, Don grabbed Martin¡¯s luggage. ¡°Let¡¯s go, my ce first.¡± Martin stopped him. ¡°No need, I¡¯m heading to Brandon¡¯s, got something to discuss.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t it wait for a phone call? Brandon will be overter anyway, no rush,¡± Don insisted, taking the luggage, patting Martin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Come on.¡± Martin gave him a look, getting the gist of why Brandon had sent Don. Don was a champ at wearing people down, hospitable and loyal to a fault. With Martin finally on his turf, he¡¯d be sure to y the perfect host, not letting him off easy. Martin didn¡¯t want to argue, simply nodding. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± Don wheeled the suitcase to the underground parking, lifting it into the trunk thoughtfully, and as he did, he turned to remind Martin, ¡°You don¡¯te by often, so let loose a bit. Don¡¯t hold back. I¡¯ll make sure you have a st.¡± Before he could finish, Martin hailed a cab. The taxi screeched to a halt in front of Martin. Sliding into the taxi, Martin cut to the chase. ¡°Don, got something to do, need to step out. I¡¯ll catch up with youter, thanks for handling my luggage.¡± ¡°Yo, seriously, what¡¯s the big deal? Can¡¯t I give you a lift wherever you¡¯re headed? What are you even up to?¡± Don hadn¡¯t even finished his yapping when Martin had already hopped into the car, waving at him through the window. The taxi zipped away with a vroom, leaving a faint trail of exhaust smoke in its wake. Don was speechless. Chapter 63 Chapter 63 Don had no clue whether Martin was off to see Brandon or not. The guy was driving like a bat out of hell, and by the time he hit the road, the taxi was nowhere in sight. He rang Martin up, but Martin just brushed him off with a ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me¡± and hung up. Don couldn¡¯t for the life of him figure out what Martin was ying at, or what was going on between him and Brandon. He wasn¡¯t the sharpest tool in the shedpared to those two, but he had a sneaking suspicion they were keeping him in the dark about something. Not wanting to stick his nose where it wasn¡¯t wanted, Don mulled it over and decided to give Brandon a buzz. ¡°Hey, I couldn¡¯t catch Martin. He hailed a cab and took off saying he had some stuff to do. Not sure if he¡¯s heading your way or what.¡± Brandon was at the Starlight Hotel¡¯s HQ in Ephemora, and he paused mid-stride when he heard the news, but didn¡¯t make a big deal out of it. ¡°Got it,¡± he responded coolly. ¡°If he shows up, I¡¯ll give you a shout.¡± ¡°Are you guys keeping something from me?¡± Don wasn¡¯t one to beat around the bush and asked point- nk. Brandon didn¡¯t sugarcoat it. ¡°He¡¯sing over to confirm Ynda¡¯s identity.¡± ¡°Huh? No, I mean, if that¡¯s the case, why the heck are you stopping him?¡± Don didn¡¯t get it. If it was about confirming identity, just arrange for Marian and Martin to meet up, get on the same page, and go for a paternity test. No biggie. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about itter.¡± Brandon let out a sigh, ncing at the hotel, ¡°I¡¯m a bit tied up right now, gotta hang up.¡± After he ended the call, Brandon hesitated, remembering Martin had left on his own. The phone spun in his hand as he weighed his options-deal with business first or sort out personal matters. Just then, a young girl with an HR vibe stepped out of the office and spotted Brandon by the elevator. She approached with a smile. ¡°Hello, you must be Mr. Keith, here for the operations director position?¡± She reached out her hand while she spoke. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Crystal from HR.¡± Brandon locked eyes with her but didn¡¯t respond. Unfazed, Crystal swiped open the ss door, weing warmly, ¡°Come on in. Mr. Darcy has already briefed us about you several times, emphasizing that we should treat you well.¡± At the mention of ¡°Mr. Darcy,¡± Brandon¡¯s expression shifted, and he nodded, ¡°Thanks for the trouble.¡± He followed her into thepany. The office was a high-rise leased for its panoramic river views and ss-walled divisions, clean and upscale. Brandon had only been here a few times during the subsidiary setup. Once he took over the group¡¯s operations, his workload soared, and hotel management was delegated, so he hadn¡¯t been back in years. It had been so long that most of the staff was new, and nobody recognized him. He was a low-key guy. Thepany profiles and financial interviews never featured his photo, and aside from the execs he dealt with, hardly anyone knew him. During working hours, the office was a beehive of activity. Brandon¡¯s passage with HR caused a minor stir, his striking figure and cool demeanor instantly capturing attention. Whispers spread about the dashing job applicant, and spection about which position he was after. Probably because he was with HR, no one mistook him for a new hire. Brandon¡¯s gaze swept calmly across the office. His inherent authority silenced the excited whispers, and everyone quickly sat up straight. Crystal exined with a smile, ¡°They¡¯re just young girls getting excited over a good-looking guy. Don¡¯t mind them, Mr. Keith.¡± Brandon hummed in acknowledgment and followed Crystal into the meeting room. ¡°Mr. Keith, take a seat. I¡¯ll get you some water,¡± said Crystal, fetching a disposable cup and filling it for Brandon before sitting opposite him. She opened the resume in her hand and said, ¡°So, Mr. Keith, Mr. Darcy has made it clear to us that your background more than qualifies you for our hotel¡¯s operations director position, and thepany would be happy to have you. But, as you know, the role of operations director is quite significant/and the hiring decision has to be approved by the headquarters. The process is somewhat more formal andplex, so don¡¯t take it personally. It¡¯s just a formality.¡± ¡°No worries, Brandon replied calmly, ncing at the resume in her hand. ¡°Could I take a look at that? I was in such a rush that I forgot to bring.¡± Before he could finish, Crystal handed him the resume, ¡°Of course, no problem.¡± Brandon frowned slightly as he took it, quickly scanning the documentbeled ¡°Keith,¡± age 30, a master¡¯s degree from an obscure 15:30 university he¡¯d never heard of, possibly a diploma mill, with an unrted major and barely relevant work experience capped at a receptionist position, with exactly four years under his belt-a resume that, from education to work experience, was a far group¡¯s hiring standards. Looking at Crystal, he asked, ¡°If this has to go through headquarters approval, is this resume going to cut it?¡± Crystal chuckled, ¡°That¡¯s exactly why we¡¯ve called you in today.¡± cry from the After a cautious nce at the meeting room¡¯s camera to see if it was off and a quick check outside the ss walls to ensure no one was around, she leaned in and handed Brandon another resume, lowering her voice, ¡°This is the polished resume Mr. Darcy asked us to give you. It wasn¡¯t safe to send it online. Take a look and just remember the key points.¡± Brandon flipped through the resume and sure enough, it was jazzed up, and pretty darn well at that. A world-renowned university grad with a master¡¯s in hotel management, dabbled in the ops of some top- tier hotels during his studies, and post-graduation, he jumped straight into one of the world¡¯s top ten hotels, skyrocketing its expansion abroad ¨C turning it into a hotmodity with a full house every night. Taking a gig at the Starlight Hotel seemed like a walk in the park for him. After Brandon had gone through the CV, Crystal chuckled and nudged him, ¡°You brought this resume, so make sure to keep it close to the chest.¡± She gave him a knowing wink, signaling him to zip it and not ask questions. Brandon nodded, closed the resume, and turned to her, ¡°Is this how Mr. Darcy usually hooks people up with jobs?¡± Crystal found the question a bit odd but still shook her head with a smile, ¡°Of course not. You¡¯re a talent Mr. Darcy has his eye on, so naturally, he¡¯s going to roll out the red carpet for you.¡± Brandon offered a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. He nced sideways, his gaze drifting through the shiny ss walls, lingering on the sign that read ¡°CEO¡¯s Office¡± before turning back to Crystal, ¡°Is Mr. Darcy in?¡± Crystal was caught off guard, ¡°Mr. Darcy stepped out. Didn¡¯t he tell you?¡± Brandon, his voice low but with an undeniable air of authority, ¡°Where did he go?¡± Crystal¡¯s voice softened involuntarily, ¡°He didn¡¯t say.¡± Suspicion flickered in her eyes as she sized Brandon up. He hadn¡¯t told her his full story, just calmly asked, ¡°When do I start?¡± The shock in Crystal¡¯s eyes faded a bit as she replied with a smile, ¡°Pass the interview today, send the resume to HQ, and once HR gives the green light, you start next Monday.¡± She reassured him, ¡°As long as HR here and Mr. Darcy give the nod, it¡¯s all smooth sailing. HQ just does a routine check and data entry, no sweat.¡± ¡°Great, thanks for the hassle.¡± Brandon stood up, ¡°I¡¯ll head out now.¡± ¡°Already?¡± Crystal was surprised, ¡°Mr. Darcy wanted you to stick around for a bit. He¡¯ll be back soon.¡± ¡°No need, he¡¯ll reach out if there¡¯s anything.¡± Brandon was already at the door. ¡°Alright then.¡± She wasn¡¯t about to stop someone Darcy had gged for VIP treatment, quickly getting up to help open the conference room door, adding with a smile, ¡°You go on with your business, and I¡¯ll catch up with Mr. Darcyter.¡± As she held the door, she gestured him out and said, ¡°Then, I guess I¡¯ll be seeing you at thepany on Monday, right?¡± Her voice wasn¡¯t loud, but nearby colleagues overheard the ¡°wee you to thepany,¡± and couldn¡¯t help but buzz with excitement, nudging each other and stealing nces at Brandon. Brandon, unfazed by the whispers and eager eyes, had seen it all before. As a big shot in the company, he avoided public appearances unless necessary. At the Starlight Group HQ, he had his own private elevator to dodge any undue hassle. Crystal kinda got why the office girls were all aflutter ¨C a good-looking, aplished guy turns heads wherever he goes. Though, in her eyes, Brandon¡¯s resume wasn¡¯t all that impressive. As this crossed her mind, she looked at Brandon, dressed to the nines with an air of authority, not fitting the profile of a deadbeat his resume suggested. Her brow furrowed, her phone rang, and she instinctively answered. She looked up just in time to see the elevator doors opening for Brandon and stepped forward to hold them for him, ¡°Mr. Keith, I won¡¯t keep you any longer. See you Monday.¡± Brandon gave her a cool nce and said crisply, ¡°See you Monday.¡± His finger pressed the elevator button and she watched the doors close with a smile, then turned her attention back to the phone, ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Is this Crystal? It¡¯s me, Keith. Which building is yourpany in again? I¡¯ve been circling the parking lot and can¡¯t find the entrance.¡± The flustered voice on the other end caused Crystal to freeze. ¡°Mr. Keith?¡± An impatient voice retorted, ¡°Who else? Seriously, your address isn¡¯t clear, and no one¡¯s here to meet me.¡± Crystal¡¯s face went pale and she frantically jabbed the elevator button, telling the caller, ¡°Hold on a sec, I¡¯ll call you back in a bit.¡± She hung up and the elevator, now at the ground floor, opened. She dashed out only to catch a glimpse of Brandon¡¯s retreating back as he got into his car. She wanted to run after him, but his ck Cayenne was already rolling away. As it turned around the corner, Brandon looked back at her calmly. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Crystal¡¯s legs buckled, and she instinctively snapped a photo of his license te. Brandon nced at Crystal in the rearview mirror, raising her phone, and then looked away, grabbing his own phone to send a WhatsApp message to Kent, [Check out Keith.] He sent Kent the original resume and then focused back on the road, his expression turning frosty. He had suspected Darcy was up to no good, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated the guy would be so bold as to nt a stooge in thepany, pulling the wool over everyone¡¯s eyes. Who knew how many of Darcy¡¯s cronies were lurking about? Kent replied quickly on WhatsApp, [On it. ASAP.] Brandon nced at the message and set his phone aside, driving off with a calm demeanor. The Starlight Hotel¡¯s main office was just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Starlight Hotel itself. As Brandon¡¯s car rolled past the hotel entrance, he sneakily nced at the lobby and, without even trying, caught sight of Martin heading for the elevators. Brandon¡¯s brows knitted in a frown, and he immediately mmed on the brakes. The valet hurried over to his window with a, ¡°Good day, sir! Need a hand parking your car?¡± Brandon swung his door open and casually tossed the keys to the valet. ¡°Much appreciated.¡± He was already striding towards the elevator, but luck wasn¡¯t on his side ¨C Martin¡¯s elevator had already started its ascent. Brandon watched the elevator numbers climb and pressed the button for another one. He had his own way of doing things at the Starlight Hotel, sticking to a particr room, and Martin was clued in on where he crashed. And in that room, Sophia was there too. Chapter 64 Chapter 64 Sophia got jolted awake by her phone¡¯s rm. She had a sster at 4 PM and had set the rm on purpose. Waking up, she didn¡¯t spot Brandon in the room, but saw the note he stuck on the door. It read in bold ck marker. ¡°Got a thing at the office, just next door. Call me when you wake up.¡± Sophia reached out and ripped the note off the door. Brandon¡¯s handwriting was on point, as pleasing to the eye as printed text. Back in their school days, Sophia was always wowed by Brandon¡¯s penmanship ¨C a blend of envy and admiration for that effortless elegance and strength that she just couldn¡¯t mimic. Some folks just ace it in every little detail. It had been a hot minute since Sophiast saw Brandon¡¯s writing, and it was still a sight for sore eyes. She spaced out for a sec, staring at the words on the note, then tucked it away and scanned the room The note had the time on it; he¡¯d been out for over an hour, probably something urgent. no sign of Brandon. When she was home, Brandon rarely went out, and when he did, it wasn¡¯t usually for more than an hour. He wouldn¡¯t leave her ¨C a pregnantdy ¨C alone at home. On that front, Brandon was miles ahead of many other guys. Sophia hadn¡¯t mentioned her afternoon ss to Brandon. Lately, she¡¯d been super sleepy, dozing off after lunch without getting the chance to tell him. She nced around the room, still no Brandon. Guess he hadn¡¯te back yet, and who knew if he was tied up with something. Knowing Brandon liked his peace when working, she didn¡¯t call, instinctively thinking to hit him up on WhatsApp. Only when she pulled out her phone did she remember she¡¯d deleted him from WhatsApp after their divorce, never expecting any future run-ins. But now. After a moment¡¯s thought, she flipped his note over and scribbled on the back. ¡°Got ss this afternoon, heading to school. You do your thing, no worries about me.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Then she stuck the note on his bedroom door, quickly got her stuff together, and headed out. The Starlight Hotel was huge, tons of rooms on each floor, and Brandon had gone for the quietest, least disturbing corner suite. From her room to the elevator was a bit of a trek. Sophia had time to spare and didn¡¯t want to rush with a baby on board, so she just moseyed along to the elevator. Hardly anyone else around maybe it was the off-season. She reached the elevator and mindlessly stretched out to press the button when the doors swung open. She stepped in without a nce, not expecting to nearly bump into someoneing out. Sophia was petite, the other person much taller and bigger. She sidestepped just in time but still stumbled, saved by a strong hand that caught her arm. ¡°Sorry!¡± came the man¡¯s deep, apologetic voice. ¡°My bad,¡± Sophia said, flushing with embarrassment, and looked up to lock eyes with Martin. It was that same dazed feeling she got the other day seeing Marian¡¯s bracelet. Martin seemed taken aback too, his eyes resting on her face, both of them lost in a moment of nk confusion. Brandon stepped out of the neighboring elevator just in time to see the two, Martin¡¯s hand still unwittingly on Sophia¡¯s arm, sporting that same dazed look, though their features weren¡¯t all that simr. both Brandon¡¯s gaze drifted down to Martin¡¯s hand on Sophia¡¯s arm and he cleared his throat subtly. Sophia and Martin snapped out of it, instinctively turning to Brandon. Sophia, btedly realizing Martin still held her arm, instinctively tried to pull away. Martin finally caught on and let go. ¡°Sorry.¡± Sophia gave a sheepish smile. ¡°No, I should apologize. I wasn¡¯t looking.¡± Her gentle smile seemed to daze Martin again, his eyes helplessly drawn to her face, lost once more. Brandon watched Martin¡¯s expression, unnoticed. An untimely female voice cut in from behind. ¡°Excuse me, need the elevator, in a rush here.¡± Brandon turned to see Marian, all hustle and bustle heading their way. He instinctively pulled Sophia aside as Marian nearly brushed past her. Standing firm, Sophia finally got a glimpse of Marian, clutching her books in a hurry. She remembered Marian telling Brandon they were both in the presidential suite at the Starlight Hotel. The hotel¡¯s top-tier suites were mostly on the top floor, and like Sophia, Marian was a School of Architecture student rushing to an afternoon lecture. Bumping into each other here wasn¡¯t all that weird. Funny how they hadn¡¯t crossed paths until today. Reaching the elevator, Marian noticed Sophia, surprised. ¡°Sophia? You rushing back for ss too? Perfect, let¡¯s go together. I¡¯ve got a cab waiting downstairs.¡± As she reached out to Sophia with the emerald bracelet-d hand, the bracelet slipped slightly down her wrist. Martin caught it just in time, his expression darkening as he grabbed her wrist and demanded, ¡°Where¡¯d you get this bracelet?¡± Brandon, silently facepalming, was still a step toote. Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Marian looked at Martin with a totally puzzled expression, ¡°Where from? Of course, it¡¯s mine! You guys are acting so weird, everyone who sees my bracelet asks where I got it. If it¡¯s on my wrist, it¡¯s obviously mine. What, you think I stole it or something?¡± As she spoke, Marian shot a nce at Brandon, her eyes clearly using. Martin¡¯s gaze followed to Brandon, ¡°Is she the Ynda you were talking about?¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°No.¡± Brandon instinctively denied the possibility, his eyes anxiously darting toward Sophia. Sophia was looking up at him, her calm eyes showing a faint trace of surprise, well-hidden, but Brandon could still make it out. He subconsciously held her hand tighter, signaling her not to jump to conclusions. Sophia turned to give him a look, not saying a word. She was a bit surprised, figuring Brandon must have somewhat confirmed Marian¡¯s identity, which was why he had alerted Ynda¡¯s family toe for a further identification. It was Ynda¡¯s family, right? Sophia couldn¡¯t help but nce at Martin. Martin¡¯s attention was now fully on Marian¡¯s face. Although he was trying his best to control his emotions, Sophia could clearly see the immense excitement and joy hidden in his eyes, his hand holding Marian¡¯s trembling slightly with emotion. Sophia wondered if her own experiences of being separated from family and her deep longing for them made her feel a touch of envy and sadness at such a reunion. Not daring to stay too long in that atmosphere, fearing she might drown in those feelings, she quietly stepped aside to the elevator when Marian turned her attention to Martin, and pressed the button. Brandon nced at her. Sophia gave him an apologetic smile, her eyes telling him she was heading to ss. Brandon didn¡¯t say a word, just tightened his grip on her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll walk you there,¡± he murmured, watching the elevator doors open, pressing the button to keep them open with one hand, the other blocking the doorway to let her in first. Sophia saw Martin still staring unblinkingly at Marian, and Marian still full of discontent and confusion, asking, ¡°Who the heck is Ynda? You call me Ynda, he calls me Ynda.¡± She turned and pointed at Brandon, just as she realized Sophia was leaving and quickly said, ¡°Hey Sophia, wait for me, I¡¯ll go with you, I got a cab.¡± Sophia politely declined, ¡°No need, maybe next time. I¡¯ve got some things to do at school, need to head out early.¡± Then she looked at Brandon, ¡°You go ahead with your stuff, don¡¯t worry about me, I can make it on my own.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Brandon responded coolly, following her into the elevator. Martin, who had been so focused on Marian, finally spared a nce toward the elevator, his eyes meeting Sophia¡¯s just as the doors were closing, looking puzzled once again. Brandon looked up at him briefly, letting the elevator doors close quietly. Marian, in a rush, tried to stop the doors, ¡°Hey, wait up.¡± But it was toote, the doors had closed, and the numbers on the disy began to descend. Annoyed, Marian turned to Martin, ¡°This is all your fault, I¡¯m going to bete for ss now. And who the heck is Ynda? Why do you all think I¡¯m her?¡± ¡°Ynda is my sister,¡± Martin said slowly, ncing at the bracelet on her hand, ¡°When she went missing, she was wearing the bracelet that¡¯s on your wrist.¡± As he spoke, he let go of her, but his gaze still lingered on the bracelet, ¡°The third bead is engraved with Ynda¡¯s initials, y¡¯, you can check if you want.¡± Marian¡¯s hand instinctively covered the bracelet, hesitating, ¡°So ¡®y¡¯ stands for Ynda.¡± It was obvious she already knew there was an inscription in the bead. Martin asked, ¡°Can I take a look at, the engraving?¡± Marian hesitated, clutching the bracelet a little tighter. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I just want to see it. I won¡¯t take your stuff, Martin said soothingly, sensing her wariness, and introduced himself, ¡°I¡¯m Ynda¡¯s biological brother, Martin, currently the head honcho at the Frost Group, so you don¡¯t have to be afraid of what I might do to you.¡± He pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to her. Marian hesitated, looking at him, then took the card, which matched the information he had given her. Her guard seemed to drop a little, her grip on the bracelet loosening, slowly sliding it down to offer it, yet still somewhat reluctant and defensive, ¡°Don¡¯t try to fool me. This thing might not mean much to you guys, but it¡¯s really important to me.¡± She emphasized firmly, ¡°And don¡¯t think just because you¡¯re loaded, you can boss my life around. Even if I am Ynda, I won¡¯t just go with you. I have a good life now; my dad, mom, and brother all love me a lot.¡± Martin chuckled, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m just verifying something, I won¡¯t force you to do anything.¡± Marian looked at him skeptically for a moment longer before slowly handing over the bracelet. Martin immediately checked the third bead and there it was, the ¡®y¡¯, the familiar handwriting hitting him with a wave of emotion. That letter was engraved by young Brandon, who despite his nice handwriting, had the youthful immaturity of that age, unlike the firm strokes he had now. But still, Martin could tell it was done by his hand. Martin vividly remembered how Ynda used to show off big time in front of him when she first got that gift from Brandon. The bracelet had a little bell on it, which was now stuffed into one of those unique holes by Marian. Back when the bell wasn¡¯t jammed in there, Ynda¡¯s favorite thing was to strut around, flicking her wrist so the bell would jingle-jangle, or she¡¯d get all hyped up, pointing at the ¡°y¡± on the bead, and go, ¡°Martin, check it out, Brandon carved my name into it. Looks super cool, right?¡± She wasn¡¯t quite sure what to call Brandon at first, as the kids her age dared not call him by his first name, but seeing as he was taller than Martin, she just started calling him ¡°Brandon¡± and it stuck. Chapter 66 Chapter 66 Ever since Ynda vanished into thin air, the bracelet went MIA too. Martin never thought he¡¯dy eyes on that eyesore of a bracelet again in this lifetime. But out of the blue, boom, there it was, after all these years. The image of that little munchkin, showing off the bracelet with such glee, popped into Martin¡¯s head. Something seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he turned his head slightly, his thumb absentmindedly caressing the ¡°y¡± etched on the bracelet. His gaze inevitably shifted to Marian. She didn¡¯t much look like Ynda as a rugrat, and the way she looked at him was all strangers and defense. Yet, she was about the same age as Ynda would¡¯ve been. He hadn¡¯t missed her earlier remark. ¡°Even if I was your so-called sister, I wouldn¡¯t go with you. I¡¯m living the good life now, with my mom, dad, and brother who adore me.¡± ¡°Did your folks adopt you?¡± Martin asked. Marian nodded briskly, ¡°Yeah, they found me and just kinda took me in.¡± ¡°When did they find you?¡± Marian pouted, ¡°What¡¯s it to you? I¡¯m not gonna go with you anyway.¡± 4 After saying that, she stepped forward, trying to snatch the bracelet from his hand, ¡°Give it back, I gotta get to ss.¡± Martin let go. Marian grabbed the bracelet back, tucking it behind her like it was her precious, still eyeing Martin warily, as if she was worried he¡¯d pull a fast one. Martin couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her guarded look. He nced at his watch and said to her, ¡°Looks like your ride took off. I can drop you off at school.¡± With that, he hit the elevator button. Marian quickly rejected the offer, ¡°No need. I can walk.¡± As she saw the elevator doors open, she hurried inside. Martin followed and pressed the button for the ground floor. Marian, standing in the opposite corner of the elevator, looked even more on guard. ¡°What are you up to? I told you, even if I were your sister, I wouldn¡¯t go with you, I¡¯m doing just fine. You¡¯d better drop it.¡± ¡°And another thing,¡± Marian emphasized seriously, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare bother my parents. If they find out their adopted daughter¡¯s real family came looking, and it upsets them, you¡¯ll have me to answer to.¡± Her anxious protectiveness reminded Martin of a young Ynda, who back then was looking out for Brandon. Marian¡¯s wariness deepened at Martin¡¯s look. ¡± 2 1 ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not here to take you back,¡± Martin reassured her softly, ¡°I just want to clear up whether you¡¯re Ynda or not. So, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like you to take a DNA test with me. Grandpa¡¯s getting on in years, and he¡¯s been worried sick about you ever since you disappeared. If he knew you were alive, it would mean the world to him.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± Marian rejected outright, ¡°What do I care if he¡¯s old and worried about his granddaughter? I don¡¯t remember him.¡± Martin frowned. Marian recoiled a little at the intensity of his frown but stood her ground, ¡°Like I said, I¡¯m not going back with you. I don¡¯t want to find my birth parents. My parents now are my real parents. They¡¯re good to me and I don¡¯t want to do any DNA test. If it proves we¡¯re rted, it¡¯ll justplicate things. I don¡¯t want to trouble myself or my parents. Just let it go.¡± The elevator doors opened mid-conversation, and Marian bolted out like she was escaping a flood, constantly looking back to see if Martin was following. Martin chuckled at her eagerness to avoid him and followed her out. Marian¡¯s cab was still waiting. She dashed to it, flung open the door, and jumped in. As the car pulled away, she didn¡¯t forget to stick her head out the window and yell at Martin. ¡°Stop looking for me! No matter who I am, I¡¯m not going back with you!¡± Martin ignored her barking and watched as she drove off. Then he hailed a cab and followed. Original from N?velDrama.Org. In Brandon¡¯s car Brandon drove in silence. Sophia sat quietly in the passenger seat, her demeanor calm andposed, seemingly unaffected by the recent hup. After a while, Brandon spoke up softly, ¡°Martin¡¯s Ynda¡¯s biological brother.¡± Sophia hummed in acknowledgment, ¡°He¡¯s pretty easy on the eyes.¡± She then smiled and turned to Brandon, ¡°Looks like good genes run in her family.¡± Brandon nced at her and curled the corner of his lips slightly, ¡°Guess so.¡± Sophia managed a polite smile in return. Brandon remembered the look of surprise in her eyes when she heard Martin ask if Marian was Ynda. ¡°Initially, I was the one who tipped off Martin,¡± Brandon exined, ¡°Marian is about the same age as Ynda, and she¡¯s always wearing that bracelet. So I wanted Martin to meet Marian and possibly do a DNA test, just to be sure.¡± Sophia smiled, ¡°That¡¯s a good move. If she turns out to be Ynda, it¡¯ll be one less thing for you to worry about.¡± ¡°But then, I regretted it,¡± said Brandon, ncing at her. ¡°My gut tells me she can¡¯t be Ynda, no need to check. But Martin didn¡¯t want to miss any leads, so he came anyway.¡± Sophia frowned, puzzled, ¡°Isn¡¯t it good that he came? Whether she is or isn¡¯t, you need to have an answer.¡± ¡°Yeah, an answer is needed,¡± Brandon agreed with augh, though it faded quickly as he watched the green light turn red and gently pressed the brake, bringing the car to a smooth stop a good arm¡¯s length from the vehicle ahead. He turned to Sophia, ¡°Sophia, why don¡¯t you and Martin do a DNA test?¡± His voice was slow and calm, articte and clear. Sophia was taken aback for a sec, hesitated, and nced over at Brandon, but his face was dead serious ¨C no sign of joking or looking for her two cents. He was just staring at her, dead serious. She couldn¡¯t exactly burst intoughter, just asked him softly, ¡°Do we really gotta go there? Ynda¡¯s a couple years younger than you, and you remember we were in the same ss, right?¡± She chuckled and added, ¡°I didn¡¯t skip any grades, that much I¡¯m sure of.¡± ¡°I think we do,¡± Brandon said. ¡°My head tells me it¡¯s a long shot, so I¡¯ve never gone down that road to check it out before, but even if there¡¯s just a one in ten thousand chance, I don¡¯t wanna miss it.¡± ¡°Is Ynda really that big of a deal to you?¡± she asked quietly. Brandon nodded, ¡°Yeah, she means a lot.¡± ¡°Did you ever think, what if the results say I¡¯m not Ynda, what am I supposed to do then?¡± Sophia looked at him and asked softly, ¡°And what¡¯s your game n?¡± Chapter 67 Chapter 67 Brandon was giving her the silent treatment. It wasn¡¯t the first time Sophia had hit him with that question. All his bets were on the off chance she was Ynda. But if Sophia wasn¡¯t Ynda, then these assumptions were just in cruel. It was as if she was nothing more than a stand-in for another girl. He got why she was putting up a fight. ¡°Brandon.¡± Sophia¡¯s gaze was still fixed on him, ¡°Lately, I feel like you¡¯ve changed a bit, like you¡¯re warming up to being just an ordinary guy. I keep wondering if it¡¯s because of the kid. That alone is messing with my head. Now, if you throw Ynda into the mix, how do you think that makes me feel? Do I have to live in someone else¡¯s shadow to get even a nce from you?¡± By the end, Sophia¡¯s voice was quivering, bordering on tears. She didn¡¯t know if it was the pregnancy hormones making her emotions rollercoaster, or if the recent family reunion had hit a nerve. She was struggling to keep it together, her eyes slightly reddened, deeply resisting this line of questioning.. Whether she was Ynda or not didn¡¯t matter to her. Her memories and her life¡¯s path bore no trace of Ynda, no memories tied to Brandon. To her, Brandon was just an unattainable dream from her girlhood days. All the memories she had of him belonged to her as Sophia. What she remembered, savored, and wished to be acknowledged for was her life as Sophia, not as a possible stand-in for some other girl. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Seeing her reddened eyes, Brandon apologized in a hoarse whisper, ¡°I didn¡¯t think about how you felt.¡± He reached out, intending to wipe away her tears. But Sophia dodged his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s just go to school,¡± she said softly, turning her head back. Brandon nced at the now green traffic light, gently pressed the gas pedal, and the car joined the flow of traffic. It wasn¡¯t long before they reached the school. Brandon dropped Sophia off at the school gates. When the car stopped, she silently pushed open the door to get out, not bothering with goodbyes. 14 Brandon called out to her. ¡°Sophia.¡± She turned her head to look at him but didn¡¯t speak. ¡°The kid isn¡¯t the reason I¡¯m here. It just gives me a legit excuse to stay with you,¡± he said softly, his eyes on her. ¡°You asked me if Ynda is important. I said yes, but that¡¯s assuming you are her, that you two are one and the same. I can¡¯t imagine what I¡¯d do if Ynda turned out to be someone else. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve always dodged that question.¡± Sophia pursed her lips. ¡°Sorry, I lost control of my emotions just now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s on me,¡± Brandon said, looking at her, ¡°for not considering your feelings.¡± Sophia shook her head, not sure how to articte her emotions. 4 ¡°. + < + 2 # W + ¡± Marian¡¯s resemnce to Ynda was uncanny, and whether it was Brandon, Don, or Martin, everyone who met her called her Ynda. Deep down, she probably started to see Marian as Ynda too. D It was a strange feeling. The real deal was right there in front of her, and staying at Brandon¡¯s ce was starting to give her a guilty conscience. She didn¡¯t know how to deal with theseplex emotions. ¡°I should get to ss, Sophia finally said, using the ss as a temporary escape from this issue. Martin¡¯s reaction to seeing Marian had been too strong. She couldn¡¯t just ignore it., Brandon nodded lightly. ¡°Okay.¡± After escorting her to the building and watching her disappear around the corridor, he turned and went back to his car. Getting back into the car, Brandon spotted a strand of long hair on the passenger seat. He paused for a moment. He picked up the strand of hair, which was long and slightly curly-definitely Sophia¡¯s. She was the only one who ever sat there; it had to be hers. Brandon twined the hair around his finger, letting it loop around his long digit, his gaze half-hidden, motionless. Martin realized Brandon was also at the school gates only after following Marian there. He watched Marian enter the building before approaching Brandon¡¯s car and tapping on the window. Brandonzily looked up, unlocked the car with a click, and opened the passenger door. Martin got in the car and asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Remembering the scene of Brandon sending Sophia downstairs, he added, ¡°Oh, and who was that girl just now?¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. He hadn¡¯t actually met Sophia, not because he didn¡¯t have the chance, but because he¡¯d been avoiding it. The sudden news of Brandon¡¯s marriage had left Martin and his family feeling a bit awkward, since, in their eyes, Brandon had been. waiting for Ynda all these years. Although Martin knew logically that Ynda was missing and Brandon was free to choose his own marriage, emotionally, they still had a hard time epting it. So, they deliberately avoided any gatherings with both Brandon and Sophia present. Since both Brandon and Sophia preferred quiet and didn¡¯t socialize much, Martin had never actually crossed paths with Sophia, even after two years of Brandon and Sophia¡¯s marriage. Brandon turned to look at him. ¡°What do you think of her?¡± He didn¡¯t directly answer Martin¡¯s question. ¡°She seems nice enough,¡± Martin said honestly. ¡°Is that so?¡± Brandon replied tly, giving him a side nce before suddenly reaching out and plucking a hair from his head. Martin frowned at him. ¡°What¡¯s that for?¡± ¡°Nothing much.¡± Brandon¡¯s response was nonchnt as he didn¡¯t look at Martin but simply stared at the short hair between his fingers, lost in thought. Martin¡¯s gaze followed to the strand of hair in Brandon¡¯s hand and then back at him. ¡°You don¡¯t think that girl just now is Ynda? The one with the bracelet?¡± Brandon looked up. ¡°What do you think? Is she?¡± ¡°People change with their surroundings. I only believe in science. So when Marian showed her reluctance to do a paternity test in the elevator, he yed it cool and snagged a few strands of her hair as she turned around to leave. Brandon nodded in agreement. ¡°I¡¯m all in for science too. But I¡¯ve got a hunch that I trust just as much.¡± Brandon gave him a look, slowly adding as his long finger pressed on the central lock, and the passenger door swung open automatically. ¡°Grab a cab for yourself. I¡¯ve got things to do,¡± Brandon said, giving him the boot. Martin nced at him, nodded. ¡°See ya.¡± He got out of the car slick and quick. As soon as the door shut, Brandon¡¯s car peeled out. Martin gged down a taxi, too. Brandon headed straight to the nearest paternity testing center and handed over both samples to the staff. ¡°I need a paternity test done. ¡°Got it.¡± The staff member pocketed the sample. Chapter 68 Chapter 68 After Brandon wrapped up the registration and payment, he spun on his heel and took off. His ride was parked right out front of the testing center, and as he drove off, a red taxi zipped by, narrowly missing his car and snagged the spot he¡¯d just vacated. Brandon shot a nce in the rearview at the red cab, whipped the steering wheel like a pro, and the car took a sharp turn and headed out. Almost at the same time, Martin pushed his way out of the taxi. He looked up at the paternity testing center¡¯s entrance and strode in, handing over two samples to the staff, ¡°I need a paternity test done.¡± The same words, the same tall and handsome dude, the same hair samples, and all within a five- minute window. Martin¡¯s and Brandon¡¯s synchronized moves got the staff member all chatty, ¡°What¡¯s the deal today? Why are all these Zenitha folksing in for DNA tests?¡± ¡°Even the samples are carbon copies.¡± He shook Brandon¡¯s freshly bagged sample at his colleague and then pulled out an identical bag from the toolbox to pack up the samples. Martin frowned faintly, turning to the youthful-looking staff member, ¡°So a Zenitha guy about my height was just here?¡± ¡°Yep, he just left.¡± The staff member stretched his neck toward the door, ¡°He was just outside. Looked a lot like you, tall, dashing, in a ck suit.¡± To him, all Zenithians seemed to be cut from the same cloth. Martin also nced towards the door, saw no familiar figures, but from the staff¡¯s description, it sounded like Brandon. When his gaze returned, it caught the surveince camera at the entrance. After a brief pause, he addressed the staff member, ¡°Could I have a look at your surveince footage? That guy might be a buddy of mine.¡± The staff member gave a polite refusal with a smile, ¡°Sorry, that¡¯s confidential. Can¡¯t just show it to anyone.¡± Martin nodded in understanding, ¡°No worries, thanks anyway.¡± He didn¡¯t pester the staff member further. He couldn¡¯t fathom Brandon¡¯s actions. Hadn¡¯t he asked him to mail in hair samples so that Marian could get tested first with him? But now, with Marian not on board, was he going ahead with the test behind her back? ¡°Sir?¡± The staff member tapped the desk. Martin snapped back to reality, offered an apologetic nce, and followed through with the registration and payment before leaving. The results of the paternity test would take three business days. Martin had made a spur-of-the-moment decision to fly over, leaving many work matters unarranged. Though he was running thepany, his grandfather, Louis, kept a close eye on things, and he¡¯d notice something was up if Martin didn¡¯t show up for a day. Right after leaving the paternity testing center, Louis¡¯s call came through, ¡°Where have you vanished to? Not a peep in over a day? You didn¡¯t show up at the office, and there was some board meeting today that got canceledst minute. What¡¯s going on?¡±. ¡°I¡¯m over in Wye City, got some stuff to sort out. I¡¯ll be back in a few days, Martin replied, holding back the info about the DNA results to avoid getting Louis¡¯s hopes up prematurely. But sly as he was, Louis wasn¡¯t easily fooled, ¡°What¡¯s so important that you¡¯d fly all the way over without nning your work ahead of time? This isn¡¯t like you. And we don¡¯t have business in Wye City, nor ns to expand there anytime soon. What¡¯s really going on?¡± Martin offered a vague response, ¡°Just some personal business.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Louis retorted, ¡°What personal business could you possibly have? A bachelor through and through, no wife, no girlfriend, your life¡¯s all about work. What could it be?¡± Martin was silent. Louis pressed on, ¡°Tell me the truth, did you get a lead on Ynda?¡± By the end, Louis¡¯s voice quivered with barely contained excitement, ¡°All these years, it¡¯s only Yoli¡¯s matters that make you bolt without a word, even ignoring your work. Tell me, have you heard from her?¡± ¡°Yoli¡± was Louis¡¯s pet name for Ynda, a term of affection he¡¯d been using for years and hadn¡¯t given up. After a moment¡¯s silence, Martin hesitated, considering whether to keep the secret. ¡°Martin,¡± Louis couldn¡¯t wait, urging him with an anxious tone as his cane thumped on the floor, his voice full of impatience, ¡°Speak up, are you trying to give me a heart attack?¡± Martin exhaled softly, knowing he couldn¡¯t keep it from him. Louis had raised and trained him. There was nothing Martin could hide. 10:39 And Martin knew Louis too well. Louis was probably plotting to fly over right this second. ¡°There is something,¡± Martin admitted reluctantly, trying to dissuade Louis from flying over, ¡°I just came from the paternity testing center. It¡¯ll be about three days before we get the results. I¡¯ll let you know once they¡¯re out.¡± ¡°Why wait three days?¡± Predictably, Louis was already getting up to take action, ¡°It¡¯s perfect timing. We fly over now, factor in the time change, and the results should be cut by the time we arrive. No point waiting around at home.¡± While speaking, he turned to Nell, who had been caring for him for years, and whispered, ¡°Nell, book us a flight to Wye City. Today. The soonest one.¡± Louis wasn¡¯t trying to be quiet, and Martin heard it all, immediately trying to stop him, ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t rush over. It¡¯s a long trip. Wait for the results, and it won¡¯t be toote to fly then. I¡¯ll keep an eye on things here; she won¡¯t get away. Besides, we¡¯re not even sure it¡¯s Ynda yet.¡± Louis was adamant, ¡°It¡¯s no trouble. A nap on the ne and we¡¯re there. I can¡¯t wait a day longer.¡± There was no room for negotiation, ¡°Besides, if you weren¡¯t at least 80% sure, would you be in such a rush for a DNA test? Tell me, what¡¯s the situation with the girl? Why do you think she might be Ynda?¡± Martin thought of the bracelet on Marian¡¯s wrist and felt his throat constrict uncontrobly. Louis quickly picked up on the emotional turbulence in Martin¡¯s voice. ¡°Martin?¡± ¡°She was wearing that bracelet with SY engraved on it, the same emerald bracelet Brandon gave her back in the day.¡± Martin cleared his throat, suppressing the untimely surge of emotions, ¡°The age matches up too. She was picked up and adopted by a family, but I¡¯m not sure about the specifics of that household yet. I¡¯ve just gotten here and haven¡¯t had the chance to dig into it.¡± There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Louis, voice choked with urgency, instructed Nell, ¡°Nell, hurry up and check the flights. It doesn¡¯t have to be a direct one, look for a connecting flight, anything as long as it¡¯s the soonest one, the quicker, the better.¡± Martin could imagine Louis¡¯s desperation on the other end of the phone. Their family had a bunch of grandkids, but Ynda was the only girl. As a child, she was exceptionally cute and lovely, a real beauty, and while she was the apple of everyone¡¯s eye, she wasn¡¯t spoiled or willful. Instead, she was sensible, thoughtful, and caring. She had a knack for noticing when someone was feeling down. She wouldn¡¯t do anything extravagant to cheer them up. She would just quietly sidle up and take their hand with her baby-soft voice, asking, ¡°Grandpa, are you feeling down?¡± or ¡°Martin, are you unhappy?¡± Then, with her big, shining eyes, she¡¯d softly say, ¡°How about I keep youpany for a chat, okay?¡± or ¡°It¡¯s okay, a hug will make everything better.¡± For this reason, the entire family adored this sweet and loving little girl. They would hold her preciously in their palms, afraid she¡¯d fall, and keep her close to their hearts, afraid she¡¯d melt away-if not for that year¡¯s tragic mishap. Chapter 69 Chapter 69 No one saw iting that Ynda would run into trouble, let alone vanish off the face of the earth for nearly two decades without a peep. For years, Ynda has been a thorn in the family¡¯s side. It didn¡¯t matter who it was, if there was even a whisper about her, they¡¯d bolt across the globe without missing a beat to check it out. That was the case for him, for Louis, and even for their folks. ¡°Take care, watch yourself on the road, and give me a ring when you get there.¡± Unable to stop him, nor having the right to, Martin could only nag the person on the other end of the line, then thought to give Louis a heads-up, ¡°She might have changed a bit since she was a kid.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Come on, you¡¯ve changed a whole lot since you were a kid. What¡¯s the big deal?¡± Louis cut him off before he could finish, ¡°Alright, enough chit-chat, gotta go, I need to hustle and get Nell to help me pack.¡± Without waiting for Martin to respond, he hung up. Listening to the ¡°beep beep¡± busy tone on the phone, Martin shook his head with a wry smile, his mind reying the scenes from when he first met Marian. Ynda¡¯s temperament had indeed taken a different turn from her younger years, but since they had just met and hadn¡¯t spent much time together, it was hard to judge objectively. He nced at his watch, estimating the time it would take to reach the school in time to catch Marian after ss. With that, Martin gged down a cab. The ssroom was still in session. The teacher was lecturing about structural mechanics at the podium, flipping through PowerPoint slides, throwing out questions now and then, with the students too scared to let their minds wander. Sophia was all ears, taking notes, her rollercoaster emotions gradually settling down as the ss went on, but she was still somewhat distracted. The sudden encounter with Martin in the elevator kept reying in her mind, followed by the image of Martin¡¯s shocked face when he first saw Marian and his outburst as he grabbed her arm asking, ¡°Where did you get this bracelet?¡± Then, the memory of almost bumping into Marian and Brandon getting lost in thought at the sight of the bracelet, one scene after another, stirred up a mess in Sophia¡¯s head. The ring of the bell signaling the end of ss found her still tangled in these chaotic images. Sophia couldn¡¯t fathom why she was so hung up on all this. It was a strange sensation. She was supposed to be an outsider, and none. of this should have mattered to her. Yet, out of the blue, she found herself in the thick of it, like a side character watching the protagonist slowly be the center of attention. She didn¡¯t enjoy this feeling one bit. Not that she had anything against Marian, but as she watched Marian gradually morph into Ynda, there was a resistance inside her. Sophia wondered if it was their simr life experiences that made her feel a sense of kinship and destion, or if it was because the name ¡°Ynda¡¯ had held a different significance in her marriage. She never should have had to deal with any of this. She was already divorced from Brandon, had willingly let go of everything rted to him. If it weren¡¯t for this unexpected pregnancy, she probably would never cross paths with Brandon again or have to face anything rted to Ynda. Her hand instinctively rested on her belly. The decision about whether to keep the baby, which she hadn¡¯t had the chance to think about these past few days, resurfaced. Sophia knew full well that by giving up the child, all her problems and worries would dissolve. Her life would reset to its original state. If only she could make up her mind. If only she could. ¡°Hey.¡± A sudden hand on her shoulder snapped Sophia out of her reverie. She turned around to find Marian¡¯s pretty face up close. ¡°Daydreaming much?¡± Marian asked, casually taking a seat next to her. *Just school stuff,¡± Sophia replied with a smile, then nced at the bracelet on Marian¡¯s wrist as she sat down. Sophia¡¯s gaze inevitablynded on the bracelet, and that familiar sense of bewilderment washed over her again. Marian noticed where her eyes had fixed and asked with a puzzled look, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± She shook the bracelet slightly, ¡°You recognize this, huh?¡± 10:39 Sophia hesitated before shaking her head, ¡°No.¡± But the bracelet seemed to have a maic pull, keeping her eyes glued to it, stirring an urge to take a closer look. For some reason, Sophia feltpelled to ask, even before her mind could catch up, ¡°This bracelet. Can I take a closer look?¡± Marian looked at her curiously but readily slipped off the bracelet and handed it over, ¡°Sure thing.¡± Then she passed it to Sophia,.¡±Here you go.¡± Sophia¡¯s hand opened hesitantly, and as Marian let go, the braceletnded softly in her palm. The cool touch of the jade against her skin made Sophia pause, her gaze slowly shifting to the bracelet. She stared at it for a while before tentatively picking it up and gently rubbing the figure on it. The feeling of emptiness grew stronger, her fingers seeming to move on their own, pausing at the third bead where a small bell was cunningly inserted. The youthful engraving of ¡°SY¡± came into view, causing another jolt of surprise. Her fingers touched the letters, recoiling as if burned, her expression utterly hollow. Marian, oblivious to Sophia¡¯s odd reaction, was surprised, ¡°Huh, how did you know there were initials here? I only found them by chance when I got older.¡± Just as Brandon stepped into the ssroom doorway, Marian¡¯s surprise fell word for word on his ears. He stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed on Sophia, who was lost in thought over the bracelet. Chapter 70 Chapter 70 He saw Sophia turn to Marian with a nk look, shaking her head cluelessly. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I was just curious to take a peek.¡± Her eyes were filled with pure bewilderment and confusion. Her slender fingers, which were resting on the bracelet, unconsciously stroked it back and forth, carrying a hint of inexplicable longing and nostalgia. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Brandon¡¯s gaze slowly fell on her fair fingers lingering over the initials ¡°SY,¡± his starry eyes partially closed, not moving for a long time. Marian was already smiling at Sophia. ¡°Could this be what they call fate? Sophia, your name initials are also SY. No wonder you spotted the engraving so quickly.¡± Sophia hesitated for a second before giving Marian a forced smile. ¡°Yeah, what a coincidence.¡± Her fingers paused slightly over the ¡°SY¡± letters, unconsciously tracing the lines, and she sank back into a familiar daze. It was like something flickered through her mind, but it was obscured byyers of fog. She was lost in that dense mist, unable to see or touch anything clearly. Brandon stood at the back door of the ssroom, silently watching her, frozen in ce. Eventually, Marian noticed something off about Sophia and looked at her worriedly. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Her eyes already filled with concern for the bracelet in Sophia¡¯s hand, her hand twitched as if she feared Sophia would take it, reaching out halfway then hesitating, worried that it might be improper to do so. Sophia caught the hesitant gesture, snapping back to reality. She awkwardly looked down at the bracelet in her hand and handed it back. ¡°Sorry about that, this bracelet is just so unique, it kinda zoned me out.¡± She apologized awkwardly, her movement halting briefly as she ced the bracelet in Marian¡¯s palm, her eyes involuntarily drawn to it again, revealing an unfamiliar sense of reluctance. Brandon¡¯s attention had been on Sophia the whole time. He didn¡¯t miss the slight pause in her motion as she set down the bracelet, nor the reluctance that flickered in her eyes. He had seen that look on Ynda¡¯s face before, when he angrily thought she didn¡¯t cherish the bracelet he gave her and assumed she had given it away on her own ord. When he gestured to take back the bracelet he¡¯d given her, she pouted, teary-eyed, slowly removing the bracelet and cing it in his hand with the same careful reluctance. The hesitation of her fingers in that moment and the look in her eyes were identical. Brandon slightly turned his head, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing violently. He didn¡¯t approach her but silently stepped out and made a phone call to Kent in the hallway.. ¡°What¡¯s the situation with Marian and Dennis, the ones I asked you to check on the other day?¡± Kent, who was about to turn off the lights and sleep, suddenly lost all sleepiness upon hearing the question. ¡°Why the sudden interest?¡± He quickly responded. ¡°Still looking into it.¡± Brandon said, ¡°How many days has it been?¡± His voice was quiet and calm, not angry, but Kent still broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to remind Brandon it hadn¡¯t been many days, and besides, he had tasked him with looking into several people and matters-Ivan, Sophia, Dennis, and Marian-on top of handling work, his connections were extensive and his information sorting skills were strong, but his day job was still just a secretary. Kent held back hisints and carefully replied. ¡°You haven¡¯t been at thepanytely, and there¡¯s been quite a bit going on.¡± Before he could finish, fearing a misunderstanding, he hurriedly added. ¡°But I have dug up some stuff, I thought it wasn¡¯t urgent so I haven¡¯t organized and reported back to you yet.¡± ¡°No need for the hassle, just spill what you¡¯ve got.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Kent scrambled to recall the information he¡¯d gathered, ¡°Recently, it seems like Dennis is nning to sell the Barlow Hotel he owns, but something about it doesn¡¯t seem right. He made his fortune in the hotel industry when he was young, cultivated it for over twenty years, and more than a decade ago he sessfullyunched the Barlow Hotel chain, quickly establishing it as a top international hotel and swiftly taking over the domestic luxury hotel market. Although its momentum was disrupted by the emergence of Starlight Hotel, but,¡± ¡°No need for the business report,¡± Brandon cut him off. ¡°What about his family?¡± ¡°Uh?¡± Kent was taken aback by the question. As a business rival, he thought Brandon would be more interested in the other¡¯s business moves. ¡°Not investigated?¡± Brandon asked. ¡°That aspect has been less touched upon,¡± Kent admitted honestly, ¡°but I did probe a little, nothing special so I didn¡¯t delve deeper.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°He and his wife were college sweethearts, started a business together after graduation, and have come this far. They seem to have a good marriage, no issues heard of. Dennis didn¡¯t ditch his wife for a younger model after getting rich, nor has he been caught up in any messy affairs, quite the loyal guy.¡± ¡°What about kids?¡± ¡°They have a son and a daughter, both quite aplished. The son, Eric Barlow, 30, single, has a degree from a prestigious foreign university. He came back to help Dennis with thepany after graduation, clean-living just like his dad, with good reviews from friends. The daughter, Marian, 24, is currently studying for a master¡¯s abroad, just got epted, also to a prestigious school, supposedly in Wye City, I guess Apex Engineering University, but not further confirmed.¡± ¡°Where did the daughtere from?¡± Brandon asked, ¡°Is she their biological child?¡± ¡°Not exactly.¡± Kent was surprised by the question but remembered the story well, ¡°Apparently, they found her on a trip up north, picked her up on the road when they couldn¡¯t locate her biological parents, felt sorry for the girl and went through with the adoption process. The couple was busy starting their business back then and only had a son. Later, they wanted another child, a daughter, but couldn¡¯t conceive, which was a regret for them, so they¡¯ve been very affectionate towards this adopted daughter, raising her like their own flesh. and blood. The girl has turned out to be quite promising.¡± When did they find her?¡± ¡°Neen years ago.¡±Neen years ago? Brandon frowned, Ynda had also vanished that same year. ¡°Which season?¡± asked Brandon. ¡°They said it was winter, found it during a trip over Christmas. Brandon¡¯s frown deepened. Ynda had disappeared over Christmas as well. Kent sensed something off with Brandon and asked with concern, ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Brandon brushed it off casually, his gaze lifting to look at Sophia in the ssroom. Sophia had packed up her stuff and was heading out of the ssroom. Watching her approach, Brandon slowly spoke to Kent on the phone, ¡°I¡¯ve got to run, let¡¯s hang up. Dig deeper into Dennis and Marian¡¯s story, including the exact day they found her, where, and who can back it up. Get the full picture and report back to me.¡± Kent thought, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say no need for reports?¡± Brandon had already swiftly ended the call and was walking towards Sophia. Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Sophia was kind of zoned out until the looming shadow overhead snapped her back to reality. She instinctively looked up to find Brandon right in her face. She was momentarily startled before asking him in a soft voice, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Just had some free time and thought I¡¯d swing by,¡± Brandon replied casually, taking the book from her hands. ¡°Shall we head out?¡± Sophia nodded lightly, ¡°Yeah.¡± Marian had also just stepped out of the ssroom. Catching sight of Brandon, she paused, then waved at him with a natural, ¡°Hey.¡± That bead bracelet caught Sophia¡¯s eye once again as Marian waved, and Sophia¡¯s expression turned nk with confusion. When Marian noticed Sophia¡¯s odd reaction, her waving hand hesitated and dropped, her gaze toward Sophia now tinged with wariness and defensiveness. The guarded look made Sophia¡¯s momentary loss ofposure sh across her eyes. She gave Marian an awkward smile. Brandon didn¡¯t miss the fleeting look of embarrassment and awkwardness in her eyes, nor the pause and nkness when her gaze identally fell on Marian¡¯s bracelet. His hand, hanging by his side, subtly took hold of Sophia¡¯s, gripping it firmly. Sophia looked at him, puzzled. Brandon wasn¡¯t looking at her, just holding her hand tightly as he gazed calmly at Marian. ¡°Ms. Barlow, how much for that bracelet?¡± he asked. His question left both Sophia and Marian staring at Brandon in surprise. Marian immediately furrowed her brow and blurted out, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Brandon simply stated, ¡°How much? I¡¯ll buy it.¡± Marian protectively covered the bracelet, treating it like a treasure. ¡°Sorry, but this isn¡¯t for sale.¡± Brandon just looked at her, silent. Marian persisted, ¡°Don¡¯t think just because you¡¯re loaded you can buy everything.¡± Herint cut off sharply as it met Brandon¡¯s icy stare, her hand over the bracelet stiffening- wanting to protect it but not daring to, wanting to let go but not daring to either. The bravado she started with melted away under Brandon¡¯s chilly gaze, and she hesitantly looked at Sophia.. Sophia, catching Marian¡¯s plea for help in her eyes, was confused and looked to Brandon. He was standing sideways to her, shielding her behind him. She could only see his unnaturally calm profile. He didn¡¯t turn to look at her but kept a tight hold on her hand, his expression cool as he continued to face Marian. ¡°Ms. Barlow, I don¡¯t care where you got that bracelet from, but you know damn well it¡¯s not really yours. I¡¯m not trying to y the fool here. Consider this money a thank you for taking such good care of it all these years.¡± His tone wasn¡¯t harsh, but Marian was obviously intimidated by his presence, her earlier defiance gone. She bit her lip, struggling to speak, and looked at Sophia for help. Sophia, still not quite getting what Brandon was up to, tugged on his sleeve and whispered, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond but instead brought her hand to his side and pulled her to stand in front of him. His eyes didn¡¯t leave Marian as he stared her down, with an almost coercive intensity. Marian, probably not used to such pressure, seemed intimidated but tried to rify, ¡°This really is mine. I¡¯ve had it since I was a kid. I¡¯m not selling it.¡± She looked the picture of someone being bullied. Other students from the ssroom and the hallway were watching, puzzled by the scene. Some hesitated, taking out their phones, perhaps considering whether to sneak a picture. Sophia noticed their nces and tugged at Brandon¡¯s hand more urgently, lowering her voice, ¡°Brandon?¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . He turned to look at her, seeing the concern and confusion in her eyes. He let out a long breath and said to Marian, ¡°Think it over. When you¡¯ve made up your mind, you can call me anytime.¡± Then, without waiting for a reply, he walked away with Sophia. Back in the car, Sophia finally had a chance to question him, ¡°What was all that about?¡± Brandon turned to look at her, ¡°I don¡¯t want something I gave away to end up with someone who has nothing to do with it.¡± Sophia frowned slightly, not quite following his certainty. Without exining, Brandon simply asked her softly, ¡°Sophia, who named you?¡± The subject change was abrupt, but Sophia still tilted her head, thinking, somewhat unsure, ¡°My dad, I guess. Why?¡± Brandon continued, ¡°Why did he name you Sophia?¡± Chapter 72 Chapter 72 Sophia honestly never gave it much thought. She¡¯s not exactly tight with her family, not even with Haley, who kinda had a soft spot for her. Probably ¡¯cause she knew from a young age that her dad wasn¡¯t her bio-dad, and with Haley being away for work all the time, they barely got to hang out. She couldn¡¯t be all cuddly and curious with her folks about where her name came from like other kids. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sophia candidly answered him. She figured Brandon must¡¯ve caught wind of her chat with Marian and got curious about the whole ¡°SY¡± initials coincidence with Ynda. She herself had that same nagging question in her head-was it just serendipity or something more? The bracelet¡¯s touch brought back that familiar fog of confusion. Sophia didn¡¯t know if it was all because Brandon was so adamant she was Ynda, messing with her head, or if some buried memories were ying tricks on her. She even started doubting whether she was actually Ynda or not. This doubt had nothing to do with what Ynda meant to Brandon. It was all about her own confusion as to who she really was, where she came from. Ynda¡¯s identity was the closest she¡¯d evere to possibly knowing her true self after all these years. Sophia was torn between wanting to dig deeper and being scared of what she might find. It¡¯s a weird mix of feelings. On one hand, she¡¯s gottenfy with her nearly two-decade-long life as Sophia-her social circle, family habits, you name it, all set in stone. She didn¡¯t know what a new family would be like, whether she¡¯d have to start all over and if she could even handle that, or if it would just bring new headaches. She¡¯s found her cozy corner in life as it is, figuring out how to make the best of it. She wasn¡¯t sure if finding her original family meant scouting out a whole newfort zone. She kinda agreed with Marian¡¯s point of view-she was doing just fine, found a new focus in life, so why mess with the status quo? But then, in the dead of night when she¡¯s all by herself, she can¡¯t help but daydream about what her real family might be like. She longed to have a loving mom and dad, siblings, and that warm, fuzzy family vibe like everyone else. Her feelings towards Brandon were just as mixed up. Without Ynda¡¯s memories-even if she was Ynda-she couldn¡¯t see herself as the same person. She didn¡¯t know how to deal with Brandon. To him, Sophia was never the main deal. It was always Ynda with their shared childhood memories that mattered. He might change his tune because she was Ynda, but he wouldn¡¯t give Sophia a second nce just for being Sophia. But for her, Sophia was always just Sophia. She got why Brandon married her back then, out of duty and responsibility, and she understood his lack of affection. That¡¯s why she chose to let both herself and Brandon off the hook. Original from N?velDrama.Org. She didn¡¯t want to get dragged back into Brandon¡¯s life just because she might be Ynda. She couldn¡¯t find any memories of Ynda; in her heart, she and Ynda were two totally separate people. 7 She had no ns to keep things with Brandon messy andplicated, especially with the kid in the mix already making things hazy. But Sophia knew that everything needed closure. ¡°When will we get the paternity test results?¡± Sophia asked Brandon softly. ¡°Let me know either way, so I can have some peace of mind.¡± Brandon stared at her for a long moment, then nodded gently, ¡°Okay.¡± Sophia gave a small smile, ¡°Thanks.¡± Brandon just watched her silently, and after a while, he leaned in for a hug. Sophia didn¡¯t resist or hug him. She just let him hold her. Brandon could feel her resistance. She didn¡¯t share the excitement of potentially finding her family. All she had was a sense of emptiness. Her emotional breakdown that day wasn¡¯t a fluke. It was a minor eruption of long-suppressed feelings. Brandon suddenly wasn¡¯t sure if this was the right time to seek such confirmation. So, when the paternity center called to tell him the results were ready, he didn¡¯t rush over. Instead, he sat in his hotel office, staring nkly at hisputer screen. The urgency he once felt to get confirmation suddenly seemed meaningless. Never had Brandon been more acutely aware that even if Sophia was Ynda, Ynda was gone for good. Her memories held nothing of Ynda, nothing of Brandon. Ynda had vanished from the world the moment she disappeared. Harsh as reality was, it was still the truth. Brandon didn¡¯t quite remember how he ended up at the paternity center. When the staff handed him the results, he only nced at the report before closing it, his expression calm. In this world, Ynda was gone. Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Brandon stood in the middle of the paternity test center¡¯s lobby, staring nkly at the bustling staff and clients, feeling a weariness and emptiness like never before. It was like the beliefs that had propped him up inside just crumbled in an instant, leaving him totally lost. Then, among all those unfamiliar faces, Brandon spotted Martin on the phone, clutching a folded-up paternity test report. Martin saw him too, his face just asposed. Neither of them said hello. Brandon didn¡¯t greet him either. His gaze lingered on the DNA report in Martin¡¯s hand for a moment before calmly shifting away. After a brief silence, he asked, ¡°Need a lift?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m good,¡± Martin smiled and declined. ¡°My grandpa and my parents are in town, at the airport. I¡¯m heading there to pick them up.¡± Brandon nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave. ¡°Brandon,¡± Martin called after him, ¡°why don¡¯t you join us at the airport? You haven¡¯t seen them in a while.¡± ¡°No need, I¡¯ve got things to do, Brandon declined. Martin nodded, not pressing any further. When Brandon got home, Sophia was sketching design drawings in the living room. It wasn¡¯t homework or work. She was just doodling in her free time. She sat in front of her easel on the balcony, wielding her drawing pen with ease, her long curly hair pinned up behind her head, her side-swept bangs curling softly against her cheek. Bathed in the light and shadows, her face was tranquil and gentle, her expression serious and focused. Brandon remembered she was always like this. Whether she was frustrated or just bored, once she sat in front of her canvas, her whole demeanor would be serene, blending perfectly with her surroundings. She was used to entertaining herself, always finding ways to be happy without relying on anyone else¡¯s emotional support or pep talks. She¡¯d long since reached a point where she didn¡¯t need anybody. This kind of clear-headed independence came from bncing herself amidst a long-standing absence of familial warmth. But as a child, Ynda was the darling that everyone doted on, so she learned to depend on people, to trust them, and to use her little bit of strength to warm others. Sophia turned around and spotted Brandon, who was silently watching her with a calm yet wooden expression, filled with a hint of regret and nostalgia, as well as a faint, indescribable conflict. She noticed the A4 paper in his hand, her gaze pausing briefly on it before looking back at Brandon with a small smile, ¡°Back already?¡± Brandon just looked at her for a while before nodding softly, ¡°Yeah.¡± He then asked, ¡°Have you eaten?¡± Sophia nodded gently, ¡°Yeah, just had something. You?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had something too.¡± He shifted the DNA test results in his hand, offering them to her, but Sophia pushed them back. She smiled, ¡°I¡¯ve got to get to ss.¡± Brandon gave her a look, nodded quietly, ¡°I¡¯ll drive you.¡± He tucked the report away. On the way to school, neither of them spoke. They each had their own silences. When the car stopped at the school, Sophia finally turned to Brandon with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m off to ss.¡± Brandon nodded slightly, watching her get out of the car before he too got out and followed her to the ssroom door. At the entrance of the building, buzzing with people, Brandon saw Louis and Martin, along with Martin¡¯s parents. There were also Brandon¡¯s father, Daniel Crawley, and mother, Patricia Crawley. They were fussing over a bewildered Marian, their eyes red and teary, hesitant to touch her Martin stood on the outskirts of the group, watching the tears in their eyes, especially Louis¡¯s, but his expression wasn¡¯t as animated as the others¡¯. He just looked on dispassionately, his gaze fixed on Marian. Brandon saw the apology in his eyes. His gaze drifted to Sophia. Sophia was also watching this scene, her expression a mix of shock and subtle relief. She turned back to Brandon with a small smile, ¡°Congrats, huh?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Brandon just stared at her. Her smile stiffened slightly. But Brandon didn¡¯t look away. His gaze was as calm as it was cruel. ¡°Sophia, there¡¯s no Ynda in this world anymore.¡± He stared at her, his voice barely above a whisper, eerily calm yet tinged with a profound sadness. Sophia didn¡¯t know why, but she suddenly felt very sad, just looking at him. ¡°I lost her, she¡¯s nevering back.¡± He looked at her, speaking softly, word by word. Then, amidst her daze, he stepped forward, gently hugged her, and slowly let go. ¡°Go on,¡± he tapped her shoulder and said softly. Chapter 74 Chapter 74 Sophia walked into the ssroom, and there stood Brandon, rooted to the spot and not budging an inch, just giving Louis and his family the cold shoulder. Then he shifted his gaze slightly,nding on Martin who was sporting the same chilly vibe. Martin¡¯s face was missing any hint of joy or excitement, a far cry from his earlier eagerness to zip over to Wye City. Martin caught Brandon¡¯s eye, but only offered a cool nce from a short distance before turning his attention to Louis, who was trying his hardest to keep his excitement in check. He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Louis and stayed that way. Brandon also took a quick peek at Louis. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Louis was over eighty, and who knows, maybe the travel had taken its toll because he looked a lot more worn out and frail than he did a few months back. It had been a hot minute since Brandon had seen Louis, and in his memory, the guy had always been in tip-top shape, an eighty-something you¡¯d mistake for seventy. But just a couple of months apart and the man seemed to have aged a bunch. Louis was all eyes on Marian, totally oblivious to Brandon nearby. However, Patricia caught sight of him. Her eyes rimmed with red, she walked towards Brandon with an excited face and a cating smile, ¡°Brandon, Ynda¡¯s back.¡± Her words instantly redirected everyone¡¯s focus from Marian to Brandon. Brandon¡¯s dad, Daniel, couldn¡¯t hide his excitement either and waved Brandon over, ¡°Brandon,e here.¡± Brandon gave him a frosty look, no words, no movement. Martin, who had been silent until now, chimed in, ¡°Marian¡¯s got ss, let her go to ss first.¡± Then he looked at Louis, ¡°Grandpa Louis, you¡¯re not in the best shape, and you¡¯ve been on a ne for so long. Better head back to the hotel and rest up, don¡¯t wear yourself out.¡± The others joined in the persuasion, ¡°Right, right, you should rest first. It would be a shame if your granddaughter finally finds her way back and then you go and keel over.¡± As they urged him, they helped Louis walk away. Martin took the opportunity to nudge a totally bewildered Marian back into the ssroom. ¡°What the heck is going on here?¡± Marian, finally finding her chance to speak, asked Martin with an urgent whisper, as she tried to poke her head out of the ssroom to talk but was pushed back in by Martin. He whispered back, ¡°Take your ss first, I¡¯ll exinter.¡± His palm resting on her shoulder, he seemed affectionate as he half-forced her back into the ssroom. Brandon watched the whole scene unfold with an icy expression, not stepping forward to greet anyone, nor offering to send them back. Sophia, inside the ssroom, didn¡¯t want to pay attention to any of this, but when she looked up, she couldn¡¯t help but catch the scene of Martin affectionately nudging Marian. She was torn between being happy for Marian finding her family and being annoyed. She remembered Marian saying her current family treated her well and she wasn¡¯t looking to find her biological ones, and she was worried about whether to go back or not. As Marian turned around, she caught Sophia¡¯s eye and pouted at her. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but smile back, her reassuring smile prompting Marian to pull a funny face and nod towards the group by the door, her eyes full of speechlessness and sarcasm. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but nce towards the door as well. 1 = 1 3 = 5 Louis was looking back at Marian with a lingering gaze that identally met Sophia¡¯s. Sophia was taken aback for a moment, her eyes instinctively meeting Louis¡¯s, but his gaze had already moved on to Marian, his eyes brimming with tears, soft and affectionate. Sophia just smiled and looked away, only to lock eyes with Patricia. Patricia¡¯s look went from surprise to chilly disdain, and her judgmental and condescending look brought back all sorts of unpleasant memories from Sophia¡¯s marriage, stirring up a bit of PTSD. When ss was over, Sophia sent Brandon a text. [I¡¯m heading back to my apartment. I didn¡¯t bring much with me, can you pack up my stuff and have someone drop it off?] After sending the message, Sophia gathered her things and headed back to her apartment. Thest thing she wanted was to burhp into Patricia and Daniel, who would surely be staying at the Starlight Hotel. Sophia didn¡¯t want to see them, but Patricia wasn¡¯t about to let her off the hook. After school, Sophia ran into Patricia and Daniel sitting in their car at the school entrance, apparently having waited there for a while. Sophia hadn¡¯t noticed them at first, but as she walked past their car, Patricia rolled down the window and called out to her. ¡°Sophia,¡± in that same condescending tone. Sophia turned to look at her. Patricia took off her sunsses, rested her elbow on the window sill, her chin slightly lifted, looking at her, ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner together.¡± And then she added deliberately, ¡°My treat.¡± Sophia let out a chuckle, ¡°No need, thanks.¡± Chapter 75 Chapter 75 She skirted around the front of the car, ready to leave. Patricia, not used to being ignored, instantly got her back up. She leaned a bit out of the car and hollered at Sophia, ¡°What¡¯s with the attitude? I¡¯m still your elder, for crying out loud. Even if you and Brandon did split, I¡¯m still an elder. Is that how you treat your betters? Ghosting me on WhatsApp and calls, and now giving me the cold shoulder in person. Who do you think you are?¡± This topic always got Patricia¡¯s blood boiling. Ever since Brandon warned her to steer clear of Sophia, she had been too chicken to go see her. But after hearing from Yvonne about the divorce, she couldn¡¯t help but be nosy and wanted to suss out if it was true. Not being Brandon¡¯s biological mom, she often found it hard to get a straight answer from him. He¡¯d just brush her off with a ¡°nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± leaving her no closer to the truth. Even getting Brandon¡¯s dad to step in was a dead end-Brandon had always been headstrong, never one to take his parents¡¯ two cents to heart. Recently, she heard Brandon was out of town on a business trip, so she snuck over to his and Sophia¡¯s ce, only to find the locks changed. After ringing the bell like a door- to-door salesman with no luck, she tried texting Sophia, only to realize she¡¯d been given the boot from her contacts list. Patricia was so mad she could¡¯ve keeled over right then and there. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Later, when she tried reaching out to Sophia on Daniel¡¯s WhatsApp, she discovered he¡¯d been axed too. She figured that after the divorce, Sophia must¡¯ve cut off the whole lot of them. On one hand, she was steaming about theck of respect; on the other, there was a weird sense of relief. She wasn¡¯t even aware Sophia was in Wye City, nor was she looking for her, but since they¡¯d bumped into each other and Sophia was still with Brandon, Patricia and Daniel thought they should have a chat with her. But Sophia ignored Patricia¡¯s rant as if she hadn¡¯t heard a word, just kept on walking, eyes straight ahead. Patricia, not one to let it go, flung open her car door and chased after her. She was built sturdy and moved fast. Sophia, pregnant as she was, couldn¡¯t pick up the pace, and it wasn¡¯t long before Patricia had caught up. She grabbed Sophia¡¯s arm from behind with a heavy hand, her voice tight with anger, ¡°Sophia, are you even listening to me?¡± Sophia stumbled from the pull, nearly falling over. She steadied herself and turned to face her, ¡°If there¡¯s something you want to say, spit it out. I¡¯m in a rush.¡± Daniel got out of the car, ying peacemaker, and pried Patricia¡¯s hand off Sophia¡¯s arm while offering an apologetic look to Sophia, ¡°Don¡¯t take it to heart, Sophia. Patricia¡¯s just a bit on edge because we¡¯ve been out of touch for a while. We have no clue what¡¯s going on between you and Brandon, and we¡¯re worried. Now that we¡¯ve finally caught you, we just thought of a family meal and a little chat.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Sophia cut him off softly, ¡°Brandon and I are divorced. I¡¯m not part of your family anymore. Let¡¯s skip the meal.¡± Daniel froze, suspecting was one thing but hearing it straight from the horse¡¯s mouth was another. ¡°I know what you¡¯re here for.¡± Sophia pursed her lips, looking at Daniel and Patricia, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t be bothering your son and Ms. Frost.¡± With that, she nodded politely and without waiting for a response, she turned and left. The autumn wind brushed her face, carrying a hint of chill, making her eyes sting with unshed tears. Sophia sniffed and tilted her head back a bit, determined not to let the moisture spill over.. Making decisions had never been hard for her, but when it came down to it, there was still a faint ache. When she got back to her apartment, Sophia called a delivery service to take the hotel key card back to the front desk, asking them to hand it over to Brandon. Then, taking a look around the long-unupied apartment, she sighed and dragged her suitcase out from a corner. Up on the rooftop of the Starlight Hotel, Brandon stood in front of the railing, one hand casually in his pocket, his expression nk as he watched the hustle and bustle of traffic below. From over a hundred meters up, the view was expansive and unfamiliar. The wind was strong on the rooftop, causing his clothes to billow. Martin stood beside him, but with his back leaning against the railing, his elbows casually resting on it, and his long legs casually crossed. Neither spoke, each lost in the distance. ¡°Let me see that DNA test result of yours,¡± Brandon finally said, breaking the silence. Martin nced at him, wordlessly pulled out the DNA test results he had with Marian, and handed them to Brandon. Brandon took them, nced over the report, his eyes unchanging, and then turned back to Martin. Printed in bold red on the DNA report was ¡°No Blood Rtion Confirmed.¡± Chapter 76 Chapter 76 Facing Brandon¡¯s calm gaze, Martin let out a long sigh, cocked his head to the side, his eyes briefly pausing on the DNA report in Brandon¡¯s hand, then slowly drifting away, looking towards Brandon ¡°Whether she¡¯s Ynda or not doesn¡¯t matter. If my grandpa believes she is, that¡¯s enough for him. She¡¯s about the same age as Ynda, with a simr history of going missing, and her childhood memories are fuzzy. Most importantly, she¡¯s got that keepsake Ynda had when she disappeared. Plus, she¡¯s not hell-bent on finding her family, which means, even if she¡¯s Ynda, she¡¯s noting back to our side. But for Grandpa, it¡¯s like he¡¯s finally putting to rest a heartache that¡¯s been nagging him for over a decade.¡± Martin said to Brandon slowly, ¡°You and I can keep searching, but my grandpa can¡¯t wait. When Ynda disappeared, though you always thought it was because you weren¡¯t vignt enough, we all know the main me lies with Grandpa. If he hadn¡¯t been so stubborn about going there, Ynda would never have gone missing. He¡¯s been living with regret and guilt all these years, torturing himself over and over. He can¡¯t take it anymore.¡± Brandon turned his head away, not wanting to delve into the past. His yearning for Ynda was half because of the fond memories she brought from their childhood together and half because of the regret and debt he felt for not keeping her safe. He had found her, yet he still couldn¡¯t hold on.. As a young boy, he didn¡¯t have the strength to pull up a child who was almost as tall as his chin. Young Ynda had sprouted up too fast, outpacing the speed at which his strength could grow. ¡°I know you won¡¯t approve of what I did, so I didn¡¯t consult you this time.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Martin continued, ¡°I don¡¯t need your cooperation, but please don¡¯t blow the whistle, at least not while my grandpa is in Wye City. Let him be happy for a while. Marian doesn¡¯t ept that she¡¯s Ynda, and she doesn¡¯t want to return to the Frost family. It just so happens that she¡¯ll be studying here for the next couple of years, so her not being able to go back is perfectly reasonable. Given Grandpa¡¯s current condition, he might notst another two years, so for our family, having Marian-who has Ynda¡¯s keepsake-appear is the best constion.¡± Brandon looked at Martin. ¡°Have you thought about Ynda¡¯s feelings?¡± Martin didn¡¯t answer him directly. ¡°Have you thought about reality? Is Ynda really still out there?¡± Brandon turned his head away. Martin looked at his tense profile. ¡°In truth, both of us know very well the slim chances a small child would have of surviving in that situation. We¡¯ve never given up, but it¡¯s just been a way to keep the hope alive.¡± His voice was very calm. He wasn¡¯t thest one to see his sister, and he didn¡¯t have the experience of almost rescuing her only to lose her again, so although he had regrets, his psychological burden wasn¡¯t as heavy as Brandon¡¯s. ¡°That bracelet was too loose on Ynda¡¯s wrist at the time. It¡¯s not impossible that it got lost in the chaos. The thing is valuable. It¡¯s usible someone could have found it and sold it.¡± Martin continued, ¡°Of course, this is assuming the best in people. I definitely don¡¯t want to think there¡¯s any foul y involved, but regardless, it¡¯s always good to keep the person close and under watch, especially since this is the only lead we have rted to Ynda.¡± ? Brandon looked at him. ¡°I have no right to interfere with your decision, but I hope you¡¯re not letting the wolf in, risking someone taking over our nest.¡± ¡°If that day everes, you know, I won¡¯t just stand by and do nothing.¡± After saying that, Brandon didn¡¯t add anything more. He turned around and walked toward the door to the rooftop, pulling out his phone out of habit. He then saw a text from Sophia. [I¡¯ve moved back to the apartment. I didn¡¯t bring much with me. Could you pack up my stuff and have someone send it over to the apartment?] Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Brandon stopped in his tracks, his eyes glued to the text on the screen, silent for a long moment. He wasn¡¯t surprised Sophia had chosen this way to tell him to hit the road. Ever since he¡¯d strong- armed her into shacking up at the hotel, he knew Sophia was just going through the motions. She never went toe-to-toe with him, just put on a show ofpliance while cooking up her own schemes in the shadows. Like how she applied for college and filed for divorce-keeping it on the down- low until everything was set, then dropping the news on him like it¡¯s NBD. Same story this time around. The moment he started sniffing around to confirm if she and Ynda were one and the same, she was already plotting her exit strategy. Today¡¯s drama and the surprise appearance of his parents just handed her the golden ticket to make up her mind. She couldn¡¯t care less about being Ynda, or the fact that she didn¡¯t want to y that role, so she turned a blind eye to the DNA test results. When she asked him about the DNA results, she was actually signaling when she¡¯d be out the door. Brandon thought, at the very least, she¡¯d want to have a heart-to-heart. Sophia wasn¡¯t the type to vanish without a peep. She was all aboutying her cards on the table. But his parents showing up scrubbed any chance of that. The fact that Daniel and Patricia would rock up with Louis andpany was a curveball Brandon never sawing. He hadn¡¯t caught wind of this, and his parents weren¡¯t exactly chomping at the bit to fly miles just to confirm Ynda¡¯s identity, so Brandon never entertained the thought, and their arrival caught him totally off guard. Brandon had zero doubts that whatever was left of his shaky rtionship with Sophia would crumble the second his folks stepped in. He figured there¡¯d be time-Sophia still had sses, and ording to her schedule, she should¡¯ve been in ss at that exact moment, with no time to mull things over or meet anyone. What he didn¡¯t consider was that maybe the decision was made in her heart the moment sheid eyes on his parents. Brandon killed the phone screen, not bothering to ring Sophia back, pretty sure she¡¯d be off the grid. He took the elevator down and the moment he stepped into the hotel lobby, the receptionist, recognizing the high-roller from the penthouse suite, gged him down. ¡°Mr. Crawley, ady left her room card for you, please check it.¡± Brandon shot her a nce, his gaze lingering on the room cards in her hands. ¡°Mr. Crawley?¡± the clerk called out, puzzled by his silence. He looked at her and took the room cards. ¡°Thanks.¡± 7 He didn¡¯t head back to his hotel room but drove straight to Sophia¡¯s apartment instead. On the way, Brandon could somewhat guess that Sophia might have already cleared out of the apartment, but he still harbored a sliver of hope and wanted to try his luck. Sophia, however, wasn¡¯t about to give him that chance. Brandon knocked on Sophia¡¯s apartment door like a woodpecker, but no answer came, no door opened, and her phone already went straight to voicemail. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Listening to the endless loop of ¡°Sorry, the subscriber you have dialed is not avable.¡± on the phone, Brandon cut the call, his hand almost pounding the door in frustration before regainingposure mid- swing, ultimately tapping weakly against the wood. He sighed deeply, eyes falling to the floor where he spotted an envelope in the door¡¯s gap. Stooping down, he pulled out the fresh envelope, clearly ced there not long ago, with Sophia¡¯s handwriting on it saying ¡°Brandon (Recipient)¡± in her usual elegant script. Inside was a brief note from Sophia. ¡°Figured you might swing by. Thought I should say goodbye, so you¡¯re not worried. I¡¯m safe and sound. Don¡¯t fret, and thanks for everything. But, we¡¯re not on the same path, and a kid shouldn¡¯t be what binds us. This is where it ends. Handed the house over to the agent, so it¡¯ll have new tenants soon. Don¡¯t bothering by again. Take care.¡± Brandon¡¯s fingers tightened on the note, creasing the paper, He turned his head away, then back again, his expression now calm. Pulling out his phone, he video-called Susan ¡°Where¡¯s Sophia?¡± Susan looked baffled on the other end, ¡°Didn¡¯t you already ask? She¡¯s in Wye City, I gave you her home address.¡± ¡°Where is she now?¡± Susan was still clueless. ¡°Huh? I don¡¯t know, isn¡¯t she renting a ce near the school?¡± Brandon¡¯s piercing gaze made Susan squirm. ¡°I really don¡¯t know,¡± she swore with her hands up, ¡°I¡¯ve been mmed, what with the time difference and all, I haven¡¯t had a chance to catch up with Sophia.¡± Brandon gave her a look. ¡°Got it.¡± After hanging up on Susan, he dialed Kent. ¡°What¡¯s the status of Susan¡¯s contract?¡± Kent, thinking he was after an update, hurriedly replied. ¡°Legal has stamped it, should be sent back soon.¡±. ¡°Don¡¯t send it.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Hold it.¡± Kent was speechless. The weekend rolled around with no sses and zero word from Sophia. On the third day, Brandon hit up the school, only to find out Sophia had requested leave. He didn¡¯t chase down Susan, who was already blowing up his phone with frantic video calls. ¡°Brandon, are you mixing business with personal grudges?¡± Brandon faced her on the screen, cutting to the chase. ¡°Where the hell is Sophia?¡± Susan initially yed tough, not wanting to spill the beans, but caved under Brandon¡¯s intense stare, her eyes welling up. ¡°She¡¯s in the hospital.¡± Brandon¡¯s gaze snapped to her. With a voice breaking, Susan confessed. ¡°She¡¯s having an abortion.¡± Brandon suddenly shot up to his feet. Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Brandon rocked up to the hospital half an hourte, despite flooring it the whole way there and nearly getting a ticket for speeding. The distance wasn¡¯t exactly a stone¡¯s throw, and those damn traffic lights held him up big time. The moment he pulled up at the hospital entrance, he bolted out of the car and made a beeline for the outpatient hall. ¡°Hey, could you point me to the maternity center?¡± he asked, breezing past the information desk. ¡°Sixth floor, take a right out of the elevator, you can¡¯t miss the signs,¡± replied the nurse at the desk, gesturing politely towards the esctor. ¡°Thanks,¡± Brandon shot back, already on the move. He hit the esctor like it was a sprint, taking two steps at a time, and by the time he reached the sixth floor, he quickly spotted the maternity center, following the signs with arrows. It was bustling in the maternity center that afternoon. The ce was packed to the gills-from the information desk to the waiting room, with folks lined up to register, others queuing up to have their blood pressure taken or to get weighed, and a bunch waiting outside the fetal monitoring room. Not to mention the long benches outside each consultation room were filled with expectant mothers and their families. Brandon scanned the sea of faces, some weary, some buzzing with anticipation, some downright giddy, but none of them were Sophia. He approached the nurse at the desk, his eyes full of concern, ¡°Excuse me, has there been a pregnantdy named Sophia here?¡± As he spoke, he jotted down Sophia¡¯s name on a nk piece of paper on the desk. He then flipped out his phone to show the nurse their wedding photo, pointing at Sophia, ¡°Is she still around?¡± The nurse nced at the photo and then pointed towards a door with lights zing above it, ¡°She¡¯s in there. She¡¯s been in for a while Original from N?velDrama.Org. now.¡± Brandon¡¯s face froze for a moment as he slowly turned to look at the maternity operating room. The door was tightly shut, the light inside was bright and clear, and the big red letters reading ¡°IN SURGERY¡± were ringly vivid. He stood there, staring nkly at the closed OR door. The nurse at the desk noticed the veins in his hand standing out and his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing furiously, his face taut, his eyes fixated on the door, unblinking. Concerned, she called out, ¡°Sir? Are you okay?¡± Brandon nced back at her, shook his head slightly, and then walked towards the operating room door. Right at that moment, the OR door swung open. A nurse was wheeling out a bed. Among the blue and white, Brandon caught sight of Sophia lying on the bed, her eyes reddened from crying, looking weak. Sophia saw Brandon standing in the hallway too, his ck overcoat fluttering at the hem, his usually neat hair somewhat disheveled, clearly rushing to get there. Their gazes met in the air, both eerily calm, so still it was almost deathly. Brandon stood there, rooted to the spot, just staring at her, watching as she was wheeled closer by the nurse. His calm eyes were like a stagnant pool, the violent bobbing of his Adam¡¯s apple betraying the storm of emotions within. Sophia¡¯s lips quivered slightly, her eyes moistening again with tears she couldn¡¯t hold back, as she averted her gaze just a bit. Brandon turned his head away too, his eyes shifting to the side. As the bed was wheeled past him, Brandon¡¯s hand twitched and then gently grasped the bed rail. The nurse pushing the bed gave him a puzzled look, ¡°May I ask who you are?¡± Her inquisitive eyes then shifted to Sophia. Sophia¡¯s expression remainedposed. She didn¡¯t look at the nurse or Brandon. Brandon turned to the nurse, ¡°I¡¯m the father of the child.¡± His voice was slow and hoarse, as if it had been worn down by sandpaper, rough and gravelly. Chapter 79 Chapter 79 The nurse hesitated and nced at Sophia, but seeing no reaction from her, she didn¡¯t press further and let Brandon help push the hospital bed back to the rest ward. All the way, Brandon pushed the bed slowly, steady and gentle, carefully controlling the pace to avoid any jostle or bump. When they returned the bed to the ward, the nurse couldn¡¯t help but throw a puzzled look at Brandon, finding this guy a bit odd. His face and the aura he gave off screamed restraint and control, yet his actions when pushing the bed were tender, almost as if he was tiptoeing around. After the nurse gave a few reminders, she scurried off. Suddenly, the spacious ward was left with just Sophia and Brandon. Silence reigned. Brandon quietly poured her a cup of hot water and stood by her bed, gently helping her sit up. ¡°Have some water first.¡± His voice was still as gravelly as if it had been ground by sand. ¡°Thanks.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was hoarse with gratitude as she took the cup and sipped a little, soothing her dry throat a bit. Brandon watched her drink in small sips, took the cup back when she was done, and ced it silently on the table next to them. He didn¡¯t speak. Neither did Sophia. Silence spread between them. After a while, the gritty voice broke the silence again. ¡°Can¡¯t you just give me a little more time?¡± As he spoke, Brandon looked at Sophia. Sophia pulled the covers up a bit, stayed silent for a long time, and then spoke softly, ¡°Brandon, asking for a divorce wasn¡¯t me being petnt or testing anything. The day I moved out of your ce, that was it for us.¡± ¡°The kid was an ident. No matter how much I struggled with the decision about her, I never thought of telling you.¡± She looked at him, her voice light, ¡°I always felt that since she was only discovered after our divorce, maybe she¡¯s some kind of constion prize from the universe.¡± ¡°I have family, yet I don¡¯t, so her arrival is incredibly precious to me. I never thought about remarrying, but I wanted my own child. Her appearance was a gift, so from the get-go, I was intent on going it alone as a single mom. As long as I don¡¯t go back to West district, we might never cross paths, and you¡¯d never know she existed. It wouldn¡¯t affect your life at all. I have enough financial stability to raise her and can provide a rtively affluent environment for her to grow up in. My only concern was whether my health was good enough to take on the risks of childbirth, if I could be there for her long enough, and whether growing up without aplete family would affect her.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice faltered, then continued. ¡°So, although I was indecisive at that time, I knew in my heart that I wanted to take a gamble. But once you became aware of her existence, I couldn¡¯t afford to gamble anymore.¡± She looked at him. ¡°As long as it involves your family, I¡¯ll never stand a chance. All my hesitations these past days were just me ying games with myself. At first, I thought about convincing myself to try and co-parent with you, but the moment I saw your parents, the moment I heard Ynda¡¯s name, I realized I hadn¡¯t moved on. They instantly dragged me back into the shadows of those two years. I¡¯d already broken free from your family, even fled to this distant ce, but why does it still feel like,¡± Sophia¡¯s voice choked up, and she couldn¡¯t go on. a na n at a o as as a s Brandon looked at her reddening eyes, his gaze lingered on her belly hidden beneath the nket, then back at her, he asked in a raspy voice. ¡°So, you chose to give her up, is that it?¡± Sophia turned away with tearful eyes, not answering him Brandon also turned away, looking out the window, his handsome face still taut. When he looked back at Sophia, his eyes were slightly red. ¡°Sophia, this really hurts.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. 10:41 Sophia had never seen Brandon like this before. Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Even back when they lost their first child, as she emerged from the operating room, he had just held her hand tightly, reassuring her in a hushed voice that it was okay, the baby was just taking a little break, and woulde back once she was back in good health. He never showed his vulnerability in front of her like he was doing now. But there he was, the usually stoic and eerily calm Brandon, with red-rimmed eyes, telling her he was hurting. Sophia felt a pang in her heart, and it was like she was hit by a wave of difort. She turned her head away again, her eyes stinging, her throat feeling like it was being choked by something. Brandon still watched her intently, his eyes slightly red. ¡°Logically, I know I should take full me for this, and you have every right to decide about the baby.¡± He couldn¡¯t finish his sentence and turned away, his Adam¡¯s apple visibly bobbing with the effort to hold back. Sophia didn¡¯t say a word, just pursed her lips tightly, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to be a muffled sob. Brandon nced at her, stepped forward, and leaned in to hug her. He didn¡¯t speak, just held her close, his palm gently tapping her back in silent constion. Sophia, crying, pushed him away slightly, her gaze downturned, not looking at him. Brandon let her push, his arms still loosely around her, not looking at her either. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Sophia sniffled, getting her emotions somewhat under control, and said softly, ¡°Brandon, I really do want to start over, can you just stop popping up? It¡¯s too painful to be part of your world. You, and everyone around you, you all make me feel awful. Can¡¯t you all just stop bothering me? I really hate this life.¡± Brandon looked at her, his eyes still slightly red, his gaze fixed on her. Sophia¡¯s eyes were already red. ¡°I have sses. I can¡¯t run away, but can¡¯t you all just disappear? I¡¯ve already fled this far from you guys.¡± She couldn¡¯t go on, just unconsciously clutching his sleeve, pleading with him. Brandon¡¯s gaze remained fixed on her, not nodding, not speaking, just standing there motionless, but his grip on her arm tightened uncontrobly, then rxed again as he noticed Sophia¡¯s slightly furrowed brows. ¡°Brandon?¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was soft, almost pleading. Brandon red at her fiercely. She had never begged him like this before, but now she was forcing him into the cruelest position with the gentlest of stances. ¡°I can promise that none of them will bother you again,¡± he eventually said in a hoarse voice, choosing a partialpromise. But hispromise didn¡¯t satisfy Sophia. ¡°I don¡¯t want that,¡± she said in a hoarse voice, her slender fingers still unconsciously clenching his sleeve, silently pressuring him. Brandon didn¡¯t respond, just let his eyes re fiercely at her. Sophia, almost stubbornly, held his gaze. The sudden chime of a WhatsApp video call notification broke the tense atmosphere in the room. Both of them looked toward the source of the sound. It was Sophia¡¯s phone, a video call from Susan. Brandon picked up the phone and handed it to her. ¡°I¡¯ll take the call. I¡¯ll go grab something for you to eat,¡± he said, his voice back to normal. As he reached the door, he paused, not turning around, not moving forward. Sophia looked at his back in confusion. Without turning to her, Brandon softly said, Sophia, if I leave now, does that mean I¡¯ll never see you again when Ie back?¡± Sophia stared at his back, silent. ¡°Don¡¯t leave,¡± Brandon said softly, still not turning around, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be moving around much with your condition. Rest in bed for now. I¡¯ll have someone send stuff over.¡± * 10-113 Chapter 81 Chapter 81 Brandon didn¡¯t respond. He lingered at the door for a moment, then strode away. Sophia watched his retreating figure, sitting on the bed motionless, not even realizing when her fingers had hit the answer button on the phone until Susan¡¯s voice,ced with concem, broke through, ¡°Sophia? What¡¯s up?¡± Sophia snapped back to reality, peering at her phone screen through a blurry gaze, she saw Susan¡¯s worried face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Susan¡¯s voice softened, tinged with caution. Sophia shook her head slightly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Susan asked, ¡°Did Brandone over?¡± Sophia nodded gently, ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°So, did you guys?¡± She hesitated, ncing at Sophia, wanting to ask if Brandon had managed to stop her, but seeing Sophia d in the hospital gown with puffy eyes, the words got stuck in her throat. Instead, she shifted to a gentle reassurance, ¡°It¡¯s alright, there¡¯s no hurdle we can¡¯t get over¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sophia managed a weak smile, ¡°Yeah.¡± Brandon bought some light and digestible porridge for Sophia at a restaurant near the hospital. He didn¡¯t deliver it himself. He paid for the delivery service and got a waiter to take it up to her. He didn¡¯t leave, just stood at the restaurant entrance, watching the hustle and bustle on the street, feeling a hollow ache inside. The memory of seeing Sophia¡¯s HCG report was still vivid in his mind, the words ¡°Clinical Diagnosis. Early Pregnancy that moved him so much at the moment they caught his eye. He had imagined countless times what their child might look like, whether like him or Sophia, or a mix of both. He had fantasized about every step of raising her, thinking Sophia would keep her believing she couldn¡¯t bear to let go, but. The image of her in the hospital, lying weakly on the bed with tearful eyes as she was wheeled out by nurses, made Brandon turn away, his stomach churning with familiar spasms as his emotions rolled, filled with the scene of Sophia with tear¨Cfilled eyes begging him to let her go. The stomach cramps worsened, but then his thoughts drifted back to that summer years ago when she stood on the stage with her teacher and introduced herself in a calm and graceful manner, ¡°Hi everyone, I¡¯m Sophia,¡± her slightly naive face serene and peaceful He remembered that year every time he tutored her, the obedient and tranquil look in her eyes, which were so clearly the eyes of a young Ynda. Brandon pulled out the DNA report from his pocket, crisply tore it in two with a swift exchange of hands. He crumpled the two halves into a ball, ready to throw it away, but then his hands paused mid¨Cair, frozen. After a long silence, he withdrew his hands, pocketing the crumpled DNA report once more, looked towards the hospital, and then turned to walk in its direction. Brandon didn¡¯t step into the patient¡¯s room. He just stood outside the ward, a short distance away, peering through the slightly ajar door at Sophia inside The pomidge had been delivered and Sophia took a few bites before setting it aside, her appetite absent. Brandon watched the mostly untouched porridge, didn¡¯t approach, just silently observed the Sophia inside the room as shey down and drifted into a shallow sleep. Only then did he finally enter the ward, bending down to gently tuck her in, not intending to wake Sophia Their eyes met silently, then both looked away. Brandon finished tucking her in, ¡°Take a rest¡± Sophia uttered a soft ¡°Mhm, and closed her eyes. Brandon stayed by the bed for a while, then his phone rang He stepped out to take the call, and when he returned, the room was empty, the hospital gown and nket neatly folded on the bed. Brandon chuckled and shook his head, not bothering to investigate where Sophia had gone, and went back to his hotel alone. The second and third day, Brandon didn¡¯t seek out Sophia, just busied himself with work at the hotel, unable to engage with the things he once loved. On the fourth day, Brandon waited Sophia¡¯s school, but didn¡¯t find her He stopped one of Sophia¡¯s ssmates to inquire about her leave of absence the ssmate informed humm. Brandon paused, then said a soft thank you, ¡°Thanks¡± He looked up at the building, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing in his throat, Pulling out his phone, he called Susan, ¡°Tell Sophia I won¡¯t bother her anymore. She doesn¡¯t need to sacrifice her future like this¡± After hanging up, Brandon called Kent, ¡°Book me a ticket back to West district, for today.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Kent on the other end was taken aback, ¡°Why the sudden retum? Is everything settled over there?¡± ¡°Send someone else¡± Brandon said, ending the call. He took onest look at the building and walked away. Brandon flew back to West district that evening. Chapter 82 Chapter 82 A ssmate nced over at him curiously, ¡°Are you looking for her for something?¡± Brandon just shook his head, ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± After murmuring another quick thank you, Brandon looked up, scanning the sparsely filled seats in the ssroom, reminiscing about the times he¡¯de here to find her engrossed in a book in the corner. That evening, Brandon was on the flight back to West district. He drove himself to the airport, solo. Leaving the hotel, he bumped into Daniel and Patricia, fellow guests there. Both of them did a double¨Ctake at the sight of his luggage. ¡°Brandon?¡± Patricia called out in surprise, then approached him with a beaming smile, ¡°Where are you off to? Mr. Frost¡¯s family is nning a get¨Ctogether, and you haven¡¯t seen Ynda in years. It¡¯s a good chance to catch up.¡± Brandon acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard a thing, his handsome face as impassive as ice, silently pressing the elevator button. Patricia¡¯s smile faltered into awkwardness. As Brandor¡¯s stepmom, she felt she¡¯d done her part raising him from a boy to a man, but Brandon had always been lukewarm towards her. Not rebellious to the point of denying her as his mom, but he just never warmed up to her. Patricia hadn¡¯t really tried to win Brandon over¨Cafter all, he wasn¡¯t her biological son, and not meddling suited her just fine. But she had married a rich guy, and deliberately so. Coming from a humble background, she had never wanted the grind of a mundane life just for a meager paycheck. But Patricia knew bagging a well¨Coff match wasn¡¯t easy with what she had to offer. Her n had been to elevate her status through education, to mingle with the elite, andnd a top¨C notch guy. So, she hustled hard, got into a prestigious university, andternded a job with the Starlight Group. The Crawley family was already well¨Cestablished by then. Patricia¡¯s ster performance at work caught Daniel¡¯s attention, and she was soon working closely with him. But what really got her noticed was her gentle, sensible demeanor and her patience with children. Brandon¡¯s mom had just passed away, and the young boy needed a mother figure. Daniel saw in Patricia the perfect blend of warmth and patience, so soon after meeting, they tied the knot. Patricia was well aware their marriage wasn¡¯t about love¨Cit was convenience. A cushy life was what she wanted, and she served Daniel¡¯s needs too. She had nned for a long time to get Daniel¡¯s attention, so naturally, she didn¡¯t want any mess in her married life. Knowing how much Brandon meant to Daniel and his grandfather, she went out of her way to please her stepson. Brandon, however, had always been resistant to her efforts. While not outright confrontational, he maintained a polite distance. Though frustrated, Patricia couldn¡¯tsh out. She had hoped that once Brandon¡¯s grandfather passed and her position in the family was solidified, she wouldn¡¯t have to keep ying nice with Brandon. But Daniel continued to spoil Brandon, even willing to sh with her for his son¡¯s sake. Patricia¡¯s concessions were all for maintaining herfortable life, so she didn¡¯t dare butt heads with Daniel. Over time, pleasing Brandon became a habit for Patricia, especially as he grew into a more impressive young man, and she couldnt help but feel a sense of pride in his achievements, feeling her effarts had yed a part. She yearned for his recognition and became increasingly invested in his life. And that¡¯s how she noticed Sophia. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Like Patricia, Sophia came from a modest background, graduated from a prestigious school, and seemed well¨Cmannered and sensible. To Patricia, it was as if Sophia was following her ybook, aiming to climb the socialdder through Brandon. Knowing her own kind too well, Patricia had never taken to Sophia. Sophia¡¯s presence was like a mirror, reflecting Patricia¡¯s own past squalor and years ofpromise. Now settled into afortable, enviable life with a secure position in the family, estranged from her own roots, Patricia didn¡¯t need someone else reminding her of her past lowliness. Chapter 83 Chapter 83 Daniel had already gotten used to Patricia¡¯s thoughtfulpanionship, and even relied on her to the point where his initial intentions of a mutually beneficial rtionship had evolved into genuine care. So, when he saw Brandon snub Patricia, his face turned stormy in an instant. ¡°What¡¯s with that attitude? Is that any way to treat your mom?¡± Brandon spun around, ring at him. ¡°My mom¡¯s been dead for ages.¡± Patricia¡¯s face stiffened. Then Brandon turned to Patricia and Daniel. ¡°Did you guys hit up Sophia the other day?¡± Patricia¡¯s spirit deted. She had been warned by Brandon not to contact Sophia. ¡°Just ran into her at school and chit¨Cchatted a bit, Patricia¡¯s voice faded, even sounding a bit shaky. ¡°Just a chat?¡± Brandon¡¯s lips curled up slightly, but he quicklyposed himself and looked at her calmly, ¡°Mrs. Crawley, I used to call you ¡®mom¡® out of respect for your situation, but let¡¯s get one thing straight. Just because you are my stepmother doesn¡¯t mean you get to badmouth or meddle with my people. If there¡¯s a next time, don¡¯t expect me to hold back.¡± Patricia¡¯s face turned sour. Daniel was also furning. ¡°Brandon, what the hell are you bbering about? Apologize to your mom, now¡± ¡°You too, Dad,¡± Brandon continued, ¡°I hope I don¡¯t have to stop calling you ¡®dad after today! Daniel was livid. Patricia forced a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s all chill, no hard feelings. It¡¯s my bad, just happened to bump into her that day. I thought it¡¯d be nice to catch up over a meal. I didn¡¯t realize Sophia was so against it.¡± Brandon shot her a nce. ¡°Shut it!¡± Patricia and Daniel fell silent. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Both had always known Brandon as a self¨Cdisciplined and calm individual, always polite and composed. They were taken aback by his blunt and harsh choice of words. Louis¡¯s family lived next door and, with their door ajar, had overheard themotion. Curious, Louis opened the door wider. Louis, having weathered many storms, quickly surmised there was a family spat and tried to y peacemaker with a chuckle. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Why¡¯s everyone looking so sour?¡± Then he turned to Brandon with a warm invitation. ¡°Hey, little Crawley,e on over tonight. Martin has invited Ynda over for dinner. You should join. It¡¯s been a while since you two caught up.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond, his gaze passing over Louis¡¯s shoulder to Martin behind him. Martin stood there, expressionless, yet his eyes were fixed intently on Brandon. ¡°No need,¡± Brandon declined Louis¡¯s offer. ¡°Ynda¡¯s nevering back.¡± Everyone¡¯s expression shifted at that. Daniel snapped, cursing. ¡°What kind of crap are you talking? Who speaks like that?¡± Brandon ignored him, walked straight to the elevator, and with an impassive face, watched the varied expressions of those left behind. The elevator descended to the underground parking lot. Brandon stepped out, loaded his suitcase into the car, mmed the trunk shut, got in, buckled up, and amoothly shifted gears. As the car passed the elevator entrance, Brandon nced over at the spot where he and Sophia had recently run into Darcy and Dennis. Not wanting Darcy to find out he was in Wye City, he had used Sophia as a cover. Though she was puzzled at the time, she had still tiptoed up and wrapped her arms around his neck to help him hide. Back then, Sophia¡¯s eyes were filled with him, and they were considering whether to keep the baby But in just a few short days, everything had changed, the past was the past, and nothing was the same. Brandon withdrew his gaze, his hand deftly steering the wheel, and the car sped away. The cold aura surrounding him was still palpable when Kent came to pick him up at the West district airport. Brandon had booked his own ticket, and Kent knew exactly when he¡¯d arrive, so he¡¯d shown up half an hour early. f 59 2 As the passengers disembarked, Kent spotted the tall figure with the taut face and an even chillier aura than before he¡¯d left the country. Kent¡¯s initially cheerful wave turned cautious when he felt the frosting off Brandon¡¯s face, and his greeting morphed into something as restrained and polite as Brandon¡¯s own demeanor. ¡°Mr. Crawley, this way.¡± Brandon nced at him but remained silent, striding out. Kent didn¡¯t dare to speak again, silently apanying Brandon to retrieve his luggage and then to the car. As they started the car, Kent couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon and ask, ¡°Mr. Crawley, should I take you home to rest first?¡± ¡°To the office.¡± Kent sneaked another look at his phone. It was already midnight. Chapter 84 Chapter 84 ¡°Mr. Crawley, it¡¯s midnight.¡± Kent couldn¡¯t help but remind him.. ¡°Hmm¡± Kent didn¡¯t say anything. He couldn¡¯t resist sneaking a peek at Brandon. Brandon¡¯s handsome face was turned towards the window, his expression as calm as ever. Kent always felt that, calm as he was, something seemed missingpared to before he went abroad. Before, Brandon¡¯s calm was like the sea that weed a thousand rivers¨Cserene andposed after weathering the years. Although he seemed a bit distant from the average Joe, he had the air of a detached. sage, high above the mundane world, merelycking themon emotions and desires of ordinary people. Now, his calm seemed lifeless, like the stillness of death. Kent had no clue what had happened to Brandon in Wye City and didn¡¯t dare to pry. He only subtly advised. ¡°Mr. Crawley, there¡¯s no rush with work. Thepany¡¯s running smoothly, and there¡¯s no need to hurry. You¡¯ve been on a ne for so long. Why not get over the jetg first and give your body some rest?¡± But his earnest advice was met with a calm response from Brandon. ¡°No need.¡± Kent didn¡¯t dare to say anything more, driving smoothly, asionally ncing at Brandon in the rearview mirror with concern. N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Brandon sat in the backseat, arms crossed, his head slightly tilted towards the window. The rear window was wide open, the cool night air rushing in with the speed of the car, messing up his hair. Brandon remained motionless throughout, calmly watching the passing traffic outside. At this hour, the roads were mostly empty. Billboards and skyscrapers slowly turned off their lights. It was very quiet¨Cnot exactly the time to keep working. Kent knew he shouldn¡¯t ask, but he couldn¡¯t help himself. ¡°Mr. Crawley, did you run into Sophia during your time in Ephemora?¡± As soon as he spoke, Brandon nced at him. Kent¡¯s hands, resting on the steering wheel, broke into a sweat. Just when he thought Brandon wouldn¡¯t reply, Brandon calmly said. ¡°No¡± Kent chuckled awkwardly. ¡°Right, Ephemora is so vast. It¡¯s not that easy to bump into someone you know¡± Brandon gave him a look and suddenly asked. ¡°Kent, do you have a girlfriend?¡± Kentughed. ¡°I¡¯m so busy every day. When do I have time to date?¡± After saying that, he realized thatining about being busy in front of his boss might seem like whining. He quickly added ¡°Mainly because I haven¡¯t met the right person yet.¡± But he saw Brandon slightly curl his lip as if in self¨Cmockery, and then quickly hid the expression, without saying anything. Kent was puzzled by Brandon¡¯s question. He never talked about personal matters with him, nor about everyday life. And it wasn¡¯t just with him; in all the years he had known Brandon, he rarely talked about anything other than work with anyone. From a normal person¡¯s perspective, Kent actually found him a bit dull. So, he had once admired Sophia for being able to live with someone socking in fun. He wondered if their divorce had something to do with this. Kent didn¡¯t dare to ask, but as a colleague and a friend, he couldn¡¯t resist giving Brandon a heads¨Cup. ¡°Mr. Crawley, life isn¡¯t just about work. Sometimes chatting with people about everyday life, like sports, games, celebrity gossip, or even some trivial family matters can be good ways to build rtionships Brandon nced at him and said nothing. Kent felt like he had hit a wall and didn¡¯t dare to continue. When the car stopped at thepany building, Kent got out to help with the luggage. Brandon took his suitcase and looked at Kent. ¡°Sell the WillowBrook Vi tomorrow.¡± Kent was stunned. ¡°What?¡± That house was Brandon and Sophia¡¯s marital home, ¡°You mean s sell it?¡± Kent asked uncertainly. Sophia had dealt with her house, and now Brandon wanted to sell their marital home. Were they trying topletely erase each other from their lives? He hoped he was misunderstanding, but Brandon replied simply. ¡°Yes.¡± Kent hesitated, wanting to urge Brandon to reconsider, but when his gaze met Brandon¡¯s cold, almost indifferent profile, the words died on his lips. Brandon turned and saw his hesitation. ¡°Any more questions?¡± Kent quickly shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯ll take care of it tomorrow.¡± Brandon and Sophia¡¯s marital home was a mansion in a wealthy neighborhood with a full river view, great location, floor, andyout, excellent lighting and venttion. It had always been a hotmodity among the rich and powerful, but unfortunately, those who could afford it weren¡¯t short of money. New properties had sold out long ago, and second¨Chand homes rarely came on the market. So, when Brandon¡¯s house was listed, it immediately drew a lot of potential buyers, all eager to see the ce. Brandon only entrusted Kent with the sale but didn¡¯t give him the keys or the code. Agents kept messaging Kent on WhatsApp, asking for the keys to show the property. Kent had to approach Brandon. ¡°Mr. Crawley, the house is listed now, and there¡¯s a lot of interest. Could you give me the code so the agents can take people over to see it?¡± Brandon, busy at hisputer, paused at the question. Kent saw Brandon furrow his brow and then look up. ¡°Not convenient.¡± Kent thought, ¡°So what kind of sale is this?¡± Brandon looked at him. ¡°Tell them they can¡¯t go in. Take it or leave it.¡± Kent hesitated but nodded, ¡°Alright.¡± Kent couldn¡¯t muster Brandon¡¯s assertiveness to tell the agents directly to take it or leave it. Instead, he chose to delicately remind them that the house wasn¡¯t open for outsiders. If they liked it, they could buy it; if not, forget it. He felt like he was being difficult as he said it, but despite the harshness, someone actually took the bait. Two dayster, the agent notified him to sign the contract ¨C the deposit had been paid. When Kent spilled the beans to Brandon, he saw Brandon freeze up for a sec, like his mind hit a speed bump. Just when Kent thought Brandon was getting cold feet, Brandon snapped the file shut and said, ¡°You guys pencil in a time, I¡¯m only free at noon.¡± The realtor was chomping at the bit to close the deal, so they set up the signing for noon that very day. Knowing Brandon was up to his ears in work, they decided to make it easy and hold the signing at the Starlight Group. When it was go¨Ctime, Kent gave Brandon a heads¨Cup. It wasn¡¯t that Kent couldn¡¯t handle it, but the house sale needed the man himself to put pen to paper. Otherwise, Brandon would have to schlep to the notary office to set up a power of attomey, and that¡¯s a whole other ballgamepared to signing on the spot. Brandon didn¡¯t give Kent a hard time. He just headed downstairs to the reception mom The realtor and the new tenant were already there waiting. As Brandon walked in, the realtor shed a grin and handed over the purchase contract. Brandon didn¡¯t even nce at it, just grabbed the pen and was about to sign on the dotted line, but then his hand just froze mid¨Cair, like he hit pause right before the pen could kiss the paper. Chapter 85 Chapter 85 Kent shot Brandon a puzzled look. Brandon had gone poker¨Cfaced, icy to the core, even his gaze was frosty. For a split second, Kent caught a glimpse of pure resolve and a touch of ruthlessness in those eyes, a sort of all¨Cor¨Cnothing. ??? damn the consequences determination. His hand swiftly moved to sign the contract, but then Brandon suddenly mmed the pen down on the table with a loud ¡°snap.¡± ¡°Sorry, the house ain¡¯t for sale.¡± Dropping the words coldly, Brandon spun on his heel and left, leaving behind a confused real estate agent and the would¨Cbe new tenant. Kent hurried over to try and smooth things over. ¡°My bad. There¡¯s a bit of a snag with that ce, and I thought better of screwing you guys over. ¡°What¡¯s the deal?¡± the prospective tenant blew up on the spot. If there¡¯s an issue, why the heck are you trying to pawn it off on us?¡± ¡°Really sorry about this,¡± Kent said with a string of apologetic grins, shooting the agent a knowing look. He slipped him some hush money to soothe the customer before finding an excuse to duck out early. Back at the office, Kent found Brandon staring into space at his desk, a nk look on his face, absentmindedly twirling a fountain pen in his hand. Feeling Kent¡¯s eyes on him, Brandon nced his way. ¡°Kent.¡± Kent quickly approached. ¡°Mr. Crawley, something the matter?¡± ¡°Buy me that house Sophia had.¡± Kent was speechless. He hesitated, not daring to ask more and simply nodded. ¡°Alright.¡± Sophia¡¯s ce had been sold before she left the country, but luckily the buyer wasn¡¯t in a rush to move in, so it was still untouched. Kent bought the house back at a price well above market value. When he handed the keys over to Brandon, Kent saw him zone out while staring at them for so long that he wondered if Brandon had forgotten he was there. Eventually, Brandon pocketed the keys and looked at him ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Kent, thanks.¡± Kent was shook, never before had Brandon thanked him so earnestly and calmly. He tugged at his lips awkwardly. ¡°Mr. Crawley, are you alright?¡± Brandon shook his head, silent, his gaze drifting past Kent to the trash can, where he paused, Kent felt something was seriously off with Brandon and couldn¡¯t help but tentatively suggest. ¡°Mr. Crawley, if you can¡¯t let go, maybe you should go after her.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to let go of or not let go of, Brandon replied nonchntly, his voice faint. The burnished keys twirled once or twice in his palm, and with a flick, they arced beautifully through the air andnded with a ¡°thunk¡® in the trash can behind Kent. Kent hesitated, ncing back at the trash can, then at Brandon, whose eyelids were half¨Cdrawn and expression almost unreadable. Kent moved to retrieve the keys, but Brandon¡¯s gaze stopped him. ¡°Leave them.¡± Kent¡¯s hand, reaching for the trash can, fraze. Its over between her and me, Brandon said, pushing away the keyboard with force, standing up, and walking away without a backward nce: Watching his retreating figure, Kent felt an unexined twinge of sadness. He had seen the way Brandon and Sophia looked at each other. He had always believed that was love, the kind that didn¡¯t need many words, where a single look conveyed it all. Kent sighed softly to himself, withdrawing his gaze to the keys lying quietly in the trash can, and bent down to Chapter 86 Chapter 86 Two Years Later At the end of June, Wye City was all sunshine and the perfect kind of warm, with a hint of early summer humidity in the air Sophia had just stepped into the office when her buddy Sylvia slid a design proposal across the desk to her, and didn¡¯t miss a beat to remind her, ¡°Hey Sophia, don¡¯t forget we¡¯ve got graduationing up in a couple of days.¡± Sophia paused momentarily, then remembered indeed there was such an event and nodded, ¡°Yeah, got it.¡± She shot Sylvia a grateful smile, Thanks a bunch.¡± With a chuckle, Sylvia pped her on the shoulder, ¡°No need to be formal with me.¡± Sylvia and Sophia were ssmates. She was a local. They¡¯d entered Dempsey Architects as interns together, worked as a team on studies and now on the job too. Sylvia was one of the few good friends Sophia had in Wye City. Sophia had joined Dempsey Architects a little over a year ago. Initially, she hadn¡¯t nned on joining, and despite a year of persuasion from Don and Ivan, she hadn¡¯t budged. But as it turned out, she couldn¡¯t find a better fit for her internship. As a student and newbie, no other firm would dare to let her dive right into project design. Usually, she¡¯d start as a glorified errand¨Crunner, with limited chances to really cut her teeth, plus the cultural differences and fixed office hours. After scouting around, Sophia eventually went with Dempsey Architects. They must have really dug her design style, because Don gave her plenty of freedom and responsibility at work. Right off the bat, she was the lead designer, and they seriously respected her ideas and inspiration. She didn¡¯t have to clock in and out every day, just needed to show up for the big brainstorming sessions and other creative meetings. Aside from that, it was mostly online chats. For the first six months, with work and studies, Sophia hardly had to stick to office hours. Only in the past few months, after wrapping up her final design project, did she start to settle into a more regr routine. But Don didn¡¯t really enforce the whole clocking in thing for her, so she was mostly free to manage her own time. Sylvia had also started the daily grind of clocking in only in the past few months when her coursework eased up. She had less experience, having gone straight from undergrad to grad school, and didn¡¯t have any big projects under her belt, so she started out as an assistant. Sophia might not have officially worked a day in thepany. But thanks to her crisis awareness during her student years, she knew from the get¨Cgo that her family wouldn¡¯t be able to help her career¨C wise. Since her freshman year, she¡¯d been itching to push her skills further at Apex Engineering University, knowing full well her family couldn¡¯t provide that support, whether financially or emotionally. So, she was mentally gearing up for her future early on. From the moment she set foot in college, she kept an eye out for any potential money¨Cmaking gigs. Original from N?velDrama.Org. She was studying architecture, leaning towards design, and had a knack for drawing and designing. Initially, she started with cover designs and original character drawings for books through a friend¡¯s referral. Her serious work ethic and appealing style made her a hit with a broad audience, and soon she had a steady Tow of publishers, with authors specifically requesting her for their character designs and cover art. Conasquently, her Ie started to rise with the tide. unior year during the IP boom, she leveraged herwork from previous original artwork and cover Look on several IP adaptation projects, all well¨Creceived Riding that market way, Sophie her first pot of gold. Though it might have been chump changepared to what Brandon and his crowd spent on a vacation, for Sophia, it meant she could fund her studies abroad and save up a little for pre¨Cmarriage, so she wouldn¡¯t be at sixes and sevens when life¡¯s crossroads came calling. But Sophia was clear that this was just a means to fund her dreams. Her true goal was to be an architectural designer. So, throughout her four years at university, aside from side hustles, she poured her time into honing her skills and gaining practical experience, which included participating in various architectural designpetitions both at home and abroad. Sophia had a clear game n back then. After graduation, she aimed to join the reputable Dempsey Architects. As a rookie, she didn¡¯t stand a chance against seasoned pros, so she figured she¡¯d beef up her resume withpetition experience, complete with projects and awards, making her job applications shine. She poured her heart into prepping for these contests. While everyone else was still basking in the post¨Ctest glow, Sophia¡¯s life revolved around sses and the library. She was practically a fixture there, devouring books, seeking inspiration, sketching, and revising designs over and over. Maybe it was a case of fortune favoring the bold, or perhaps she had a genuine ir for it, but Sophia snagged a second¨Cce prize at a major architectural designpetition in her freshman year. That was big news for a freshman in her college, and it caught the attention of her professor and renowned domestic architect, Zachary Gardner. Beyond her studies, she started getting her hands dirty with real projects under his guidance. Sophia didn¡¯t disappoint, working tirelessly, earning Zachary¡¯s appreciation, and gradually moving from nameless team projects to credited ones. In her senior year, Zachary, swamped with work, handed off andmark project he deemed not too critical to Sophia for solo design. To everyone¡¯s surprise, she nailed it in one go. And when the project waspleted, it quickly became a popr local visiting spot, raking in praise and turning into an Instagram sensation. Sophia might have taken a bit of a detour in life¡¯s journey because of her pregnancy and marriage, but that didn¡¯t mean she settled for ying house and stirring soups at home just because she married a guy with deep pockets and clout. She never had any obsession with high society. It¡¯s just that the guy she fell for happened toe from wealth. She was crystal clear that she couldn¡¯t vibe with that Patricia¨Cstyle luxury living. It¡¯s not that she was trying to be all high and mighty. She was just too used to being a free spirit, relying on herself for everything, and she had her own financial chops and foundation. She really couldn¡¯t stomach ying the graveling game just to butter people up. So, even though she wasn¡¯t clocking in at a job, she kept the coboration going with Zachary. Over those two years, she managed to churn out a few design pieces here and there. All that work experience and the portfolio she built up since her student days cracked open a window of opportunity for her, thanks to Don. Sophia was super grateful to Don for giving her that shot at a job, and she was equally thankful for the hustle she put in during her college years and those two years of marriage. Chapter 87 Chapter 87 Sylvia had a chance to peep Sophia¡¯s resume, so even though they were ssmates, she was now ying second fiddle to Sophia at thepany. But she was not the least bit green with envy actually, she was all admiration. Back when they were in the same ss, Sylvia didn¡¯t pay much attention to Sophia. To her, Sophia was just this gentle and quiet Zenithan babe ¨C all clean vibes, not much of a chatterbox, always front row in ss, super focused, not the type to mingle much with ssmates. Sylvia¡¯s jaw dropped when Sophia¡¯s design homework was paraded by the teacher as a prime example. Later on, after joining Dempsey Architects, Sylvia caught a glimpse of Sophia¡¯s portfolio through Don, and that¡¯s when she started to really look up to her, hanging around Sophia more and more during sses and work. Sophia was fond of this overly enthusiastic foreign ssmate, but she¡¯s a bit of a cool cucumber, not big on social butterflies, so she couldn¡¯t match Sylvia¡¯s warmth with the same fire. She swung by today for apany meeting. Dempsey Architects recentlynded a big fish from back home- amercial project. That was why they called Sophia in specially. Don was clearly putting a lot of stock in this project. At the meeting, Don made a big deal about it ¨C a huge traditional¨Cstyle resort with an ancient vibe, hoping to mash up entertainment, leisure, hotels, food, tourism, and ssic culture all into one, aiming for an immersive experience Sophia¡¯s design style leaned towards the traditional aesthetic, so as soon as Don wrapped up the intro, his gaze slid over to Sophia. ¡°Sophia, think you can give it a whirl?¡± Sophia was definitely tempted by the project ¨C she¡¯s got a soft spot for that traditional style but never had the chance to dive into this genre. The catch was that the work location was in Zion City, known for its ancient city brand, not too far from the West district, and she wasn¡¯t keen on heading back that way. Sophia furrowed her brows, looking at Don, ¡°Can I just handle the online coordination? I can whip up the design ns and maybe pop over to the site asionally to check on construction, but I¡¯m not down for a permanent stay in Zion City. Is that cool?¡± Sophia exined gently, thinking Don might be in a pickle, but to her surprise, Don nodded without missing a beat. ¡°Of course. We¡¯re mainly after the design. I¡¯ll have someone else on the team keep an eye on the construction.¡± This had be the norm in the year of coboration between him and Sophia. Don totally got where Sophia wasing from ¨C she still had her studies and sses, unlike a full¨C time working Joe like him. Sophia¡¯s graduation ceremony was just a couple of days away, and she¡¯d officially be done with school, free to follow up on the project. But Don didn¡¯t want to press her scared stiff of sending her packing. ¨C For him, holding onto talent was priority number one, and besides, this resort project was a favor from an old buddy easier to negotiate. Don agreed so breezily, and Sophia was just as quick to take the plunge. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give it a shot.¡± The Starlight Group Kent followed Brandon out of the meeting room post¨Chuddle, had a frosty expression, and the chill vibes around him had the rest of the office fealing the frostbite fore he got close everyone burled in theirputere, pretending to be deep in work. Chummiw with Kant threw him e Whats the sopop fist, signaling to zip it. Brandon suddenly turned his head, his eyes sweeping over Kent and the nosy colleague, both stiffening up, thetter quickly snapping his gaze back to his desk, pretending to study the ns. Kent straightened up, keeping his face a cool, collected kind of serious. Brandon didn¡¯t bother with the small talk, mming the documents on his desk as he spun around to face him. ¡°Who greenlit Patricia¡¯s traditional resort project?¡± ¡°The chairman approved it personally,¡± Kent replied cautiously, sneaking a nce at the documents Brandon had tossed down. The chairman, Brandon¡¯s dad, still carried the title but had pretty much no real power in thepany. Back in the day, Brandon¡¯s grandpa didn¡¯t pass the reins to him but handed them directly to Brandon, fresh out of college. Over the years, although Daniel had the chairman¡¯s title, the real shot¨Ccaller at thepany was Brandon. ¡°When did he approve it?¡± Brandon asked, eyes on Kent. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± Kent answered carefully, ¡°The chairman set up a travel and resortpany for his wife at the start of the year and kicked off this traditional resort project for her. All the approvals went through, and he assigned the project to Don, asking them to chip in with the design.¡± The project was part of the group¡¯s ns for the year, still under evaluation. But Daniel, recently charmed by whatever sweet nothings Patricia had poured into his ear, handed over the project to her without a peep, keeping Brandon in the dark, nning to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Brandon only caught wind of it during today¡¯s meeting, and although he didn¡¯t blow his top right there, it was clear he was none too pleased ¨C Don didn¡¯t quite grasp why Brandon was miffed after all, the project was on track, and it was Daniel¡¯s baby. Now, even though it was nominally under Patricia¡¯s wing, it was clear to anyone with half a brain that it was just Daniel¡¯s way of ying nice with his wife, keeping the real control in his own hands. It was just a title for Patricia, nothing more. ¡°Patricia can¡¯t be meddling inpany affairs, Brandon stated, looking at him. Kent was taken aback. Brandon already had his orders. ¡°Keep an eye on this project, and report any issues ASAP. It might not be apany gship, but the oue affects our reputation.¡± the spot. ¡°Got it.¡± Kent nodded on the spot. ¡°Got it.¡± *Go ahead and step out,¡± Brandon said, swiveling around, pausing ever so slightly when his gaze swept over the calendar on the desk. Kent, puzzled, looked at Brandon and noticed his eyes lingering on the calendar, seemingly zoning out. This had be the new norm for Brandon over the past couple of years. He was grinding at work harder than before, practically living at the office around the clock, but he had also be more reclusive and silent. Work had pretty much consumed his life, but in the rare moments of downtime, Kent noticed that Brandon was zoning out more often and for longer periods, just like now, his inadvertently freezing on something before getting lost in a vacant daze. Kent had a hunch about what the issue might be, but he didn¡¯t dare bring it up or ask. Now seeing Brandon staring nkly at the date circled in red on the calendar, June 30th, Kent was momentarily baffled and couldn¡¯t help but nce over at Brandon. ¡°Mr. Crawley, what¡¯s up?¡± Brandon¡¯s gaze snapped back it¡¯s nothing. Go ahead. Til sit this one out, Brandon said, settling down at his desk, nodded, and as he closed the door behind him, he couldn¡¯t help but cast another worded nce at. Original from N?velDrama.Org. gaze Brandon¡¯s eyes were once again fixed on the June 30th circled on the calendar, motionless. June 30th was the day Sophia graduated. Chapter 88 Chapter 88 Brandon knew Sophia hadn¡¯t actually dropped out of school. A few days after he returned to his home country, Sophia had Susan ry a simple ¡°thank you¡± to him. Threatening to quit school was just her way of pushing him into a corner, risking her own future. She was willing to bet on it, but Brandon wasn¡¯t about to roll the dice with her. Although he was peeved that Sophia had applied to college behind his back, excluding him from her future ns, Brandon was well aware of her brilliance and knew that further education was her dream. She had already given up an opportunity once for their child, and this time, Brandon couldn¡¯t gamble with her future. He didn¡¯t want to be the executioner of her lifelong regrets. Sophia¡¯s decisiveness and efficiency in handling things were leagues beyond his own. Her future was her rock, her anchor that she clung to for security, and yet, to force him to back off, she chose to let it all go without a second thought. The ease with which she had once given up on her child and her future was a testament to how resolute she was in letting go of their marriage. Brandon¡¯s eyes grew colder as he stared at the calendar For the past two years, he hadn¡¯t pried into her life. Work had consumed himpletely. He thought that leaving each other alone was the ultimate form of respect. His hand flipped the calendar face down on the desk as he shifted his gaze to theputer screen, his mind fixated on the date circled in bold red ink, ¡°June 30th, just two days away Graduation meant the final curtain call on the ties between him and Sophia. At least before her graduation, he knew where she was, and she couldn¡¯t just disappear. But graduation meant that the moment she stepped out of the school gates, she would vanish into the sea of faces, perhaps never to cross paths with him again. For the rest of his life. Brandon¡¯s fingers paused over the keyboard, then lifted to look out at the dusky sky, where lights were slowlying alive. The night was aglow with thousands of lights, dazzling yet cold. He hadn¡¯t returned to the home he shared with Sophia in those two years. The house wasn¡¯t sold but stood empty He had moved to another apartment near hispany. That apartment hadn¡¯t seen a soul in two years. Brandon hadn¡¯t even bothered to have someone clean and maintain it regrly. What state was it in now? As he pulled his gaze away from the distant lights, he shut down theputer, stood up, grabbed his sult Jacket from the coat rack, and headed out. still busy at hisputer, spotted Brandon leaving and promptly stood up with a sharp eye. ¡°Mr. Crawley, are you heading out? No need clock out early Brandon said, walking past his desk Mood there stunned watching Brandon¡¯s retreating figure. A Brandon not working overtime was ar Brandon drove to his old marital home. Throughout the drive, his expression was nk, unsure why he was going back, what the point was. That apartment was just like his marriage with Sophia, sealed by the dust of time. Standing in front of the door, Brandon didn¡¯t immediately unlock it. Instead, he stood there, head slightly tilted back, gazing at the closed copper door, hesitating. The elevator door behind him opened, and ady in this neighbourhood emerged, spotting Brandon. Tentatively, she called out, ¡°Mr. Crawley?¡± When he nced back, confirming it was him, she struck up a conversation, surprised. ¡°Is that really you? Haven¡¯t seen you or your wife in ages. Thought you might have sold the ce.¡± With only two apartments per floor, encounters between neighbors were rare. But thedy, having lived in a close¨Cknitmunity in a small town in her younger days, was used to the warm neighborliness. She used to greet them warmly, even if their interactions were brief. Now, she continued as if it was just the same. Responding to her warmth, Brandon offered a polite smile as a greeting. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. But thedy was a chatterbox and didn¡¯t mind his coolness. As her nanny waited with a baby stroller, thedy holding a bag of baby essentials, she opened up the conversation. ¡°nning to move back in? It¡¯s been quiet. without you two here for the past couple of years. We didn¡¯t interact much, but your wife was nice. She¡¯d smile and say hello, lend a hand. It felt good to have neighbors to rely on. Then you left without a word, and it got so quiet.¡± She nced at Brandon and asked, ¡°How¡¯s your wife been? Haven¡¯t seen her in a while, and I miss her.¡± Brandon nodded politely. ¡°She¡¯s doing well, thanks for asking.¡± As his gaze lifted to the baby girl in the nanny¡¯s arms, his eyes paused. The little girl, no more than a few months old and not yet a year, looked adorable with her big round eyes curiously fixed on Brandon, not the slightest bit shy, just full of wonder. Brandon couldn¡¯t help but smile at her. Feeling his kindness, the little girl¡¯s eyes crinkled with her own smile. There was a deeper smile in Brandon¡¯s eyes, a hint of nostalgia and an indefinable regret. The neighborlydy noticed and exined, ¡°She was just bornst year, only ten months old. She babbles all day, still doesn¡¯t understand much.¡± Then she turned to Brandon and asked with a smile, ¡°You must have kids by now, right? You¡¯ve been married for quite a few years. It¡¯s about time for a child. Don¡¯t wait too long. It¡¯s not good for your wife¡¯s recovery if she gets pregnant toote.¡± Brandon gave a polite, nomittal smile, choosing not to answer directly. Chapter 89 Chapter 89 Without looking at the screen, Brandon answered. At this hour, it could only be Kent calling. ¡°Mr. Crawley, Mr. Evert would like to meet with you tomorrow afternoon, what do you think?¡± Kent reported the next day¡¯s schedule diligently from the other end of the line, but before he could finish, Brandon cut him off with a t tone. ¡°Not meeting him.¡± ¡°Uh?¡± He hadn¡¯t heard of any recent issues between Brandon and Mr. Evert, so this sudden refusal was unexpected. ¡°I¡¯ll be out of town for a few days, postpone all appointments ordingly,¡± said Brandon. Kent quickly flipped through Brandon¡¯s schedule. ¡°But Mr. Crawley, you don¡¯t have any trips nned. Where are you headed?¡± ¡°That¡¯s none of your business, just make sure it¡¯s arranged.¡± After giving instructions, Brandon hung up. Kent, still baffled, listened to the ¡°beep beep¡± on the other end and looked up at his assistant, ¡°Does Mr. Crawley have any trips scheduled?¡± The assistant was just as clueless, ¡°Not that I know of.¡± Kent¡¯s frown deepened, and he sent a message to Brandon, [Mr. Crawley, do you need me to book your flight now?[ Brandon¡¯s reply came quickly. [No need] Kent was puzzled. A trip even he was kept in the dark about? Sophia made it to the graduation venue just in the nick of time. She¡¯d left home a bitte that morning and made ast¨Cminute stop at the studio to discuss some creative ideas for the traditional resort project with Don ¨C the client was pressing hard. She rushed to the venue right after their meeting. By the time she arrived, the graduation ceremony was about to start. The ce was decorated to the nines, most of the students were already there, still scrambling for seats or huddled in groups chatting away. Sylvia had been waiting for Sophia at the entrance and quickly grabbed her when she saw her hurrying over, ¡°You made it! I was beginning to think you¡¯d skip the graduation.¡± It wasn¡¯t just her concern. Sophia wasn¡¯t much for group activities. Although the graduation ceremony was significant, it wasn¡¯t mandatory for getting the degree and diploma, so it wasn¡¯t like she had to be there. ¨C Sophia hadn¡¯t actually considered missing it after all, you only graduate once. ¡°Sorry about that.¡± Sophia gave Sylvia an apologetic look. ¡°Pulled an all¨Cnighter working on a design and overslept, then I dashed to thepany¡± No worries, as long as you¡¯re here,¡± Sylvia said, leading her to their ss section. The atmosphere at the ceremony was buzzing, most people seated. Sylvia had scoped out a spot for them already and guided Sophia through the crowd to sit at the back of their se section was already there and gave Sophia a polite nod, sliding over to make room for her The two had been busy with their studies and work over thest two years, and aside from necessary academic and professional interactions, they hadn¡¯t had much to do with each other, maintaining the same rtionship as before. Marian from next door came bustling in and, upon seeing Sophia, raised her eyebrows in surprise and greeted her, ¡°Whoa, Sophia, you¡¯re here too! Haven¡¯t seen much of you at schooltely, thought you might have taken off after finishing your thesis.¡± Sophia gave a polite smile, ¡°Been swamped with work recently, not many sses left at school, so I haven¡¯t been around much.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cool, no biggie. There¡¯s not much going on at school anyway. Everyone¡¯s busy job hunting, hardly anyone¡¯s hanging around campus.¡± Marian mumbled away, plopping down next to Sophia. Back in the day, she loved to catch up with Sophia, but these past couple of years Sophia seemed super busy. Sophia was always in a rush to sses and quick to leave, never showing up for group activities. Aside from the asional ssroom hellos, they hardly ever got a chance to connect. Tracking down Sophia outside of ss was pretty much a wild goose chase. Sophia watched as Marian settled in beside her and said nothing, just shifted her gaze to the stage. The college leaders and professors were mostly seated up there. Today, all the grads were decked out in their academic regalia, the air thick with graduation vibes. This wasn¡¯t Sophia¡¯s first rodeo as a student, nor her first graduation, but sitting in her dream college in her gown felt surreal, like she was in a dream. Over two years ago, she never imagined she¡¯d one day be part of the School of Architecture, let alone snagging that diploma. Time flew by so fast, it felt unreal. On stage, the MC grabbed the mic and stepped up, reminding everyone that the ceremony was about to start and to set their phones to silent. Just as Sophia was about to silence her phone, it rang. Marian, sitting by her side, instinctively nced at Sophia when the ringtone sounded. She couldn¡¯t make out what was said over the din, but she saw Sophia¡¯s expression turn serious. Sophia whispered a soft ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be right back¡± before turning to Sylvia beside her, saying she had to dash because something came up, and then she was up and out the door. Marian didn¡¯t even get a chance to stop her and ask what was up. Sophia had already slipped through the crowd and informed her instructor of the situation before taking off. A ck Cayenne slowly pulled up to the school¡¯s entrance. Brandon sat inside the car, his eyes slowly turning towards the main gate. Students in their academic gowns were hustling in and out, the campus was buzzing with students taking graduation photos, and music from the ceremony could be heard, all steeped in graduation atmosphere. Brandon¡¯s gaze drifted past the gate, looking towards the source of the music, his expression bing a bit dreamy. Beyond theyers of gardens and buildings, he couldn¡¯t actually see anything. He didn¡¯t even know why he came. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Today was Sophia¡¯s big day, and out of the blue, he wanted to see her in her gown, to see her fulfill her dreams andon averted his gaze, unfastened his seatbelt with one hand, and swung the door open At the same moment, Sophia, still d in her academic dress, hurried out of the gate and gged down a taxi in the drop¨Coff area. Brandon shut the car door, pressed the lock button on his keys, and made his way towards the entrance. Simultaneously, a red taxi pulled up in front of Sophia. Sophia hurriedly opened the door, and in her haste, identally bumped into another girl also trying to hail a cab. ¡°Sorry about that,¡± Sophia apologized awkwardly and got into the car. Brandon hesitated for a moment, his brows knitting together. He turned his head just in time to see the taxi door close and a sea of unfamiliar faces. He didn¡¯t catch a glimpse of the face he was looking for. Confusion flickered through his eyes, but it was fleeting. His expression cooled, and he continued towards the gate. The graduation venue wasn¡¯t hard to find. By the time Brandon got there, the ceremony had already started, with college leaders speaking onstage. Below, the students sat upright in their academic regalia. Brandon let his gaze wander through the crowd without specifically looking for anyone and then slowly returned to the stage. The college leader¡¯s speech was short and to the point. After reminiscing with the students about the past years of study and looking forward to the future, it was time to congratte them on their graduation, followed by the degree conferment and tassel¨Cturning ceremonies. One by one, the grads walked up to the stage, bowed to receive the shift of the tassel from the right to the left of their mortarboards, and epted their diplomas. Brandon watched as groups of students went up and then came back down, but all along, he did not see the familiar face. His brow furrowed with the dwindling crowd, reaching a peak as thest group left the stage. Even after the MC announced the end of the ceremony, Sophia was nowhere to be seen. As the students dispersed, Brandon stopped one of Sophia¡¯s ssmates. ¡°Wasn¡¯t Sophia here?¡± The ssmate vaguely remembered not seeing her and nodded. ¡®Seems like she wasn¡¯t.¡± Brandon¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Did something happen to her?¡± ¡°Tm not sure.¡± The ssmate was clueless. ¡°She¡¯s rarelye to school since her thesis defense.¡± Brandon¡¯s brow knitted even tighter. ¡°Do you need her for something?¡± the ssmate asked, puzzled. Brandon shook his head lightly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Thanks¡± He said it softly again, then pulled out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, and dialed Susan¡¯s number. ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service¡± A polite customer service voice came through. Frowning, Brandon nced at his phone and then dialed Kent¡¯s number. ¡®Help me get in touch with Susan. Why do you need her?¡± Kent didn¡¯t understand. ¡°She¡¯s not in the West district anymore, and she changed her number too. It might be hard to reach her a brow twisted. She¡¯s not in the West district anymore?¡± Chapter 90 Chapter 90 ¡°Yeah, totally. After she signed the deal with the Starlight Hotel, she quit her job and, from what I heard through. the grapevine, took off to another city to carve out her own path. But nobody seems to know exactly where she went,¡± Kent said. Brandon furrowed his brow even deeper. So she quit right after sealing the deal with the Starlight Group, which meant she¡¯d left two years ago. And she changed her phone number and WhatsApp too. ¡°Did her coworkers mention why she did it?¡± Brandon asked. They said she had a falling out with her family, decided to cut ties and start fresh,¡± Kent couldn¡¯t help but dish out the dirt, ¡°Apparently, her parents always favored boys over girls, and they were always on her case to cough up cash for her brother¡¯s house and his mortgage.¡± ¡°And then there was the whole marriage pressure cooker. They didn¡¯t give a hoot about what she wanted, just kept on setting her up on blind dates. If the guy¡¯s family was loaded and the wedding gift was fat, they¡¯d try to strong¨Carm her into getting hitched. They wanted to use the gift to prop up her brother, and that¡¯s why she flipped her lid.¡± ¡°Her parents even made a scene at her workce, airing their dirtyundry for all to see. That¡¯s why she quit her job, ghosted her family, and changed her digits before heading out of town on her own.¡± Kent sighed, ¡°But no one at work knows where she¡¯s gone off to. It¡¯s kinda sad, a girl all alone out there.¡± After his moment of reflection, Kent remembered that Brandon had contacted him to track someone down, so he quickly got back on track, ¡°Mr. Crawley, what do you need Susan for? How about I give it a shot and try to reach her?¡± Brandon just grunted a ¡°Hmm¡± before hanging up. But this was no small feat for Kent. Susan had left in a huff because of the drama her parents stirred up at herpany ¨C her family¡¯s petty drama became the talk of the town, making her feel she couldn¡¯t stay a day longer, so she handed in her resignation on the spot. She ignored thepany¡¯s pleas to stay, left all the corporate chat groups, posted a Facebook farewell, and ditched her WhatsApp and phone number. No one knew where she¡¯d gone. Kent went out of his way to ask Susan¡¯s close friends and ssmates, but none of them had a clue about her whereabouts, although they were all aware of her parents leeching off her and causing a ruckus at her Kent figured that was why Susan cut ties with everyone else too, not wanting her family to track her down. He even went to Susan¡¯s parents for answers. But the moment he mentioned Susan¡¯s name, her parents started cursing up a storm, calling her ungrateful, using her of not giving a damn about them, off who knows where living the high life. Theirnguage was so foul and lowbrow that Kent, an outsider, couldn¡¯t stand it and gave them a piece of his mind before leaving. Kent had exhausted all his options with no luck, and finally, he had no choice but to hire a professional detective agency, which would take some time. Kent¡¯didn¡¯t dare drag his feet, so he promptly updated Brandon on theck of progress. So she¡¯s just dicappeared off the face of the earth, huh?¡± Brandoria tone and expression were calm on the video call, but Kerit broke out in a cold sweat, rectly to just going to take some time, Kent cautiously replied, But her manda say that maybe could get in touch with Susan; they were besties.¡± ¡°Why do you think I¡¯m looking for Susan?¡± Brandon asked, looking at him. Kent, quick on the uptake, got he hint but didn¡¯t dare to make another peep, sneaking a nce at the background behind Brandon on his phone screen ¨C the interior of the Starlight Hotel. With the Starlight Hotel branches all over the world, all decked out in the same style, Kent couldn¡¯t be Brandon had actually jetted off to Wye City. be sure if ¡°Are you in Wye City now?¡± Kent couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, even though he was usually on eggshells around Brandon, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you and Sophia were done?¡± Brandon just gave him a cold look, his eyes unfazed by Kent¡¯s words. ¡°If you can¡¯t find her, you¡¯re out¡± Kent immediately mmed up. ¡°Got it.¡± Brandon nced at him and abruptly ended the video call, then looked at the resume on his desk and picked it 1. up. It was Sophia¡¯s resume, which he¡¯d had someone investigate. It showed her excellent grades over the past two years, graduating with honors. But there wasn¡¯t any work or internship experience listed. It had a home address which might be outdated or intentionally false; when Brandon checked, she wasn¡¯t living there. The phone number was disconnected too She had vanished from everyone¡¯s life right after high school graduation, just as cleanly and without a backward nce. She hadn¡¯t shown up for the graduation ceremony, nor had she been present for the subsequent farewells. Just like the year she finished her test. Brandon exhaled softly, set down the resume, and stood up. He stood before the window, gazing at the faintly lit cityscape outside. Somewhere in this city, there might be a light on for Sophia, or maybe not. She could be here, or she might have left long ago. Maybe, just like she said, as long as she didn¡¯t return, their paths will never cross again. Not crossing paths again. Brandon¡¯s gaze shifted from the dark of the night back to the resume on the table, stared at it for a while, then tossed it aside, his expression returning to its usual icy calm. He leaned over to grab his phone and called Don, forcing his focus back to work. If they were never to meet again, then so be it. He and Sophia had already ended thingspletely two years ago. He had been in town for a while now, and he couldn¡¯t stay much longer. Don was surprised to receive his call. ¡°You¡¯re in Wye City? Why did you suddenlye over?¡± Brandon had arrived and left abruptly years ago: Don hadn¡¯t even had the chance to catch up. e got some business.¡± Brandon replied, just as sinct as before. ¡°Are you at thepany? I need to see bout something ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here. Come on over Don leaned back in his chair, ¡°I¡¯d be hard¨Cpressed to make time if you wanted to meet up outside, but since you¡¯reing to the office, it¡¯s perfect. We can chat and grab a bite together. I haven¡¯t had dinner after work yet.¡± Brandon nodded. ¡°Im on my way.¡± The hotel¡¯s just a stone¡¯s throw from Don¡¯spany ¨C a quick spin by car, maybe 15 minutes tops. By the time Brandon rolled up to Don¡¯s ce, some of the crew were still burning the midnight oil. He made a beeline for Don¡¯s office. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Don was in the middle of dishing out tasks to one of his team members, but when he caught sight of the tall figure looming in the doorway, he shifted gears on the spot and said to his subordinate, ¡°You can take off now, just tweak the n like we chewed over before.¡± Once the underling had left, Don stood up and beamed a grin at Brandon, ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t Mr. Rare Appearance himself! What brings you to my neck of the woods today?¡± Brandon shot him a lock, ¡°Obviously, I¡¯m here on business.¡± As his voice trailed off, the documents in his hand made a softnding on the desk, and he cut to the chase, ¡°Did Patricia and my dad hand over the traditional resort project to yourpany or what?¡± ¡®Chapter 91 Chapter 91 Chapter 91 Don was momentarily taken aback before nodding in agreement, ¡°Yeah, right. Just inked the deal a few days. ago. They¡¯re aiming to whip up a brand series simr to the old ¡®Starlight Hotel, focusing on traditional¨Cstyle resort viges. But the bigwigs at HQ shot down the proposal, so they¡¯re looking to get the ball rolling under the name of a separate subsidiary, and they¡¯ve dumped the task on my te.¡± Then, looking puzzled at Brandon, ¡°Didn¡¯t they give you a heads¨Cup? From what your dad said, it seemed like you were on board with this project.¡± ¡°I was out of the loop on this one,¡± Brandon replied, ¡°The traditional¨Cthemed park is part of the company¡¯s big ns for the year, but it¡¯s still being vetted. Patricia¡¯s been itching to climb the corporate ladder, desperate for ¨¤ win that¡¯ll get her nods from the board and the shareholders. I guess my us trying to tee this up as a feather in her cap, so he went behind my back and shuffled the project off to a subsidiary¡± Don was surprised, ¡°I thought your mom was all about living the high¨Csociety life ¨C tea time, beauty treatments, shopping sprees, and just soaking up the rich wife vibes. What¡¯s got her suddenly acting all career-driven?¡± Then, looking back at Brandon, ¡°What did you do to light a fire under her?¡± With a nce, Brandon retorted, ¡°What could I have possibly done to her?¡± Don had no idea, nor could he guess. Although Brandon wasn¡¯t Patricia¡¯s biological son, and their rtionship hadn¡¯t been the warmest over the years, they had appeared to maintain a harmonious mother¨Cson facade. Don had assumed Patricia was solely focused on cementing her socialite status, never imagining she¡¯d reach into thepany affairs. ¡°So, what¡¯s your game n now?¡± Don asked, ¡°Gonna put a pin in the project? The lead designer for this one is a real gem ¨C crazy talented with a distinct personal style. Could be just the ticket to skyrocket Patricia¡¯s brand to fame.¡± Brandon fixed his gaze on him, ¡°What¡¯s the designer¡¯s back story? Any sessful projects?¡± Don replied, ¡°She¡¯s pretty fresh out of grad school, just got her degree this year, but from a top¨Cnotch university -the School of Architecture next door. Brandon¡¯s brow furrowed slightly next door meant Apex Engineering University. ¡°That¡¯s the one you¡¯re thinking of, Don said. ¡®She¡¯s a newbie, sure, but she racked up some solid project experience working with her professors during her student days. Brandon inquired, ¡°Like what?¡± After Don listed a few examples, Brandon gave him a look, ¡°None of these projects have anything to do with traditional themes, and the person¡¯s been studying here, leaning more towards exotic design styles.¡± He paused, turning to Don, ¡°Is yourpany running out of people or what? I¡¯m not dismissing the idea of a wunderkind right out of college,¡± Brandon said slowly, ¡°but her project experience doesn¡¯t really align with what we¡¯re looking for. Plus, if she only had a brief stint on preliminary drafts under a professor, a decent one would give credit to the whole team, which doesn¡¯t really say much.¡± Don found himself at a loss for words. Brandon¡¯s concerns weren¡¯t unfounded. If it were anyone else, he might not have been convinced, but having seen Sophia¡¯s work himself, Don didn¡¯t believe he was mistaken about her potential. I think you should wait and see her design proposal. I¡¯m confident it won¡¯t disappoint.¡± Don said with a sure tone. Brandon gave him a look, ¡°If the proposal doesn¡¯t cut it, I¡¯ll axe it right away. This project might have been handed to you by my dad and Patricia, but I¡¯m not about to let them run amoky Brandon added. ¡°We¡¯re talking bout the Starlight Group¡¯s brand reputation here.¡± ¡°I get it, you¡¯re the one who calls the shots,¡± Don caught on in a sh, ¡°Chill, man. Our rtionship of over twenty years ain¡¯t just for show. Even if I¡¯m out to make a buck, I wouldn¡¯t do it by stabbing you in the back, right?¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Brandon¡¯s gratitude was still calm and to the point. Don chuckled, ¡°Don¡¯t be so formal with me.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s something I might need to bug you about,¡± Don said, a bit sheepishly despite his earlier nonchnce. It wasn¡¯t a big deal, really. He was nning on shifting the focus of his architectural firm back home. He¡¯d spent years overseas, but his roots were still in his mothend, and he¡¯d always had the idea of developing his business there. His firm was still in its early stages in recent years and not quite stable, so he wanted to solidify the market here first before slowly transitioning the core business back home. However, starting from scratch with Dempsey Architects in Zenitha wasn¡¯t appealing to Don. He didn¡¯t want to spend too much energy on the initial phase, so he was considering riding the coattails of ¡°the Starlight Group¡± by establishing a joint subsidiary with them through Dempsey Architects, Dempsey Architects would leverage the Starlight Group¡¯s brand impact to grow, while the Starlight Group would enjoy a slice of the profits. But when it came to control, considering theplex inner workings of the Starlight Group, Don hoped the joint venture would remain financially independent, with Brandon joining as an individual and having equal control with him. Listening to Don stumble through his exnation, Brandonughed softly, ¡°I thought it was something. serious.¡± ¡°I agree,¡± he said sinctly. Those two words had Don grinning from ear to ear, his mood instantly lifted as he nced at the time in the top¨Cright corner of hisputer screen and casually shut it down. ¡°Let¡¯s go grab a bite. We¡¯ve missed the dinnertime.¡± ¨C As he spoke, he was already grabbing his suit jacket from the coat rack, not forgetting to turn back and tell Brandon, ¡°There¡¯s this traditional restaurant at the nearby mall that¡¯s top¨Cnotch authentic West district vors. A lot of our Zenitha staff are regrs there. I¡¯ll take you to check it out.¡± ??????? Brandon just nodded, not bothering to remind him that as someone who¡¯d juste from the West district, he wasn¡¯t exactly craving West district cuisine. On their way out, they had to pass through the office area. Brandon cast a customary nce at the workspace. The office area wasn¡¯t huge, but the lights were still on, with a few people scattered around, burning the midnight oil. Don couldn¡¯t help but nce over at the office area, where Sylvia was at the printer, churning out documents. When she caught sight of Don looking like he was about to split, she quickly called out, ¡°Don, you heading out? Sophia was just saying she wanted to run some creative ideas by you.¡± Don took another peek at the office space. ¡°Where¡¯s she at?¡± ¡°She just took a call, seemed like she stepped out for a sec, but she said she¡¯d be right back.¡± As Sylvia spoke, she fished out her cell phone. ¡°Let me give her a buzz and check. Don nodded. Yeah, see what¡¯s up Brandon looked at Don: ¡°I hang in the car for you.¡± Don Rashed an OKC sign. Just give me a few nodded and took off Chapter 91. Sylvia had just finished the call and looked up at Don. ¡°Sophia¡¯s already downstairs, she said she¡¯s on her way 1. up. Don nodded. ¡°Cool¡± The moment Sylvia hung up, Sophia hustled back to thepany. Don¡¯spany had snagged some space in an office tower, way up on the thirtieth¨Csomething floor. It was quitting time, so the joint was buzzing with folks. Sophia had barely reached the lobby when the elevator dinged open and a swarm of people poured out. She instinctively scanned the crowd and when Brandon¡¯s tall, straight figure caught her eye, her steps suddenly froze. There stood Brandon, his handsome face the epitome of calm, not looking outward but keeping his gaze low, moving with the crowd. As his eyes shifted her way, Sophia¡¯s body reacted before her brain, spinning around to hide behind the wall to her left.. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Just as Brandon looked up, his normally stoic eyes shed, and he muscled through the crowd, in hot pursuit. Chapter 92 Chapter 92 Outside was a bustling neighborhood, still caught in the thick of rush hour, with people hustling and bustling about. Yet among the sea of faces on the street, Brandon didn¡¯t catch a glimpse of anyone familiar. With a puzzled furrow between his brows, Brandon walked on, letting his gaze roam through the crowd, but came up with zilch. His search slowed to a halt, and Brandon stood still, silently watching the throng, his handsome face still shrouded with confusion over the fleeting sight he¡¯d just caught. Brandon wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯d seen it wrong, that silhouette. He shifted slightly, scanning the other side of the pedestrian flow, but still found nothing. In the tranquil alley, Sophia meandered alone, her hand subconsciously gripping her phone, palms slightly sweaty, heart rate ticking up a notch, filled with an inexplicable sense of being lost and clueless. She hadn¡¯t expected to bump into Brandon again, just like that, without any warning. She¡¯d never thought she¡¯d see him again, and even if she did stumble upon him like she just had, she should¡¯ve been straightforward and greeted him, not chosen to bolt like she did now Sophia didn¡¯t know why she was dodging him. It seemed her body made a choice before her mind could weigh in. She didn¡¯t even have the guts to walk back to that office building now, still not quite mentally adjusted, so when Sylvia called again asking how much longer she¡¯d be, she felt guilty and apologized to Sylvia and Don, saying something came upst minute, and she¡¯d have to reschedule their chat. Don, being the generous and attentive boss he was, made sure she was just dealing with a minor issue and not in any danger, told her to take care and not to worry about work, and then hung up. Don stepped outside and saw Brandon standing by the road, his gaze unintentionally sweeping over the passersby, his usually calm andposed face showing a touch of bewilderment, as if searching for someone. He approached Brandon, puzzled, and pped him on the shoulder, ¡°What¡¯s up? Looking for someone?¡± Brandon turned around, his expression back to the cool aloofness Don was familiar with, ¡°Nope.¡® Don nced behind him and then at him, ¡°All done with your stuff?¡± Don shook his head, ¡°Had to reschedule. He half¨Cjokingly pped Brandon on the shoulder, ¡°You came all this way to see me, I can¡¯t let you hang, right?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Brandon promptly pulled his hand away, ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. It was just on the way.¡± Already fishing out his car keys, he headed towards the nearby parking lot. Don followed with a chuckle, ¡°Let me live in my fantasy world from time to time, it won¡¯t kill anyone, no need to burst my bubble so fast.¡± The two hit up a traditional restaurant that Don imed had a real local vibe. Nestled in a shopping center not far from the office, just a quick drive around the block and you¡¯re there. The ce was decked out in ssic Zenitha retro style, even the waitstaff were decked out in traditional clothes. This ce is all about that ssic culture vibe, they even rent out traditional clothes and hairpieces, and offer services. It¡¯s a hit for those looking to check in on social, Don exined, ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by the shy service, they really put their heart into the food. This is some of the most authentic West district cuisine I¡¯ve had.¡± Brandon scanned the hall; business was indeed booming. But thanks to the spaciousyout, itcked the noisy feel of other eateries, instead exuding a serene and peaceful dining atmosphere, pretty solid. Don, a regr here, nodded to the bartender and then led Brandon to a spot near the entrance, passing him the menu, ¡°Take a look, see what you fancy.¡± Brandon slid the menu back, ¡°You order, I¡¯m good.¡± Don shed an ¡°OK¡± sign and didn¡¯t bother being polite with Brandon, waving over a server. Brandon poured tea for them both, pushing a cup towards Don before taking a small sip himself. As the richly fragrant tea slid down his throat, Brandon¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the shadow he¡¯d glimpsed outside the office building, pausing his motion ever so slightly. Just as Don finished ordering, he caught Brandon¡¯spse and the distant look in his eyes, nudging his elbow across the table, ¡°What¡¯s up? You¡¯ve been off since we met up.¡± As expected, his curiosity was met with a fleeting nce from Brandon and a cool, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± After another deliberate sip of tea, Brandon elegantly set down his cup, his serene gaze taking in the restaurant¡¯s ambiance like there was truly nothing amiss. Don shook his head resignedly, taking a sip of tea himself. Brandon ignored him, just calmly taking in everything about the restaurant. At that moment, a tiny figure stumbled through the curtain behind Brandon, bag in hand. Whether she was in too much of a hurry or the threshold was too high, she had barely mbered over when, with a ¡°thud,¡± she tumbled to the ground, her bag identally flying onto Brandon¡¯s foot. Instinctively looking down, Brandon was momentarily taken aback by the little girl sprawled on the floor, looking up at him with big, round, bewildered eyes. Don also nced at Brandon, then down at the little girl on the floor. The little girl looked about a year old, a typical Zenithan face, dressed in a pink and white summer dress, with two tiny buns atop her head, bangs cut straight across her forehead, the buns tied with little ribbons. Her delicate features were adorable and pretty, almost unusually so, and even he couldn¡¯t help but pause for a Chapter 93 Chapter 93 eemed her body made a choice before her mind could weigh in. She didn¡¯t even have the guts to walk back to that office building now, still not quite mentally adjusted, so when Sylvia called again asking how much longer she¡¯d be, she felt guilty and apologized to Sylvia and Don, saying something came upst minute, and she¡¯d have to reschedule their chat. Don, being the generous and attentive boss he was, made sure she was just dealing with a minor issue and not in any danger, told her to take care and not to worry about work, and then hung up. Don stepped outside and saw Brandon standing by the road, his gaze unintentionally sweeping over the passersby, his usually calm andposed face showing a touch of bewilderment, as if searching for someone. He approached Brandon, puzzled, and pped him on the shoulder, ¡°What¡¯s up? Looking for someone?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Brandon turned around, his expression back to the cool aloofness Don was familiar with, ¡°Nope.¡® Don nced behind him and then at him, ¡°All done with your stuff?¡± Don shook his head, ¡°Had to reschedule. He half¨Cjokingly pped Brandon on the shoulder, ¡°You came all this way to see me, I can¡¯t let you hang, right?¡± Brandon promptly pulled his hand away, ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. It was just on the way.¡± Already fishing out his car keys, he headed towards the nearby parking lot. Don followed with a chuckle, ¡°Let me live in my fantasy world from time to time, it won¡¯t kill anyone, no need to burst my bubble so fast.¡± The two hit up a traditional restaurant that Don imed had a real local vibe. Nestled in a shopping center not far from the office, just a quick drive around the block and you¡¯re there. The ce was decked out in ssic Zenitha retro style, even the waitstaff were decked out in traditional clothes. This ce is all about that ssic culture vibe, they even rent out traditional clothes and hairpieces, and offer services. It¡¯s a hit for those looking to check in on social, Don exined, ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by the hey really put their heart into the food. This is some of the most authentic West district cuisine I¡¯ve had.¡± Brandon scanned the hall; business was indeed booming. But thanks to the spaciousyout, itcked the noisy feel of other eateries, instead exuding a serene and peaceful dining atmosphere, pretty solid. Don, a regr here, nodded to the bartender and then led Brandon to a spot near the entrance, passing him the menu, ¡°Take a look, see what you fancy.¡± Brandon slid the menu back, ¡°You order, I¡¯m good.¡± Don shed an ¡°OK¡± sign and didn¡¯t bother being polite with Brandon, waving over a server. Brandon poured tea for them both, pushing a cup towards Don before taking a small sip himself. As the richly fragrant tea slid down his throat, Brandon¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the shadow he¡¯d glimpsed outside the office building, pausing his motion ever so slightly. Just as Don finished ordering, he caught Brandon¡¯spse and the distant look in his eyes, nudging his elbow across the table, ¡°What¡¯s up? You¡¯ve been off since we met up.¡± As expected, his curiosity was met with a fleeting nce from Brandon and a cool, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± After another deliberate sip of tea, Brandon elegantly set down his cup, his serene gaze taking in the restaurant¡¯s ambiance like there was truly nothing amiss. Don shook his head resignedly, taking a sip of tea himself. Brandon ignored him, just calmly taking in everything about the restaurant. At that moment, a tiny figure stumbled through the curtain behind Brandon, bag in hand. Whether she was in too much of a hurry or the threshold was too high, she had barely mbered over when, with a ¡°thud,¡± she tumbled to the ground, her bag identally flying onto Brandon¡¯s foot. Instinctively looking down, Brandon was momentarily taken aback by the little girl sprawled on the floor, looking up at him with big, round, bewildered eyes. Don also nced at Brandon, then down at the little girl on the floor. The little girl looked about a year old, a typical Zenithan face, dressed in a pink and white summer dress, with two tiny buns atop her head, bangs cut straight across her forehead, the buns tied with little ribbons. Her delicate features were adorable and pretty, almost unusually so, and even he couldn¡¯t help but pause for a moment. With him silent, Sophia wasn¡¯t sure what else to say. She just offered a polite smile and hesitated for a moment before taking steps toward the door behind him. Brandon stood his ground, watching her approach with a serene gaze. As she passed by him, close enough to brush shoulders, he heard her softly asking into her phone, ¡°Sylvia, I¡¯m at the restaurant now. Are you close?¡± He didn¡¯t budge, nor did he turn around, just let her pass by him, step by step heading for the door behind him. It wasn¡¯t until her voice was nearly drowned out by the hustle and bustle inside that he slowly turned around, his gaze following her. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure what else to say. She just offered a polite smile and hesitated for a moment before taking steps toward the door behind him. Brandon stood his ground, watching her approach with a serene gaze. As she passed by him, close enough to brush shoulders, he heard her softly asking into her phone, ¡°Sylvia, I¡¯m at the restaurant now. Are you close?¡± He didn¡¯t budge, nor did he turn around, just let her pass by him, step by step heading for the door behind him. It wasn¡¯t until her voice was nearly drowned out by the hustle and bustle inside that he slowly turned around, his gaze following her. Chapter 94 Chapter 94 Sophia didn¡¯t make a beeline for the little girl¡¯s table. Instead, she just breezed past it. The little girl, being tickled pink by a tall, chubby woman, didn¡¯t even look up. Sophia kept her profile, cool as a cucumber, all the while. After strolling past the little girl¡¯s table, she stopped by another one near the window. Still on her phone, she looked around, her eyes scanning the room with a puzzled look, as if she were searching for someone. But it seemed like a no¨Cgo. When the waiter came over with a menu, she politely waved him off. After a quick recon outside the window at the mall, Sophia headed out the front door. Brandon threw a nce at the munchkin still being entertained by the tall, chubby woman. The kid didn¡¯t seem all in, just curiously and confusedly looking around, Brandon couldn¡¯t put his finger on why he was linking the little girl with Sophia. Maybe it was the same ballpark age, or maybe it was the peace and quiet in her eyes that brought Sophia to mind, along with a childhood memory of Ynda. Seeing her, it felt like something hit him in the chest, but it was so fleeting he couldn¡¯t nail it down. Strictly speaking, the little girl didn¡¯t really look much like Sophia, He didn¡¯t know if it was his preconceived notions messing with him, like how he mistook Sophia for Ynda at first. Seeing the little girl, he naturally thought of Sophia, thought of that child, and then on auto¨Cpilot started looking for her. Even though she did just happen to be there. But she didn¡¯t interact with the little girl at all. The little girl seemed to notice Sophia leaving, but her expression didn¡¯t change¨Cno tears, no fuss, no excitement, just the same curious and puzzled look she gave everyone else. A young woman with Zenithan features came up to their table with an apologetic smile, sat down opposite the tall, chubby woman, dropped her bag, and turned to yfully engage the little girl. The kid giggled away, clearly cozy with the stranger. Even though it was the most normal thing, Brandon couldn¡¯t deny the pang of disappointment that surged in him for a sec. Life¡¯s not chock¨Cfull of coincidences and strokes of luck. Brandon¡¯s gaze drifted from the little girl¡¯s face to Sophia, who was already outside. After a moment¡¯s silence, he followed suit. Don had been wolfing down his food, oblivious to Sophia who had just walked by. It was only when Brandon approached that he looked up, ready to invite him to dig in while it¡¯s hot, but Brandon was already saying goodbye, ¡°You keep at it, I gotta run, Catch youter.¡± Don was like, ¡°Huh?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Brandon had already bent down to grab the bill from the table, scanned a code on his phone to pay, and was out the door. Sophia hadn¡¯t gone far, just hanging by the mall entrance, waiting. She turned when she saw Brandon approaching Compared to the surprise of their sudden encounter earlier, Sophia was now all cool and collected. She even da smile and greeted him, ¡°Are you here for a bite? Brandon nodded slightly, ¡°Yeah.¡± He nced behind her, ¡°Waiting for someone?¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Yeah, a friend for dinner.¡± Then she asked him, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Business trip.¡± Sophia gave a softugh, checked her watch, then looked outside, obviously still waiting for someone Brandon followed her gaze outside and then turned back to her, ¡°Congrats on graduating.¡± Sophia smiled, ¡°Thanks¡± She remembered when he had Susan tell her not to drop out, that he wouldn¡¯t bother her again, and as her lips pressed together in a slight smile, she looked at him and sincerely thanked him, ¡°For back then, thank you.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t reply, just kept looking at her. Sophia felt a bit awkward under his gaze, barely pulling a smile before looking away. Finally, Brandon broke the silence, ¡°How¡¯ve you been these past years?¡± His voice was as calm as ever. Sophia said, ¡°Pretty good.¡± She politely returned the question, ¡°And you?¡± ¡°Not too bad.¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t sure how to keep the conversation going. They weren¡¯t big talkers back in the day, and now with a couple of years and the awkwardness of once being married between them, she wasn¡¯t sure what to chat about. She just smiled and looked outside, using the wait as an excuse to dodge the awkwardness. Brandon also looked out the door. ¡°What¡¯s the n now? Heading back home?! Sophia shook her head lightly, ¡°Not going back. Brandon looked at her, ¡°Why not?¡± Sophia pursed her lips, not really wanting to answer, but Brandon¡¯s eyes were fixed on her, waiting. ¡°There¡¯s no home to go back to. It¡¯s all the same,¡± she said with a smile. Just then, her phone beeped¨C it seemed a WhatsApp message came in. Sophia checked it and then apologetically said to Brandon, ¡°My friend¡¯s here, I should go.¡± Chapter 95 Chapter 95 Sophia gave him a puzzled look. Brandon looked back at her, ¡°Let¡¯s grab a bite together. I haven¡¯t eaten either.¡± Sophia let out an awkward chuckle, ¡°Might be a bit awkward, right? You don¡¯t even know my friend.¡± Brandon shrugged it off, ¡°No worries, I won¡¯t sit with you guys¡± Sophia hesitated for a moment, ¡°Alright, then.¡± I As they left, she hesitated and walked a short distance before turning back to Brandon, ¡°How about I just go with you instead? I¡¯ll catch up with my friend some other time.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Brandon looked at her, ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be fair to you or your friend.¡± ¡°It¡¯s cool, she won¡¯t mind,¡± Sophia said, already turning towards him, ¡°What do you feel like eating? It¡¯s on me. Brandon didn¡¯t respond immediately, just tilted his head to look at her and slowly said, ¡°Sophia, did you really have dinner ns with someone?¡± Sophia fell silent. Brandon¡¯s gaze had already shifted to the phone she was clutching in her hand. ¡°Mind if I take a peek at your call and chat history?¡± Sophia instinctively tightened her grip on her phone, struggling to keep smiling. That¡¯s not really cool, you know.¡± But she still turned the phone screen towards him. It showed hertest WhatsApp conversation with Sylvia, with the most recent message from Sylvia saying, [Wait for me, I¡¯ll be right there.] Brandon took a look and then at her, ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Sophia smiled, then looked hesitantly behind him, ¡°So just go have dinner with my friend.¡± Brandon nodded, ¡°Go ahead.¡± But Brandon¡¯s idea of making himself scarce didn¡¯t involve leaving: he followed her into another mall and into another restaurant. He didn¡¯t get too close, just maintained a short distance, trailing her at just the right gap. When Sophia arrived at the restaurant, Sylvia was also fashionablyte, hurrying in with breathless apologies, ¡°Sorry, Sophia, did you wait long? Got held up at work and leftte.¡± The name ¡°Sophia¡± made Brandon nce at Sylvia. He recognized her, the girl who had stopped Don at Don¡¯s Sophia? He had thought it was just the same name. After all, Sophia was a verymon name, but he didn¡¯t expect it! Brandon looked thoughtfully at Sophia, remembering the silhouette he¡¯d caught a glimpse of on his way down the stairs. He kept a small distance from Sophia, who didn¡¯t notice his gaze. The street was bustling with people, and Sylvia,pletely focused on Sophia, didn¡¯t notice either. It¡¯s fine, my bad, Sophia replied with a smille. Then she said with another smile, ¡°Let¡¯s go in.¡± She entered the restaurant with Sylvia, and taking the opportunity of turning a corner, Sophia sneaked a nce 21 Brandon. Brandon showed no sign of following up. Sophia didn¡¯t invite him to join either. But as they took their seats, she still saw Brandon sitting down at a table not too far from them. He ordered his meal alone and didn¡¯t bothering over. Sophia suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Sylvia didn¡¯t notice Sophia¡¯s difort. Closing the menu, she smiled and asked, ¡°Why did you suddenly ask me out today?¡± Before she could finish saying ¡°for dinner, Sophia cut her off with a smile, ¡°Just hadn¡¯t eaten and thought you hadn¡¯t either, so we might as well eat together.¡± After saying that, she couldn¡¯t help but worryingly nce at Brandon again. Fortunately, Brandon seemed engrossed in work on his phone, his handsome face serene and focused, his usual work demeanor. The restaurant was noisy with chatter. Sylvia was surprised by Sophia¡¯s answer, ¡°it¡¯s rare for you to be free, usually you¡¯re either rushing home after work or ss, and you don¡¯t hang out on weekends, it¡¯s really tough to catch you for a meal.¡± Sophia felt a bit guilty, I¡¯ve been too busy before, with both studying and working, just couldn¡¯t find the time.¡± ¡°You need to have fun and rest no matter how busy you are, I¡¯ve never seen anyone as driven as you,¡± Sylviaughed, ¡°No wonder you¡¯re so outstanding without any apparent reason. 1 might just prefer staying home, Sophia said, ¡°Whether it¡¯s going out or working, time passes the same way. it¡¯s morefortable at home.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Sylvia nodded in agreement. ¡°True that.¡± The conversation drifted to other topics. Sophia stole a nce at Brandon, who had stood up to take a call outside. He stood in a quiet corner of the restaurant, one hand on the phone, the other casually resting on the windowsill, evidently on another work call, his expression calm and cool. He was looking in Sophia¡¯s direction, and when he saw her looking over, he nced back at her, a subtle warmth in his eyes. Sophia was too far to see clearly. Brandon was a good¨Clooking guy, tall with long legs, well¨Cbuilt, with sharp facial features and a chill aura. Being a rare Zenithan face around Ephemora, he naturally drew a lot of curious and admiring nces. Some bold girls had already sauntered up with their phones, seemingly wanting to add him on WhatsApp. Brandon waved off the phone that was thrust towards him, his expression still cool and detached. Sophia clearly saw the disappointment on the girl¡¯s face. The girl hesitated, wanting to try again, but Brandon had already hung up the call and walked back to his seat with an impassive face. The girl no longer dared to approach. Brandon¡¯s vibe of keeping people at arm¡¯s length was clear, same as always. That was what had attracted Sophia to Brandon in the past. Although he was more outstanding than others in both looks and personality, he always kept to himself, unlike some guys who would take advantage of their attributes to mess around. And those self¨Cdiscipline and gentleness might have been reserved for Ynda Sophia hadn¡¯t paid attention to Marian or what happened with the Frost family in thest couple of years. Although they often shared the same ssroom, Sophia would usually arrivest and leave first, with little interaction during ss. Whether the Frost family ever visited the school, she wasn¡¯t sure, as she didn¡¯t pay much attention to her surroundings. The name Ynda felt distant from her life. And so did Brandon Sophia had no clue why he had shown up here. She wasn¡¯t quite buying that it was just a fluke, but she wasn¡¯t about to jump to conclusions either. Thankfully, Brandon didn¡¯te over to say hi the whole time they were eating. After finishing his meal, he gged down the waiter, paid up, and took off solo. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but feel a little wave of relief wash over her. She and Sylvia had their fill too. Sophia gestured for the waiter and settled the bill. Before they left, she instinctively nced over at Brandon¡¯s table. Sure enough, he hadn¡¯te back, and the staff was already cleaning up. Sophia¡¯s eyes swept around the ce without really thinking about it. Sylvia caught the look in her eyes and asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s up? Are you looking for someone?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Sophia snapped back to reality, feeling a bit sheepish, and they both headed out of the mall. ¡°How are you getting back?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll just hop on the bus, it¡¯s no biggie. My ce is super close,¡± Sylvia said. Sophia nodded, saw her off on the bus, and was about to hail a cab when she whirled around to find Brandon standing not too far behind her, arms crossed. No idea when he rolled up. ¡®I¡¯ll give you a lift,¡± Brandon said, unfolding his arms and jingling the car keys at her. Sophia hesitated, ¡°Nah, it¡¯s cool. I can grab a cab.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all good, I¡¯m free tonight,¡± Brandon replied, heading her way. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Sophia stood her ground, not budging. Brandon looked at her, ¡°You¡¯re pushing back this hard. Are you hiding something from me?¡± Chapter 96 Chapter 96 Sophia¡¯s eyes lifted to meet his, a hint of defiance twinkling behind those widened pupils, ¡°If you¡¯re not afraid of a bit of hassle, then I¡¯m all yours.¡± ¡°No sweat.¡± He took the lead and started walking ahead. Sophia followed, getting into the car behind him. ¡°Where to?¡± Brandon asked nonchntly as he buckled up. Sophia rattled off an address, not the one listed on her school records, but it wasn¡¯t far from here either. It didn¡¯t take long for Brandon to drive them there. As the car came to a stop, Brandon nced out of the window. Sophia¡¯s ce was in a neighborhood brimming with the hum of everyday life. Even though night was falling. she could still make out the elders walking their grandkids. ¡°Living solo?¡± Brandon inquired, turning to her, Sophia nodded, ¡°Yeah, flying solo.¡± Brandon nodded back, looking at her, ¡°I thought you¡¯d be bunking with Susan.¡± Sophia seemed taken aback, ¡°Why bring that up out of the blue?¡± ¡°A few days ago, I heard Susan quit her job two years back and nobody knows where she¡¯s at,¡± Brandon said as he looked at her. ¡°You two were tight, I thought maybe she reached out to you.¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°Why would shee all this way just to see me?¡± Brandon also cracked a smile and let the conversation drop, quietly unbuckling his seatbelt. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll walk you up.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Sophia shook her head gently, ¡°It¡¯s not a good look, and it¡¯s not convenient.¡± Brandon studied her, ¡°Sophia, at the restaurant today, I saw a little girl who had the same vibe as you, at the very ce you showed up, just over a year old.¡± Sophia¡¯s hand paused while unbuckling her seatbelt, looking at him, ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Brandon said, ¡°What¡¯s got you on edge?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. Her gaze carried a silent reproach, a touch of hurt that reminded Brandon of the time they talked about Ynda Tm sorry,¡± Brandon said, looking at her, ¡°You better head back, get some sleep.¡± He spoke without any intention of leaving the car. ¡°Yeah, take care on your way home,¡± Sophia said softly, bidding farewell. She stepped out and took a few paces, then stopped and turned back to him, ¡°If you really want toe up, go ahead. But don¡¯t stay long. given the hour, it wouldn¡¯t be proper,¡± she added quietly He gave her a look and nodded, ¡°Alright.¡± He escorted Sophia to her front door. Sophia fumbled for her keys and unlocked the door. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . My ce is a bit cramped, hope you don¡¯t mind,¡± Sophia said, pushing the door open Brandon followed her inside. He nced around the small apartment, a simple one¨Cbedroom that felt more like a studio than a living space. The living room had been converted into a workspace, with arge desk covered in design drafts and bookshelves heaped with books. Sophia, a tad embarrassed, began tidying up the scattered drafts on the table while exining to Brandon, ¡°I work part¨Ctime on top of my sses, got a heavy workload, so I turned the living room into this.¡± Brandon just nodded, taking in the ce from the shoe cab at the entrance, the living room, to the kitchen ¨C all neat and tidy, the epitome of a single girl¡¯s pad. The bedroom door was open; Brandon didn¡¯t enter but took a quick nce inside. It was a small room, the bed not as tidy as the living room, likely due to a morning rush, with pajamas still draped over the chair by the door. Sophia noticed where his gazended and felt a bit sheepish, ¡°I had to rush to work this morning, didn¡¯t get the chance to tidy up.¡± As she spoke, she scooped up all the clothes from the chair and stuffed them into the wardrobe in one go. Brandon¡¯s eyes followed the opening of the wardrobe doors, catching a glimpse of the adult¨Csized clothes hanging inside. When Sophia closed the wardrobe, she turned to Brandon with an awkward smile, ¡°Thirsty? Let me get you a ss of water.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s okay,¡± Brandon stopped her, checking his watch, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, I should head back.¡± Sophia nodded in agreement, ¡°Alright.¡± She then walked him to the door. Brandon was already pulling out his phone, ¡°What¡¯s your number?¡± Sophia hesitated, not really wanting to tell him. But Brandon was watching her to tell him. Eventually, Sophia reluctantly took his phone and keyed in a number ¨C her phone in her pocket started ringing. She handed the phone back to Brandon. ¡°Get some rest,¡± he said. Sophia gave a soft nod, ¡°Yeah,¡± She watched him descend the stairs, standing still for a long while after he left. Finally, she turned, switched off the lights, locked the door, and entered the elevator. She then popped open the SIM card tray and yanked out the card. Chapter 97 Chapter 97 Brandon didn¡¯t Brandon didn¡¯t realize until the next morning that Sophia¡¯s number was a dead end. With a flight home scheduled for the afternoon, he wanted to grab a bite with Sophia before taking off, but when he dialed her up, he was greeted with the ¡°the number you have dialed is switched off¡± message. At first, Brandon held onto a sliver of hope, guessing she might be tied up in a meeting. But when he rang her up again in the afternoon and got the same disconnected tune, he got the picture¨CSophia had probably changed her digits. He even made a detour to that cozy little pad Sophia had taken him to the night before, only to find the real estate agent busy snapping pics and showing the ce around. The ce was clearly tidied up, the design drafts on the table nearly all gone, though the books and other stuff were still kicking around. The master bedroom¡¯s main luggage was obviously packed up and out the door. Brandon shot a nce at the busy agent. ¡°What happened to thest tenant?¡± ¡°She checked out this morning,¡± the agent replied in passing. ¡°The ce is up for grabs now. You looking to rent?¡± Then, worried that Brandon might snub the not¨Cso¨Cspick¨Cand¨Cspan state of the digs, the agent quickly added, ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it, we¡¯ll have the ce spick and span before you move in. The previous tenant paid us to get it all shipshape. If you¡¯re in a rush, we can have it ready today.¡± ¡°No thanks,¡± replied Brandon, his voice t, giving the room a final once¨Cover before heading out. The agent was left scratching his head at Brandon¡¯s cold exit. Back in his car, Brandon fished out his cell and chuckled as he stared at the number Sophia had just added the night before. ssic Sophia. She always knew how to leave with the softest touch, yet make the cleanest break. As the smile faded, Brandon¡¯s face turned stone-cold, and he deleted the number, tossed the phone aside, and pulled away, the car quickly rolling out. He didn¡¯t linger in Wye City, heading straight for the airport. While going through security, Don buzzed him up. Hearing airport announcements in the background, Don blurted out in surprise, ¡°You¡¯re at the airport?¡± Yep, Brandon replied, short and sweet, grabbing his coat from the scanner and walking towards the exit. ¡°Why the sudden takeoff?¡± Don asked, puzzled, ¡°I was hoping to chat with you about setting up a joint venture today Just email me the proposal,¡± Brandon said, still sounding distant, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone look into it.¡±Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Sure thing. I¡¯ll send it your way,¡± Don agreed, wrapping up the business talk before slipping back into personal territory, ¡°Why the rush to leave?¡± Busy withpany stuff, Brandon wasn¡¯t in the mood to chat, ¡°Gotta go. He hung up before Don could respond. Con sensing something was off, frowned in confusion. He knew Brandon wasn¡¯t one to open up. He¡¯d always the type to deal with things on his own, keeping his emotions close to the chest. Without Brandon Don had no chance of prying. He sent over the joint venture proposal he¡¯d prepped earlier, along with a message on WhatsApp. [Bro, you alright?] Brandon shot back a straightforward reply. [I¡¯m fine.] Don¡¯s frown deepened. The voice over the phone didn¡¯t sound fine, but with Brandon tight¨Clipped as ever, he couldn¡¯t dig deeper, [Proposal¡¯s sent. Check it out when you can, and we¡¯ll tweak it if needed] Don messaged. [I look it over] Brandon responded. Minutester, Brandon replied, [Let¡¯s roll with this.] Then he followed up with a voice message. ¡°The Starlight Group has office space ready to go, no need to rent. elsewhere.¡± Don was caught off guard by Brandon¡¯s brisk agreement. By the time it sank in, he was up on his feet, arms iling in excitement, throwing up a ¡°ye¡± sign. Just then, Sophia walked in with the proposal, and catching sight of Don¡¯s uncharacteristic jubtion, she froze, wondering if she¡¯d walked into the wrong office and nced back at the door. Embarrassed, Don cleared his throat, trying to salvage some dignity, ¡°Uh, what brings you here?¡± After a moment, he couldn¡¯t help but shoot a resentful nce at the door, cursing whoever left it open and let his boss vibe just fly out the window. Maybe because Sophia always seemed so calm and collected, Don always felt a tad uneasy around her. Sophia pretended not to notice his difort and approached him with the fresh¨Coff¨Cthe¨Cpress proposal. ¡°1 was supposed to run some ideas by youst night, but something came up at home and I couldn¡¯t make it. So, I wanted to discuss it with you now.¡± She handed over the new creative concept. Don gave it a quick once¨Cover, pleased. ¡°Looks good. Go ahead and design it with this concept and direction.¡± ¡°But this part here.¡± Don circled a section on the draft with a pen, ¡°I suggest we try a new color scheme here, with ultramarine blue as a base.¡± Sophia took a look and nodded, ¡°Got it.¡± As she was about to leave with the marked¨Cup proposal, Don stopped her. ¡°Hold up.¡± Sophia turned around, puzzled. Feeling a touch awkward about being caught in his little dance earlier, Don coughed lightly. ¡°So, here¡¯s the thing. Our business in Ephemora is pretty stable now, and I¡¯m thinking about expanding back to Zenitha. We¡¯ve got a preliminary partnership shaping up with the Starlight Group.¡± At the mention of ¡°the Starlight Group,¡± Sophia¡¯s hand paused on the documents. Don didn¡¯t notice and continued, ¡°We¡¯re nning to create a joint venture with the Starlight Group, and this project will be the newpany¡¯s debut in Zenitha, a way to make some noise. You¡¯ve just graduated and you¡¯re mobile, so how about you considering back to Zenitha with us for the launch?¡± Sophia replied with a hint of regret, ¡°That might be a bit inconvenient for me.¡± Don was totally stumped, ¡°Why? This is such a killer opportunity. Sure, we¡¯re just a subsidiary, but we¡¯re under the Starlight Group umbre, The industry gives big props to the Starlight Group¡¯s track record. If you¡¯ve got Starlight Group on your resume, plus the title of Head Designer, whether you wanna keep climbing thedder. here, transfer to the mothership, or jump ship, It¡¯s gonna be a massive boost for your future. Personally, I think pretty sweet deal. And when you go back, the perks are gonna be better than what you¡¯re getting now, What with the Starlight Group backing you up, Don added. ¡°If you¡¯re worried about settling in, don¡¯t sweat it. Thepany¡¯s got your back with a relocation package or they¡¯ll sort you out with grub and a bed¡± realize until the next morning that Sophia¡¯s number was a dead end. With a flight home scheduled for the afternoon, he wanted to grab a bite with Sophia before taking off, but when he dialed her up, he was greeted with the ¡°the number you have dialed is switched off¡± message. At first, Brandon held onto a sliver of hope, guessing she might be tied up in a meeting. But when he rang her up again in the afternoon and got the same disconnected tune, he got the picture¨CSophia had probably changed her digits. He even made a detour to that cozy little pad Sophia had taken him to the night before, only to find the real estate agent busy snapping pics and showing the ce around. The ce was clearly tidied up, the design drafts on the table nearly all gone, though the books and other stuff were still kicking around. The master bedroom¡¯s main luggage was obviously packed up and out the door. Brandon shot a nce at the busy agent. ¡°What happened to thest tenant?¡± ¡°She checked out this morning,¡± the agent replied in passing. ¡°The ce is up for grabs now. You looking to rent?¡± Then, worried that Brandon might snub the not¨Cso¨Cspick¨Cand¨Cspan state of the digs, the agent quickly added, ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it, we¡¯ll have the ce spick and span before you move in. The previous tenant paid us to get it all shipshape. If you¡¯re in a rush, we can have it ready today.¡± ¡°No thanks,¡± replied Brandon, his voice t, giving the room a final once¨Cover before heading out. The agent was left scratching his head at Brandon¡¯s cold exit. Back in his car, Brandon fished out his cell and chuckled as he stared at the number Sophia had just added the night before. ssic Sophia. She always knew how to leave with the softest touch, yet make the cleanest break. As the smile faded, Brandon¡¯s face turned stone-cold, and he deleted the number, tossed the phone aside, and pulled away, the car quickly rolling out. He didn¡¯t linger in Wye City, heading straight for the airport. While going through security, Don buzzed him up. Hearing airport announcements in the background, Don blurted out in surprise, ¡°You¡¯re at the airport?¡± Yep, Brandon replied, short and sweet, grabbing his coat from the scanner and walking towards the exit. ¡°Why the sudden takeoff?¡± Don asked, puzzled, ¡°I was hoping to chat with you about setting up a joint venture today Just email me the proposal,¡± Brandon said, still sounding distant, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone look into it.¡± ¡°Sure thing. I¡¯ll send it your way,¡± Don agreed, wrapping up the business talk before slipping back into personal territory, ¡°Why the rush to leave?¡± Busy withpany stuff, Brandon wasn¡¯t in the mood to chat, ¡°Gotta go. He hung up before Don could respond. Con sensing something was off, frowned in confusion. He knew Brandon wasn¡¯t one to open up. He¡¯d always the type to deal with things on his own, keeping his emotions close to the chest. Without Brandon Don had no chance of prying. He sent over the joint venture proposal he¡¯d prepped earlier, along with a message on WhatsApp. [Bro, you alright?] Brandon shot back a straightforward reply. [I¡¯m fine.] Don¡¯s frown deepened. The voice over the phone didn¡¯t sound fine, but with Brandon tight¨Clipped as ever, he couldn¡¯t dig deeper, [Proposal¡¯s sent. Check it out when you can, and we¡¯ll tweak it if needed] Don messaged. [I look it over] Brandon responded. Minutester, Brandon replied, [Let¡¯s roll with this.] Then he followed up with a voice message. ¡°The Starlight Group has office space ready to go, no need to rent. elsewhere.¡± Don was caught off guard by Brandon¡¯s brisk agreement. By the time it sank in, he was up on his feet, arms iling in excitement, throwing up a ¡°ye¡± sign. Just then, Sophia walked in with the proposal, and catching sight of Don¡¯s uncharacteristic jubtion, she froze, wondering if she¡¯d walked into the wrong office and nced back at the door. Embarrassed, Don cleared his throat, trying to salvage some dignity, ¡°Uh, what brings you here?¡± After a moment, he couldn¡¯t help but shoot a resentful nce at the door, cursing whoever left it open and let his boss vibe just fly out the window. Maybe because Sophia always seemed so calm and collected, Don always felt a tad uneasy around her. Sophia pretended not to notice his difort and approached him with the fresh¨Coff¨Cthe¨Cpress proposal. ¡°1 was supposed to run some ideas by youst night, but something came up at home and I couldn¡¯t make it. So, I wanted to discuss it with you now.¡± She handed over the new creative concept. Don gave it a quick once¨Cover, pleased. ¡°Looks good. Go ahead and design it with this concept and direction.¡± ¡°But this part here.¡± Don circled a section on the draft with a pen, ¡°I suggest we try a new color scheme here, with ultramarine blue as a base.¡± Sophia took a look and nodded, ¡°Got it.¡± As she was about to leave with the marked¨Cup proposal, Don stopped her. ¡°Hold up.¡± Sophia turned around, puzzled. Feeling a touch awkward about being caught in his little dance earlier, Don coughed lightly. ¡°So, here¡¯s the thing. Our business in Ephemora is pretty stable now, and I¡¯m thinking about expanding back to Zenitha. We¡¯ve got a preliminary partnership shaping up with the Starlight Group.¡± At the mention of ¡°the Starlight Group,¡± Sophia¡¯s hand paused on the documents. Don didn¡¯t notice and continued, ¡°We¡¯re nning to create a joint venture with the Starlight Group, and this project will be the newpany¡¯s debut in Zenitha, a way to make some noise. You¡¯ve just graduated and you¡¯re mobile, so how about you considering back to Zenitha with us for the launch?¡± Sophia replied with a hint of regret, ¡°That might be a bit inconvenient for me.¡± Don was totally stumped, ¡°Why? This is such a killer opportunity. Sure, we¡¯re just a subsidiary, but we¡¯re under the Starlight Group umbre, The industry gives big props to the Starlight Group¡¯s track record. If you¡¯ve got Starlight Group on your resume, plus the title of Head Designer, whether you wanna keep climbing thedder. here, transfer to the mothership, or jump ship, It¡¯s gonna be a massive boost for your future. Personally, I think pretty sweet deal. And when you go back, the perks are gonna be better than what you¡¯re getting now, What with the Starlight Group backing you up, Don added. ¡°If you¡¯re worried about settling in, don¡¯t sweat it. Thepany¡¯s got your back with a relocation package or they¡¯ll sort you out with grub and a bed¡± Chapter 98 Chapter 98 Don almost lost it. ¡°What¡¯s the deal?¡± Clutching the fresh resignation letter that had been handed to him, he bee¨Clined to Sophia¡¯s desk, ¡°Why the sudden decision to bail? Are you not happy here or what?¡± ¡°No.¡± Facing an almost fuming Don, Sophia felt somewhat apologetic, ¡°It¡¯s nothing personal. I¡¯ve just graduated, and my visa¡¯s about to run out. I can¡¯t stick around much longer, so quitting was on the cards eventually.¡± ¡°Well, then head back home,¡± Don didn¡¯t get it, ¡°Come back with me and help expand the new business. Sounds like a sweet gig, right?¡± *I wanna take a break first.¡± ¡°For how long?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Maybe a year or so. ¡°Don frowned on the spot. That long? Brandon had just green¨Clit the n, and setting up the newpany would be a breeze, a fortnight tops. He had a ready team on his side and at the Starlight Group, and there was no need for a new office lease or a makeover. The Starlight Group had an entire office building with spare office space that could be whipped into shape in no time. He couldn¡¯t possibly wait on Sophia for a year and a half¨Cthe traditional Resort project was time¨C sensitive and needed to break ground within the year. ¡°Here¡¯s an idea,¡± Don thought aloud, ¡°You work out the design for the traditional Resort project first.¡± Before he could finish, Sophia looked ready to argue, so he added some weight to his tone. ¡°Sophia, it¡¯s your job. You took on this project, and you can¡¯t just drop the ball now.¡± Sophia hesitated, then nodded. ¡°I do have a one¨Cmonth notice period per my contract. I¡¯ll work on the design during this time. If we go ahead with it, I¡¯ll keep up with the project untilpletion. But like before, unless it¡¯s absolutely necessary, I won¡¯t be on site, and I won¡¯t be joining the newpany. Once the design is out, you¡¯ll need to approve my resignation. Deal?¡± Deal? Don wanted to say no, but upon seeing the look in Sophia¡¯s eyes, he swallowed his displeasure. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it when it¡¯s time.¡± Don didn¡¯t make any promises, ¡°Just get the design out first.¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t easily fooled. ¡°You haven¡¯t said if you agree.¡± ¡°I agree.¡± The words practically popped through his teeth. Once done, Don threw the resignation letter back at her. ¡°Keep this thing for now. It¡¯s an eyesore.¡± With that, he spun around and stormed back to his office. Sitting in his chair, he still felt peeved. He thought he had made an offer she couldn¡¯t refuse. What did it take to sway Sophia? Was it the job title that wasn¡¯t alluring enough? Thinking this, Don immediately called Brandon. ¡°Head of design for the newpany, got anyone in mind?¡± Brandon, who had just dened and was heading out with his luggage, replied, ¡°Got a few candidates. Feel free to suggest someone too. It doesn¡¯t have to be from the Starlight Group. I have a good candidate in mind, I want to bring her in,¡± said Don, ¡°You keep your people.¡± What¡¯s her background? How¡¯s her project experience?¡± Don felt a bit sheepish. The girl I mentioned the other day, the one handling the traditional Resort design, she¡¯s really talented.¡± ¡°She won¡¯t cut it,¡± Brandon dismissed without a thought, ¡°Too green, too risky.¡± Don was speechless. He could somewhat understand Brandon¡¯s concerns, and he knew how Brandon operated. Without having interacted with Sophia or seen her work, Brandon prioritized past project experience, which was understandable ¡°How about this¨Cwait until the traditional Resort design is out, then you decide based on that?¡± Don offered a ¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡± Brandon hummed in response, not outright rejecting Don¡¯s suggestion but not taking it too seriously either. He had reached the airport parking lot and saw Kent driving in, so he told Don on the phone, ¡°Gotta go, hanging 1. up. And with that, he ended the call. Kent, spotting Brandon from afar, quickly drove over. As soon as the car stopped, Kent jumped out, took Brandon¡¯s luggage, and apologized, ¡°Got caught in traffic.¡± ¡°No problem,¡± Brandon replied indifferently, letting him take the suitcase. Once Kent had stowed the luggage and looked back at Brandon sitting in the back seat, he asked, ¡°Mr. Crawley, you heading to the office or home first?¡± ¡°Home.¡± Kent was taken aback, ¡°Which home?¡± ¡°WillowBrook Vi.¡± Kent got it¨Cthat was his and Sophia¡¯s matrimonial home. He remembered Brandon hadn¡¯t stayed there in the past two years. Now, straight afternding, he wanted to go back. Last time he preferred the office even in the dead of night, but this time he was opting for the vi in broad daylight. Kent guessed that Brandon¡¯s trip might have marked a turning point with Sophia, so he teased, ¡°Mr. Crawley, do you and Sophia getting back on track?¡± Before he could finish, Brandon gave him a chilling nce. ¡°Drive.¡± Kent felt a shiver from that look, dared not make another peep or guess any further, as Brandon¡¯s reaction seemed off from his assumptions. Brandon loosened his tie and said, ¡°Did you find the renovation team I asked for?¡± Kent immediately nodded, it was something Brandon had arranged before his flight. ¡°Send them to WillowBrook Vi now¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Kent looked at Brandon in surprise. ¡°Make sure they bring their tools.¡± Brandon closed his eyes after speaking, appearing to rest. His expression was stern and cold. Kent sensed a change in Brandon from before he left the country and kept quiet. The Brandon residence was reached in no time. When they arrived, the renovation team was already waiting at the door, two men with their tools ready. Brandon nced at them, unlocked the door, switched on the lights, surveyed the house, his gaze lingering on the living room bookshelf before turning to the workmen. Tear down the living room and redo it.¡± Kent was stunned. He remembered that Sophia was the one who put the living room together. Worried, he nced at Brandon. Brandon had taken off his tie and entered the room. Turning around and seeing that the others were still frozen in ce, he raised an eyebrow slightly. ¡°Any Issues?¡± Kent snapped out of it, ¡°Nope, none at all.¡± He quickly urged the renovation guys. ¡°Fes, get crackin¡®.¡± The workers nodded, hoisted their sledgehammers, and with a few ¡°ngs,¡± the originally elegant and delicate living room was smashed beyond recognition. Kent couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon. Brandon just stood there, unwavering, with a poker face, watching the workers turn the once charming living room into a hot mess,pletely unrecognizable from its former glory. Chapter 99 Chapter 99 This Brandon really freaked Kent out. Brandon might have been frosty, but at least he was even¨Ctempered. Now, there was a mean streak hiding beneath his cool facade, a ruthless and fierce edge to him. After he finished trashing the living room, Brandon finally reacted. ¡°Clean up the living room and just wing it with the decorations,¡± he said, already grabbing his suitcase and. heading out without a hint of nning to stay. The whole ¡°just wing it¡±ment left the decorators scratching their heads, not sure how to y it. They all looked at Kent, seeking guidance. Kent was just as clueless and didn¡¯t dare double¨Ccheck with Brandon. ¡°Just p something together,¡± he eventually said, extending Brandon¡¯s vague instructions before chasing after him. He drove Brandon back to his pad of thest two years, sneaking peeks at him through the rearview mirror from time to time. Brandon¡¯s face remained cool andposed throughout the drive. When they reached his doorstep, Brandon simply told Kent in a t tone to head home and get some rest before pushing his suitcase ahead and walking off. Kent never mustered the courage to ask what went down between Brandon and Sophia, or why Brandon seemed so changed upon his return. In the following days, Brandon seemed to revert to his old self¨Cworking like a maniac, polite and courteous to others, but keeping everyone at arm¡¯s length with an indifferent chill. But Kent could still tell something was off. Brandon used to throw himself into his work with passion. Now, he seemed more like a walking dead, just going through the motions. This change in Brandon had Kent worried, but he felt helpless and didn¡¯t even dare to ask why. He and Brandon were close, but Brandon wasn¡¯t the type to open up, so asking him would be pointless Luckily, a few dayster, Don returned from abroad. Kent was tight with Don and knew he and Brandon were close. He remembered Don was also in Wye City, and figured Brandon must have crossed paths with him. Unsure whether Don knew what was up with Brandon, Kent cautiously asked Don on the way back from the airport, ¡°Did Mr. Crawley run into something over in Wye City?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Nothing at all.¡± Don said, baffled by the question. ¡°What could¡¯ve happened to Mr. Crawley?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just that Mr. Crawley seems off since he came back, Kent said carefully. ¡°Like something shook him up?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Don perked up, turning to face him. ¡°Like what?¡± Kent replied, ¡°He¡¯s redoing his matrimonial home that he smashed up. I¡¯ve never seen him like this, not even during his divorce. Who suddenly decides to erase all traces of their ex¨Cwife two years after the fact?¡± ¡°Hold on,¡± Don caught on to something crucial. ¡°Brandon got divorced?¡± Kent looked at him in surprise, ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡± Don shook his head. He was clueless. He¡¯d asked about Brandon¡¯s wife a few times, but Brandon never mentioned a divorce. Kent figured Brandon wanted to keep it under wraps and regretted spilling the beans, ¡°Mr. Crawley probably didn¡¯t want it getting out. Pretend you never heard about it, keep it to yourself.¡± Don chuckled at Kent¡¯s remorseful face, ¡°Rx, I won¡¯t rat you out. And even if I did, Brandon wouldn¡¯t hold it against you.¡± Kent grimaced, knowing it wasn¡¯t about Brandon holding a grudge. It was about him gossiping behind people¡¯s backs, which was indeed the case. ¡°But,¡± Don pondered, ¡°there was nothing unusual about Brandon in Wye City. Although, he did space out looking at a little girl over a year old during lunch. He left in a hurry without eating, no idea what he rushed off to.¡± ¡°A little girl over a year old?¡± Kent paused, his eyes widening as he looked at Don, ¡°Could it be Mr. Crawley¡¯s daughter?¡± Before he could dwell on it, Don pped him on the shoulder. ¡°What are you thinking? The little girl was with her mom, and Brandon didn¡¯t seem to know her.¡± Kent¡¯s look of shock quickly fizzled out, realizing how unlikely it would be to randomly bump into his own kid halfway around the world. Seeing Kent¡¯s worried face, Don couldn¡¯t help but tease him. ¡°You¡¯re just an employee, yet you¡¯re taking on his parental worries as well. Even his own parents aren¡¯t this concerned.¡± ¡°Give me a break. He¡¯s the one paying my sry. If he¡¯s gone, where am I going to find such an easy, high¨Cpaying job where I can throw my weight around?¡± Kent turned to Don, ¡°Seriously, Mr. Crawley¡¯s been off since he came back from Wye City. Help me out and nudge him a bit, tell him not to keep things bottled up. We might not be able to solve his problems, but we can be his sounding board. Brooding too much is bad for your health. Don nced at him with amusement, ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell him that yourself?¡± Kent replied, ¡°He¡¯s my boss, after all. I can¡¯t just say to his face, ¡®Boss, keep sulking and you¡¯ll shorten your lifespan.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes at Don. Donughed, ¡°Alright, I keep an eye out.¡± But giving advice wasn¡¯t really his strong suit. He had his own gripes to share with Brandon. That night, when he met up with Brandon, Don forgot all about Kent¡¯s request and casually mentioned while pouring Brandon a drink, ¡°I gave away the design director position at the joint venture.¡± Brandon, who had been lost in thought, nced at him, ¡°To that girl?¡± Don nodded, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve already told her.¡± Brandon chuckled, but his eyes didn¡¯t share the amusement. Clearly, he wasn¡¯t on board with the decision. To him, it seemed like Don was making a foolish move, blinded by beauty. ¡°Is she that beautiful?¡± Brandon asked. Don nodded, ¡°Yeah, really pretty. Innocent and ssy. And most importantly! He wanted to say ¡°talented,¡± but before he could get the words out, Brandon cut him off. ¡°If you¡¯re smitten by a pretty face, go the extra mile and put a ring on it. Why gamble with thepany¡¯s future?¡± Don was speechless. Brandon looked at him, ¡°I don¡¯t agree with using her,¡± Thepany isn¡¯t a tool for you to woo women with,¡± Brandon added, his face dead serious. Don nced at him, ¡°Where¡¯s your head at? If I could charm her with thepany I wouldn¡¯t be here hashing it out with you. Chill, she didn¡¯t even agree herself, so no need for your blessing.¡± Brandon raised an eyebrow, a bit taken aback. He thought the position of Design Director at the Starlight Group would be a huge draw for someone fresh out of school, even if it was just for a subsidiary. Don saw the surprise on Brandon¡¯s face, ¡°Right? The Design Director gig is super tempting. She¡¯d get to work back in her home country, rake in a fat paycheck, andnd straight into a director¡¯s chair ¨C a dream job loads of folks can¡¯t even snag. Why isn¡¯t she jumping at it?¡± This really got Don¡¯s goat. He figured Sophia wasn¡¯t biting because the offer wasn¡¯t sweet enough. He had already agreed with Brandon to wait until Sophia¡¯s design proposal was in before deciding whether to appoint her as Design Director. But eager to lock Sophia down, Don jumped the gun, all giddy about offering her the position, only to get rejected. ¡°Thank you for the generous offer, but my experience and skills are limited, and I¡¯m not up for such an important role.¡± Even her excuses for turning it down sounded so official and insincere. He just couldn¡¯t fathom why Sophia would turn her nose up at this job. no Out there on her own, as a greenhorn fresh out of school, if she walked away from hispany, there was no guarantee she¡¯d find such a great opportunity elsewhere. ¡°To each their own.¡± Faced with Don¡¯s frustration, Brandon simply remarked. He had never been on board with handing such a crucial position to a newbie. The refusal suited him just fine ¨C everyone¡¯s happy. But Don didn¡¯t see it that way, ¡°Look, this girl¡¯s really got the chops and the drive, humble and not full of herself. Most importantly, we¡¯re on the same page, get along like a house on fire, and working together has been a st. We need people like her to solidify our foothold domestically. Help me figure out how to make her stay.¡± Brandon gave him a look, ¡°With therge poption of Zenithia, are you seriously worried about not finding someone else who¡¯s talented,patible, and a good fit? If she¡¯s not keen, why are you so keen on her? Don was speechless. No, he came to Brandon for ideas, not to be talked out of it. But Brandon¡¯s attention had already shifted to the vibrating phone on the table. Don nced at the phone too, his brow furrowing in confusion at the name ¡°Aaron Yearwood,¡± instinctively looking back at Brandon. Brandon also stared at the name on the phone, momentarily lost, but then heposed himself and picked up the call. ¡°Hello?¡± His voice was calm, almost indifferent. ¡°Brandon, something urgent has happened to my dad,¡± Aaron¡¯s voice came through, frantic with urgency. ¡°What happened?¡± Chapter 100 Chapter 100 Sophia only got wind of Haley¡¯s ident the day after it went down Laura herself gave her a ring. ¡°You wicked girl, you vanish for two years, don¡¯t even drop a call or send some cash back home, all that time raising you up for nothing. Your father adored you, and all he got was disappointment. You know your dad¡¯s knocking on death¡¯s door?¡± On the other end of the line, Laura¡¯s sobbing, almost gasping for air, turned Sophia¡¯s face white as a sheet. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my dad?¡± she blurted out, her voiceced with urgency. Though she hadn¡¯t touched base with Laura and Aaron, she¡¯d kept in sporadic contact with her dad, Haley, even had a video chat justst week. In that video, Haley looked worn and aged from years of boozing, but he still seemed to have some pep in his step, not at all like he was sick or anything. ¡°He had a car ident, hit someone, and now he¡¯sid up in the ICU. No telling if he¡¯s gonna pull through.¡± Laura¡¯s voice was breaking, the wordsing out in fits and starts. ¡°Before they wheeled him in, he was out of it, kept calling your name.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡®Don¡¯t panic, I¡¯m on my way back now.¡± After calming Laura with those words, Sophia hung up. She told Laura not to panic, but inside, she was freaking out. Sophia didn¡¯t dare waste any time. She buzzed Susan, left her some instructions, and booked a flight back. home for that very day. Brandon handed off the Haley situation to Kent. Haley had called that day looking to borrow some dough. Haley had a fender bender, both he and the other guy got banged up pretty bad, ended up in the ICU. Traffic cops hadn¡¯t figured out who was at fault yet, and the other party was adamant that Haley was to me, demanding the Yearwood family cough up for the medical bills upfront. Aaron wasn¡¯t clued in on Haley¡¯s condition, but knowing his old man was fond of a drink, feared he might¡¯ve been driving under the influence. Given the other party¡¯s steadfast attitude and his own insecurity, plus theck of surveince at the crash site making it tough to pin down who was at fault, and witnesses who couldn¡¯t quite give a clear ount, though they all saw Haley¡¯s car hit the other guy¡¯s. Aaron was leaning towards the idea that it was probably his dad¡¯s fault. Both sides were facing hefty medical bills, possibly a fat stack ofpensation on top. Aaron did some digging, found out thepensation wasn¡¯t gonna be peanuts, and he couldn¡¯t cover it. In a panic, he rushed to Brandon for help. Brandon had Kent scope out the situation, found out the ident report wasn¡¯t ready, so he put the compensation on hold and just had Kent front the cash for Haley¡¯s medical expenses. Kent had been running around non¨Cstop the past couple of days, dealing with Haley¡¯s mess. Luckily, Haley¡¯s recovery was looking up. After three days in the ICU, he finally got moved to a regr room. Back at the office, Kent ryed the news to Brandon ¡°Is he awake yet?¡± Brandon paused his work to ask, looking up. Kent shook his head. ¡°Not yet.¡± Brandorts brow furrowed slightly. He nced at his phone, snapped hisptop shut, and stood up. ¡°Ill head 105 over to the hospital,¡± Kent didn¡¯t try to stop him. Even though Brandon and Sophia were divorced, Haley was still Brandon¡¯s ex¨Cfather¨Cinw, and the call hade to Brandon¡¯s phone after all, ¡°T¡¯ll get some gifts and fruit ready,¡± Kent offered. When Brandon arrived at the hospital, Haley was still out cold. The man was lying in the room, his face gaunt and pale. Laura was keeping vigil by his side, looking pretty worn out herself. Aaron was there too, in better shape than Laura, still had the energy to y games on his phone. He put it down and stood up with a smile when he saw Brandone in. ¡°Brandon, you made it.¡± With that, he stepped up and took the gifts and fruit basket from Brandon¡¯s hands. Brandon didn¡¯t look at him. His eyes went straight to Haley on the bed, then to Laura. ¡°What¡¯d the doc say?¡± ¡®They say he¡¯s doing okay, gonna see if he can wake up tonight.¡± Laura¡¯s voice was hoarse, her eyes worriedly flicking back to Haley. Brandon nodded, didn¡¯t say much more, stayed a bit longer, then after the doc did rounds and asked about Haley¡¯s condition, he said his goodbyes to Laura and Aaron, pushed the door to leave but froze as he caught sight of something in the moment he lifted his gaze. Sophia, hurrying out of the elevator, also spotted Brandon and hesitated for just a second. Chapter 101 Chapter 101 Sophia had barely reached the hospital room door when Laura, who had just sat down, whipped her head around and spotted her. Suddenly, like she had gonepletely nuts, Laura¡¯s eyes turned red and she bawled out as she lunged at Sophia. ¡°You little brat, you finally remember toe back home. Gone for so long, not giving a damn about home. If it weren¡¯t for you, your dad wouldn¡¯t have hit someone.¡± As her words trailed off, there was a sharp ¡°p¡± sound as Laura fiercely smacked Sophia across the cheek. Brandon, who was just about to step into the elevator, paused mid-step, then quickly turned and strode towards the hospital room. At the doorway, Sophia instinctively covered her stinging cheek, still a bit too dazed to grasp what had just happened. Laura¡¯s p came so fast, and it had been ages since Sophia hadst been pped. Caught totally off guard by Laura¡¯s sudden strike, her head was spinning, and she felt dizzy. Laura, still fuming and far from pacified, was about to take out all her pent-up fear and fury on Sophia. Seeing Sophia looking all pitiful, clutching her face and not making a peep, Laura got even angrier. ¡°What? Feeling sorry for yourself now, huh? Which daughter just ups and leaves, not calling, not sending money, having the time of her life while her dad¡¯s fate hangs by a thread in a hospital bed.¡± Mid-rant, Laura reached out to yank Sophia¡¯s hands from her face, but before she could, a strong hand suddenly came from behind, mping down on her wrists. Brandon¡¯s angry voice followed, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Laura¡¯s face changed color as she instinctively looked towards Brandon. Brandon¡¯s handsome face was stormy as he pushed Laura¡¯s wrists away and wrapped an arm around Sophia¡¯s shoulders, bringing her in front of him. Laura stumbled back a few steps from the shove. ¡°Mom?¡± Aaron quickly put down his phone and rushed to steady Laura, ncing towards Brandon. Brandon had already turned to Sophia with concern, calling out to her, ¡°Sophia?¡± Sophia slowly came back to her senses from her dizziness, and when she looked up, she met Brandon¡¯s anxious eyes, feeling a bit lost in time and space. Brandon had already pulled down her hands and was inspecting the damage on her cheek. ¡°Are you alright?¡± The urgency in his deep voice gave Sophia a moment to collect herself; she instinctively shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She nced unconsciously towards the hospital bed where Haleyy with a bandage around his head.. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡± As if understanding her thoughts, Brandon stated calmly, his gaze still fixed on the vivid red mark swelling on her cheek. His brows knotted as he turned a cold look at Laura. Laura shivered without knowing why. ¡°I¡­ she¡­¡± she stuttered, suddenly forgetting what she was about to say. Brandon did not bother with her, already turning to Sophia. ¡°Let¡¯s see a doctor.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Sophia instinctively resisted but faltered under his assertive gaze. Brandon had already guided her by the shoulder, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± He was practically forcing her towards the elevator as he spoke. Sophia hesitated, giving another nce towards Haley on the bed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s fine. The doc said he¡¯s recovering well,¡± Brandon repeated calmly, pressing the elevator button. The doors opened, and Brandon ushered Sophia inside, hitting the button for the ground floor. He then turned to her, his gaze. lingering on the p mark on her cheek, his brows furrowing again. Sophia saw his knotted brows. ¡°I¡¯m okay, really,¡± she reassured him softly, but her words didn¡¯t seem to rx Brandon¡¯s expression. He led her straight to the emergency department, got her registered, and asked the doctor for a full check-up. Brandon worried about potential head injuries and even insisted on a brain MRI. After all the hassle, the night had grown deep. Thankfully, although Laura¡¯s p was fierce and looked scary, it hadn¡¯t hurt Sophia¡¯s eardrum or her eyes, and the MRI showed no issues. Brandon¡¯s tense expression visibly rxed when they got the results. He turned to her, now looking a little less swollen, ¡°Feeling better?¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if it was the guilt from changing her phone number recently, the tenderness in his gaze, or the deep night, but the calm after the storm left her feeling out of sorts, not even brave enough to meet his eyes. She lowered her eyelids slightly and nodded gently, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m all good now.¡± ¡°Does she hit you often?¡± Brandon asked. Sophia shook her head, ¡°No, not really since I grew up. Brandon frowned, ¡°So she did when you were a kid?¡± ¡°Not exactly.¡± Sophia started to deny but wilted under his intense stare. ¡°When I was a kid, I¡¯d get into mischief and rebellious, so it was normal to get spanked now and then,¡± she exined in a quiet, ¨C weak voice that sounded almost like a murmur. Brandon nced at her, ¡°How mischievous could you possibly have been?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. He looked at his watch. It was nearly midnight. He looked at Sophia, ¡°Where are you staying now?¡± ¡°I was going to stay at my little ce.¡± Brandon gave her another t look, ¡°Didn¡¯t you sell it?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know what to say. Not sparing her any face, was he? Chapter 102 Chapter 102 Sophia literally hit the ground running and went straight to the hospital after her flight, stashing her luggage at a little motel just outside the hospital. She was tossing around the idea of either sticking around at the hospital to keep Haleypany or crashing at her ce, so she hadn¡¯t booked a hotel in advance. But she didn¡¯t expect that she barely stepped foot in the hospital before she became Laura¡¯s punching bag. Brandon didn¡¯t keep harping on her about it either. He nced out the door at the pitch-ck night, then turned to her and said, ¡°Let¡¯s grab a bite.¡± Sophia hesitated but then nodded, ¡°Okay.¡± Maybe she felt guilty or maybe she just wasn¡¯t feeling all that confident after epting a favor, or perhaps Brandon was just exuding some extra-strong vibes tonight. Whatever it was, her usual spunk just wasn¡¯t cutting it in front of him. Brandon casually picked out a fast-food joint nearby for them. When it came time to order, Brandon didn¡¯t do his usual polite dance of asking her what she wanted. Instead, he just grabbed the menu, made a few swift selections, ced the order, and told the server to hustle it up with the food. Sophia wasn¡¯t fussed about that. She had only had some airne food and was starving, her stomach practically stuck to her spine. Getting food in her belly ASAP was all she cared about. The restaurant was on the ball, and the dishes starteding out hot and fast just minutes after Brandon ced the order. He got Sophia¡¯s cutlery, gave it a good rinse with boiling water, and then set it in front of her. ¡°Thanks,¡± Sophia said softly. Brandon didn¡¯t respond, just quietly unwrapped his own set. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but sneak peeks at Brandon. He had this reserved look on his handsome face, eyelids half-drooping, methodically cleaning his utensils, and giving her the silent treatment. She couldn¡¯t tell if he was still steamed about her changing her phone number. This side of Brandon had Sophia feeling uneasy, and she didn¡¯t dare ask out of the blue, so she just kept her head down and ate quietly. Brandon ate in silence too. He wolfed down his meal, not a trace of his usual elegance. Sophia had only made it halfway through her meal when Brandon put down his utensils. He watched her eat until she finally set down her tableware, then he asked, ¡°Came straight from the airport?¡± Sophia nodded gently, ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°How long are you back for?¡± Sophia shook her head slightly, ¡°Not sure yet.¡± ¡°You really not nning oning back for good?¡± Sophia paused her eating, looked up at him, and hesitated before nodding, ¡°I might note back for a while.¡± ¡°What¡¯s so great over there?¡± Sophia pressed her lips together, ¡°It¡¯s not about staying there. I just want to wander around and see the sights for a bit before I settle down again.¡± Brandon kept his gaze on her, ¡°I remember you¡¯re not into traveling.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t like it, I just never had anyone to go with, so I never bothered.¡± ¡°Got someone now?¡± Brandon asked, ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Just my ssmates.¡± ¡°Guys or girls?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. She looked at Brandon, puzzled. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Brandon seemed to think there was nothing wrong with the question, his calm demeanor unchanged, his eyes clearly interrogating her. Sophia had to face the possibility that Brandon was indeed in a dominant mood tonight. She recalled the moment they unexpectedly met at the hospital, his cool, indifferent gaze, and the way he left like a stranger. Fiddling with her spoon, she softly asked, ¡°Are you mad?¡± Brandon looked at her, unmoving, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be?¡± Sophia shook her head gently, ¡°No, I¡¯d be mad too.¡± ¡°But you still chose to do it,¡± Brandon said, ¡°Why?¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was faint, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be tied to you anymore.¡± Brandon chuckled lightly, ¡°What, you think I¡¯d cling to you? Are you overestimating yourself or me?¡± Sophia stayed silent. After a while, she softly apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Sorry for what?¡± Brandon asked, his tone light, ¡°Sorry you didn¡¯t hide well enough and bumped into me again?¡± Sophia mped her lips shut, not saying a word. But Brandon was obviously not in a forgiving mood and didn¡¯t seem inclined to let it slide, his eyes still fixed on her. Sophia fiddled with her spoon, a bit at a loss. She had no experience dealing with this side of Brandon and didn¡¯t know how to handle his anger. Especially since she felt guilty and he had just stood up for her and even carefully apanied her to see the doctor. ¡°Sophia,¡± Brandon said, ncing at her pale-knuckled hand gripping the spoon, then at her downcast face, ¡°Have you been happy these past two years?¡± Sophia looked up at him, puzzled, hesitated, but still nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t been,¡± Brandon said, ¡°You used a leave of absence as leverage against me, and I had to relent. But now you¡¯ve graduated. You¡¯ve got no leverage.¡± Sophia¡¯s confusion deepened. She didn¡¯t quite catch his drift. Brandon didn¡¯t seem to want to rify. He grabbed his phone, picked up the check from the table, scanned the code, paid up, and turned to Sophia, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Sophia hesitated briefly but then sumbed to his icy demeanor and piercing eyes. Brandon was more assertive tonight than ever before. He grabbed her luggage and stowed it in his car trunk. ¡°Let¡¯s roll.¡± Sophia followed, ¡°I can just book a room at a nearby hotel, and then tomorrow morning I can visit, and I need to check on my dad.¡± She was cut off by the sharp look Brandon shot her as he turned around. ¡°I¡¯ll take you tomorrow,¡± he said, tossing Sophia¡¯s suitcase into his trunk, ¡°Get in the car.¡± Sophia tried to reason with him, ¡°Brandon, we¡¯ve already¡­¡± Brandon cut her off sharply, ¡°Don¡¯t give me any lectures. I¡¯m not in the mood to hear it right now.¡± Sophia kept silent. Brandon nodded towards the passenger seat that was already open, ¡°Get in.¡± Sophia hesitated, not daring to push back too hard against Brandon¡¯s unusual forcefulness that night. Brandon wasn¡¯t pushing her, just casually leaning on the car door with one hand while the other dangled at his side, quietly watching her with the vibe that he could stand there and wait all day if he had to. Sophia¡¯s phone picked the worst possible moment to ring with the unmistakable sound of a WhatsApp video call. Sophia instinctively wanted to kill the call, but Brandon had already caught a glimpse, ¡°Susan invites you to a video call¡± shing on the screen. He turned to Sophia with a raised eyebrow, ¡°Where¡¯s Susan?¡± Chapter 103 Chapter 103 ¡°She¡¯s in Skyrim City, Sophia said, gripping her cell phone, not daring to hang up, yet not answering either, just letting it ring. Brandon nced at her. ¡°Why don¡¯t you pick up?¡± Sophia lifted her hand and touched her left cheek that had just been pped. ¡°Don¡¯t want her to see it and worry.¡± Brandon took a look at her left cheek. It wasn¡¯t as swollen as before, but given Sophia¡¯s fair and radiant skin, you could still make out the outline of the palm print. It was clear that Laura didn¡¯t hold back with that p. Sophia had no clue what was going on in Brandon¡¯s mind. Her heart, slightly tense, tightened further as she saw the darkness cloud his eyes, and she subconsciously gripped her phone harder. ¡°She and I have always been close. If she knew about my mom.¡± She tried to exin further, but Brandon cut her off. ¡°Get in the car.¡± Sophia nodded slightly, not challenging him this time. Brandon walked around the car hood to get in, buckled up, released the handbrake, and drove away without dwelling on the topic. Susan didn¡¯t call again. Brandon brought her back to his ce, but not to the matrimonial home where Sophia had lived for two years. It was his current residence. Sophia had never been here before. She looked out in surprise as the car entered the neighborhood. Seeming to understand what she was thinking, Brandon said in a calm voice. ¡°I¡¯m living here now.¡± Sophia, puzzled, frowned. ¡°Why not stay at the other ce?¡± The other house clearly had a better location andyout. ¡°Sold it.¡± His voice was very t. Sophia didn¡¯t know what to say and simply replied with a soft ¡°Oh.¡± But somehow, that ¡°Oh¡± seemed to rub Brandon the wrong way. Sophia could distinctly feel his gaze turn colder. She looked at him, confused. Brandon didn¡¯t look back at her, just drove calmly, his sharp profile set against the night lights looking tense and cold. Sophia didn¡¯t dare to make another peep, feeling guilty and a bit self-conscious, her hands fidgeting in herp. From their unexpected encounter tonight, this version of Brandon felt unfamiliar and intimidating, leaving her at a loss. All the initiative she used to have around him turned into passivity. The car soon stopped in the underground garage. Brandon got out, took her suitcase from the trunk, and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Sophia had no choice but to follow. Brandon lived in a high-rise. The ce wasn¡¯t particrly big, just a simple three-bedroom, two-living room setup, but it still boasted a typical riverside view. Below the living room balcony was the winding river, shining brightly, with neon lights twinkling from the tall buildings along the riverbank. The entryway was spacious, equipped with a treadmill, chest expander, and other fitness equipment, all part of Brandon¡¯s routine. He had his regr hour of exercise every morning. There were two bedrooms left, and another room had been turned into a study. Brandon pushed Sophia¡¯s suitcase into the guest bedroom. ¡°You can stay here for the night,¡± he said, pressing a switch on the wall, and the room lit up instantly. Sophia nodded gently. ¡°Yeah.¡± But she didn¡¯t enter, just hesitated and nced at Brandon, waiting until his expression wasn¡¯t as stern before she spoke softly. ¡°Is it really okay for me to stay?¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it be?¡± Brandon turned to look at her. ¡°Got a boyfriend?¡± Sophia shook her head lightly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Married?¡± Still, she shook her head. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°I don¡¯t have a girlfriend, and I¡¯m not married either. Unmarried man, unmarried woman, not stepping on anyone¡¯s toes, so what¡¯s the problem?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know what to say. Brandon had already turned to light up the bathroom next door. ¡°You should wash up and get some sleep. The guest room doesn¡¯t have its own bathroom, so make do with the shared one.¡± Sophia nodded gently. ¡°Yeah.¡± Brandon nced at the reddish mark on her left cheek, went to the kitchen, fetched some ice cubes, wrapped them in a towel, and handed them to her. ¡°Put this on for a bit.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Her voice was still very soft as she took the ice pack. ¡°Thank you.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond, just left her with a ¡°Rest early after you¡¯re done¡± and went into the neighboring study. Sophia watched the door to the study close, exhaled softly, and closed the bedroom door. She sat down on the sofa beside the bed, one hand holding the ice pack to her face, the other grabbing her phone to text Susan back. [I just ran into Brandon.] [??] Susan immediately replied with two question marks. [Bumped into him at the hospital. He seemed pretty pissed.] Susan sent an emoji implying [Good luck with that.] Sophia shook her head with a smile at the emoji. She couldn¡¯t exactly wish herself good luck. She was already walking on thin ice. Having seen this side of Brandon, she realized how good Brandon used to be. She closed the chat and opened Facebook, scanning casually until her gaze froze at Laura¡¯s post. Laura had posted a video of Haley waking up, captioned with just a toothy smile emoji, clearly ecstatic. Haley, though weak in the video, seemed to be in good spirits and even shed a ¡°yea¡± sign at the camera, smiling. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but smile too, her anxiety easing. After nearly twenty hours with barely any sleep,pounded by jetg, as soon as she rxed, sleepiness washed over her. Sophia dozed off on the sofa, sleeping deeply for three hours, but she woke up in the middle of the night feeling sticky and somewhat disoriented, instinctively grabbing sleepwear and a towel from her suitcase before heading to the bathroom. It was only halfway through her shower that Sophia fully woke up, remembering she was at the Crawley family¡¯s. That realization made her embarrassed. Summer sleepwear was cool-she had just grabbed a light silk camisole without thinking. If she ran into Brandon dressed like that. Sophia nced down at her clingy pajamas and subconsciously covered her chest with her hands. She hesitated and peeked towards the door, psyching herself up by thinking it¡¯s sote, there¡¯s no way she¡¯d be that unlucky, right? Tentatively, she cracked the bathroom door open, not expecting that at the same moment, the door to the study would swing open and there was Brandon,ing out just in time to catch a glimpse of Sophia emerging from the bathroom. Their eyes met. Sophia didn¡¯t know what to say. Chapter 104 Chapter 104 Brandon seemed just as surprised to bump into her, his gaze lingering on her bare shoulders for a moment before shifting away, his body subtly turning to the side. ¡°Why are you still up sote?¡± Brandon asked, without looking at her. ¡°I already took a nap, just woke up,¡± Sophia replied softly, trying to keep her voice steady while her hands awkwardly shifted in front of her chest under the pretense of adjusting her hair. Though they had been married for two years and had shared more intimate moments, they weren¡¯t exactly tight. Plus, with a two-year gap of not seeing each other, the whole scene was still mega awkward for Sophia. Luckily, Brandon might have been tough, but his upbringing shone through. He didn¡¯t stare at her, just grunted an ¡°Mhm¡± before heading to the living room. Sophia didn¡¯t dare linger either. She quickly opened the bedroom door and slipped inside.. Closing the door, she let out a huge sigh of relief, her heart still racing, thump-thump-thumping away, and her hand instinctively pulled up the strap resting on her shoulder. She had never worn something so breezy around Brandon before. Their rtionship was an odd one. fiery and passionate in bed, but once the heat died down, they both reverted to their prim and proper selves, maintaining aposed front around each other. She only wore such skimpy slips when alone, not because they were sexy or anything, justfy and convenient. She hade back this time prepared to stay at the hospital, but had also nned on crashing at a hotel for a bit, where these easy-to-wash nighties were perfect. She hadn¡¯t thought she¡¯d wander to the bathroom in a daze with it on.. ncing at herself in the mirror and thinking back to the encounter with Brandon, Sophia felt extra uneasy and tugged at her slip again. The dress actually fit well. The burgundy silk made her skin look extra fair and radiant. The hemline stopped at mid-thigh, and it hugged her waist nicely. Sophia had a slender waist and a perky behind, a killer waist-to-hip ratio that this snug, sexy nightgown outlined perfectly, especially with the V-neck design entuating the contours of her chest. Seeing the cleavage and recalling the moment she bumped into Brandon, Sophia¡¯s difort intensified. She pulled the nightie up a bit, then turned her attention to her damp hair, grabbing a towel to dry it off. Looking around the room, she realized there was no hairdryer or fan. With her long, thick, and dense hair, it would take ages to blow-dry; air-drying was not an option. Hesitant, she threw on a light jacket, tied it up, and cautiously cracked open the door, only to see the lit living room and Brandon getting water from the dispenser. Brandon turned to look at her too. Sophia, a bit embarrassed, asked, ¡°Um, do you have a hairdryer?¡± Brandon pointed towards the master bathroom, ¡°In my bathroom.¡± Sophia nced hesitantly towards Brandon¡¯s room. It felt too private, and she guessed the hairdryer was probably mounted in ce. The thought of blow-drying her hair in Brandon¡¯s bathroomte at night, the mental pressure was kinda intense. Brandon noted her hesitation and raised an eyebrow, ¡°Scared to go in?¡± He finished his water, holding the cup in one hand, sipping slowly, the rising steam veiling his face in a mist, making his expression hard to read. Sophia shook her head slightly, ¡°It¡¯s not that. I just don¡¯t want to disturb your rest. Drying my hair takes quite a while.¡± She lifted her hand to run it through her damp hair, ¡°No worries, the wind outside is pretty strong, just opening a window should do the trick. I¡¯ll head back to my room. You should get some sleep too.¡± As she turned to leave, her shoulder was suddenly grasped. Sophia looked back at Brandon, puzzled. Brandon had set down his cup and was looking at her, ¡°You n on drying your hair till when, exactly?¡± With that, the hand on her shoulder nudged her towards his bedroom. The master bathroom was immediately to the left as they entered. Once inside, Brandon pushed her into the bathroom, had her stand in front of the vanity mirror, his hand on her shoulder keeping her in ce, while his other hand grabbed the hairdryer, thumb sliding effortlessly over the switch to st hot air onto Sophia¡¯s sensitive scalp. Sophia flinched instinctively. Brandon¡¯s hand on her shoulder eased up, now gently stroking her scalp, the warm touch of skin on skin making Sophia¡¯s body tense slightly. He noticed and nced at her, rxing the pressure on her head, and began lifting the roots of her hair. Feeling less confined, Sophia instinctively turned to take the hairdryer, ¡°I can do it.¡± Brandon waved away her reaching hand, ¡°Let me. You¡¯ll be at it forever.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t dare insist further. Brandon was pretty skilled at blow-drying hair. Back when they used to be together, if she washed her hairte at night and he was around, he¡¯d habitually take over the hairdryer and do the job without much talk, just like now. Seeing her remove the towel, he¡¯d naturally take the dryer from her hands with a simple ¡°Let me,¡± and that would be it. There wasn¡¯t much conversation, and once done, he¡¯d turn off the dryer, run his hands through her hair to smooth it out, and with a ¡°There you go,¡±munication would end. Now it was no different. When he finished drying the ends, his hand skillfully checked the dryness of her hair, and as soon as he was sure it was all dry, the hand on the switch pressed down, silencing the hairdryer. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Done,¡± Brandon said, cing the hairdryer back in its holder. ¡°Thanks.¡± Sophia murmured her thanks, her instinct to gather her hair at the back of her shoulder causing the light jacket to stretch open, revealing the wine-colored slip and a generous amount of pale skin underneath. Her chest moved subtly with the motion of her arms, the outlines of her curves faintly visible beneath the thin fabric. Brandon subtly averted his gaze. Sophia was totally out of it, just fiddling with her tangled hair with her fingers, not paying attention to anything else. Brandon nced at her and cleared his throat. Then with both hands, he grabbed her coat cor and crossed them over firmly, snapping shut the gaping neckline in an instant. Sophia, a little slow on the uptake, suddenly realized she was shing more than intended and her face went beet red in a sh. A huge wave of blush spread from her cheeks to her ears at lightning speed, and she kept her eyelids down, not daring to look at Brandon. Brandon watched the flush on her cheeks and her awkward nces that didn¡¯t know where tond, and he slowly stopped fussing with her clothes, his eyes locked on her. Feeling Brandon¡¯s movement pause, Sophia instinctively looked up and crashed into his pitch-ck eyes. His pupils were dark and deep, like an abyss in the night, bottomless and seemingly able to devour anyone.. Sophia knew those eyes all too well. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch, uncontrobly. ¡°I¡¯m gonna head back now.¡± She managed to say, turning to leave. But Brandon suddenly grabbed her arm, and with his other hand, he smoothly and swiftly slid his palm from the side of her ear into her hair, cradling the back of her head. He dipped his head and nted a fierce kiss on her. Chapter 105 Chapter 105 Sophia was shell-shocked. In the split second she zoned out, Brandon had already spun around, pinning her against the bathroom wall. His tongue pried her lips apart, diving in deep, while his other hand clutched the cor of her light coat, along with the straps of her nightgown, and with a tug, her clothes slipped from her shoulders. Sophia scrambled to grab his hand but found herself caught, her arms twisted and pressed against the wall above her head, as his kisses grew more intense, urgent, and assertive. Her rational mind was on the brink of copse under his relentless advance, and she was dangerously close to sumbing to the physical desire. Brandon had taken her on a rollercoaster of sensations, both wild and tender. In a sh, his ardor rekindled every memory of her body¡¯s longing, awakening a thirst within her. Her body yearned for the exhrating experiences Brandon had given her. But Sophia knew she couldn¡¯t let it happen. So, in the face of Brandon¡¯s fervor, she stayed passive and stiff, a tad bewildered. Her bewilderment, however, stoked the primal beast within him. Heavy breaths filled the confined space. Brandon nearly nailed her to the wall with his kisses, growing increasingly profound, then slowly softened in response to her cluelessness, his nibbling turning into an unbearable caress. ¡°Sophia.¡± Amidst their mingling breaths, Brandon murmured her name in a husky voice tinged with lust, his eyes zing like they hid mes. Sophia saw the desire in his eyes, and in them, the reflection of her own dazed self. Her fleeting reason made a briefeback only to be swept away again by Brandon¡¯s overbearing kiss. He left no room for thought. Two years of marriage, and he knew her body too well, knew exactly how to stir her desires. Her logic crumbled bit by bit under his slow torment, the aroused hunger taking the upper hand. Her hands, previously dangling helplessly by her side, now found their way around his neck, her passive stiffness turning into an unconscious response of lips. and teeth, which made Brandonpletely lose his grip. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Quickly reiming control, he pushed her against the wall with even more force, deepening the kiss. Heavy breaths mixed with the ambiguous sounds of their moist contact and the rustling of clothes. The entanglement continued from the bathroom to the edge of the bed. Brandon pressed Sophia hard into the mattress, his fingers intecing with hers, pinning her hands firmly beside her head, his kisses turning into a desperate plea, his other hand impatiently tugging at their clothes. In the midst of the imminent spark, someone brushed against the nightstand, and the tter of something hitting the floor cut through the quiet night, stark and clear. Everything came to an abrupt halt. Sophia instinctively looked at Brandon. He was looking back at her, still pressing down, the lust in his eyes cooling but still apparent. Sophia¡¯s muddled mind began to clear. She hesitated under his pinning hand, her intent to stop him now unmistakable. Brandon nced at her but didn¡¯t let go. The heat in his eyes turned cold, with a hint of reckless ferocity lurking beneath. This sudden ferocity rmed Sophia, her eyes widening in fear, her breaths halting. Yet this reaction of hers provoked thetent fury within Brandon. The grip on her wrist tightened suddenly as he leaned in once more, his lips almost touching hers again when he suddenly stopped. He looked at her, theny down beside her on the bed. ¡°Sorry,¡± he said, his raspy voice now as calm as usual, as if the previous loss of control belonged to someone else. 09:01 Sophia pulled the nket around herself a bit tighter. ¡°It¡¯s my fault too,¡± she whispered, her breath still uneven from the turmoil, her hand clutching the nket. The disheveled clothes beneath the nket reminded her of the control she had lost. Embarrassment grew as her rationality returned. Brandon rose without a word. ¡°You can sleep here tonight, I¡¯ll sleep in the next room.¡± With that brief instruction, he left the room. Sophia¡¯s held breath was finally released with the closing of the door, her grip on the nket still tight.. The sound of running water soon came from the bathroom outside. Sophia guessed Brandon was taking a shower. This knowledge magnified her embarrassment, especially lying there disheveled in the bed that was steeped in Brandon¡¯s essence. Sophia¡¯s feelings wereplex, unsure how she had lost control earlier. In the quiet of the night, the hormones of two grown adults probably peaked invisibly, sparking an inadvertent fire. Sophia found that she was still physically attracted to Brandon. Brandon was fit, resilient, and strong, his eyes brimming with desire and sensuality under the influence of hormones. She couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to such a Brandon, even addicted, especially after countless peak experiences he had given her. This realizationplicated her emotions even further. The sound of water stopped after about half an hour, followed by the opening and closing of doors, and finally, silence settled around. Sophia turned over but found no sleep. She dozed off just before dawn but didn¡¯t sleep deeply, her dreams filled with images of Brandon pressing her against the bathroom wall, kissing her uncontrobly, even advancing further. In her dream, Brandon¡¯s moves were deep and powerful, his eyes pinned to hers while kissing her neck, sensual and alluring. Sophia woke up to the desire in his eyes, feeling an awkward stickiness on her body. This made Sophia very embarrassed. She had a wet dream, one about Brandon. This dream made her feel incredibly awkward when she saw Brandon the next morning. ¡°M-morning.¡± Even her greeting was stammered. Brandon gave her a curious look and greeted her in a cool voice. ¡°Morning.¡± He was back to his usual indifference,st night¡¯s loss of control seeming like nothing but a wild dream for Sophia. Sophia coughed lightly, suppressing her difort, her eyes unconsciously drifting towards the bathroom. ¡°Your toothbrush is in the rinse cup, the light aqua set, all brand spanking new.¡± Brandon sauntered over, fished out a rinse cup and toothbrush from the medicine cab for her, and then turned to look at her, ¡°What¡¯s the game n after breakfast?¡± ¡°I¡¯m heading to the hospital to see my dad,¡± Sophia said. ¡°He woke upst night.¡± Visiting hours were kaput at night at the hospital, and only one person could stick around for the night shift. Plus, with Laura flipping her lid, Sophia hadn¡¯t been able to stay either. Brandon nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a lift after breakfast.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Sophia instinctively declined but hesitated when she caught the intense gaze Brandon suddenly threw her way. Eventually, under the weight of his piercing eyes, she gave a little nod, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take you up on that offer then.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t say much, ¡°Go freshen up first.¡± Sophia nodded lightly and went to wash up. By the time she was done, Brandon had breakfast ready and was already seated at the table. Sophia took a seat across from him. Without a word, Brandon pushed the milk and breakfast towards her. Sophia epted the meal in silence. The breakfast went down with hardly any chit-chat. After the meal, Brandon drove Sophia to the hospital. As soon as Sophia got to the ward¡¯s door, she spotted Laura, who had just stepped out to fetch some water, causing her to pause in her tracks. Chapter 106 Chapter 106 Laura spotted Sophia too, who had cooled off a bit since yesterday but still looked a bit under the weather. That look of difort seemed to get shoved aside the moment she caught sight of Brandon by her side. Sophia didn¡¯t bother with hellos. She just strutted into the hospital room and called out ¡°Dad¡± to Haley, who was busy scrolling on. his phone. Haley froze, looking up in disbelief. Spotting Sophia, he lit up like a Christmas tree. ¡°Sophia? Is that really you? When did you get back?¡± Dropping his phone, he struggled to sit up. Sophia rushed over to keep him down. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re still hurt, stay put for now.¡± Haley stopped squirming, lying back down with eyes brimming with tears. ¡°When did youe back? Have you eaten?¡± ¡°Yep, had my meal already.¡± Sophia pulled up a chair to sit by the bed, eyeing Haley, ¡°Got backst night.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s great.¡± Haley got a bit misty-eyed and a tad sentimental, greedily taking in Sophia¡¯s appearance, ¡°You look like you¡¯ve lost weight being out there.¡± ¡°Nah, I¡¯ve actually gained a few pounds since heading overseas,¡± Sophia said, ncing at the bandaged head, ¡°How are you. feeling now? Better?¡± Haley nodded. ¡°Yeah, much better. I¡¯m feeling on top of the world.¡± He tried to prove his point with a grin, but halfway through his smile twisted into a grimace as he agitated his wound, prompting Sophia to stop him. ¡°Don¡¯t move around too much.¡± Before she could finish, Laura was already on the warpath, berating him. ¡°What are you up to now, acting all reckless? Don¡¯t you realize you¡¯re still seriously injured?¡± Then she turned her scolding on Sophia. ¡°And you! Knowing full well your dad¡¯s condition, you still got him tough. Guess you don¡¯t care to lift a finger to help out, huh?¡± She was loud and clear about her annoyance. At the sound of her voice, Haley didn¡¯t dare peep, just worriedly nced at Sophia, silently pleading for her not to argue with her mom. Sophia gave him a look, pursed her lips, and chose to stay silent, not wanting to put Haley in the middle of a spat. Brandon was just observing from the sidelines, his gaze bouncing from Haley¡¯s pleading eyes to Sophia and then to Laura. Laura, now busy tucking in Haley, was still going on and on. ¡°The doctor told you to rest up, how many times do I have to remind you? You wake up and get all cocky, forgetting your brush with the Grim Reaper just days ago.¡± Haley didn¡¯t even peep under the nagging. Seeing Haley in good spirits and knowing Laura would just keep on blowing her top, Sophia didn¡¯t want to make things harder for him, so she said to Haley, ¡°Dad, you should rest. I¡¯ll go check out how the ident case is being handled with the traffic police.¡± Laura spared a nce back. ¡°The hospital deposit ran out. They¡¯re hounding for the bill to be topped up, so you might as well handle it on your way.¡± Sophia nodded, picked up the bill from the table, and left the room. Brandon followed her out. ¡°Your mom always like this with you?¡± Brandon asked as they waited for the elevator. Sophia pursed her lips a bit, then nodded gently. ¡°That¡¯s just her way of talking and doing things.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re always just taking it?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± Sophia turned to him, ¡°But with my dad like this, if I pick a fight with her, who¡¯s gonna end up in the ER from all the stress? Him, right? Why bother with that argument now?¡± After saying this, she chuckled. ¡°I only came back to see my dad, anyway. I don¡¯t have a mom.¡± The smile on her face softened Brandon¡¯s indifferent gaze. He didn¡¯t say anything, just lifted his hand and gently ruffled her hair, lightly, with a touch of tenderness. Sophia stiffened a bit, memories fromst night shing back to her. Thankfully, the elevator doors opened at that moment. Sophia stepped in, with Brandon following, and they went together to take care of the hospital bill. Sophia had to drop by the traffic police, and she knew Brandon was busy. As they left the hospital, she turned to him. ¡°Go ahead with your stuff. I¡¯ll check on the ident case, no idea how long it¡¯ll take.¡± Checking his watch, Brandon said, ¡°No worries, I¡¯lle with you.¡± And with that, he went ahead to open the car door. Sophia had no choice but to follow. Brandon was now sticking to her like glue 24/7. It was something she wasn¡¯t used to. In her previous marriage, she actually enjoyed a life where they didn¡¯t step on each other¡¯s toes, where they had their own space. But that non-intrusive setup got messy when Brandon¡¯s mom and dad got involved, and as a daughter-inw, she had to deal with all the obligations and constraints tied to another family, along with the pressure to have kids. And without getting the same emotional investment from Brandon, especially after finding out about Ynda, she had to weigh what the marriage really brought her. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Comparing it all, she realized she was better off single and free, which was why she opted for divorce. Over these two years flying solo, she¡¯d gotten quitefortable and didn¡¯t fuss over love anymore. But Brandon, suddenly not as work-obsessed and even finding time to apany her, threw her off her game. ¡°Aren¡¯t you busy these days?¡± Sophia asked, watching him drive calmly. ¡°It¡¯s manageable.¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t need to drop me off. I can handle these things myself,¡± Sophia said softly, ¡°We don¡¯t even know how long it¡¯ll take at the traffic police. You should head back when it¡¯s time.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got my own schedule sorted, don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know what else to say for the moment. She tried to change the subject. ¡°So, what happened with you and Ynda afterward?¡± Chapter 107 Chapter 107 Brandon said, ¡°Ynda¡¯s history.¡± Sophia gave him a puzzled look. He had said the same thing two years ago, but she thought he was just blowing off steam back then. Without looking at her, Brandon calmly steered the wheel. ¡°And don¡¯t bring her up in front of me again.¡± ¡°Marian.¡± She tried to mention that Marian had alsoe back, but before she could finish, Brandon cut her off, ¡°I don¡¯t know this person.¡± He clearly didn¡¯t want to go there. After a soft ¡°hmm¡± from Sophia, the conversation died. The traffic police arrived swiftly, and Brandon apanied Sophia over. The results of the ident investigation were ready, and they were about to call the family to deal with it. The ident was deemed mainly the other party¡¯s fault; a dashcam from a passing car caught the whole thing. The other driver had deliberately swerved into thene, causing the rear car to crash into the front one, resulting in the ident. Seeing the results, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, snapped a photo of the oue, and sent it to the family group chat to put their minds at ease. Aaron sent back a big [gritting teeth] emoji with a message saying [All good now.] He imed he was relieved, but Sophia didn¡¯t see him at the hospital today, and even though he was therest night, he was just off to the side, engrossed in his games. Sophia didn¡¯t respond but put her phone away, smiled, and thanked the traffic cop, ready to leave when someone entered and called out uncertainly, ¡°Sophia?¡± She looked up at the sound and saw a young man in riding gear, tall and skinny, looking slightly familiar, but she couldn¡¯t ce him. Seeing that Sophia didn¡¯t remember him, he pointed at her with augh, ¡°Drawing a nk, huh?¡± Sophia offered an awkward smile. ¡°It¡¯s me, Baron, the guy who sat behind you in senior year.¡± He introduced himself with a grin, not minding herpse of memory. With that clue, Sophia suddenly remembered. Brandon¡¯s desk-mate, always sitting behind her, tall andnky like a monkey, and just as lively, always bouncing around, chatty, but a genuinely easy-going guy. She couldn¡¯t help but nce back at Brandon. Brandon stood with his arms crossed, watching Baron with an impassive gaze, not uttering a word. Noticing Sophia¡¯s look, he gave her a brief nce. Baron finally noticed Brandon standing next to Sophia, points at him uncertainly, and asked, ¡°Brandon?¡± Brandon greeted him coolly, ¡°Long time no see.¡± ¡°Wow, it really is you.¡± Baron was visibly excited. ¡°Haven¡¯t seen you in years.¡± After the greeting, his gaze curiously shifted between the two, ¡°You guys together now?¡± Sophia knew there was a misunderstanding and rified with a smile, ¡°No, just bumped into each other on the road.¡± Baronughed it off, ¡°I thought so, you two don¡¯t look like an item.¡± Sophia gave another awkward smile. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Brandon nced at Sophia and then checked his watch, ¡°I should head back, got to swing by the office.¡± Sophia nodded and said goodbye to Baron with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ve got to go, too. Let¡¯s catch up some other time.¡± Baron was already pulling out his phone, ¡°Hey, what¡¯s your WhatsApp? I¡¯ll add you.¡± Sophia hesitated but opened WhatsApp to let Baron scan it. Baron immediately sent her a friend request. ¡°ept it,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re not in our ss group, and we can never find you for reunions. Now that I¡¯ve got your contact, we can include you next time. The teacher has mentioned you a bunch of times, always wanted to see you.¡± Sophia had always been grateful for her teacher¡¯s care, especially when she transferred schools and needed support and encouragement. She epted the request. A delighted Baron then turned to Brandon, ¡°Hey Brandon, let¡¯s add each other on WhatsApp, yeah?¡± Brandon declined tly, ¡°No need.¡± Baron looked a bit awkward for a moment. Sophia instinctively tried to smooth things over, ¡°He didn¡¯t bring his phone today. I¡¯ll connect you two later.¡± Brandon looked at her, silent. Baron quickly got back to his cheery self, ¡°That works.¡± Without dying them further, he gestured behind him, ¡°Got some stuff to handle here, you guys go ahead.¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Sure.¡± As he walked away, she turned to Brandon, ¡°Shall we go?¡± Brandon nodded without a word. As they approached the car, Brandon nced at Baron busy inside, then looked at Sophia. Sophia was engrossed in her phone, chatting with someone. Without saying anything, Brandon pulled out his phone, brought up the WhatsApp QR code, and handed it over to her, ¡°Scan this.¡± Sophia looked at him, puzzled. Brandon was still watching her, ¡°Weren¡¯t you going to connect me with Baron?¡± Sophia was speechless. She was just being polite. But Brandon continued to look at her, ¡°I remember you deleted me.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know what to say. Chapter 108 Chapter 108 ¡°No need to add, I guess,¡± Sophia said, ¡°Just call me if you need anything. It¡¯s not like we chat on WhatsApp anyway¡± Brandon¡¯s lips curled slightly, ¡°Phone calls? You change your number so often you could give phone scammers a run for their money.¡± Sophia fell silent. Brandon had already put his phone away, ¡°Forget it.¡± He started the car and spoke in a casual tone, ¡°You heading home or to the hospital?¡± Sophia figured that going to the hospital would mean dealing with Laura¡¯s thinly veiled insults again and disturbing Haley¡¯s rest, so she softly suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s just go home.¡± Brandon grunted in acknowledgment, not adding anything more. He dropped her off at the base of the apartment building. ¡°You should get some rest back at home. There¡¯s food in the fridge, you can whip something up or order takeout,¡± Brandon said. ¡°We have a housekeeper who cooks, but I haven¡¯t been eating at home lately, so I didn¡¯t ask her toe by. I can give you her number if you want.¡± ¡°No need, I can handle it myself,¡± Sophia replied while unbuckling her seatbelt. After a moment¡¯s thought, she felt she should give him a heads up, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s very convenient staying here, I¡¯m thinking of moving to a hotel.¡± Brandon nced at her, his aura dropping a few degrees, but he remained silent. Sophia¡¯s hand lingered on the seatbelt as she spoke softly, ¡°You see, if I try to give you a heads up, you disagree. If I go ahead and do it, you get mad. Brandon, don¡¯t you think this is getting old?¡± She turned to face him, ¡°Brandon, what¡¯s with the back and forth? I¡¯m not Ynda, you figured that out two years ago. I don¡¯t have anything else left. If it¡¯s just about getting used to things, hasn¡¯t it been long enough?¡± Brandon chuckled, looking at her, ¡°Indeed, what¡¯s there about you that¡¯s worth all this fuss.¡± His smile faded as quickly as it had appeared, and with a press of his palm against the central lock, the sound of car locks disengaging filled the space. ¡°Go wherever you fancy. I¡¯m the one intruding,¡± he said, not looking at Sophia. Sophia pressed her lips together lightly. ¡°Thanks,¡± she whispered her thanks and stepped out of the car. Brandon didn¡¯t respond. The car drove off swiftly as soon as the door closed. Sophia nced at the receding car, a faint smile touching her lips as she turned and walked toward the elevator. Brandon peeked in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Sophia¡¯s slender, upright figure walking away decisively without looking back. He chuckled at himself, a hint of coldness in his eyes as he shifted his gaze back to the road ahead. Kent could clearly sense that something was off with Brandon, Since his return to thepany, there was a stormy undertone in his otherwise brisk stride. Kent knew this version of Brandon all too well. It had started showing up now and then since his divorce two years ago.. Although it seemed like he was back to normal these past two years, he had a major setback right after his trip to Wye City. was rpsing, and each time it had something to do with Sophia. In Kent¡¯s eyes, it was as if Brandon. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. It was like this when they divorced two years ago, whenever he bumped into Sophia, when she went abroad, after his trip from Wye City, and now again. Kent remembered Sophia was still in Wye City, and Brandon¡¯s schedule for the next few days didn¡¯t include any trips abroad, except for that visit to Sophia¡¯s father at the hospital. Visiting Sophia¡¯s father. A thought struck Kent, and he couldn¡¯t help but nce at Brandon, who had just entered his office. Brandon had pulled out his chair and settled in front of hisputer, then called out, ¡°Kent.¡± ¡°Right here,¡± Kent replied loudly, hurrying over, ¡°Mr. Crawley, what can I do for you?¡± Brandon asked, ¡°How¡¯s the preparation for Don¡¯s domestic branching along?¡± ¡°The newpany has passed the business registration and is already applying for a corporate bank ount, which should be finalized in a couple of days. We¡¯ve allocated the 17th floor of the headquarters for the newpany¡¯s office space, which has been refurbished and cleaned, ready for move-in.¡± Kent reported dutifully, fully aware of how much Brandon, being close to Don, cared about this new venture, having personally instructed him to supervise it. The newpany, a joint venture between the Starlight Group and Dempsey Architects, was simply named ¡°Star Dempsey Architects, seemingly lending Starlight¡¯s clout to Dempsey¡¯s firm. The Starlight Group had a vast portfolio, including hotels and real estate, with its own brand and construction team, as well as a reputable architectural design team. However, it fell short of the top-tier standard that Brandon sought. Since taking over thepany, Brandon had ns to push the architectural design business to the pinnacle of the industry. Yet, the core team, left from his grandfather¡¯s era, tended to be conservative. Despite their solid reputation and capabilities, innovationgged, leading to an awkward standing in the industry- a safe bet for clients seeking reliability but not the first choice for those with specific design requirements. Though keen on reform, Brandon faced resistance from the old guard in his core team. Neers eithercked the boldness to challenge their seniors or the talent to back up their ideas. Consequently, after several years, the design team had seen stable development but no breakthroughs. Kent had always suspected that Brandon¡¯s support for Don had an ulterior motive. Don¡¯s teamprised talented young designers with fresh ideas, exactly what thepany¡¯s design team needed. Now, with the establishment of their joint venture, operating independently from the mainpany, Kent saw it as a signal that Brandon might be considering setting the architectural design department on a new path. The Starlight Group needed a seasoned team with a solid rep like the original design crew, but they were also on the lookout for a fresh squad that¡¯ll knock their socks off, maybe evene out of left field and wow everyone. After hearing Kent¡¯s report, Brandon gave a small nod and followed up, ¡°How¡¯s the team shaping up?¡± Kent replied, ¡°We¡¯ve pretty much got the team assembled. HR, admin, finance, and the ount execs are all on board. As for the designers, Mr. Dempsey¡¯s mostly sticking with the old hands from Ephemora¡¯s main office ¨C folks who¡¯ve been in the trenches with him for a few years and are willing to trek back home with him. They¡¯re set to clock in officially in a few days. Plus, we¡¯ve scouted a few new designers, heard some of them are hotshots from top-notch international schools. The only piece of the puzzle left is the head designer position. Not sure if you wanna bring in new blood or pull someone from headquarters.¡± ¡°Whoa, Kent, don¡¯t throw me under the bus here.¡± Kent didn¡¯t get to finish his sentence when Don¡¯s youthful, buoyant voice cut in. As the sound faded, Don¡¯s arm was already slung over Kent¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Come on, Brandon¡¯s already given my peeps the cold shoulder. If you toss out any more bad ideas and the one I chose get the boot, watch your back I¡¯ll come knocking for payback.¡± Brandon looked at him, ¡°Still holding a torch for that girl?¡± ¡°You bet,¡± Don admitted without missing a beat, ¡°As long as she¡¯s not off the market, there¡¯s always a chance.¡± ¡°I¡¯m with you on that,¡± Kent chimed in swiftly, ¡°It¡¯s like a girl getting hitched. As long as she¡¯s not married off, anything could happen.¡± After saying that, Kent threw a meaningful nce at Brandon. Chapter 109 Chapter 109 Brandon shot him a nce. ¡°Spit it out.¡± Kent cautiously eyed his expression. ¡°Should I really spill the beans? If I step out of line, please go easy on me.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Kent was speechless Don elbowed Kent. ¡°Juste out with it, man. Why you beating around the bush?¡± Kent cleared his throat, looked over at Brandon who had turned his attention back to work, and felt it was time to bite the bullet while Don was there to back him up. So he addressed Brandon. ¡°Mr. Crawley.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Brandon was flipping through reports and didn¡¯t look up, simply responded with one word. ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Did you run into Ms. Yearwood at the hospital?¡± Brandon¡¯s hand paused on the report, he tilted his head slightly and gave Kent a look. ¡°You knew she¡¯s back in town?¡± ¡°Did she contact you?¡± he asked. The light questions and the chilly gaze made Kent instantly recall the incident two years ago when Sophia asked him to convey a message to Brandon about returning money. At that time, he carelessly called her ¡°Sophia¡± and said, ¡°Mr. Crawley, Sophia¡¯s on the line.¡± What he got in return was the same kind of icy stare and a bone-chillingly calm remark, ¡°Since when are you and Ms. Yearwood on a first- name basis?¡± That look, paired with his slowly measured tone, made Kent¡¯s spine tingle. This time, to avoid any suspicion, he had carefully referred to Sophia as ¡°Ms. Yearwood,¡± but it seemed he still couldn¡¯t dodge the scrutiny in that gaze and tone. Feeling the weight of Brandon¡¯s stare, Kent quickly waved his hands to show his innocence. ¡°Why would she contact me for no reason?¡± Kent chuckled nervously, carefully choosing his words, ¡°Aren¡¯t you off your game today?¡± Don, intrigued, raised an eyebrow, looked at Brandon, then back at Kent. ¡°What¡¯s the deal here?¡± Kent didn¡¯t dare cater to Don¡¯s gossip, his eyes still nervously fixed on Brandon. Brandon still had that calm, side-ncing look. ¡°Go on,¡± he said. Since the conversation had already started, Kent had no choice but to plow ahead. ¡°Every time you¡¯ve been off these past two years, it¡¯s been about Ms. Yearwood. And since you visited her dad at the hospital yesterday, I thought maybe you bumped into her there.¡± And that it got under your skin again. Kent didn¡¯t dare to voice thatst part.. Don seemed to catch on. ¡°Who¡¯s Ms. Yearwood?¡± Kent sneaked a nce at Brandon. ¡°Mr. Crawley¡¯s wife.¡± He just couldn¡¯t bring himself to say ¡°ex-wife.¡± Don blurted out. ¡°Didn¡¯t you guys get a divorce?¡± Realizing he might be betraying Kent¡¯s confidence, he regretted it instantly and smacked his own mouth. Kent pretended not to hear, maintaining a humble posture as if waiting for Brandon¡¯s orders, trying not to draw fire onto himself. But his humility was in vain. Brandon nced at him, and even without saying a word, his look made Kent¡¯s legs go weak. Brandon didn¡¯t speak; just looked at him. Kent wasn¡¯t great at handling that kind of gaze from Brandon. Feeling the psychological pressure reach its peak, he suddenly found the courage to break and speak his mind. Kent coughed lightly. ¡°The other day, when I went to pick up Mr. Dempsey, I identally let something slip.¡± As he spoke, he looked at Brandon. He had been holding back for two years and decided to take advantage of this burst of boldness to get it all off his chest. ¡°Mr. Crawley, I¡¯ve always been someone who speaks his mind, and I¡¯ve been bottling this up for two years. I¡¯m just going toy it out today. I don¡¯t know what went down between you and Ms. Yearwood, but it¡¯s clear, you¡¯re not over her. If you can¡¯t let go, why not just win her back? It¡¯s no big deal, girls need a bit of sweet talk. You¡¯re not going to get your wife back with that attitude.¡± Brandon nced at him. ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± Kent was stumped, his audacity fading, and his voice grew weaker. ¡°It¡¯s really none of my business. But I¡¯ve been worried about you these past two years.¡± He looked at Brandon earnestly, ¡°To be honest, I miss the way you used to be. Unppable, unaffected by anyone or anything at any time.¡± Brandon¡¯s hand paused on the documents, seemingly lost in thought. Kent suddenly worried he might have gone too far and was pondering how to make amends when Brandon looked at him. ¡°It¡¯s my issue. You¡¯ve all had a tough couple of years because of me,¡± he said, his voice very calm. This was not the turn of events Kent had expected, and he was momentarily stunned. Brandon had already rolled up the report gently, tapping it against his hand, his expression serene. Kent had a feeling that the Brandon of two years ago had returned. ¡°Kent,¡± Brandon said, looking at him with a calm andposed gaze, ¡°no one is clinging to anyone here, and nobody¡¯s life depends on someone else.¡± Don heartily agreed with this and chimed in. ¡°I¡¯m with you on that. Just because there¡¯s a divorce doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s anybody¡¯s fault; maybe they¡¯re just not right for each other. It¡¯s best if both parties are well.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond. Don continued. ¡°Sometimes what we call not being able to let go isn¡¯t about deep feelings; it¡¯s just habit, or being stuck in memories and not willing to move on. But in the end, it¡¯s often because you haven¡¯t met someone new.¡± Don looked at Brandon. ¡°Have you considered meeting other girls, starting over? You¡¯ve been divorced for two years; it¡¯s fine to find someone new.¡± Then he remembered Ynda. ¡°Ynda¡¯s back, you know. Maybe you could think about Ynda.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no Ynda,¡± Brandon cut him off coldly. Don didn¡¯t sweat it too much, thinking Brandon and Ynda just had some cobwebs to clear after not seeing each other for ages. Plus, Ynda had changed quite a bit since she was a kid, and even Don was struggling to wrap his head around the change. So, Brandon would naturally need some time to adjust. So, with a chuckle, Don teased Brandon, ¡°No worries, man. How about I y matchmaker for you and set you up on a blind date?¡± Kent jumped in before Don could finish, ¡°Mr. Crawley doesn¡¯t need any set-ups.¡± But before he could get all the words out, Brandon was already looking at Don and replied coolly, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go for it.¡± Kent stared at Brandon in shock. The Brandon he knew might have gone off the rails asionally because of Sophia over the past couple of years, but most of the time, he was on a totally different wavelength from us mere mortals. The idea of Brandon going on a blind date sounded so out of ce, it was downright jarring. ¡°Mr. Crawley,¡± he called out, unsure, ¡°You good?¡± ¡°What could possibly be wrong with me?¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was nonchnt, ¡°It¡¯s all just habit. There¡¯s no habit you can¡¯t break. What¡¯s the difference who you¡¯re with, anyway?¡± Kent didn¡¯t know what to say. Kent kinda regretted bringing it up. Chapter 110 Chapter 110 He originally wanted to nudge Brandon to win Sophia back, but it totally backfired. In his eyes, Sophia was ace ¨C from her looks and vibe to her education and temperament, everything about her was top-notch and she seemed like the perfect match for Brandon. This matchy-matchy vibe wasn¡¯t just about looks, but also about how well their personalities clicked. Marriage wasn¡¯t always about opposites attracting; sometimes the most chill andfy vibes when two were together can be the real deal. With Sophia, Brandon was the most chill and at ease Kent had seen him since like, forever. Kent had no clue if Brandon would ever find that kind of peace and calm with someone else. But hey, life¡¯s gotta move on. From Brandon¡¯s reaction, Kent figured Sophia must¡¯ve cut the cord with more resolve, and it wasn¡¯t a given that chasing her down would bring her back ¨C he worried that Brandon might just go off the deep end. He didn¡¯t dare to shoot his mouth off any further, so he just chuckled and said to Brandon, ¡°Yeah, well, Mr. Crawley, wish you can nail the blind date scene.¡± Patricia just happened to be outside the office door and paused, giving a thoughtful look inside at Brandon. Brandon didn¡¯t bite on Kent¡¯s teasing and just kept his cool, going over some documents. Kent and Don were also in the office. Patricia had meant toe over to smooth things over with Brandon, not expecting a crowd. ying it cool, Patricia didn¡¯t step forward to interrupt, but she did take to heart Kent¡¯sment about ¡°wish you can nail the blind date scene,¡± deciding to hang back in the lounge and wait. When Kent passed by, she called out to him. ¡°Kent.¡± Kent turned, a bit surprised, and seeing Patricia sipping coffee in the booth, he approached with a smile, ¡°Mrs. Crawley, what brings you here?¡± ¡°I had something to discuss with Mr. Crawley, but you guys seemed tied up in a meeting, so I didn¡¯t intrude,¡± Patricia exined with her usual grace. ¡°I overheard something about Mr. Crawley going on a blind date?¡± Kent chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Just a little joke. Mr. Crawley doesn¡¯t need blind dates.¡± But Patricia wasn¡¯t buying the brush-off, ¡°Who¡¯s he meeting? What¡¯s her name? What do her parents do?¡± ¡°It was really just a joke, there¡¯s no one.¡± ¡°Kent,¡± Patricia put on a stern face. Kent didn¡¯t dare to y silly any longer and got serious. ¡°Mrs. Crawley, there really isn¡¯t anyone,¡± Kent emphasized earnestly, ¡°Mr. Dempsey was just joking about setting Mr. Crawley up on a blind date, that¡¯s all, nothing else to it.¡± Patricia pondered, ¡°So Brandon agreed to this blind date?¡± Kent was stuck on how to answer. Saying ¡°yes¡± might drag Patricia into Brandon¡¯s business, and saying ¡°no¡± might just prolong the hassle. Patricia saw right through his hesitation, ¡°Alright, I was just asking. Look how worked up you got.¡± With that, she left without making things harder for him. Kent, watching Patricia walk away, let out a huge sigh of relief, patting his chest and exhaling before turning to leave, only to catch Brandon¡¯s gaze through the office window. Kent¡¯s heart skipped a beat, not sure if Brandon had seen his chat with Patricia about the blind date stuff. After a moment¡¯s thought, he decided toe clean. ¡°I just bumped into Mrs. Crawley outside. She kinda heard about you going on a blind date, so she casually asked me a few questions.¡± Kent dutifully recounted his conversation with Patricia. Brandon¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, he just hummed indifferently, his eyes not even shifting from his computer screen to Kent, as if it was no big deal. Kent was a bit lost about what Brandon was thinking. Brandon finally spoke up, ¡°You can go now.¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± Kent, relieved to be off the hook, quickly left the office, making sure to close the door behind him. Brandon didn¡¯t look up, tapping a few keys on the keyboard, then paused, ncing at the time on the computer ¨C it was six in the evening. He lingered on the time for a moment, then silently shut down hisputer and got up. Passing the outer office, Kent happened to look up and called out in surprise, ¡°Mr. Crawley, you¡¯re off work?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was faint as he walked straight out, leaving everyone else exchanging puzzled looks. Seeing Brandon clock out on time was rare indeed. As Brandon stepped into the elevator and saw the surprise and confusion on the faces around him, he didn¡¯t say anything, just pressed the elevator button.. The drive home was clogged with slow-moving traffic. That¡¯s why Brandon hated leaving on the dot ¨C he wasn¡¯t a fan of wasting time in traffic jams. But today, he felt eerily calm, with asional shes of an indescribable emptiness ¨C just like everyone else. Brandon didn¡¯t know why he chose this time to leave work. Sophia had already said goodbye, probably wasn¡¯t there anymore. Heading home early orte, it didn¡¯t really make a difference. Logically, he knew he¡¯d be facing an empty house, but still, his body chose to head home first. When the car stopped in the underground garage, Brandon sat inside quietly for a while before finally locking up and stepping out. The elevator was a short walk from the garage. Riding the elevator to his floor, Brandon pressed the code on the lock, pushed open the door, and started toward the living room, loosening his tie. Halfway there, he froze, eyesnding on Sophia who wasing out of the kitchen with a dish in hand. Sophia, hearing him, looked up, not expecting Brandon to be home so soon. She felt a bit awkward too, ¡°You¡¯re back early?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond, just stood there, his gaze shifting from her face to the dish in her hands, then to the food on the table, and back to her slightly embarrassed expression. ¡°I thought about it and figured I should break the news to you in person,¡± she said, pursing her lips slightly. ¡°You¡¯ve been a huge help these past couple of days, and I haven¡¯t had the chance to thank you face-to-face. I didn¡¯t have much going on this afternoon, so I just whipped up a few dishes.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten yet, have you?¡± Her voice softened as she asked. ¡°Nope.¡± Brandon finally spoke up, loosening his half-done tie. ¡°Then let¡¯s eat first,¡± Sophia invited. ¡°The food¡¯s just off the stove, still hot.¡± Brandon gave a light ¡°Mhm¡± and headed to the dining table. Sophia had already dished up a te for him.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t make much, hope you don¡¯t mind,¡± she said, taking a seat at the table. Brandon pulled out a chair and sat down, ncing at the spread. The table was filled with hearty, homemade dishes, all her specialties. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Brandon looked at her. ¡°The food¡¯s great, thanks.¡± Sophia was a bit thrown off by Brandon¡¯s sudden politeness and gave a small smile. ¡°No problem.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t respond. He picked up some food with his chopsticks and started eating. Sophia stayed quiet too, calmly eating her meal. It was another silent dinner. But unlikest night¡¯s fast-food joint meal, tonight¡¯s Brandon wasn¡¯t waiting to settle scores after eating. He was just silently and calmly enjoying his meal, more peaceful than ever. In the end, it was Sophia who broke the silence. ¡°I¡¯ve booked a hotel already, I¡¯m thinking of moving there after a while.¡± Brandon looked at her. ¡°I¡¯ll drive you over.¡± Sophia wanted to refuse, but she nodded in response to his gaze. ¡°Alright, thanks for the trouble.¡± Chapter 111 Chapter 111 The whole ride there, Brandon just kept his cool, driving in silence, not much chatter. When they pulled up at the hotel entrance, Brandon hopped out and hauled Sophia¡¯s suitcase down for her. Sophia grabbed her suitcase, shed a smile, and bid Brandon farewell. ¡°When you heading back?¡± Brandon asked. ¡°In a few days, I guess.¡± Sophia replied, still uncertain, since it all hinged on how Haley was bouncing back. Brandon nodded, ¡°If you need anything, give Kent a buzz.¡± ¡°Will do,¡± Sophia nodded back. She gestured to the hotel lobby behind her, ¡°Well, I¡¯m gonna head back in.¡± Brandon returned the nod, watched her enter the hotel, and didn¡¯t move until she vanished around the elevator corner. Then he spun around and got back into his car. Sitting in the car, he was wrapped in silence, not speeding off just yet. The window was down, the night wind was whooshing, fluttering his hair.. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Right across was the river. River Song in the West district meandered from west to east, broad and silent. Every once in a while, you could spot a night cruise ship rumbling by. Brandon watched the slowly receding ship, his mind at peace, the kind of calm that settled after reason had had its say. He could totally rte to Kent¡¯s words, longing for the old Brandon, the even-tempered one, unppable by anything or anyone at any time. Part of him missed that Brandon too. Rational, cool-headed,ser-focused on work, not fretting or floundering over anyone, not tormented like a caged animal without an escape. He cherished the days with Sophia by his side, thefort ofing home to her, the fullness in his heart when she crossed his mind. But life without her these past two years, though a bit nd, wasn¡¯t unbearable. Brandon was never one to force things. Since Sophia chose to go solo, respecting her decision was the best way to honor what they had. Their journey together, if it was over, then so be it. A familiar cramp surged in his stomach at the thought. Without a flicker of emotion, Brandon pressed a hand to his abdomen, nced up at the brightly lit hotel, fired up the engine, and the car sped away. In her hotel room, Sophia stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching that familiar ck sedan slowly drive away. She was staying on the second floor, not too high, giving her a clear view of the car below. She had just drawn back the curtains when she noticed Brandon¡¯s car was still there. She saw his pause in the car, his calm, indifferent profile, and his eventual departure. She couldn¡¯t quite name the feeling in her heart a sour, tingling difort. After all, he was the man she¡¯d secretly adored for so many years. Sophia knew herself well. Feelings, moods, lots of things fade with time and distance. Out of sight, out of mind, no thoughts, no pining. But when close, she couldn¡¯t control herself. Emotions aren¡¯t things you can just drop with a single word. So keeping her distance, cutting off contact, or even avoiding meeting was the best exit strategy for her. The following days found Sophia¡¯s life back on its regr track. Since she hadn¡¯t known about Haley¡¯s situation beforeing back, she hadn¡¯t booked a return flight and was staying at the hotel. She visited Haley at the hospital like clockwork during the day and rushed home at night to work on the resort design. Her daily routine was busy and tight. Laura still held a grudge about the vi incident from two years ago and hadn¡¯t warmed up to Sophia, who didn¡¯t pay much mind to it. As a kid, Sophia had yearned for maternal love and had tried to curry favor with Laura. At that tender age, her idea of earning motherly affection was simply to be good, sensible, obedient, and academically sessful not to be a worry for Mom and Dad. So she bent over backwards to be understanding and obedient, taking Laura¡¯s scolding as a sign she wasn¡¯t doing well enough, which was why her mom was upset. Back then, she didn¡¯t know Laura wasn¡¯t her biological mother and med herself for not being good enough, which saddened her for a long time. She couldn¡¯t fathom why her mom wouldn¡¯t hug her like other moms, wouldn¡¯tfort her when she cried, or praise her when she aced a test. She had many unanswered ¡°whys¡±. Later, as she grew up and learned from Laura¡¯s tirades that she wasn¡¯t her real mom, she transitioned from sorrow to eptance and realized that no matter how hard she tried, she could never make Laura notice her, the daughter she saw as a burden. Her feelings for Laura shifted from craving love to just not provoking her. As she matured, she learned to handle Laura¡¯s outbursts and maintain a surface-level harmony. This harmony peaked during her marriage to Brandon. Laura even seemed to butter her up, but this turned to resentment when she found out about their divorce and that Sophia had taken back the vi money. In Laura¡¯s eyes, they saved Sophia¡¯s life, raised her, and paid for her education, so Sophia owed her. Sophia may not have much affection left for Laura but bore no resentment either. They did save her, and despite all theints, they never gave up on her, raising her and funding her education, ensuring her life wasn¡¯t too shabby. So in some ways, Sophia was grateful and wanted to repay that debt. She knew why Laura was both cold to her and yet called her back. It was because Haley¡¯s fate was uncertain, and Laura feared the hospital bills she couldn¡¯t afford, as well as the possibility of being liable for a bigpensation im she couldn¡¯t pay. Laura urgently needed Sophia, the daughter, to return. But now, seeing Haley getting better day by day and not needing anypensation, Sophia¡¯s role naturally fizzled out. Laura, back to her old ways, started nitpicking Sophia again. Every time Sophia showed up, Laura would dish out some sour grapes, all passive-aggressive, and even the others in the ward were feeling sorry for her. Haley, true to form, didn¡¯t dare peep a word, but he¡¯d always sneak in an apology to Sophia when Laura wasn¡¯t around, feeling guilty as hell. She¡¯d tell Sophia to just roll with the punches because Laura, despite her harsh words, was kind inside, so he urged Sophia not to take it to heart. Sophia had mixed feelings about the whole Haley thing. She didn¡¯t get into a tiff with him over it, didn¡¯t even put him in the hot seat, just encouraged him to focus on healing up. Maybe it was the good vibes, but Haley¡¯s recovery was ahead of the game, and the doc gave him the thumbs up to check out early. When Sophia got the news that Haley was cleared to leave the hospital, she mentioned her ns to head back to Wye City. Haley¡¯s face turned gloomy, ¡°Aren¡¯t you already done with school? Why head back there?¡± Chapter 112 Chapter 112 ¡°I¡¯ve got work over there,¡± Sophia murmured, ¡°can¡¯t take too much time off.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t you just look for a job back home?¡± Haley didn¡¯t get it. ¡°You graduated from a top-notch university. What kind of job couldn¡¯t you snag back here? Why stick it out abroad? Must be pretty lonely all by yourself, right?¡± Laura¡¯s snarky voice rang out from the doorway as she walked in carrying a kettle, ¡°She went abroad and sae a different world, dreaming of being top dog abroad. Like she¡¯d even nce at a local gig.¡± Haley frowned at Sophia, ¡°Sophia, is what your mom¡¯s saying true?¡± Sophia looked at him, ¡°Dad, what do you think?¡± Stumped, Haley couldn¡¯t figure out what Sophia was really thinking. Sophia faced him, earnestly, ¡°Dad, I¡¯m not nning to emigrate. I just need to wrap things up with my work and life there. I rushed back this time because I have things to take care of.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Haley breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°As long as you¡¯re not emigrating, that¡¯s good. Nothing beats home, and here you¡¯ve got family to watch your back.¡± Laura couldn¡¯t help but butt in, ¡°Come back home? Where¡¯s her home? Our house can¡¯t amodate such a big shot. She can go wherever she pleases.¡± Haley opened his mouth to speak but ended up staying silent, just looking worriedly at Sophia. Sophia gave him a small smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have no ns to go back to the West district.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not okay,¡± Haley immediately disagreed, ¡°How can you note back to the West district? How are you going to manage on your own as a girl? Your mom¡¯s just running her mouth, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± He whispered thest part, not wanting Laura to hear. Sophia just smiled, then looked at him, ¡°Dad, after all these years, can¡¯t you see how we¡¯ve both been living?¡± Laura exploded, ¡°What are you implying? Have I ever starved or neglected you? Sophia, have a heart when you speak.¡± Sophia ignored her tantrum, simply looking at Haley with her soft and calm voice, ¡°Dad, I don¡¯t want to put you in a tough spot, but I¡¯m not keen on making things hard for myself either. Things are fine as they are. I¡¯m doing well on my own, so don¡¯t worry about me. Just take care of yourself, and I¡¯lle visit when I can.¡± Haley¡¯s eyes grew moist, ¡°Are you leaving now?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Sophia smiled, ¡°Just giving you a heads-up. I¡¯ll leave after you¡¯re discharged, but I¡¯ve got a proposal to show a client in the next couple of days. They happen to be here too, so I want to lock it down before I head back. It¡¯ll be easier to meet face-to-face, which means I might not have time to visit you.¡± ¡°No worries, just do your thing. Your mom¡¯s here,¡± Haley said, waving his hand. But Laura still looked sour, ring at Sophia, ¡°What did you mean just now, Sophia? Spell it out. How have we ever wronged you?¡± ¡°What¡¯s all the buzz about? Quite the party, huh?¡± Kent chimed in with a cheerful voice as he entered, carrying fruit. Sophia turned to greet Kent, standing up politely, ¡°Kent.¡± Kent had been dropping by often, and it was like clockwork that he¡¯d show up just when Laura was getting all sarcastic with Sophia, which put a lid on Laura¡¯s rants, somewhat mindful of Brandon. Kent greeted with a smile, ¡°Ms. Yearwood, you¡¯re here too.¡± Then he turned to Haley with a warm hello, ¡°Mr. Yearwood, feeling any better today?¡± ¡°Much better, doctors say I might be out in a couple of days,¡± Haley replied cheerily, weing Kent, ¡°Thanks for making the effort toe see me every day, Kent.¡± ¡°No trouble at all, the office isn¡¯t far so I swing by to check on you,¡± Kent replied with a smile. Sophia nced at her watch and then at Haley, ¡°Dad, I should head back. I¡¯lle by to see you when I can.¡± Kent looked surprised, ¡°You¡¯re leaving already?¡± It wasn¡¯t that he was sensitive, but it seemed every time he showed up, Sophia was on her way out, no matter how long she¡¯d been there. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she was intentionally avoiding him. Of course, he wasn¡¯t so vain as to think Sophia would avoid him specifically; she probably just didn¡¯t want to get too close to anyone associated with Brandon. Sophia maintained her polite smile, ¡°Yeah, work¡¯s been hectictely. Gotta get back.¡± Haley waved her off, ¡°Go on then, be safe on the road, and don¡¯t overdo it. Don¡¯t work toote.¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°You too, rest up. I¡¯lle by to see youter.¡± After bidding Kent a polite goodbye, she left. With Sophia gone, Kent didn¡¯t have much reason to linger. He didn¡¯t have any specific task there, so after a bit more small talk with Haley, he said his goodbyes and headed back to the office. When he arrived, Brandon was there, busy at hisputer. Without looking up, Brandon casually started, ¡°Back so soon?¡± ¡°Yeah, Mr. Yearwood¡¯s recovering well. The doctor says he might be discharged in a couple of days,¡± Kent reported diligently. It was Brandon who asked Kent to visit Haley. The timing was also set by Brandon, who didn¡¯t say much, just asked him to check in on Haley on his behalf. He never mentioned Sophia, and when Kent returned, Brandon didn¡¯t inquire about her, just asking about Haley¡¯s condition. The first day, Kent thought Brandon was just being stubborn in not asking, secretly wanting to know. So, he casually brought up Sophia, only to be cut off immediately by Brandon. ¡°No need to mention her.¡± After that, Kent didn¡¯t dare bring up Sophia again, but Brandon¡¯s timing always coincided with Sophia¡¯s visits, and he would inadvertently interrupt Laura¡¯s venomous tirades. Kent seriously didn¡¯t know whether to chalk it up to fate or Brandon just getting Sophia, but the guy¡¯s got a knack for showing up at just the right moment every time. He didn¡¯t wanna poke his nose into their personal biz, but him being the outsider always seemed to give Sophia the perfect excuse to make a getaway. Kent was starting to suspect that Brandon was doing it on purpose. He couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon, but the dude¡¯s cool, handsome face didn¡¯t give anything away. When he gave his report, Brandon just gave a nonchnt ¡°hmm¡± in response. Kent wasn¡¯t ready to let it go, ¡°Mr. Yearwood¡¯s getting discharged soon. Are you nning to pick him up?¡± Without even lifting his head, Brandon brushed it off, ¡°You go in my stead.¡± Kent¡¯s still got his eyes sneakily glued on Brandon, ¡°I think I overheard Ms. Yearwood saying she¡¯s heading back to Wye City after picking up Mr. Yearwood from the hospital.¡± Brandon¡¯s actions didn¡¯t miss a beat, and his expression didn¡¯t change one bit, ¡°Irrelevant stuff ¨C no need to report.¡± Kent didn¡¯t know what to say. Chapter 113 Chapter 113 Brandon said, ¡°You go ahead and get busy.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Kent hesitated before backing out, and while closing the office door, he still couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon. Brandon¡¯s handsome face remained the eternal calm and seriousness, it was the Brandon from two years ago, yet it wasn¡¯t. Kent was also starting to get confused; he was beginning to regret being nosy that day. As the office door closed, Kent couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Suddenly, a handnded on his shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s a young guy like you sighing about?¡± Don¡¯s voice followed suit. Kent turned to see Don, whose hand was now on his shoulder. ¡°Mr. Dempsey, what brings you here again?¡± He hadn¡¯t forgotten that time Don came to egg Brandon on to go on a blind date. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously here to drag Mr. Crawley off to a matchmaking session, are you?¡± ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Don tapped Kent¡¯s head with the file in his hand, not too gently, ¡°During work hours, we talk shop, of course.¡± Kent nced at the file in his hand and caught a glimpse of the words ¡°Zenithan-style resort.¡± ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked, reaching out for it, but Don pped his hand away, ¡°Resort architectural design ns, this is for Mr. Crawley and your chairman to review.¡± After saying this, Don withdrew his hand from Kent¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Alright, enough chit-chat, Mr. Crawley¡¯s inside, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, but Mr. Crawley¡¯s got a meeting.¡± Kent didn¡¯t finish his reminder when Don had already gone straight to knock on Brandon¡¯s office door, and after a deep ¡°Come in,¡± Don pushed the door open, catching sight of Brandon standing up with the files. Don raised an eyebrow. ¡°Heading out?¡± ¡°Meeting.¡± Brandon said, ncing at the file in his hand, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Yeah, right.¡± Don said, pulling out a copy of the documents and handing them over to Brandon, ¡°The resort architectural design ns are out, brought them for you to take a look.¡± Brandon looked at him. ¡°What did Patricia and my dad say?¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t shown them yet, just got the ns and came straight to you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take a lookter.¡± Brandon took the design ns Don handed over and ced them on the table, ¡°Give them a copy too, they¡¯re ultimately in charge of this project.¡± ¡°Was nning to.¡± Brandon nodded, already moving to leave his chair. ¡°I¡¯m off to the meeting, remember to close the door when you leave.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Don yelled after his retreating figure, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to check out the design ns when you¡¯re free, otherwise if your old man approves, I¡¯m washing my hands of your opinion.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t turn back, just shed an ¡°OK¡± sign with his hand as he walked away. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Don shook his head at Brandon¡¯s disappearing back and followed him out the door, heading to the chairman¡¯s office. Daniel was there, and so was Patricia. Daniel was surprised to see him. ¡°When did you get back? Didn¡¯t even give us a heads-up.¡± ¡°Been back for some days, been running around like a headless chicken.¡± Don said with a smile as he approached, ¡°Mr. Crawley, Mrs. Crawley, long time no see.¡± He went up and gave them both a hearty hug. Patricia, with her eagle eyes, spotted the architectural design ns in his hand and immediately smiled with arched eyebrows. ¡°The ns are out that quick?¡± ¡°Exactly, didn¡¯t want to keep you waiting, our designers pulled an all-nighter to get them done, and I¡¯ve rushed them over for your review.¡± Don handed over a copy of the design ns to each of them, ¡°Take a look first.¡± Patricia and Daniel each took their copy. Patricia¡¯s face showed surprise as she flipped through it. Don didn¡¯t miss the sh of delight in Patricia¡¯s eyes and couldn¡¯t help but look towards Daniel. While Patricia was expressive, Daniel was much more reserved, but the satisfaction was apparent from the upturned corners of his mouth and the sparkle in his eyes. ¡°How do you like it? Mr. Crawley, Mrs. Crawley?¡± Don asked with a smile.. Patricia was already beaming. ¡°I like it, it¡¯s exactly the style I wanted.¡± Then she turned to Daniel. ¡°Daniel, what do you think?¡± Daniel nodded slightly. ¡°It¡¯s fine. But.¡± He frowned and looked at Don. ¡°I¡¯m just worried about discrepancies between the actual construction and the design. The designer really needs to keep an eye on things. Don, what does your designer say? Will she supervise the work personally?¡± ¡°She¡¯s abroad, might not make it back to oversee, but the on-site designers are from the same studio, they¡¯ll ensure the work is up to snuff, so don¡¯t worry about that.¡± Don reassured, ¡°Plus, she¡¯ll visit the site periodically to check on things, so there won¡¯t be any issues.¡± Daniel¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°I¡¯d still prefer the designer toe personally. If she can¡¯te, this design n¡­¡± He was about to say it couldn¡¯t be used, but Patricia cut him off. ¡°It¡¯s fine if she can¡¯t make it, the same studio¡¯s designers are just as good, and she¡¯ll visit the site periodically, right? That¡¯s enough.¡± Patricia said, looking at Daniel. ¡°Daniel, let¡¯s settle on this one, I really like it.¡± Daniel was still hesitant. Don also feared Daniel would make a snap decision; if they settled now, he¡¯d be hard-pressed to find an excuseter. The real decision-making power was in Brandon¡¯s hands. Without Brandon¡¯s approval, Daniel and Patricia¡¯s agreements would be moot, so Don smiled and said, ¡°No rush to decide, think it over and decide after discussing it.¡± Worried that dragging it out too long might affect the decision, he added, ¡°Our designer happens to be in the country these days, so if there¡¯s anything that needs changing, we can have a face-to-face chat.¡± Chapter 114 Chapter 114 Patricia gave it some thought and was a bit wary of making a hasty decision. She nodded, ¡°Sounds good. Let¡¯s hash it out and we¡¯ll hit you up once we¡¯ve made up our minds.¡± Don couldn¡¯t be happier, ¡°Cool beans.¡± He added, ¡°Hit me up anytime if you¡¯ve got some ideas.¡± Patricia nodded, ¡°Will do.¡± After stepping out of Daniel and Patricia¡¯s office, Don couldn¡¯t resist texting Sophia, [Just showed our architectural proposal to the clients and they¡¯re over the moon.] Sophia was curled up in a hanging chair, lost in a book. She had thought about taking a stroll outside. It had been two years since she wasst in town, and she harbored a bit of nostalgia for the city. But after burning the midnight oil on the proposal, she was beat and opted to stay in. The hotel room came with a nest-like double hanging chair, situated right in front of a floor-to-ceiling window. The view outside was a serpentine river and a ribbon of greenway-super cozy to either read or just soak in the view from the chair. Having just submitted her resort design, the weight was off her shoulders and she instantly felt more chill. She was surprised to see Don¡¯s message, [You sent it over already?] [Strike while the iron¡¯s hot,] Don texted back. He had his own reasons. He was really digging Sophia¡¯s design and was even more keen on keeping her around. But he didn¡¯t have the gift of the gab to persuade Sophia, so the n was to show the proposal to Brandon while she was still in the country. If Brandon was on board, they could set up a meet and have him try to charm Sophia into staying. Don had faith in Brandon¡¯s ability to make people stay; there wasn¡¯t a soul Brandon couldn¡¯t keep around. So, the second he got Sophia¡¯s design, he hustled it over to Brandon¡¯s office. Unfortunately, Brandon was tied up in a meeting and they couldn¡¯t get into the nitty-gritty. Sophia was oblivious to Don¡¯s scheming but was cool with the quick decision-making, nodding, ¡°Alright, keep me in the loop about any updates.¡± ¡°You got it. Take it easy for now,¡± Don said, already heading toward Brandon¡¯s office, recalling Daniel¡¯s concern, ¡°Oh, and the client mentioned a worry. They dig the proposal but are anxious about the execution matching the design, so they¡¯re hoping the designer can oversee the whole shebang on- site.¡± Sophia was a tad troubled, ¡°Mr. Dempsey, we¡¯ve been over this before.¡± Truth be told, she wouldn¡¯t mind being on-site if it weren¡¯t for the project being in Zion City, near the West district. She wasn¡¯t keen on setting up shop there for a year or two. ¡°Can¡¯t I just swing by every now and then?¡± she asked, ¡°Construction¡¯s a long haul; can¡¯t be there all the time, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on it,¡± Don reassured, ¡°It¡¯s just that they feel it¡¯d be a bummer if they fall head over heels for the design and then the lead designer bails on thepany.¡± Steering the conversation back, Don pressed, ¡°So, about that head designer gig, you sure you won¡¯t reconsider?¡± ¡°Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mr. Dempsey,¡± Sophia smiled in thanks, ¡°but I¡¯m really not cut out for such a big role. But don¡¯t sweat it, Mr. Dempsey. If they go for this design, whether I¡¯m still with the company or not, I¡¯ll see my project through to the end,¡± she added, ¡°So no fears about me running off or anything. Wherever I am, if there¡¯s a need for me on-site, I¡¯ll be there till everything¡¯s wrapped up and passes muster.¡± With Sophia¡¯s assurance, Don felt a bit better, ¡°Thanks, that¡¯s mighty kind of you.¡± Still, having her stay with thepany would be a load off his mind, and Don did hope to keep the coboration going. After hanging up, he made a beeline for Brandon¡¯s office, but the guy hadn¡¯t returned from his meeting, and Kent was absent too. Don had no choice but to head back to his own office and shot Brandon a text, [Showed your folks the Zenithan-style resort architectural design. They¡¯re all for it. Looks like they¡¯re keen to lock it down but want to mull it over a couple more days. Take a gander when you can, I¡¯ve emailed you the digital copy too.] After shooting off the email, Brandon quickly replied, [Let¡¯s wait for their verdict.] Don sent back an ¡°OK¡± emoji. The wait stretched out for almost two days. Patricia was prompt and decisive with her feedback, ¡°We¡¯re going with this one.¡± Don was in his office when he got Patricia¡¯s response and was chuffed. He grabbed the proposal and scooted down to Brandon¡¯s office. He barged in without knocking, ¡°Your folks are sold, what about you?¡± He handed over the design once again. Brandon took it and asked, ¡°Love at first sight?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Don was like, ¡°Totally. Your mom¡¯s especially smitten, insists on this one.¡± Brandon wasn¡¯t sold on Patricia¡¯s taste or expertise. ¡°What¡¯s my dad¡¯s take?¡± he probed. Don exined, ¡°Your dad¡¯s a bit more cautious. He¡¯s cool with the proposal, but he¡¯s got reservations about the designer staying on top of things on-site, worried about any major discrepancies between the actual and the design.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already talked to the designer about it. She said no matter where she is, she¡¯ll own the project till the end, until it¡¯s done and dusted,¡± Don added, ¡°But I reckon keeping her in thepany is the best bet. Anyone who can whip up something that catches your picky mom¡¯s eye off the bat is not to be underestimated, and that¡¯s not even mentioning making a ssh with both your folks.¡± ¡°Who knows if they¡¯re really into the work itself or just itching to break ground?¡± Brandon said, flipping through the proposal. ¡°If it¡¯s thetter, they¡¯d take anything that¡¯s not too shoddy.¡± His calm voice trailed off as he opened the design. Brandon was fixated on the architectural proposal, momentarily lost for words. Don assumed Brandon was struck speechless by the design¡¯s wow factor, and he was stoked, ¡°Right? Got some pizzazz, doesn¡¯t it? Pretty slick creativity, huh?¡± Brandon¡¯s fingers gently traced the lines on the blueprint. ¡°Uh-huh.¡± His voice was faint, continuing to flip through the pages at a snail¡¯s pace, his eyes glued to the design renderings on the paper, as if he couldn¡¯t tear his gaze away. His handsome face was the picture of serenity, but there was a subtle hint of nostalgia lurking beneath the surface. Don finally sensed something was off. ¡°Hold up, does this style look familiar to you?¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes shone with a mix of amazement and a touch of remembrance-it was clear he knew the designer. ¡°Nope.¡± The reply came in the same indifferent tone. Brandon flipped to thest page of the design proposal, his gaze lingering on the renderings for a moment before slowly drifting to the bottom right corner where it read, ¡°Designer. Sophia.¡± He paused briefly, then looked over at Don. ¡°So, is she the design director you¡¯ve been raving about?¡± Chapter 115 Chapter 115 Don nodded, ¡°Right.¡± While talking, he nced at the design proposal and then looked back at Brandon, kinda scratching his head about what Brandon was thinking. ¡°She¡¯s not worth it?¡± Don asked nervously. Brandon closed the design proposal, ¡°She¡¯s worth it.¡± Don breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°See, I¡¯ve got a good eye when ites to people.¡± Brandon¡¯s lips curled up in a half-smile as he looked at him, ¡°People you¡¯ve got your eye on?¡± Thinking Brandon got the wrong end of the stick, Don quickly rified, ¡°The talent I¡¯ve got my eye on.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t she not interested ining over?¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I need you to step in,¡± Don said, leaning in closer to Brandon, ¡°There¡¯s no one you can¡¯t hold on to in this world. How about I set up a dinner and you try to sweet-talk her into it?¡± Brandon tossed the closed design proposal onto the table, ¡°I can¡¯t hold on to her.¡± ¡°How do you know it won¡¯t work if you haven¡¯t even tried?¡± Don leaned in to grab the design proposal from the table, ¡°The mighty Starlight Group personally inviting her to be the design director of a subsidiary? That¡¯s a huge sign of respect. Who wouldn¡¯t be tempted by that?¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Brandon¡¯s lips twitched again, the arc shallow, but Don saw it-a clear hint of scoffing.. ¡°No?¡± Don didn¡¯t get it, couldn¡¯t figure out where he went wrong. Brandon didn¡¯t clear up his confusion, just looked at him, ¡°You told her about the subsidiary, right? The one set up in partnership with the Starlight Group.¡± Don nodded again, ¡°Yeah.¡± Then he saw Brandon¡¯s lips curl up in that faint, mocking smile once more. Don puzzled, ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Brandon stood up, ¡°What time did you set up the meeting with her?¡± ¡°What time works for you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m easy.¡± Don was taken aback. ¡°I¡¯m easy¡± meant that the time was up to the designer. Brandon, usually so strict with time management, was actually willing to amodate a designer¡¯s schedule? ¡°You really like this proposal?¡± That was the only possibility Don could think of. Brandon, like him, valued talent. Brandon gave him a look, ¡°Did I say that?¡± ¡°You¡¯re willing to amodate the designer¡¯s time, isn¡¯t that the same thing?¡± ¡°My ¡®I¡¯m easy¡¯ means, let¡¯s see if you can even get the meeting scheduled.¡± Don was speechless. Brandon had already picked up the documents on the table, ¡°Just let me know when it¡¯s all set.¡± With that, he was gone. Don didn¡¯t follow. There was no one he couldn¡¯t get a meeting with; Brandon¡¯s demeanor and actions were clearly very pleased. Leaving Brandon¡¯s office, Don couldn¡¯t wait to call Sophia, ¡°The client approved the design proposal. Everyone¡¯s happy with it.¡± Sophia was at the hospital, about to pick up Haley, and surprisingly happy at the news, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°For real, why would I lie?¡± Don was already walking out, ¡°There might be some tweaks needed to the proposal. Are you free tonight? How about dinner with the client to discuss it face-to-face?¡± Sophia nced at the time, ¡°Sure, what time?¡± ¡°Whenever works for you. The client is very enthusiastic.¡± ¡°How about six in the evening?¡± ¡°Works for me.¡± ¡°You pick the ce, I¡¯m not familiar with the client.¡± Don nodded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll text you the address.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Sophia hung up and looked up to see Haley staring at her expectantly. ¡°You¡¯ve got work, right? You go ahead, don¡¯t mind me. I¡¯ll call Aaronter,¡± Haley said, reaching for her phone. Laura red, ¡°She¡¯s got work, and doesn¡¯t Aaron?¡± ¡°Aaron didn¡¯t get a proper job.¡± Haley muttered, then mmed up under Laura¡¯s sharp gaze. Sophia pretended not to hear, stepping forward to help Haley, ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll take you home first.¡± Sophia called a cab for Haley and sent him home. The hospital was quite a distance from home. By the time Sophia got Haley to the doorstep, it was nearly five. ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner at home, you haven¡¯t been back for years.¡± The cab had just stopped at the neighborhood entrance when Haley tried to convince Sophia. Before Sophia could reply. Laura had already jumped in, ¡°Used to be a richdy, how could she fancy our humble home cooking?¡± While speaking, Laura helped Haley out of the cab, not forgetting to turn to Sophia and say, ¡°You don¡¯t need toe back, I can help your dad to the apartment. Go wherever you please.¡± Clearly not intending to let her in. Haley was ufortable watching this, looking at Laura, ¡°What kind of talk is that? Our daughter comes home for once, and we should at least have a meal together.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have a daughter.¡± Haley was taken aback. Sophia remained calm throughout, ¡°I¡¯ll go back and get some stuff, don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯te back to bother you again.¡± ¡°What stuff do you still have here?¡± Sophia ignored her and went straight in. Aaron was still sprawled on the sofa, glued to his phone, the little one probably still at daycare, not home. Seeing Sophiae in, Aaron stood up. ¡°Back already?¡± Sophia gave a soft ¡°hm¡± and went into her room. The room was filled with clutter, and there was a thinyer of dust on the tables and cabs-it hadn¡¯t been cleaned in a long time. The bed was also covered with old clothes and sheets, as well as toys and books the kids didn¡¯t want anymore. It had be aplete junk pile. The desk wasn¡¯t much better, also covered with clutter.. There was nowhere to sit in the entire room. Laura came in with Haley and seeing Sophia in the room, started ranting, ¡°Betty is getting older, we need to clear out this room for her.¡± Haley frowned immediately, ¡°Where¡¯s Sophia gonna stay when shees back?¡± Laura rolled her eyes dismissively, ¡°Does she still need toe back? And even if she does, what¡¯s wrong with sleeping on the sofa? She¡¯s not staying long¡± Haley didn¡¯t dare to make another peep. Sophia ignored them, just surveyed the room, and went to the clutter-covered desk, pulling open a drawer. Unsurprisingly, in the corner, there was a jewelry box gathering dust. Sophia popped open her jewelry box and, yup, that white jade ne was still chilling in there. She fished it out and dangled it from her fingertip, zoning out as she stared at it. Chapter 116 Chapter 116 Sophia stared at it for ages, her hand moving at a snail¡¯s pace towards it, finally snagging it and dangling it from her fingertip, zoning out as she gazed at it. She couldn¡¯t for the life of her remember anything about this bracelet, but there was something about it that just chilled her out and even brought on a touch of nostalgia. Laura caught Sophia spacing out over the ne and couldn¡¯t help but nag, ¡°You get back and go straight to mooning over some old ne. It¡¯s been years, who knows where you picked up that thing-could be filthy.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t give her the time of day, just turned to Haley and asked, ¡°Dad, do you remember who gave me this ne?¡± Haley shook his head, clueless, ¡°No idea. You were clutching onto that ne for dear life when we found you, couldn¡¯t pry it open.¡± Sophia¡¯s eyes flickered with disappointment, but she quickly shook it off, gave a smile, didn¡¯t say another word, just tucked the ne away into her bag and got ready to bounce. ¡°The room,¡± Sophia nced back at the room onest time, then looked at Haley, ¡°just give it to Betty. I¡¯m outta here, take care of yourself, and hit me up if you need anything.¡± Haley looked a bit down in the dumps, ¡°You¡¯re not staying for dinner? It¡¯s been years since you had a meal with the family.¡± Laura¡¯s face turned sour in an instant, looking like she was about to blow a fuse. Sophia acted like she didn¡¯t see that, just cracked a smile at Haley, ¡°Nah, got a dinner thing with a client tonight, rain check?¡± After a quick goodbye to Haley and without lingering, she scooted downstairs and hailed a cab. Don had texted her the dinner spot, so Sophia just told the driver to head to the restaurant Don picked out. Don had sent the time and ce to both Sophia and Brandon. Sophia replied with a [Cool,] but Brandon didn¡¯t respond. Don got to the restaurant first and didn¡¯t spot Brandon or Sophia. Figuring they hadn¡¯t arrived yet, he remembered Brandon hadn¡¯t replied and wondered if he even got the message. He whipped out his phone to call Brandon, ¡°Sent you the deets for dinner, you gonna make it on time?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± came the same cool voice, not from the phone, but from behind. Don turned around, surprised to see Brandon approaching, quickly pocketed his phone, and greeted him with a smile, ¡°Thought you missed my message.¡± ¡°Was in a meeting.¡± Brandon said, casually pulling up a chair to sit, eyed the design proposal on the table, picked it up, flipped through it nonchntly, then looked at Don, ¡°The designer¡¯s not here yet?¡± ¡°She¡¯s on her way, should be.¡± Don was about to say she¡¯d be here soon when he caught sight of Sophia hurrying over, so he waved her down, ¡°Sophia, over here.¡± Brandon looked up at the sound, spotting Sophia weaving through the crowd towards them. Sophia didn¡¯t notice Brandon, her focus on Don who was standing and waving at her, and she apologized, ¡°Sorry, got held up in traffic.¡± As she reached the table and instinctively went for a chair, her fingers barely brushing the backrest, she caught sight of Brandon looking at her, calm as can be, and she froze. Brandon didn¡¯t move either, just tilted his head slightly, watching her without a flicker. Don stepped forward with a grin, ¡°Let me introduce you guys, this is Brandon, the president of the Starlight Group, and the big boss for the resort project.¡± Then he pointed to Sophia for Brandon, And this is our chief designer, Sophia.¡± Sophia¡¯s lips twitched, as if she was about to speak, but her throat felt like it was blocked, her eyes complex as she looked at Brandon. Brandon had already stood up and reached out his hand, ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Sophia hesitated, looking at him, not extending her hand. Don, a bit perplexed, gave Sophia a gentle nudge, ¡°Sophia?¡± Sophia nced at him, then back to Brandon. Brandon was still giving her that calm look, his hand still hanging in the air, a pure business-like gesture. Sophia eyed that steady and firm hand, hesitated a moment, then slowly reached out her own. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Sophia stared at it for ages, her hand moving at a snail¡¯s pace towards it, finally snagging it and dangling it from her fingertip, zoning out as she gazed at it. She couldn¡¯t for the life of her remember anything about this bracelet, but there was something about it that just chilled her out and even brought on a touch of nostalgia. Laura caught Sophia spacing out over the ne and couldn¡¯t help but nag, ¡°You get back and go straight to mooning over some old ne. It¡¯s been years, who knows where you picked up that thing-could be filthy.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t give her the time of day, just turned to Haley and asked, ¡°Dad, do you remember who gave me this ne?¡± Haley shook his head, clueless, ¡°No idea. You were clutching onto that ne for dear life when we found you, couldn¡¯t pry it open.¡± Sophia¡¯s eyes flickered with disappointment, but she quickly shook it off, gave a smile, didn¡¯t say another word, just tucked the ne away into her bag and got ready to bounce. ¡°The room,¡± Sophia nced back at the room onest time, then looked at Haley, ¡°just give it to Betty. I¡¯m outta here, take care of yourself, and hit me up if you need anything.¡± Haley looked a bit down in the dumps, ¡°You¡¯re not staying for dinner? It¡¯s been years since you had a meal with the family.¡± Laura¡¯s face turned sour in an instant, looking like she was about to blow a fuse. Sophia acted like she didn¡¯t see that, just cracked a smile at Haley, ¡°Nah, got a dinner thing with a client tonight, rain check?¡± After a quick goodbye to Haley and without lingering, she scooted downstairs and hailed a cab. Don had texted her the dinner spot, so Sophia just told the driver to head to the restaurant Don picked out. Don had sent the time and ce to both Sophia and Brandon. Sophia replied with a [Cool,] but Brandon didn¡¯t respond. Don got to the restaurant first and didn¡¯t spot Brandon or Sophia. Figuring they hadn¡¯t arrived yet, he remembered Brandon hadn¡¯t replied and wondered if he even got the message. He whipped out his phone to call Brandon, ¡°Sent you the deets for dinner, you gonna make it on time?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± came the same cool voice, not from the phone, but from behind. Don turned around, surprised to see Brandon approaching, quickly pocketed his phone, and greeted him with a smile, ¡°Thought you missed my message.¡± ¡°Was in a meeting.¡± Brandon said, casually pulling up a chair to sit, eyed the design proposal on the table, picked it up, flipped through it nonchntly, then looked at Don, ¡°The designer¡¯s not here yet?¡± ¡°She¡¯s on her way, should be.¡± Don was about to say she¡¯d be here soon when he caught sight of Sophia hurrying over, so he waved her down, ¡°Sophia, over here.¡± Brandon looked up at the sound, spotting Sophia weaving through the crowd towards them. Sophia didn¡¯t notice Brandon, her focus on Don who was standing and waving at her, and she apologized, ¡°Sorry, got held up in traffic.¡± As she reached the table and instinctively went for a chair, her fingers barely brushing the backrest, she caught sight of Brandon looking at her, calm as can be, and she froze. Brandon didn¡¯t move either, just tilted his head slightly, watching her without a flicker. Don stepped forward with a grin, ¡°Let me introduce you guys, this is Brandon, the president of the Starlight Group, and the big boss for the resort project.¡± Then he pointed to Sophia for Brandon, And this is our chief designer, Sophia.¡± Sophia¡¯s lips twitched, as if she was about to speak, but her throat felt like it was blocked, her eyes complex as she looked at Brandon. Brandon had already stood up and reached out his hand, ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Sophia hesitated, looking at him, not extending her hand. Don, a bit perplexed, gave Sophia a gentle nudge, ¡°Sophia?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Sophia nced at him, then back to Brandon. Brandon was still giving her that calm look, his hand still hanging in the air, a pure business-like gesture. Sophia eyed that steady and firm hand, hesitated a moment, then slowly reached out her own. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Chapter 117 Chapter 117 She spoke up softly, her palm brushing ever-so-lightly against Brandon¡¯s before quickly retreating. Brandon shot her a nce. Sophia, with her eyes lowered, pulled up a chair and took a seat. Don had already passed the menu to Sophia. ¡°Let¡¯s order first, see what tickles your fancy¡± Sophia pushed the menu back. ¡°You guys go ahead. I¡¯m not picky.¡± Brandon gave her another cursory look, grabbed the menu, and gged down the waiter with a wave. The waiter promptly approached. ¡°Good evening, sir. What would you like to order?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s get down to business,¡± Brandon said, ¡°Spicy shredded pork in garlic sauce, boiled beef in spicy sauce, diced chicken with chili peppers.¡± Brandon rattled off several dishes, all with that chili kick-spicy was the name of the game. Don looked at Brandon, incredulous. ¡°You sure you can handle the heat?¡± He remembered Brandon having a taste for lighter, more health-conscious fare, not much for the heavy vors. After asking, he turned to Sophia with concern. ¡°You¡¯re good with spicy, right?¡± But he noticed Sophia watching Brandon with aplex gaze. ¡°Sophia?¡± Don called out, unsure. Sophia snapped back to reality, looking at Don. ¡°I¡¯m not doing spicy these days, let¡¯s go for something lighter.¡± With that, she took the menu and chose a few milder dishes. Don, a spice fiend himself, didn¡¯t often get a chance to savor authentic spicy dishes abroad, so he too ordered a bunch of piquant dishes in one breath. When the dishes arrived, Don, without further ado, picked up the tableware and dived in, sampling each dish. Sophia and Brandon stuck to the lighter fare. Don noticed that Brandon¡¯s tableware was untouched. ¡°Wait, you ordered all this and you¡¯re not having any?¡± Brandon nced at Sophia across the table. ¡°I¡¯m on a health kicktely.¡± ¡°You¡¯re on a health kick and still ordering all these heavy vors? Thought you¡¯d changed your taste,¡± Don muttered, noticing Sophia was also sticking to the lighter dishes, ¡°You¡¯re not into spicy either?¡± Sophia shook her head slightly. ¡°No, just dealing with a bit of heatinesstely.¡± She used to be all about spicy food, especially before marrying Brandon, whose preferences leaned towards the milder side. Gradually, she¡¯d adapted to his tastes. Post-divorce, and coinciding with her pregnancy and severe morning sickness, she¡¯d been cautious not to indulge in anything too heavy, sticking to a light diet and consciously focusing on her health. Over the years, she¡¯d grown ustomed to less intense vors. The dishes Brandon had ordered were all ones she used to love. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if it was a coincidence or if Brandon actually remembered her favorites, leaving her feeling a bit tangled inside as she nced over at him. Brandon, however, just serenely sipped his drink, half-closed eyes not even drifting her way. Don, not foreseeing that both were off spicy food,mented the fiery feast before them. ¡°Here I was thinking you both were into it, turns out it¡¯s all for me.¡± Though he said that, he dove in with his tableware, grimacing from the spice, gasping and gulping water, yet still segueing into business matters. ¡°So, although Mr. Crawley isn¡¯t directly overseeing the Zenithan-style resort project, it¡¯s still pretty key for the Starlight Group, and he¡¯s quite invested in it. He¡¯s seen your design proposal and is very impressed.¡± Sophia managed a tight smile. ¡°I remember the client listed in the proposal wasn¡¯t the Starlight Group.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s being handled by a subsidiary¡± Don exined, ¡°But no worries, with the big boss here, Mr. Crawley has the final say, so there won¡¯t be a bunch of people butting in and messing with things. Just liaise with Mr. Crawley, you¡¯ll be fine.¡± 09:29 Turning to Brandon, Don affirmed, ¡°Right, Brandon?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t look at him but at Sophia. ¡°Ms. Yearwood, do you have any concerns?¡± Sophia pursed her lips slightly, looking at Brandon. ¡°Is this a coincidence or?¡± ¡°Coincidence,¡± Brandon cut her off, ¡°I only found out today that you are the lead designer on the project.¡± ¡°Yeah, exactly,¡± Don chimed in quickly, ¡°Mr. Crawley just saw the proposal today and was pleasantly surprised, which is why I thought of setting up this dinner for a meet and chat.¡± Brandon continued to gaze calmly at Sophia. ¡°The proposal is very well done, congrattions.¡± Sophia¡¯s lips twitched in a forced smile. ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Mr. Dempsey has rmended you for the position of Design Director at Star-Dempsey Architects, and I hear you are hesitant, right?¡± Brandon inquired, waving the design proposal she¡¯d worked on, ¡°Based on this proposal alone, I don¡¯t see any reason why you wouldn¡¯t be up to the task.¡± ¡°Absolutely, more than qualified for the Director role,¡± Don jumped in, trying to persuade Sophia. But Sophia wasn¡¯t swayed as easily as he¡¯d hoped. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Crawley and Mr. Dempsey, for the high regard, but I¡¯m really not the right fit,¡± she said, her voice as gentle and polite as ever. Brandon watched her, unmoved. ¡°What makes you unfit?¡± ¡°Thepany¡¯s direction and my career ns aren¡¯t quite aligned.¡± ¡°Are you considering a career change?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± ¡°Since you aren¡¯t nning to switch fields, the Starlight Group¡¯s architectural design business might not be top-tier in the industry, but it¡¯s definitely up there, and with Dempsey Architects joining forces, it might just break into the elite. Are youcking confidence, Ms. Yearwood?¡± Sophia looked at him. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. Yourpany is great; it¡¯s my issue.¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just not into this city, so I don¡¯t wanna stick around.¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes suddenly sharpened, pinning her in ce without a word. Sophia gave him an apologetic nod, then turned to Don. ¡°Mr. Dempsey, I¡¯m stuffed, I¡¯m gonna head out.¡± Don, eager to keep her around, clueless about the sudden tension in the air, said, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? It¡¯s early yet, have a bit more.¡± Sophia, with a gentle voice, replied, ¡°No thanks, I¡¯ve got stuff to do. About that design proposal, take a look and see if you need to switch people or change the n. I might not be able to follow through.¡± Don was speechless. His pleading eyes sought Brandon¡¯s help. But Brandon didn¡¯t look at him, his gaze still firmly on Sophia¡¯s face, his expression icy. ¡°Sorry, Mr. Dempsey doesn¡¯t call the shots here.¡± Sophia turned back, puzzled. Brandon casually tossed a contract onto the table. ¡°The Starlight Group is really digging your design proposal, we¡¯ve signed a deal and we¡¯re all set to kick off. As the lead designer, Ms. Yearwood, you¡¯ve got a duty to see the project through.¡± Sophia was speechless. Don thought, ¡°When did this happen?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t do this. It¡¯s like you¡¯re forcing my hand.¡± ¡°You submitted that proposal yourself.¡± ¡°Can I pay a penalty or something?¡± Brandon gave her a cold nce. Sophia¡¯s voice caught in her throat. ¡°I¡¯ll get in touch with Mr. Dempseyter,¡± she said softly, ¡°I gotta go.¡± She turned to leave. But Brandon stood up swiftly. ¡°Back then, you left without a peep, wanted a divorce, to study, to level up, even ditched your kid for a shot at a career. Now, you¡¯ve finally made something of yourself, opportunity¡¯s knocking, and you¡¯re ready to bail. Sophia, what are you so afraid of?¡± Don didn¡¯t know what was happening. Chapter 118 Chapter 118 ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Don stammered, his eyes darting back and forth between Brandon¡¯s chilly demeanor and Sophia, who had her back turned to him. ¡°Weren¡¯t we all just on a first-name basis with you two? How did we jump to divorce and kids in the blink of an eye?¡± Brandon remained silent, his eyes still fixed on Sophia¡¯s back. Sophia had stopped in her tracks but didn¡¯t turn around. She stood silently, her posture rigid, her silhouette slender and upright, not uttering a word either. Don, growing anxious for answers, looked to Brandon. ¡°Brandon, spill it, what¡¯s the deal with you and Sophia-what¡¯s your rtionship exactly?¡± Brandon nced at him. ¡°She¡¯s my wife.¡± Don was shocked. ¡°You mean your wife?¡± Don felt like his heart was about to give out. ¡°And you had the nerve to suggest I marry her?¡± Brandon¡¯s cold gaze swept over him. ¡°Got the cheek to say that? Did the name ¡®Sophia¡¯ bite you or something? You¡¯ve been yapping at me for days and not once did you mention the designer¡¯s name. Did you?¡± How was he supposed to know that a big-shot CEO like him would be mixed up with a designer from halfway across the world? He figured since he didn¡¯t mention her name, Brandon would probably forget it as soon as he turned around, and he¡¯d just have to repeat himself. Might as well just call her ¡°the designer¡± to save the hassle. Don remembered Brandon was divorced. He hadn¡¯t forgotten the slip of the tongue from Kent. He recalled Kent saying, ¡°Who the hell decides to erase traces of their ex-wife and renovate two years after a divorce?¡± And Brandon had just mentioned divorce too. He didn¡¯t try to correct him. He just looked thoughtfully at Brandon and then back at Sophia. Sophia had turned to face Brandon with the same calm and gentle expression she always had. ¡°Why does it have to be about fear?¡± she asked, her voice still soft. ¡°Is it wrong for me to want to make a clean break from the past?¡± ¡°Have you truly cut ties?¡± Brandon asked, his voice quiet but frosty. ¡°Sophia, be honest with me, is the child still around?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Sophia bit her lower lip, not saying a word, but her eyes were already welling up with tears, her emotions suddenly spiraling out of control as they began to fall. She raised her hand to wipe them away, but the more she wiped, the more fiercely they fell, and her silence turned into suppressed sobs. Don was thrown into a panic, unsure whether to offerfort or how to do so, and looked worriedly at Brandon. Brandon stood still, watching Sophia without moving, his eyes reddening slightly, his gaze harder than ever. Don was at a loss, not sure whether to intervene or walk away, his eyes filled with concern for Sophia. Sophia continued to cry, trying desperately to stop but unable to, her emotions clearly out of control. His anxious gaze shifted back to Brandon. Brandon, however, had turned his head coldly away. Don clearly saw the tension in Brandon¡¯s jaw and the violent bobbing of his Adam¡¯s apple. He wanted to curse. But before he could say a word, Brandon suddenly stepped forward, stopping in front of Sophia and then wrapping his arms around her, hugging the sobbing Sophia tightly. Don really wanted to curse now. What a mess. But nobody was paying attention to him. Brandon held Sophia, his palm gently stroking the back of her head, offering silentfort. After a while, Don heard Brandon¡¯s hoarse voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± His apology did not elicit a response from Sophia. But Don could clearly see that Sophia¡¯s emotions were beginning to calm down, her sobbing ceasing. Customers at the restaurant asionally cast curious nces their way. Don alone seemed to notice the gawkers, awkwardly waving his hands as if to say ¡°nothing to see here,¡± while his eyes flickered back to Brandon and Sophia worryingly. Brandon¡¯s hand continued to gently stroke Sophia¡¯s back. ¡°Sophia, I¡¯m not trying to force you into anything,¡± Brandon finally spoke up. ¡°You want to study, go ahead. You want to be a designer, do it. You think being single is happier than being married, then let¡¯s get a divorce. But now, you¡¯ve finished your studies, you¡¯re doing what you love. You clearly adore the resort project, and you¡¯ve put your heart and soul into it. But just because it happens to be rted to me, you¡¯re going to force yourself to give it up? What about the future?¡± Brandon said this and gently let go of her, looking into her swollen eyes. ¡°I¡¯m in this industry too, and it¡¯s inevitable that our paths will cross. Are you nning to give up every project that has something to do with me? What were all your efforts over the years for?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t speak, just sobbed quietly. Her mind was a mess. She had never imagined that she would cross paths with Brandon in her work so soon. The world is vast. She couldn¡¯t understand how, after going out and making a loop, she still couldn¡¯t escape Brandon¡¯s orbit. She had thought that they might never meet again in their lifetimes, or if they did, by then they would each have their own families and lives. When they met again, they would be able to greet each other calmly, say ¡°long time no see,¡± chat about their current situations, and then, after a polite exchange, calmly turn and walk away without any regrets or sadness because of the other. She had imagined all sorts of possibilities, but never this one, especially not in this project. She truly loved the Zenithan-style resort project and was eager to see it realized. All the emotion and hard work she had put into it were filled with her hopes. And so, even after learning about Don¡¯s rtionship with Brandon, even though she had turned down Don¡¯s offer to be the head designer, she had agreed to continue with the project. She thought it was just one of many projects at Dempsey Architects, unrted to Brandon. She never expected that Brandon would be the client in the end. She suddenly felt like she was falling apart in that moment. It was like she was a kite in Brandon¡¯s hands. No matter how high she flew, the end of the string was always tightly gripped by him. With just a slight tug on the rope, she¡¯d have no choice but to drop back by his side. On one hand, there was the burning desire to spread her wings, to turn her dreams into reality, and on the other, a fate she couldn¡¯t shake off. Sophia was heartbroken and torn. ¡°Why does it have to be you again?¡± Sophia lifted her swollen, tear-streaked eyes, her emotions teetering on the edge of another breakdown, ¡°Why is it still you? What do I have to do to not run into you?¡± Brandon looked at her with aplex gaze, silent. Even Don couldn¡¯t help but shoot a worried nce at Brandon. Chapter 119 Chapter 119 Brandon slightly turned his head away, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing up and down intensely. Without uttering a peep, he spun around to grab the contract from the table, his hands grasping each corner in a top-bottom, left-right motion. ¡°Yeah, I did sign this contract on the fly. But this design proposal, it wasn¡¯t just me, alright? The whole design department gave it the thumbs up, unanimously. Everyone¡¯s been jazzed about making it a reality, so I yed a bit fast and loose, jumping the gun without so much as a by-your-leave.¡± He snatched up Sophia¡¯s hand and shoved the contract into it with a thud. ¡°Here¡¯s your contract back, now it¡¯s in your court to decide its fate.¡± With that, Brandon turned on his heel and made his exit. ¡°Hey.¡± Don tried to stop him in a panic, but the words got stuck in his throat the moment he felt Brandon¡¯s icy mug, leaving him to only watch Brandon walk away until he was out of sight. His eyes, filled with concern, then darted back to Sophia. Sophia was teetering on the edge of a meltdown, tears plopping down as she sat down at the table, hands covering her mouth as she tried desperately to rein in her emotions, but to no avail. The tears came harder and faster, eventually turning into uncontroble sobs. With no other options, Don sneakily whipped out his phone and shot a video, sending it Brandon¡¯s way with a text. [You¡¯re seriously just gonna walk away like that?] Brandon sat in his car, staring nkly at Don¡¯s message, his finger hovering over the video, tempted to click but then steeling himself not to. He chucked the phone aside, buckled his seatbelt, and was about to floor it when he paused, grabbed his phone again, and yed the video. In the video, Sophia was at the table, crying uncontrobly, her face the picture of despair and helplessness. Brandon tossed the phone aside again, his throat tight, but then he picked it up once more, unbuckled his seatbelt, swung the car door open, and stepped out. His hand pressed on the electronic lock, and with a ¡°click¡± confirming the doors were locked, he was already striding towards the restaurant entrance. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Don watched Sophia cry with growing anxiety, repeatedly ncing at the door and then back at her, handing her tissues. ¡°You alright?¡± he asked worriedly. Sophia shook her head slightly, trying to say ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± but all that came out was a choked sob; she couldn¡¯t utter a word. Don was beside himself with worry when suddenly a shadow loomed, a hand grabbed Sophia¡¯s arm, and pulled her to her feet. ¡°Hey, you.¡± Don¡¯s instinct to stop was cut short as he looked up to see Brandon¡¯s expressionless, handsome face. Without ncing at him, Brandon left Don with a ¡°Remember to pay the bill¡± and then whisked Sophia away. Don was left speechless. He could only watch as Sophia was hauled off, stumbling along with Brandon. Brandon pulled Sophia out of the restaurant, to the car, opened the passenger¡¯s door, and pushed her inside, fastening her seatbelt for her. He then circled around the front of the car, got in on the driver¡¯s side, buckled up, released the handbrake, and the car sped off. His left hand pressed down on the central locking button, and the tightly shut windows suddenly rolled down. The night air rushed in through the windows, causing their hair to whip wildly around. Sophia raised her hand to pat down the hair blowing in her face, her emotions gradually calming down a bit in the rushing wind. She sat in silence in the passenger seat, gazing out at the increasingly congested road. Brandon didn¡¯t say a word either, just nkly nced outside the window, and as they approached the next intersection, his hand turned the steering wheel half a circle, and the car took a left turn onto the less crowded street. The congestion was easing up, the car¡¯s speed picking up, and the night wind grew stronger as they elerated. Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Sophia didn¡¯t grill Brandon about where they were headed, and Brandon wasn¡¯t spilling the beans either. He didn¡¯t poke around asking her where she wanted to go. He just cruised aimlessly. Original from N?velDrama.Org. The night wind was whooshing by. The traffic on the streets was trickling down to a mere dribble. Sophia had no clue how long Brandon had been driving. As they passed from skyscrapers to squat buildings and eventually to vast stretches of barrennd, Brandon finally pulled the car to a halt. He just sat there, not budging or uttering a word, his handsome face slightly tense, calmly staring into the night. And Sophia? She was just chilling in the passenger seat, not moving a muscle either. Outside the car window was a suburban riverside park, connected to a pond and wends, sparsely popted, where you could clearly make out the sounds of insects and frogs. After a long silence, Sophia slowly turned her head to look at Brandon. His profile was still a bit tight, his face so calm it was almost expressionless. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if she had ticked off Brandon by passing up the opportunity or if her emotional outburst had rubbed him the wrong way. ¡°Sorry,¡± she murmured an apology, not even sure why she was saying sorry. Her spirits were still in the dumps, and she was feeling all kinds of mixed-up and miserable. She had always thought she had a decent grip on her emotions, but today¡¯s drama and Brandon¡¯s intense questioning about whether that kid was still around had snapped her like an overwound string- just pop and it broke. She couldn¡¯t figure out why she had such a strong reaction, but deep down, she was probably fuming at herself. She was mad that she wasn¡¯t steadfast enough, mad that she was useless, that her emotions could still be so easily swayed by Brandon, leaving her no choice but to wimp out and steer clear of him. Every single choice in her life was her own, and while each step wasn¡¯t exactly a walk in the park, she had given it her all. The past two years had been the toughest but also the most fulfilling and joyful years of her life. She had made loads of ns for herself, and these ns had zero room for Brandon. She had gotten used to a life without him. Those years were like the time before she met Brandon-tough but satisfying, full of hope for whaty ahead. But then Brandon came along and threw a wrench in all her ns. Back then, she was young enough to dream about love. When she realized it was just a pipe dream, it took a ton of willpower to pull herself away. Now, just as she was starting over, Brandon waltzed back into her life, and it felt like time was pushing her back to the year they reconnected, bringing along all the repressed emotions and self-doubt of those two years. It felt like a scar that, just when it was about to fully heal, someone woulde along with a knife and give it a stir, forcing her to remember the pain all over again. Brandon didn¡¯t respond to her apology. He just let his arm rest on the steering wheel, and his handsome face only tensed up more, not less. Sophia didn¡¯t say anything more either. She slowly leaned her head against the car window and closed her eyes. Brandon turned to look at her. Sophia looked peaceful, her breathing shallow and steady, clearly asleep. Her eyes were still a bit puffy from crying. The car window was still down, the wind still blowing. It must¡¯ve been cold, because in her sleep, Sophia instinctively hugged herself and shrank down a bit more. Brandon reached over and pressed the window control, and the wide-open window started to close slowly. The gusts of wind that had been messing up Sophia¡¯s hair calmed, and her hair settled on her face. Sophia shifted ufortably to the side, not waking up, just hugging herself tighter, obviously exhausted. The dark circles under her swollen eyes were a dead giveaway of a night spent burning the midnight oil on her design project. Thinking about this, Brandon turned gloomy again. He didn¡¯t say a word, just straightened up a bit, took off his suit jacket, and carefully draped it over Sophia, Sophia woke up with a start, slowly opening her eyes to find her gaze crashing into Brandon¡¯s. Brandon didn¡¯t look away, just gave her a cold, deep stare. Sophia held his gaze, just as quietly. In the silent standoff, Brandon was the first to break the ice. ¡°Sophia, do you really hate me that much?¡± Sophia shook her head slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you.¡± Brandon pressed on, ¡°Then why are you so hell-bent on avoiding me? To the point where you¡¯d give up on a kid and now your future?¡± Sophia pursed her lips a little. ¡°Brandon, have you ever been in love?¡± He just looked at her coldly, not saying a word. ¡°Does it even matter to you who you marry?¡± she asked softly. He kept his cold stare but finally squeezed out a single word, ¡°Yes.¡± Sophia chuckled, but it was short-lived. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not like that.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had someone I liked,¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s why I got married in the first ce-because of that feeling of like.¡± ¡°And divorce?¡± Brandon inquired. ¡°Because your love stopped?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± she said, her voice still soft. ¡°I only ept two types of marriage. The first is where I like him and he likes me back, where I can feel emotional reciprocation. The second is where neither of us has feelings, and I don¡¯t need to harbor any expectations for anyone. I thought I was in the first category, but then I realized I didn¡¯t fit in either,¡± Sophia¡¯s eyes met his. ¡°Brandon, I used to like you, so at first, I could deal with whatever we had, no matter how unequal, even if your family looked down on me. I could even try to be humble. But because I liked you, I also had expectations and desires. But you poured all your attention and energy into your work. We were like roommates splitting rent and utilities, without having to meet each other¡¯s family expectations, without having to amodate anyone or worry about being caught in the middle andpromising. So why keep it going? I can do just fine on my own.¡± ¡°What about now?¡± Brandon¡¯s eyes bore into her. ¡°Still like me?¡± Sophia shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t like you anymore, Brandon.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re over it, what¡¯s there to be scared of?¡± His eyes had an edge of aggression, ¡°You¡¯re not into me, I¡¯m not into you, isn¡¯t that like the second type of marriage you¡¯re cool with? Why the heck are you running away?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°Do you ever fall into the same trap twice?¡± Sophia asked, ¡°Knowing full well it¡¯s a trap, you finally w your way out, and then you just waltz back in?¡± Brandon said, ¡°I would!¡± Sophia kept silent. ¡°That year in senior high, you vanished without a word. On the day of the divorce, you disappeared without saying goodbye. At the apartment, you bolted, at the hospital, again, you left me hanging. And the day you left your number, yet another ghosting.¡± Brandon¡¯s gaze was locked onto her, ¡°Is that two times? No, it¡¯s five!¡± Sophia didn¡¯t say a word for a while. ¡°I did leave you a note,¡± she said, her eyes shifting away, her voice fading. Brandon said, ¡°What, I can¡¯t see when someone¡¯s gone missing? I need a note? Or maybe, should I be thanking you for saving me the hassle of calling the cops?¡± he continued to stare at her, unmoved, ¡°No need to freak out and file a missing persons report, huh?¡± Chapter 121 Chapter 121 Sophia was left speechless, thrown off bnce by his relentless argument. She felt like she¡¯d lost the plot and without realizing it, her confidence took a nosedive. But Brandon was still on the offensive, ¡°Sophia, you¡¯ve crashed and burned under my watch five times already. Are you really willing to gamble your future on a sixth?¡± Sophia managed a forced smile, ¡°That¡¯s a pretty bleak way to put it.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to be bleak about? You¡¯re over it anyway, right? To you, I¡¯m just another Joe Blow, no different from any Tom, Dick, or Harry on the street. Doesn¡¯t that make it easier for you to focus on your career?¡± Sophia pretended not to catch the sarcasm in his voice and kept her lips tightly sealed. Brandon then sat back, stretched his long arm behind his seat, pulled out a contract and a pen, and handed them to her, ¡°Sign this.¡± Sophia nced at it. It was the same contract he had shoved into her hands at the restaurant, just a fresh copy, probably one of several he had printed out. Sophia didn¡¯t reach out to take it. ¡°I need more time to think about it.¡± Brandon turned to look at her, ¡°How much more time?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know. Her emotions had been a rollercoaster today, and she hadn¡¯t had a moment to stop and think it all through. ¡°I can only give you a week and a half.¡± ¡°The newpanyunches next Friday. If you¡¯re not there, consider it a forfeit,¡± Brandon said as he thrust the contract into her hands. ¡°If you don¡¯t show, I¡¯ll rece you on the Zenithan-style resort project. I¡¯d rather ditch the n than have to bring someone new on board halfway through.¡± Without waiting for her to respond, he started the car again, ¡°I¡¯ll drop you back at the hotel.¡± After dropping Sophia off at the hotel and just as he got back into his car, Don called. ¡°How are you two doing?¡± Don sounded worried on the phone, ¡°Everything okay?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°And the designer, I mean Sophia.¡± Don corrected himself, ¡°How¡¯s she holding up? Is she feeling better?¡± ¡°She¡¯s fine.¡± Don said, ¡°What about the project? Is she taking it? And the position of head designer?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Don didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°Let¡¯s wait until next Friday,¡± Brandon said, ¡°If she shows, she stays on. If not, we find someone else.¡± ¡°Come on,¡± Don tried to persuade him, ¡°It would be such a waste if she quit.¡± Brandon said, ¡°What else can I say? Didn¡¯t you see your star designer is ready to pay up just to avoid me?¡± Don was at a loss for words, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll figure something else out.¡± As he was about to hang up, Brandon cut in, ¡°How long has Sophia been at your firm?¡± ¡°A year.¡± Brandon said, ¡°Anything out of the ordinary?¡± Don was puzzled by the question, ¡°What could be out of the ordinary for a girl? Just the usual work, off work, attending sses, you know.¡± Then, remembering how Brandon had grilled Sophia at the restaurant about whether the child was still there, Don hesitated, ¡°You¡¯re not suspecting she had a kid behind your back, are you? That¡¯s not likely. I met her the first time you came to Wye City, and she hasn¡¯t changed much over the year. She hasn¡¯t gained weight, and there¡¯s been no talk of a child. Plus, her ssmate works with us and has never mentioned anything,¡± Don analyzed earnestly. ¡°Give me her ssmate¡¯s number.¡± 09-303 ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I need to talk to her.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll let her know first,¡± Don hung up with Brandon and called Sylvia to exin the situation before passing her number to Brandon. Brandon was still in his car downstairs at the hotel. He immediately dialed Sylvia¡¯s number but stopped midway, thinking it over. She was close to Sophia, and it might not yield any useful information. Eventually, Brandon backed out, took onest look at the brightly lit hotel, and drove off. He didn¡¯t head straight home but went to the Frost family instead. The Frost family lived in an old vi in the West district. Even though it was over twenty years old, the house didn¡¯t look overly aged. Instead, it had a quiet dignity thates with time. Ynda was born and raised in that house until she was over five years old. The Frost family had all lived there for over two decades. It wasn¡¯t that they couldn¡¯t afford to move, but the Frost patriarch feared that if they did, Ynda wouldn¡¯t be able to find her way home if she ever came back. Since Ynda¡¯s disappearance, Brandon rarely visited, so histe-night arrival took everyone by surprise, especially Louis, who was already in his pajamas ready for bed. Hearing that Brandon had come, he made an effort despite being unwell, ¡°Brandon, what brings you here?¡± As he spoke, he called up the stairs, ¡°Martin, Brandon¡¯s here.¡± Martin appeared at the top of the staircase, looking down at Brandon. The two hadn¡¯t been in touch since that incident in Wye City two years ago. Brandon nced at Martin, then turned to Louis, ¡°I¡¯m here to see Marian.¡± Louis¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, ¡°So you came especially for Yoli, eh? She¡¯s in her room.¡± He called out to Martin, ¡°Tell Ynda toe down, Brandon¡¯s looking for her.¡± Then looking back at Brandon, ¡°How did you know Ynda was back?¡± ¡°I heard.¡± He had already looked up at the staircase. Marian was reluctantly following Martin down the stairs. Brandon had no idea why Marian had agreed to move into the Frost family home. Sophia mentioned once that Marian was heading back to the homnd, and Patricia and Daniel kinda let it slip a few times in front of him too, hinting that she had moved back into the Frost family¡¯s digs and suggesting he should swing by for a catch-up. When Marian caught sight of Brandon, she was taken aback, ¡°Huh? What brings you here?¡± ¡°I need to talk to you about something,¡± said Brandon. ¡°Can we step outside for a sec?¡± Marian nced hesitantly at Martin and Louis, then back at Brandon, not daring to agree right off the bat. ¡°Just by the door, no sweat,¡± Brandon assured her. Marian hesitated, then nodded, ¡°Alright, fine.¡± And with that, she followed Brandon outside. Brandon didn¡¯t wander off too far, just to the yard right in front of the living room, within in sight of Louis and Martin inside. He turned to look at Marian, who was trailing with a touch of hesitation, ¡°Ms. Barlow, during your first master¡¯s year, did Sophia ever take a long leave?¡± Caught off guard by the question, Marian took a moment to think, then shook her head, ¡°Nah.¡± ¡°What about short leaves?¡± asked Brandon. Marian couldn¡¯t recall that. She couldn¡¯t even remember her own days off, let alone someone else¡¯s. ¡°I don¡¯t remember, Marian admitted honestly. ¡°But as far as I know, probably not. Sophia¡¯s super dedicated and disciplined, neverte or leaves early, let alone taking time off.¡± ¡°Got any photos from back then?¡± Brandon probed. ¡°Sophia¡¯s not the picture-taking type, how on earth would I have her photos?¡± Marian responded. ¡°Not asking for her selfies, but what about group shots from any events?¡± Marian thought hard for a moment, ¡°There might be some.¡± She whipped out her phone, scrolled through Facebook, and sure enough, came across a photo from the previous February. ¡°This was when our ss went to check out a construction site, it¡¯s a group pic we all snapped together,¡± Marian exined, turning her phone screen towards Brandon, ¡°Sophia¡¯s in it, right there in the top right corner.¡± Chapter 122 Chapter 122 Brandon took a quick nce at the photo Sophia was in the crowd, rocking an oatmeal cocoon cashmere coat that was loose and simple, yet youthfully stylish. She didn¡¯t bother with a scarf, showing off a glimpse of her fair, slender neck with a well-defined corbone, no hint of a baby bump in sight. Her face was just as calm and obedient as ever, with a subtle intellectual vibe. Her getup was low-key, but she still managed to turn heads in the crowd. If the kid was still around, Sophia would¡¯ve been about 7, pushing 8 months pregnant in February, but he couldn¡¯t tell from the photo. ¡°There are a few more shots,¡± Marian said, swiping to the next one. It was a candid shot of the scene. Everyone was either looking up or turning to discuss the architecture. Sophia¡¯s back was caught on camera too, standing alone under a tall building, gazing up at the top, her right hand pointing at something with a pen. Even in her loose cocoon coat, you could tell she had a slim waist from the silhouette it created. Her wrists and ankles, not hidden by the coat, were as delicate as a young girl¡¯s. Even though he expected it, seeing the photo still stirred a faint sense of loss in Brandon. Marian didn¡¯t miss the look of disappointment on his face and asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Brandon shook his head, looking at her, ¡°Was Sophia any different back then?¡± ¡°Not a bit,¡± Marian said, puzzled, ¡°It¡¯s all the same. sses, after-school stuff, fieldwork she was seriously into her studies, no different from usual.¡± Still puzzled, she asked, ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°Just curious,¡± Brandon replied, handing back the phone, ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it,¡± Marian chuckled, taking her phone back. Brandon nced at his watch and looked back at Louis, who kept peeping out of the house, ¡°Grandpa Louis, I gotta head back.¡± ¡°You just got here, what¡¯s the rush?¡± Louis came out with his cane, ¡°Ynda¡¯s not home often, why not stay and chat?¡± ¡°No, I can¡¯t.¡± Brandon declined, ¡°Just had a bit of business with Ms. Barlow.¡± He didn¡¯t linger, said his goodbyes to Louis, and drove off. Back home, he bumped into Don hanging by his front door with a few bottles of booze. Brandon eyed him, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°I figured someone might be tossing and turning tonight, and I¡¯m too choked up to sleep myself,¡± Don said, waving a bottle of fine liquor as Brandon exited the elevator, ¡°We¡¯re in the same boat, so why not have a drink together?¡± Brandon gave him a look, ¡°Why are you drowning your sorrows? It¡¯s not yourdy.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t someone suggest I should marry her?, Here I am, barely started, and I¡¯m already shot down. Let me mourn a bit.¡± Brandon turned, eyeing him thoughtfully, ¡°You¡¯re not seriously into Sophia, are you?¡± ¡°Why not? You two are divorced.¡± ¡°Try it and you¡¯ll see what will happen.¡± Don grimaced. He didn¡¯t dare try. Friends¡¯ exes are off-limits, and even if he had the guts, he couldn¡¯t handle it. Sophia¡¯s tough, no-nonsense attitude was wearing him down; he just wanted to keep a talent. ¡°How did we both fall for the same woman?¡± Don sighed, watching as Brandon¡¯s thumb pressed the fingerprint lock. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Brandon ignored him, thumb on the lock, door opened. He let himself in, followed by Don, who made himself at home, grabbing two sses from the liquor cab, filling them up, and handing one to Brandon, ¡°Fancy a drink?¡± Brandon took it with a nce, downed it in one go, and mmed the ss on the table with a ¡°thud,¡± his cold eyes on Don, ¡°What¡¯s your angle?¡± ¡°I¡¯m heartbroken,¡± Don exaggeratedly clutched his chest, ¡°You know how much I loved Sophia¡¯s Zenithan-style resort design? If not for you, even if she didn¡¯t want the design director job, she would¡¯ve seen that resort through. Now look.¡± Don spread his hands. ¡°Why did I bet on the wrong horse? What did you do to her that she¡¯s so determined to stay away, even paying to do it?¡± Brandon looked at him, silent, grabbed the uncapped bottle and topped himself off, downing it again. Don watched, iming heartache but leisurely sipping his drink. ¡°Not gonna spill about your story?¡± he asked, watching Brandon¡¯s empty ss get refilled. ¡°No story,¡± Brandon replied tly. Don pouted, took a slow sip, and looked at him, ¡°I heard you didn¡¯t reach out to Sylvia?¡± ¡°No need.¡± ¡°Sure about that?¡± Don raised an eyebrow, ¡°I knew Sophia couldn¡¯t be pregnant. Just look at her.¡± Brandon stayed silent. ¡°Sylvia and Sophia are tight, always together in ss. She said Sophia wasn¡¯t pregnant. People close to a pregnant woman would notice, right? Plus, having a kid takes time,¡± Don said. Brandon¡¯s eyes shot over, ¡°Have you talked to her?¡± Chapter 123 Chapter 123 Don was feeling seriously crept out, so he quickly exined, ¡°It¡¯s not like I went out of my way to ask about her. I just casually brought it up while we were talking shop. But chill, man, I¡¯ve got Sophia¡¯s back. I wouldn¡¯t just b about her.¡± As he spoke, he whipped out his phone, pulled up his chat with Sylvia, and tapped on a new voice message he had sent. ¡°Oh yeah, what was the name of the hospital where Sophia had her babyst year? I¡¯ve got a buddy who¡¯s expecting and wants to scope out the ce.¡± Sylvia¡¯s response came back quick, her voice oozing confusion. ¡°When did Sophia ever have a kid? Wasn¡¯t she still in schoolst year, not even graduated? How could she have had time to have a baby? You sure you¡¯re not talking about Louisa?¡± Don shot back a message like a lightbulb had just gone off in his head. ¡°Oh, right, right, Louisa. My bad, my brain¡¯s all scrambled with the hustle and bustle.¡± Looking at Brandon, Don said, ¡°See? If she really had been knocked up and popped out a kid, there¡¯s no way it would¡¯ve slipped by us. I think you¡¯re just overthinking it.¡± Brandon just stared at him, silent. He remembered that moment in the restaurant when he had pressed Sophia about whether the child was still around. The hurt that had welled up in her eyes, spiraling into a breakdown. He didn¡¯t know if it was the topic that had touched a raw nerve or something else. He knew he shouldn¡¯t have brought it up. Even with his suspicions, it would have been better to verify things behind the scenes rather than rip open old wounds. But when she walked away so decisively, emotion got the better of him. The question about the child had be a means to force her to pause. A tactic, and a test. Logically, Brandon was pretty sure the kid was no longer in the picture. Sophia wasn¡¯t one for empty gestures. Once she set her mind to something, she wouldn¡¯t waver. She never was one to beat around the bush. If she was going to bail, she¡¯d do it clean and sharp. But emotionally, Brandon had held onto a glimmer of hope, even if it was one in ten thousand. Don put his arm around Brandon¡¯s shoulder, patting him in aforting gesture. ¡°Look on the bright side, no kid might be a blessing in disguise,¡± Don said. ¡°Otherwise, it¡¯d be like nting andmine in your future marriage, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Brandon shrugged off his paw. ¡°If you can¡¯t say anything helpful, zip it.¡± Don was left speechless. Brandon bent down, grabbed a bottle off the table, poured himself a full ss, and downed it in one go. He set the ss back on the table. ¡°Just make sure to close the door on your way out.¡± With that, he turned and headed back to his study, closing the door with a ¡°bang.¡± Don couldn¡¯t help but shout after the shut door, ¡°Hey, I came over ¡¯cause I figured you¡¯d be in a funk tonight. Came to chat, cheer you up, and you¡¯re just gonna walk away?¡± No response. Don, feeling bored and uninterested, plopped down on a chair. Drinking alone wasn¡¯t much fun without someone to shoot the breeze with. Boredom got the better of him, and he grabbed his phone, opened Facebook, and there he saw a post from Ivan. [Long time no see!] The picture was of West District Airport. Don remembered Ivan yed no, small part in getting Sophia to join thepany a year ago. Figuring Ivan could persuade Sophia, he rang him up. ¡°Back in the country?¡± ¡°Yep.¡± ¡°Fancy a drink?¡± ¡°Sure, you pick the spot.¡± Don quickly found a nearby bar, sent Ivan the location, and then got up to knock on Brandon¡¯s door. Brandon opened the study door, looking at him. ¡°Something else?¡± ¡°Nope, I¡¯m outta here. Just wanted to share some good news. I think I might have found a way to keep Sophia around,¡± Don said, patting Brandon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Wait for my good news.¡± Without waiting for a reaction, Don happily made his exit. Brandon watched his briskly retreating figure. ¡°Don, don¡¯t meddle in my business. I¡¯ve got my own ns.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s none of your business,¡± Don waved goodbye and closed the door behind him. Brandon nced at the closed door and ignored him, closing the study door as he returned to his desk. He saw a WhatsApp notification for a new contact request. The message read. [This is Sophia.] Brandon¡¯s gaze froze, his deep eyes calmly fixated on that sentence, unmoved. Sophia¡¯s WhatsApp name and profile pic were the same as two years ago, unchanged. He knew it was her. Chapter 124 Chapter 124 Brandon could totally guess why Sophia added him. He had just snagged Sylvia¡¯s number, and Don had just been beating around the bush with Sylvia about the kid stuff. With Sophia¡¯s smarts, a hint from Sylvia would be all she needed to connect the dots. Back in the car, he had offered to let her add him on WhatsApp and she had turned him down. Now she wasing to him, obviously just wanting to confirm to his face that the kid was a no-show. It was a raw wound. For Sophia, and for him too. Brandon didn¡¯t want to poke that bear again. He stared at the ¡°ept¡± button for an eternity, then finally hit decline and chucked his phone to the side, turning his focus to theputer. Don rocked up to the bar just as Ivan was stepping out of his car at the entrance. Don shed a big old grin and pped him on the shoulder, ¡°What¡¯s the deal? You¡¯re back in the homnd too?¡± ¡°Graduated, man. What¡¯s the point of sticking around there?¡± Ivan said, walking into the bar with him. The bar was more of the artsy, quiet type. Soft tunes yed in the background, a stark contrast to the thumping chaos of rowdier spots. ¡°So, fancy joining mypany?¡± Don asked. ¡°I¡¯ve just brought my branch back home, and we¡¯re short- staffed. How about you hop on board?¡± Ivan looked at him, ¡°Isn¡¯t Sophia around? She¡¯s worth her weight in gold.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even go there, you¡¯re twisting the knife,¡± Don sighed at the mention of her. Ivan frowned, ¡°What¡¯s up? Sophia doesn¡¯t want toe back?¡± Don said, ¡°She¡¯s been in the country these past few days, but she¡¯s not keen on the newpany.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Ivan was puzzled. ¡°She¡¯s got her reasons,¡± Don said, not wanting to spill Sophia¡¯s personal beans. He pulled out the Zenithan-style resort project that Sophia had designed, handing it to Ivan, ¡°We¡¯ve got this new gig, nning to make it the debut project for the local branch. The client loves her work and wants her to keep at it. Sophia¡¯s really into it as well but is hesitant and thinking of bailing. You¡¯re tight with her, right? Maybe you can talk some sense into her.¡± ¡°When did I be tight with her?¡± Ivan chuckled, taking the design portfolio and getting sucked into the visuals. Don noticed Ivan¡¯s eyes light up, ¡°Right? It¡¯d be a real shame to let this go to waste, huh?¡± Ivan nodded, ¡°Definitely.¡± He looked up at Don, ¡°Why¡¯s she thinking of dropping it?¡± Don wanted to say it was because Sophia didn¡¯t want to get tangled up with her ex, but he just found out tonight about her and Brandon. Assuming the world didn¡¯t know Sophia had been married, he didn¡¯t feel it was his ce to gossip. So he said vaguely, ¡°I¡¯m not super clear on the details. Probably something to do with her life ns, not wanting to stick around here.¡± Ivan said, ¡°Isn¡¯t she nning on developing her career back here?¡± ¡°She says no ns for now, wants to wander and see the world.¡± ¡°That¡¯s totally fine, different strokes for different folks.¡± Don looked at him, ¡°It¡¯s just a bummer because taking on this project wouldn¡¯t stop her from traveling. She could check in now and then. But the thing is, thepany owns the design rights, and the client¡¯s been clear-if she drops it, we start from scratch. That means her design would never see the light of day. So I think,¡± Don said, looking at Ivan, ¡°It¡¯d be best if she took it on. She¡¯s poured so much into it, and she really loves it. It¡¯d be a shame to let it go.¡± Ivan nodded, agreeing it would be a shame. ¡°But everyone¡¯s got their own reasons. I¡¯m just an outsider; it¡¯s not my ce to y messenger,¡± Ivan said, handing the portfolio back to Don. Don pushed it back into his hands, ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to be a messenger, but she¡¯s always had respect for you, right? Sometimes people get tunnel vision, need someone to give them a nudge.¡± He paused, but couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°To be honest, it¡¯s a love thing. I think it¡¯s foolish for a girl to give up her future over romance.¡± Ivan looked at Don, ¡°A love thing?¡± Don nodded, ¡°I don¡¯t have all the deets, but that¡¯s the gist. It¡¯s just regr grown-up stuff, breakups happen. It¡¯d be a pity if she quit over that.¡± Ivan agreed with a nod, ¡°Definitely a pity.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give it a shot,¡± Ivan said, grabbing the design portfolio and whipping out his phone. ¡°You in?¡± Don asked, ¡°Joining thepany?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see. I¡¯ll think it over.¡± Don nodded on the spot, ¡°Don¡¯t think too long.¡± Fingers itching on his phone, Don was dying to tell Brandon the good news-he¡¯d snagged another genius for thepany. Ivan hadn¡¯t said no outright, which, in Don¡¯s book, was as good as a yes. Brandon couldn¡¯t dive into work mode like usual. His eyes zed over the emails before drifting back to the phone he had tossed aside. He picked it up, opened WhatsApp, and stared at the friend request he had declined, silent. Don¡¯s question about what to do if Sophia really didn¡¯t join thepany popped into his head uninvited. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to push a little? It¡¯d be such a waste to let go.¡± Brandon turned his gaze away, peering into the vast night outside his window. After a long moment, he looked back at his phone. He scrolled through his contacts and found Cedric Archer¡¯s number. Mixing in the same circles, Brandon knew Cedric, who was Sophia¡¯s college mentor. Sophia owed a lot to Cedric for her sess, and she had always held deep respect and gratitude for him. Brandon dialed Cedric¡¯s number, inviting him for lunch the next day. Cedric and Brandon hadn¡¯t caught up in ages, but he agreed to meet up. After hanging up the phone, Brandon¡¯s gaze drifted back to the friend request screen on WhatsApp. He had already hit the reject button on that request. He stared at it for a moment in silence before backing out.. Brandon¡¯s rejection was oddly a breath of fresh air for Sophia. The system didn¡¯t give any heads-up about the rejection, but with so much time having passed without approval, Sophia knew he had turned her down. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. She couldn¡¯t exactly pin down her feelings, but her heart, which had been on a rollercoaster all night, finally seemed to settle down a bit. She was torn between the fear of Brandon epting and the fear of him not. She had been wrestling with herself all night long. It wasn¡¯t until this moment, when the dust had settled, that her hesitation had finally taken a back seat. Sophia let out a long sigh of relief, stood up, and identally knocked over the hospital discharge summary that had been lying t on the table all night. The paper was already turning yellow. Sophia nced at it, picked it up and started to crumple it with the intention of throwing it away, but halfway through, she paused, looked down at it again, and decided to keep it. She then grabbed her phone and booked a flight back to Wye City for the morning after next. Chapter 125 Chapter 125 Sophia was called back on short notice this time, rushing back overnight without having the chance to sort out the various bits and bobs like her job and house over there. So, no matter how things pan out in the future, she had gotta swing by there at least once more. Since getting back, she had been running around like a headless chicken between work and the hospital, with no spare second to deal with anything else. That was why, before heading back to Wye City, Sophia cleared a day in her schedule just for this. The next day, she went to change her registered information. Her registered residence was still at her old pad. When she bought that little ce, she transferred her registered residence from her family home to there. Two years ago, when she sold the ce, she and the new owner had an agreement that her registered residence would stay put for a while, and the owner was cool with it. So, for the past two years, Sophia¡¯s registered residence hadn¡¯t budged from that little house. For registered residence matters, you can only sort it at the police station that covered that address. The little house wasn¡¯t far from Brandon¡¯spany, and the police station was even closer, right next to the Starlight Group¡¯s building. That¡¯s why these past few days, Sophia was all kinds of hesitant and torn-about it. The taxi pulled up to the police station, and Sophia got out, still a bit unsure. As she closed the car door, she couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at the Starlight Group skyscraper. It was prime working hours, and although there were a few peopleing and going at the entrance, no familiar faces were in sight. But then, Sophia didn¡¯t really have many buddies at the Starlight Group. Aside from Brandon, there was only Kent, Hannah, and the current Don, plus Brandon¡¯s parents, Daniel and Patricia, who asionally dropped by the office. For such a massive conglomerate, bumping into someone you know was pretty slim odds. Sophia steadied her nerves and walked into the police station. The ce was buzzing, with a desk on the left for taking numbers and inquiries. A uniformed staffer was bustling about, handing out tickets and forms. Seeing Sophia walk in, they asked politely, ¡°Hi there, what can I do for you?¡± ¡°I need to register my residence.¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± the staffer said, handing Sophia a few forms to fill out and then pulling a number for her. Original from N?velDrama.Org. The queue was a bit of a drag, and it was nearly noon by the time Sophia¡¯s turn came up. She was there to register her residence. When she handed over her documents, the staffer took a pause at the empty father¡¯s information section on the birth certificate, then looked up at Sophia. ¡°No father¡¯s info for the child?¡± Sophia nodded hesitantly. ¡°It was a sperm bank overseas; there¡¯s no father¡¯s info. A single parent¡¯s registered residence is fine.¡± Right after she spoke, a girl handling her business next to her turned her head in surprise. The girl looked young, probably a fresh college grad, sporting a cute exotic-style bob cut and had a lively and pretty look about her. Not shy at all, she beamed at Sophia when their eyes met and said, ¡°You¡¯ve got guts!¡± Admiration was written all over her face. Sophia just gave an awkward smile and didn¡¯t bite. The girl went on, ¡°I told myself if I don¡¯t find someone I like by 28, I¡¯ll head to a sperm bank and do the IVF thing too. But I bet my parents would have a fit.¡± Then, out of curiosity, she asked Sophia, ¡°How did you get your parents on board with this? You¡¯re still so young, did they agree? Sophia got even more awkward. ¡°They don¡¯t really have a say.¡± Noticing the staffer was still looking at her, she quickly pulled out the ¡°Deration of Non-marital Childbearing¡± from the bottom of her stack and handed it over. After checking the documents, the staffer processed her registered residence registration swiftly and handed back the registered residence booklet to Sophia. ¡°Thank you.¡± Sophia took it with a word of thanks and turned to leave when the girl who had also finished her business quickly grabbed her papers and scurried after her, ¡°Hey, wait up, beauty!¡± Sophia looked back, puzzled. The girl was a bit embarrassed. ¡°I just wanted to ask about the sperm bank. Like, how did you find it? Which country? How much does it cost? Are there any precautions? Do you have a guide?¡± Sophia was awkward. The girl already had her phone out. ¡°Can I add you on WhatsApp?¡± To avoid any misunderstanding, she quickly added, ¡°I want to do it too in the future, but I don¡¯t know anyone who¡¯s used a sperm bank, and I can¡¯t find reliable info online. Could I ask you about itter?¡± Sophia, a bit awkward, gently turned down the girl. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s not really convenient.¡± The girl¡¯s face instantly turned gloomy. ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Sophia felt a twinge of guilt but knew it wasn¡¯t something she could help with. She apologized and took her leave. The girl watched Sophia¡¯s retreating figure with disappointment and then listlessly entered the Starlight Group building. It was lunchtime, and Kent happened to be heading out with Brandon for a meal. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Kent spotted the dejected girl and jokingly greeted her, ¡°What¡¯s with the long face,ing down to deal with your registered residence?¡± The girl, Cindy, was a new assistant designer recently hired by Star-Dempsey Architects. Kent had been overseeing matters rted to Star Dempsey Architectstely, handling the initial interviews himself, with Don taking over for final ones. So, he knew the new hires pretty well. The newpany was officially starting next Friday, and Cindy was part of the first batch of recruits. The whole process from the interview to the job offer had only taken a week, and there was still three weeks to go before starting. Don thought the three-week gap was a bit much. The new hires mightck a sense of security, and he felt the same. He was worried they might doubt thepany¡¯s reliability and bail if something else came up. So, all the new hires were told to start onboarding right away, to get familiar with the environment and the work. Kent was temporarily in charge of recruiting and managing these new folks. Known for being straightforward and approachable, good with a joke, and considerate of the newbies, he was the go-to guy for anything and everything. Cindy knew Kent. She had consulted with him about her registered residence issue. Fresh out of her master¡¯s degree, her residency had always been tied to her school, but with graduation, it needed transferring. Luckily, the Starlight Group offered a collective registered residence option, and after a set period of social security contributions, she could settle in West district.. So she made a special effort to squeeze in some time today to get her household registration stuff sorted. She didn¡¯t expect to bump into someone who actually managed to have a kid through a sperm bank and get the little one registered, too. Too bad she. didn¡¯t get the chance to dig deeper. When Kent teased her, Cindy just pouted in frustration, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± But she couldn¡¯t help sharing with Kent, ¡°When I was getting my registration done, I saw this girl, looked about my age, but boy was she gorgeous. She actually went abroad to a sperm bank and had a kid through IVF, and she was there to register her baby.¡± Brandon nced at her but didn¡¯t make much of it, and headed down to the staff cafeteria. Kent didn¡¯t find it all that surprising either, ¡°What¡¯s so strange about that? Kids born out of wedlock can be registered, no big deal.¡± ¡°It just seems so bold, you know?¡± Cindy eagerly followed, ¡°She¡¯s so pretty, looks like she¡¯s only in her twenties, and she¡¯s so sure she doesn¡¯t need a man. Decides she wants a kid and just goes for it with a sperm bank. How cool is that? I want that kind of life Chapter 126 Chapter 126 Kent nodded in agreement, ¡°You can do it too, just gotta save up some cash.¡± Mentioning this, Cindy was upset. ¡°I heard it costs an arm and a leg, like hundreds of thousands. If that¡¯s true, I can kiss my dreams goodbye.¡± Cindy sighed heavily, unwittingly following Kent to the staff cafeteria, her chatter non-stop. ¡°I was gonna add that girl on WhatsApp to get the lowdown, but she wasn¡¯t having it, so no luck there.¡± ¡°It¡¯s normal. After all, it¡¯s personal stuff,¡± Kent responded without any judgment, ¡°Having a bit of guard up is no biggie.¡± ¡°I get it,¡± Cindy said, still a bit bummed out, ¡°But she doesn¡¯t know me, and I don¡¯t know her, so who am I gonna talk to?¡± Kent let out a dry chuckle. Brandon quickened his pace to distance himself from the chatterboxes. He really wasn¡¯t a fan of the never-ending buzz in his ears. Kent, who was good at reading the room, zipped his lips as soon as he noticed Brandon¡¯s reaction, knowing they were being too noisy. Cindy, the newbie who only knew Kent and wasn¡¯t familiar with Brandon, cluelessly followed Kent, mimicking his every move as they got their food and sat down together. Kent, who followed Brandon¡¯s lead, felt uneasy when he saw Cindy tagging along and sat down with them, sneaking a nce at Brandon. Brandon just kept his head down and ate, ignoring the duo. Cindy, young and lively, was itching to keep the conversation going, but Kent gave a little cough to hint at the situation. Even Cindy, a bit slow on the uptake, got the hint that she was talking too much and mmed up, sneaking curious and puzzled nces at Brandon. Kent, noticing her sneaky looks and not wanting to annoy Brandon, especially since he had personally brought her into thepany, coughed again, reluctantly steering the conversation back to work. ¡°How are you settling in at thepany?¡± Cindy nodded, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s all good.¡± Then she looked puzzled at Kent, ¡°Oh, by the way, Mr. Dempsey said during my interview to shadow the head designer. Who is that? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen her.¡± Kent nearly choked on his food, talk about hitting a nerve. He couldn¡¯t help but steal a nce at Brandon. Brandon was still serenely eating his meal. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Cindy looked at Kent, puzzled. Kent gave another little cough, ¡°You¡¯ll meet herter.¡± He quickly shifted the topic back to eating, ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the meal for now,¡± all the while sneaking looks at Brandon. Brandon had put down his cutlery. His phone had rung. Kent saw Brandon look at his phone, his brow furrowed in confusion, then he picked up the call, ¡°Hello?¡± It seemed there was no response on the other end. Kent watched as Brandon¡¯s frown deepened, then he took the phone away from his ear, nced at the screen, cut the call, and dialed back. Kent, unable to help himself, craned his neck to catch a glimpse of the phone screen. He saw the number and a long string of digits he couldn¡¯t quite make out, but when the phone switched to call forwarding, Kent saw ¡°Wye City¡± sh on the disy, his heart skipped a beat, immediately thinking of Sophia, and he looked at Brandon. Brandon held the phone steadily to his ear, his expression calm but with a hint of barely perceptible anxiety. Sophia hadn¡¯t noticed her phone was ringing. Her phone was on silent mode and after leaving the police station, she went straight to the nearby old town district. The old district had an ancient alley known for selling local specialties and West district crafts, including several high-quality costume stores. With half a day to spare before heading back to Wye City, Sophia wanted to pick up some gifts. It was the start of the summer holidays, peak tourist season, and the alley was so crowded it was almost impossible to walk. Sophia held her phone, dodging through the crowd, and identally hit the side lock button, which lit up her phone and unlocked it when it caught her face. Sophia didn¡¯t notice, focused on navigating the sea of people, her hand identally swiping across her phone screen, opening recent calls, and somehow dialing Brandon¡¯s number-the same one he had insisted on getting when he sent her home back in Wye City. She had identally called him. By the time Sophia realized, a few minutes had passed. She had just picked out two children¡¯s costumes in a store and was about to pay when she noticed a string of missed calls on her phone. Confused, she clicked on it, and upon recognizing the familiar number, she paused. The cashier, noticing her hesitation, called out, ¡°Miss?¡± Sophia snapped back to reality, gave her an apologetic smile, left the recent calls screen, paid with a scan of her phone, and took the clothes. Only then did she open the phone log again and saw her idental call amid the red missed call notifications. Sophia felt a bit embarrassed and hesitant as she stared at the long list of red missed calls. Her fingertip hovered over the screen, and after a moment¡¯s hesitation, she dialed Brandon back. The phone was picked up almost instantly. ¡°Hello?¡± Brandon¡¯s low, restrained voice came through. Sophia gripped her phone tighter, ¡°Sorry, I was out shopping and identally dialed your number. I didn¡¯t realize you had called back,¡± Sophia exined softly, ¡°I just saw it now.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± the voice on the other end was still calm and deep, with a hint of relief that Sophia couldn¡¯t quite make out. ¡°Should I hang up?¡± Sophia said as she walked out of the store, her mind on the call and not noticing the crowd surging towards her. Someone was shoved into therge wooden sign in front of the store, causing it to suddenly fall. Sophia kinda heard someone yell ¡°Watch out!¡± out of the blue and, on instinct, she whipped her head around just to see a wooden sign hurtling straight for her. Screams erupted all around. Brandon, who was just about to hang up with a casual ¡°Mhm,¡± suddenly looked panic-stricken. ¡°Sophia?¡± Kent got the jitters from Brandon¡¯s reaction, his face tensing up too, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Brandon ignored him, his handsome face all screwed up with tension as he stood up and made a beeline for the door, barking orders at Kent as he went. ¡°Gotta step out, axe the afternoon meeting.¡± ¡°Uh, okay.¡± Kent scrambled to keep pace with Brandon, huffing and puffing, and asked while they hustled, ¡°Did something urgent happen to Ms. Yearwood? Do you need a hand?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Brandon, though wound up, kept his cool, phone still glued to his ear, calling out Sophia¡¯s name in a steady voice. But all he got back was a cacophony of noise and chaos, not a peep from Sophia. Amidst the disarray on the other end, a voice finally came through, but it wasn¡¯t Sophia¡¯s, it was an anxious and flustered stranger. ¡°Hello, who are you to the phone owner? She¡¯s hurt and can¡¯t talk on the phone right now.¡± ¡°I¡¯m family,¡± Brandon said, already at his car, yanking the door open and asking in aposed tone, ¡°Where is she now? How bad is she hurt?¡± Chapter 127 Chapter 127 That person dropped an address, a stone¡¯s throw from the Starlight Group. When Brandon got there, the ambnce hadn¡¯t arrived yet, but he spotted Sophia, the center of the crowd¡¯s attention. She was propped up in a chair by the storefront, clutching her left arm with her right, blood oozing through her fingers and dripping down, her face as pale as a ghost, with a furrowed brow and a pained expression. At her feety a wooden sign, split in two, along with a clothing bag. The clerk was beside himself, ncing out the door in a panic, muttering on repeat, ¡°Where the heck is that ambnce?¡± Despite her pain, Sophia was still somewhat lucid. ¡°Get me a strip of cloth,¡± she managed to say, her voice weak. ¡°Huh? Oh, sure,¡± the clerk replied, still in a tizzy, looking around aimlessly for some ratty piece of cloth. Brandon elbowed his way through the crowd and squatted down in front of Sophia. ¡°Hanging in there?¡± he asked in a low voice, taking over the pressure on her wound with one hand, while reaching for the clothing bag with the other, swiftly pulling out a garment to wrap around her arm, not even checking what it was. As he wrapped her up, he looked at her, ¡°Anything else hurting besides your arm?¡± Sophia shook her head instinctively, still feeling woozy. When the sign came crashing down, she reflexively put up her hand to shield herself, buffering the blow to her head, but the sharp metal edge that came with the sign still managed to slice a big gash in her arm, and the blood gushed out. The impact had left her head spinning and it took a while for her to clear her mind. Brandon noticed Sophia¡¯s daze and gently stroked her forehead, his voice softening. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the hospital.¡± With that, he slid one arm under her armpits and the other under her knees, scooping her up sideways. The sudden sensation of being lifted made Sophia instinctively cling to Brandon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared,¡± he soothed as he held her close and turned to head for his car parked outside. ¡°Someone dropped their clothes,¡± someone called out, and the clothing bag was stuffed between Brandon and Sophia. She nced at Brandon, who was already focused on getting to the car outside, holding her steadily as he strode through the alley. His steps were firm, his breathing even, and he held her tight. Sophia didn¡¯t feel jostled or ufortable. She was forced to lean against his solid chest, the sound of his steady heartbeat and his familiar scent enveloping her, giving her a sense of security. It left Sophia with mixed feelings, which momentarily overshadowed the difort in her body and the fog in her head. By the time they reached the end of the alley, the ambnce had just arrived. Brandon carried Sophia into the ambnce and to the hospital. The ER staff quickly attended to her arm wound and, concerned about a possible concussion, the hospital arranged for her to stay overnight. Brandon took Sophia¡¯s driver license to handle the admission paperwork, then settled her into the hospital room. After a series of blood tests and brain CT scans, it was nearly, dinner time. Sophia, weakened from blood loss and a mild concussion, fell into a fitful sleep as soon as she returned to her room, only to be vaguely aware of someone tucking her in gently. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. She half-opened her eyes to meet a pair of deep, eyes. ¡°Sleep a little longer.¡± Brandon whispered, fixing the nket around her before turning to the nightstand and spotting the clothing bag next to Sophia¡¯s handbag. Remembering the cloth he had used to bandage her wound in the emergency, he paused for a moment, then walked over, picked up the bag, and opened it to find a little girl¡¯s clothes inside. He looked surprised, then slowly turned back to Sophia. on the bed. Sophia was drifting in and out of sleep, not resting well, her brow furrowed in difort. Brandon kept quiet so as not to disturb her, his gaze returning to the clothing bag. He took out the pink and white clothes, a tiny set suitable for a one or two-year-old. He stared at it, lost in thought for a good while, his expression intense. When Sophia woke up, the first thing she saw was the pink and white clothes by the bed. Brandon was sitting in a chair, eyes half-closed, lost in thought. Seeing her awake, he looked up at her and then stood to approach. ¡°Feeling any better?¡± he asked. Chapter 128 Chapter 128 Sophia gave a slight nod, ¡°Yeah, feeling a lot better.¡± Her gaze drifted towards the little girl¡¯s clothes on the bed, then slowly to Brandon. Brandon nced at the clothes, then back at her, his eyes calm and profound. ¡°Just saw it while shopping and couldn¡¯t help myself,¡± Sophia said in a soft voice. ¡°I had a ticket to fly back to Wye City tomorrow and thought I¡¯d pick up some gifts for a friend on the way.¡± ¡°Which friend?¡± Brandon asked. ¡°Just a coworker, Sophia replied. ¡°She¡¯s really into traditional clothes, loves wearing it herself and dressing up kids in it. I thought it looked pretty, so I just went for it.¡± Brandon just looked at her, saying nothing, his calm and deep gaze making Sophia inexplicably hold her breath. Her hands curled slightly from nervousness under the covers, but her face remained calm and gentle, as always. Brandon nced at the little girl¡¯s clothes on the bed. ¡°It¡¯s pretty nice.¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Mhm.¡± She looked back at the clothes with a hint of regret, ¡°Shame it got dirty.¡± ¡°Just buy another one,¡± Brandon suggested. ¡°Mhm,¡± Sophia responded quietly, her eyes involuntarily darting to the bag on the nightstand. The bag was still where she had ced it when she first moved in, untouched. Brandon never had the habit of rummaging through her bag or phone. Neither did she. On this, they were on the same page. Noticing the direction of Sophia¡¯s gaze, Brandon also nced at the bag. The side of the bag facing them had a small zippered pocket. The pocket contained things like bank cards, ID photos, and her phone-stuff she needed to grab often. Brandon had taken her driver license from that very pocket earlier in the afternoon when he was getting her admitted to the hospital after she reminded him, and it was put back there too. Seeing Brandon¡¯s eyes on her bag, Sophia hesitated and bit her lip, ¡°I want to grab my phone.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Saying this, she started to reach for it. The phone was in the zippered pocket on the back. When Brandon had rushed her to the hospital at noon after their stroll in the alley, a passerby had handed the phone back, and he¡¯d casually slipped it into that back pocket. Although Sophia was groggy and ufortable at the time, she had a vague memory of it. Before her hand could reach the bag, Brandon had already picked it up for her. ¡°Let me do it.¡± He said, opening the outer pocket as he spoke, and the phone came into view, along with two bank cards and a slightly yellowed, folded piece of paper. Sophia¡¯s expression changed slightly at the sight of that paper. It was the hospital discharge summary she had stuffed into the pocket the night before. She had thought about tearing it up and throwing it away, but then hesitated and ended up stuffing it into the pocket of her bag. Brandon turned his head just in time to see the startled look on Sophia¡¯s face, his gaze lingered on her for a moment, and then slowly settled on the yellowed piece of paper. The paper was creased, showing clear signs of being handled. Brandon¡¯s hand reached for the yellowed paper. Sophia instinctively protested, then fell silent under Brandon¡¯s gaze, her own eyes growingplex. Brandon had already pulled out the piece of paper, and even without unfolding it, the hospital logo and the words ¡°Discharge Summary¡± could be seen. He didn¡¯t immediately open it, but instead looked at Sophia, calmly asking, ¡°Can I read it?¡± Sophia bit her lower lip slightly, her eyes showing a hint of struggle and guilt. She didn¡¯t speak, just gave an almost imperceptible nod. Brandon opened the discharge summary, and his eyes quickly caught the words ¡°termination of pregnancy.¡± His gaze froze for a moment. Sophia hesitated to look at him, her upper teeth unconsciously biting her lower lip, she turned her head slightly away, not daring to look at Brandon again. Brandon¡¯s eyes moved to the name and date on the paper. The name was Sophia¡¯s, and the date was the same as the day two years ago when Susan had informed him that Sophia didn¡¯t want the baby. The paper had yellowed a bit, and the printed ink had started to fade. Brandon pursed his lips slightly, his gaze shifting from the paper to the little girl¡¯s clothes on the bed. There was a moment of stillness before he gently looked away. He silently folded the discharge summary, took a while topose himself, and then looked at Sophia, ¡°Last night, when you wanted to add me on WhatsApp, was it to send this to me?¡± He asked, his voice very calm. Chapter 129 Chapter 129 Sophia pursed her lips slightly, choosing not to speak. After a while, Brandon heard a soft apology from her. ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize,¡± Brandon said, looking at her. ¡°You¡¯re the one who has to go through childbirth, you have every right to make decisions. I just thought¡­¡± He chuckled, letting the sentence trail off. Sophia didn¡¯t pick up the conversation, her hand fidgeting with the bedsheet, hesitating and conflicted, without looking at Brandon. Brandon stuffed the hospital summary back into her bag and helped her get her phone out, handing it to her. ¡°Thanks.¡± Sophia whispered her thanks. Brandon let out a sigh, looking at her. ¡°I¡¯ll go grab some dinner for you, what are you in the mood for?¡± ¡°I¡¯m easy,¡± Sophia replied softly, hesitating again as she looked at him, ¡°Or you can go do your thing first. I¡¯m feeling a lot better now. I can manage on my own.¡± She then added, ¡°Really, thank you for today.¡± She was genuinely grateful and touched.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Especially in those woozy, awfully ufortable moments, Brandon¡¯s sudden appearance was like a burst of relief. The moment she saw him, Sophia felt a lump in her throat and wanted to cry. All her difort and worries seemed to vanish, reced by a sense of peace. She didn¡¯t know what she would have done if Brandon hadn¡¯t been there. But with Brandon¡¯s presence, Sophia felt an overwhelming sense of calm. Brandon always had a way of making people feel incredibly safe. However, this gratitude only seemed to feed a growing sense of guilt inside her. Sophia was a bit at a loss about how to face Brandon. But Brandon didn¡¯t leave. To her thanks, he simply responded with a nonchnt ¡°No worries.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go get your food. Rest up and don¡¯t wander off,¡± he said, his voice as calm as ever. Sophia nodded gently, ¡°Okay.¡± Brandon left, closing the door of the hospital room behind him. Sophia listened to his footsteps fading away, remaining seated on the bed without moving. She was in a private room, which was very quiet. The silence seemed to press down on her conflicted emotions even more. Looking at the little girl¡¯s clothes on the bed, recalling Brandon¡¯s surprised look when he saw the hospital summary, her heart ached terribly. She hadn¡¯t intended for Brandon to see that document. She didn¡¯t want to deceive Brandon. Last night, when Brandon declined to connect on social media, she had breathed a sigh of relief. But she hadn¡¯t expected. Sophia picked up the little girl¡¯s clothes, gripping it tightly in her hands as tears began to fall uncontrobly, filling her with immense difort. Sophia hated how easily she cried, especially around Brandon-it seemed like her emotions were always on a rollercoaster. One moment panicky and confused, the next overwhelmed by guilt, or feeling lost and self-loathing. She just couldn¡¯t maintain the peace of mind she¡¯d had over the past two years. Knowing Brandon would be back soon, Sophia hadn¡¯t allowed herself to wallow in her negative emotions for too long, but her eyes were still visibly swollen from crying. As soon as Brandon opened the door, he noticed the redness in her eyes. He paused for a moment, his eyes locking onto hers. Sophia felt awkward. ¡°I identally pressed on my arm wound just now, it hurt a lot.¡± Her voice trailed off, subdued, and she didn¡¯t dare look at Brandon. Brandon nced at her bandaged arm but didn¡¯t call her out. Instead, he gently asked, ¡°Does it still hurt?¡± Sophia shook her head slightly, ¡°It¡¯s fine now.¡± Her gaze shifted to the food containers he ced on the table. ¡°What did you get?¡± ¡°Just sd and sandwiches,¡± Brandon said, unpacking the food and setting up the fork. He nced at her still-bandaged right hand, pulled over a chair with the tip of his foot, sat down in front of the hospital bed, bnced the food container in one hand, and with the fork in the other, began to offer her bites of the meal. Sophia didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°I can do it myself,¡± she said softly, reaching out to take the utensils. Brandon deftly avoided her approaching left hand with a flick of his wrist. ¡°How are you going to eat with one hand?¡± he asked, bringing the food to her mouth again, ¡°Open up.¡± Chapter 130 Chapter 130 Sophia hesitated, giving him a nce, finding it hard to open up. During those two years when she and Brandon were an item, they never did the whole feeding each other thing, let alone now. But Brandon was the epitome of patience, cradling the lunchbox in one hand and wielding the utensils in the other, tilting his head and watching her silently, not rushing her. Yet, his gaze was so intense it was giving Sophia a mental workout. She reluctantly opened up in the end.. Once she took the first bite, the second was easier. Brandon acted like it was no biggie, not the least bit ufortable. Sophia, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves. Between the blood loss and not having eaten all day, she was already running on fumes, starving, but being hand-fed by Brandon was a pressure cooker, and after nibbling a bit to line her stomach, she couldn¡¯t really stomach any more. ¡°I¡¯m full,¡± she murmured. Brandon nced at the half-eaten meal and didn¡¯t push her, just looked at her calmly and said, ¡°Sophia, you¡¯re scared of being a bother, but do you even have anyone else to bother?¡± Sophia pursed her lips and kept mum. She really didn¡¯t. Her social circle was pitifully small, and the only one gutsy enough to ask for help toe to the hospital was Susan, but she wasn¡¯t in the West district now. At home, the only one willing to care for her was Haley, but Haley was in need of care himself, so that was out of the question. She didn¡¯t want to worry him either. ¡°I could hire a nurse,¡± Sophia spoke softly, looking at Brandon, ¡°It¡¯s not that serious, just needs a few days to heal.¡± ¡°What counts as serious? Missing an arm or a leg?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t dare to continue the conversation. Brandon fed her another spoonful, and only after she ate did his expression soften slightly. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°How did you get hurt?¡± Brandon asked. ¡°Just rotten luck, passing by when the sign decided to take a dive,¡± Sophia said, a bit embarrassed. She was just out shopping, who¡¯d have thought she¡¯d win the unlucky lottery. Imagining the scenario, Brandon smiled slightly. ¡°Talk about a stroke of bad luck.¡± Sophia nodded in agreement, looking a bit down. She was supposed to head back tomorrow, but this unfortunate incident meant rescheduling her flight. ¡°Why were you over there?¡± Brandon inquired. ¡°Haven¡¯t been back in two years, wanted to stroll through the old alleys, pick up some gifts and stuff.¡± Remembering her mentioning buying a ticket back to Wye City for tomorrow, Brandon paused and looked at her. ¡°Are you leaving tomorrow?¡± Sophia nodded gently. ¡°I had the ticket, but now.¡± She nced at the wound on her right arm. ¡°Might have to wait a couple more days, let the wound heal a bit first.¡± Brandon nodded. ¡°So you¡¯ve really decided to give up?¡± Sophia knew he was referring to the resort project and the offer to join Star Dempsey Architects as the design director. Sophia¡¯s mouth opened but she wasn¡¯t sure how to respond, still undecided. But she definitely had to make a trip back to Wye City. This trip was a rush, and she hadn¡¯t settled things there; her belongings and life were still there. Brandon didn¡¯t push further, and the atmosphere, which was somewhat rxed, grew heavy again. Sophia also fell silent for a while before looking at him and asking, ¡°Brandon, do you think we can still be friends?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t,¡± Brandon replied, his tone calm and decisive, his eyes fixed on her. Sophia forced a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t think we can either.¡± Brandon just looked at her, saying nothing. ¡°Actually, you¡¯re right, I really like this project. I love the traditional Zenithan style, and I¡¯ve always wanted to independently design a building in that style, but because of myck of experience, I never got the chance, no one trusted me enough.¡± Sophia said, looking at him, ¡°Brandon, I¡¯m really grateful for the opportunity you gave me.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me, I didn¡¯t know it was your design when the project was approved.¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if Brandon was encouraging her or stating the facts, but she was truly thankful. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said quietly. Brandon watched her without moving. ¡°So are you still considering giving up?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Sophia admitted honestly, ¡°I haven¡¯t thought it through yet.¡± Brandon nodded and said no more, looking down at the now cold lunchbox. Seeing Sophia had lost her appetite, he didn¡¯t insist, closed the lunchbox, and got up. Just then, Sophia¡¯s phone rang. She picked it up reflexively. Brandon nced at the phone, and when he saw the name ¡°Ivan,¡± his movement with the lunchbox paused briefly before he looked at Sophia. Sophia had already pressed the answer button and brought the phone to her ear. ¡°Hello?¡± Her voice was soft and gentle. Brandon wasn¡¯t sure if this was her usual tone or if it was reserved for Ivan. He remembered the guy. Patricia had bumped into them at the airport once, heading out of the country together, and had sent him a photo. In the photo, the way this man looked at Sophia was attentive and affectionate, almost sickly sweet. But as far as Brandon knew, Ivan had been just a casual friend to Sophia these past And Sophia had been focused on her studies. ¡®wo years, nothing more. ¡°I heard you¡¯re in the West district too, got time for a meal?¡± The voice on the other end was cool and restrained, not like Don or Kent, who would be brimming with enthusiasm. Sophia hadn¡¯t put it on speaker, but the quiet single room and their proximity meant Brandon could clearly hear what was being said on the other end. He looked at Sophia. Sophia¡¯s expression was somewhat apologetic. ¡°I might not be able to make it the next couple of days.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Ivan on the phone was just as sharp, ¡°Something wrong?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t good at lying, ¡°Just had a bit of an ident today, not really up for going out.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the emergency? Serious?¡± Ivan¡¯s voice came through the phone with a hint of a frown, ¡°Have you seen a doctor? Where are you at? I¡¯lle find you.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Sophia quickly intervened, ¡°Already saw a doc, it¡¯s all good.¡± ¡°No worries, I actually needed to talk to you anyway. Shoot me your location.¡± Sophia hesitated and nced at Brandon. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talk when I see you. Where you at?¡± ¡°I¡¯m at the hospital right now, it¡¯s really not convenient.¡± Sophia spoke softly, ¡°Whatever it is, we can chat on WhatsApp.¡± But Ivan on the other end was already on the move. ¡°You¡¯re still at the hospital? You got admitted?¡± Sophia found it hard to fend off such a perceptive guy and gave a dryugh, nodding, ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Which hospital?¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t have toe over, I¡¯m fine here.¡± ¡°Susan called me just this morning, said you¡¯re here all by yourself with no family or friends, asked me to look after you.¡± Sophia was speechless. ¡°Just rest for a bit, I¡¯ll give you a call when I get there.¡± Ivan said and hung up, not insisting on getting the hospital address from her. He didn¡¯t need to get it from her; getting it from Susan would suffice. Sophia let out a sigh and turned to Brandon. ¡°Maybe you should head back?¡± Brandon looked back at her. ¡°And then what, let him take care of you?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t know what to say. Chapter 131 Chapter 131 ¡°You can¡¯t be alone here at night,¡± Brandon said. ¡°Who¡¯s gonna look after you if I take off?¡± They were back to square one with that question. Sophia felt she wasn¡¯t so frail that she needed babysitting. Even if she did, hiring a nurse would do the trick, no need to keep someone on standby. ¡°Are you nning to stick around tonight?¡± Sophia asked, hesitating. Brandon didn¡¯t nod or shake his head. ¡°Got someone better in mind?¡± He nced at her phone. ¡°Or maybe you want him to take care of you? That¡¯s cool too, your call.¡± ¡°Well. Sophia pondered for a moment, ¡°then let¡¯s have hime over, you go ahead with your stuff!¡± Brandon was speechless. He gave her a calm look. ¡°Alright, once he¡¯s here to take over, I¡¯ll head out.¡± Sophia fell silent. She didn¡¯t actually dare to have Ivan stay and look after her; she just wanted to persuade Brandon to head out first. But Brandon was never one to be easily sent away.¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if he saw through her bluff about not daring to have Ivan substitute or if he really wanted to wait for someone toe before he could leave with peace of mind. He stayed put, so she didn¡¯t press any further. Once she finished taking her meds, Brandon pulled up a chair in front of the hospital bed and settled down to continue with his work. He had rushed out at noon and hadn¡¯t brought hisptop, so he was working from his phone. Sophia asionally heard him answering calls, calmly organizing work. She didn¡¯t sleep, and Brandon didn¡¯t deliberately avoid her. It felt a bit like going back to their two years of married life.. Under the same roof, busy with their own things, not bothering each other. Sophia was ustomed to this non-interference mode too. It made her feel morefortable. Ivan arrived over an hourter. He didn¡¯t barge in but politely knocked on the door. The knock broke the focus of the two inside. Brandon nced at Sophia and then told the staff member on the phone, ¡°You carry on with the current n, I gotta hang up,¡± before cutting the call. He then got up to open the door. When the door opened, Brandon saw Ivan standing at the entrance with a fruit basket. Ivan hadn¡¯t expected someone else to be in the room. He paused, subtly sizing up Brandon, vaguely remembering him as the man he saw at Sophia¡¯s apartment two years ago. While Ivan was taking him in, Brandon politely greeted, ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± Ivan responded with equal courtesy, his gaze shifting past Brandon¡¯s shoulder to Sophia inside the room. Sophia had sat up and greeted him with the same politeness, ¡°Ivan.¡¯ Brandon stepped aside to let Ivan in. ¡°Come on in.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Ivan murmured his thanks as he entered. ¡°Everything okay?¡± ¡®All good. Just a bit of damage to the arm,¡± Sophia replied lightly, then turned to Brandon, ¡°Well, Ivan is here now, and with him around, it¡¯s all good. You can go and rest.¡± Brandon gave her a look and then turned to Ivan with a calm and cool gaze that made Sophia¡¯s heart skip a beat and her breath catch. Ivan nced at Sophia thoughtfully, then back to Brandon. ¡°Alright,¡± Brandon said evenly, his voice as detached as his expression, ¡°I won¡¯t intrude any further then. Get some rest.¡± After a polite nod to Ivan as a farewell, he left without looking back. Sophia watched silently as the door to the hospital room closed. She didn¡¯t utter a word. Ivan, with a contemtive nce at Sophia, didn¡¯t pry further but asked calmly, ¡°I heard you turned down a resort project recently.¡± His calm and gentle voice reached Brandon outside the door, who paused slightly as Sophia¡¯s soft voice followed from inside, ¡°I¡¯m considering it. ¡°I remember you¡¯ve been interested in Zenithan-style projects since college and this one offers a rare opportunity in terms of scale and impact. I think it would be a shame to let it go, Ivan advised calmly from inside. Brandon¡¯s expression cooled again, and without lingering, he walked away without a trace of emotion. Inside the room, facing Ivan¡¯s persuasion, Sophia just smiled politely, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll think it over.¡± She then steered the conversation back to what they had been discussing earlier, a bit awkwardly, ¡°Ivan, don¡¯t get the wrong idea about eartier. My friend has been with me all day, busy as a bee and hasn¡¯t had a moment¡¯s rest. He¡¯s swamped with work, but he was worried about leaving me alone, so I only said you wereing to give him a break. Hope you don¡¯t mind.¡± Ivan nodded, looking at her, ¡°Aren¡¯t your folksing to keep youpany?¡± ¡°They¡¯re on their way, Sophia said. ¡°They had a lot to do this afternoon, so I didn¡¯t notify them until just now. It takes a while to get here.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Ivan wasn¡¯t familiar with Sophia¡¯s family situation, but seeing her at ease, he just nodded and didn¡¯t delve deeper. He hade to Sophia today at Don¡¯s request to persuade her to stay. Both from Don¡¯s perspective and for Sophia¡¯s own good, he hoped she would take on the Zenithan-style resort project-it was too good an opportunity to miss. In his view, giving up a future for love was the dumbest thing one could do. He didn¡¯t say it outright, but his attempts to convince Sophia already hinted at that sentiment. Sophia had a hunch that it was Don who had asked him toe and talk to her. She hadn¡¯t gone into details about the project with Susan, and since Susan didn¡¯t support her staying at Star-Dempsey Architects, so it could only be Don who ask Ivan here. ¡°I¡¯ll make a careful decision. Thanks, Ivan,¡± Sophia whispered her thanks. Ivan also smiled, ¡°No worries.¡± ¡°We just don¡¯t want you to have any regrets,¡± Ivan added with a smile. ¡°Of course, Don and I have our own selfish reasons. This project is thepany¡¯s first in the country, and we¡¯re both hoping for a strong start.¡± ¡°I hope thepany keeps getting better too,¡± Sophia said with a smile, leaving her options open. Ivan gave a nod and nced at his watch. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m gonna head back then. Won¡¯t keep you from your beauty sleep.¡± ¡°Thanks for the hard work, Ivan,¡± Sophia said, standing up to see him off. Ivan took a quick look towards the door. ¡°Oh, by the way, when are your folks getting here?¡± ¡°They¡¯re already downstairs, will be up in a jiffy. No need to worry about me,¡± Sophia spoke softly. ¡°You go on ahead, they¡¯ll be here any minute. Ivan nodded, ¡°Alright, make sure you hit the hay early too.¡± ¡°Yep, you too, get some rest.¡± Sophia smiled her goodbye, watching Ivan head out before her smile faded and she shut the door to the hospital room. The ce went quiet in an instant, eerily so. This was Sophia¡¯s first time being in the hospital alone. She wasn¡¯t exactly used to it, especially feeling under the weather as she was. The pain in her arm was one thing, but the head-spinning dizziness was the real kicker. Even something as simple as drinking water, taking meds, or using the bathroom felt like a Herculean task. Having Ivan around was a bit of a distraction from the difort, but now that she was solo, it hit her full force. Sophia didn¡¯t y the martyr ¨C she hit the nurse call button by the bed without hesitation. A nurse arrived promptly. ¡°Do you guys have any caregivers avable?¡± Sophia asked. ¡°Not at this hour,¡± the nurse replied. ¡°You usually have to book them in advance or during the day, they¡¯re all gone by now. You could try asking again tomorrow.¡± ¡°Okay, thanks.¡± Sophia murmured her thanks, not too bummed out as she¡¯d expected this. Just meant tonight might be a bit rough, that¡¯s all. Over at the Starlight Group, in Brandon¡¯s office, he¡¯s all propped up by one hand, staring off into space at hisputer screen. Having eyed Brandon for a good while, Don tugged gently at Kent¡¯s sleeve and whispered, ¡°What¡¯s up with your boss again?¡± He¡¯d been there for quite some time and Brandon had been zoning out just as long. Chapter 132 Chapter 132 ¡°How should I know?¡± Kent whispered too, ¡°Got a call at noon, seemed to rte to Sophia or something. No idea what happened, but he left without even attending the shareholders¡¯ meeting. He was out and about for most of the day, and when he came back, he was like this.¡± Kent was filled with questions as he said this. When Brandon came back in the evening, he looked no different than usual, just a bit distracted while working. It wasn¡¯t often that he was spaced out. But the thing about this kind of daydreaming was that it was so subtle they couldn¡¯t catch a hint of what was on his mind. Kent could only sense that Brandon wasn¡¯t in high spirits. Don seemed to catch the drift. ¡°Is it something to do with Sophia again?¡± Kent nced at him. ¡°Other than her, who else do you think can mess with my boss¡¯s mood?¡± That was spot on. If Kent hadn¡¯t seen with his own eyes how Brandon and Sophia were together at the restaurant that day, he wouldn¡¯t have believed Sophia could affect Brandon¡¯s mood. ¡°What happened to Sophia?¡± Don asked, feeling as Sophia¡¯s boss he should show some concern. ¡°I haven¡¯t got a clue.¡± Kent really didn¡¯t know, he just remembered Brandon getting a call from Wye City, then seeing Brandon repeatedly redialing, his face shifting from calm to increasingly anxious. When he was restless, his call was returned. Kent clearly saw Brandon¡¯s face rx with relief, but in less than two minutes, Brandon¡¯s expression darkened abruptly/he stood up, and then hurried out in a frenzy. ¡°Why not just ask?¡± Don grumbled, then stood up and knocked on the door, ¡°What¡¯s up? You¡¯ve been zoning out for ages.¡± Brandon was propping his forehead with one hand, andzily looked up at him. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Got off work and had nothing to do, so I swung by to check on you,¡± Don said as he approached, adding, ¡°Single life, no nightlife.¡± ¡°So what?¡± ¡°Thought about hitting up the other single dudes for drinks and a heart-to-heart. Of course, the real deal is hoping for a lucky encounter.¡± ¡°Not interested.¡± ¡°But you¡¯ve got time to daydream, right? Why not go out and see if you bump into someone new, right?¡± Brandon gave him a look, closed the file in his hand, stood up and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Don was speechless. ¡°Really?¡± He was just throwing it out there, not expecting Brandon to be interested in meeting new people. Brandon just calmly nced at him. ¡°Any problem?¡± Don couldn¡¯t help but exchange a look with Kent, ¡°Did something rattle you today?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Brandon said, already heading towards the coat rack to grab his suit, slipping into it as he walked out, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Don, equally surprised, exchanged another nce with Kent, tentatively asking, ¡°What about that blind date thing we talked about? Should I set it up?¡± Brandon paused for a moment. ¡°Set it up.¡± He said, and then emotionlessly continued towards the elevator. Don hurried after him, not forgetting to turn back and whisper to Kent, ¡°Looks like he¡¯s really been shaken up.¡± Kent whispered back. ¡°Told you so.¡± And quickly gathered his things to follow. The ce Don chose for dinner was a restaurant with live music. As soon as they arrived at the restaurant, Don grabbed a few bottles of booze, poured some drinks, and tentatively asked Brandon. ¡°I heard Sophia had some trouble today?¡± Brandon nced at Kent. Kent immediately raised his hands to show his innocence. ¡°I didn¡¯t spill the beans.¡± Don cut him off. ¡°Who needs Kent to say anything, I¡¯m Sophia¡¯s boss after all, we have mutual friends.¡± He still stumbled a bit over the name. Then he couldn¡¯t help but ask Brandon. ¡°What happened to her? Is it serious?¡± Brandon just nced back. ¡°You¡¯re her boss, you¡¯ve got mutual friends. Don¡¯t you know what happened to her?¡± Don was speechless. ¡®Okay, I admit it, I pressed Kent into telling me,¡± Don owned up, ¡°Wh She had an ident, she¡¯s in the hospital now.¡± Brandon replied indifferent 90 t exactly is on on with her? How is she now?¡± a calm tone. Don and Kent both were taken aback, looked at each other, then back at him. ¡°Then why are you here alone?¡± ¡°Someone¡¯s with her.¡± Don, watching Brandon¡¯s expression carefully. ¡°Boyfriend?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Brandon said, ¡°But probably soon.¡± Don and Kent exchanged another look. Kent carefully broached. ¡°You¡¯re okay with that?¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to mind?¡± Brandon grabbed a bottle and poured himself a drink, ¡°It¡¯s good if she finds someone she likes. I wish her happiness.¡± Don and Kent¡¯s eyes met once again in silent consensus. Don chuckled and changed the subject. ¡°That¡¯s good. Everyone has to start over at some point. Speaking of which, I was gonna set you up with someone, see, I got so busy I forgot. I¡¯ll call her right now.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Saying this, he took out his phone to make a call. Kent, however, was panicking, kicking Don under the table to prevent him from causing more trouble at this moment, his eyes anxiously on Brandon. Brandon remained indifferent, holding his drink but not sipping, just gently swirling the liquid in his ss, his eyes calmly fixed on the stage. The singer on stage was performing a song called ¡°We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,¡± just hitting the climax. ¡°We are never, ever, ever getting back together We are never, ever, ever getting back together You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me But we are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together Like, ever¡± The poignant melody coupled with the singer¡¯s maic voice unexpectedly carried a touch of mncholy. Kent couldn¡¯t help but nce at the stage, and suddenly, with a ¡°thud,¡± Brandon set his ss down on the table. ¡°I¡¯m taking off.¡± With a nonchnt remark dropped, Brandon turned on his heel and bolted, his steps swift as if catching the wind, a subtle urgency in his pace. Don and Kent exchanged nces, at a loss for words. Chapter 133 Chapter 133 In the hospital ward, Sophia was propped up against the pillow, lying on her side on the hospital bed, looking pretty wiped out. She was trying to keep the room from spinning without moving too much. The room was pitch-ck, not even the lights were on. Her phone was right next to her pillow, with the video call still going. Susan was on the other end, visibly worried. ¡°You holding up okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sophia whispered back, careful not to move her head too much, ¡°Probably just a mild concussion and a bit of temporary ischemia and hypoxia due to the injury, nothing major. The doc just checked on me, and I had a brain CT this afternoon. It¡¯s all clear, no need to fret.¡± ¡°How can I not worry?¡± Susan¡¯s concern spilled over as she said this, ¡°You¡¯re all by yourself in the hospital in the dead of night. What if something dangerous happens?¡± ¡°The doctors and nurses are here, aren¡¯t they? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m at home alone,¡± Sophia reassured her softly, ¡°It¡¯s just one night. I¡¯ll find a caregiver tomorrow.¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve kept either Ivan or Brandon around. Being safe is what matters most, screw what anyone else thinks about ¡®morality¡¯.¡± Susan had known Sophia for over a decade and was well aware of her tendency to avoid bothering others, handling everything on her own without ever asking for help. Most of the time, Susan respected Sophia¡¯s independence, but in her opinion, when she¡¯s sick or hurt, it¡¯s okay to lean on others a bit. ¡°I thought I¡¯d be able to get a caregiver, you know.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was gentle and a little cutesy, a hint of vulnerability that instantly left Susan speechless. But she got where Sophia wasing from. Both guys were men, which wasn¡¯t ideal, and both had their own jobs to worry about. Staying up all night with her would mean they couldn¡¯t work the next day. Given that Sophia¡¯s hospital stay wasn¡¯t just a one-off, Susan understood why she didn¡¯t want to impose on them. ¡°Take care of yourself, okay? If you feel off, get a nurse right away. Don¡¯t just tough it out,¡± Susan instructed. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I know, I know. I wouldn¡¯t dare bother others, but I¡¯m not too scared to call a doctor,¡± Sophia shifted slightly, ¡°I¡¯ll have to trouble you with my ce for now. I¡¯ll head back once I¡¯m discharged.¡± ¡°Sure, don¡¯t worry about a thing. I¡¯ve got it covered,¡± Susan yawned and got up, ¡°Remember to take care of yourself. Gotta go.¡± With that, she hung up the call. Sophia stared at the ended call, lying on her pillow, not wanting to move a muscle, let alone dare to. But her parched throat wasn¡¯t something she could just ignore. Trying to prop herself up with her uninjured left arm, her feet barely touched the floor when a wave of dizziness hit her, bringing along a queasy feeling. She had no choice but to sit back down at the edge of the bed, arm resting on the table, head on her arm, trying to ease the vertigo. When the dizziness subsided a bit, Sophia lifted her head, pushing through the difort, reaching for the hot water jug with her left hand. Whether it was the sudden effort or something else, the dizziness and nausea came back with a vengeance. Her grip on the jug weakened and it crashed to the floor, water sshing everywhere. Instinctively, Sophia scooted aside to avoid the scalding water. Dodging the spill took thest bit of energy she had, and the overwhelming dizziness forced her to hunker down by the table, clutching her head with one hand in an attempt to wait out the difort. Just then, a rhythmic knocking came from the door, a steady ¡°tap-tap-tap.¡± Confused, Sophia lifted her head and weakly called out, ¡°Come in.¡± The door swung open to reveal Brandon¡¯s tall silhouette framed in the hallway light, his presence tinged with a hint of weariness. Sophia started to ask why he was back, but her voice caught in her throat, maybe from the difort or maybe because sometimes you just feel like crying. Brandon saw her there on the floor, curled up in the darkness, hand clutching her head, eyes slightly red, staring at him in shock. The shattered hot water jug and the mess of water were scattered at her feet. As Brandon¡¯s brow¡¯s furrowed and he flicked on the light with a click, his eyes nced at her bare ankles and he strode over to her. ¡°Didn¡¯t get burned, did you?¡± Sophia shook her head softly. ¡°No.¡± She tried to stand up, leaning on the bed edge with her left elbow. ¡°Why are you back here?¡± Without a word, Brandon scooped her up effortlessly and ced her back on the bed. His gaze swept the room. ¡°Why are you all alone in here?¡± Chapter 134 Chapter 134 ¡°I told him to head back first, Sophia replied hesitantly. Brandon¡¯s frown deepened, ¡°You let him go just like that, and he left you behind?¡± Sophia knew he had gotten the wrong idea and hurried to exin, ¡°No, it¡¯s not his fault. I told him my family wasing to take care of me, and that¡¯s why he left.¡± ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡°Did he actually see any of your family?¡± Sophia was speechless. ¡°He bailed without seeing anyone? Isn¡¯t that still on him?¡± ¡°People don¡¯t owe me their time to stick around.¡± Sophia couldn¡¯t help but defend Ivan, though her voice faltered under Brandon¡¯s icy stare. ¡°So, whatever he does, he¡¯s Mr. Perfect in your book, huh?¡± Brandon said. Sophia didn¡¯t say anything. Brandon nced at the mess on the floor and then at her still somewhat pale face. He hadn¡¯t forgotten the painful expression she had when he first came in and saw her hunched over on the floor. Now sitting by the hospital bed, he reached out to touch her forehead, ¡°How did you end up in such a mess?¡± His palm was still slightly cool from the air. When their skin touched, Sophia didn¡¯t dare move. She just softly told him, ¡°I got a bit dizzy earlier, lost my grip while grabbing the hot water bottle, and it all came crashing down.¡± Brandon looked at her, ¡°Still feeling dizzy?¡± Sophia nodded hesitantly, ¡°Lying down has made it a bit better.¡± ¡°Anything else bothering you besides the dizziness?¡± ¡°A bit nauseous.¡± Then she added, ¡°But lying down here does feel a lot morefortable.¡± As she spoke, Sophia¡¯s hand instinctively pressed against her chest, her elbow hooking a pillow she tried to pull in for a hug. Brandon saw this and helped her get the pillow, making sure she could rest her head and neck on one end and hug the other. ¡°Did the doctore by?¡± Brandon asked while adjusting the pillow for her. ¡°Mhm, he did,¡± Sophia clutched the pillow a bit tighter, ¡°He said it¡¯s just a minor concussion causing some brain cell damage, a temporaryck of blood and oxygen supply. Nothing serious, just need some rest.¡± Brandon¡¯s brows were still knitted in concern. Seeing her difort, he pressed the call button on the wall, telling her, ¡°Just close your eyes and rest for a bit, don¡¯t move around.¡± Sophia gave a soft ¡°mm¡± and turned to lie on her side, hugging the pillow and burying her face in it. She closed her eyes, and her whole body rxed significantly. Brandon pulled the nket over her and turned to tidy up the chaos on the floor. Right after he finished cleaning up, the doctor came in. Brandon stepped forward, ¡°Doctor, can you please check on her again? She¡¯s still not feeling well.¡± The doctor, taken aback by the seriousness on Brandon¡¯s face, came forward and gave Sophia a thorough examination, reviewing the afternoon¡¯s CT and MRI reports, blood test results, and other analyses. He confirmed it was the same issue as before and started an IV drip. Sophia, with the IV in, dozed off but didn¡¯t sleep deeply. Halfway through, she woke up needing to use the bathroom. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Brandon sitting by the bed. The room only had a chair, which he had pulled close to the bedside table to sit on, leaning his head on his hand, eyes closed. She couldn¡¯t tell if he was asleep or just resting his eyes. The lights in the room were off, but the hallway lights were still on, casting a gentle glow on his handsome profile, softening the sharpness of his features. His expression was still calm, cool, and somewhat distant. Even after two years of marriage, Sophia wasn¡¯t very familiar with Brandon¡¯s sleeping face. Usually, she would fall asleep first, and Brandon was thest to bed and the earliest to rise, so she seldom saw him like this. On the rare asions when she¡¯d get up at night, she¡¯d wake Brandon by simply moving, as she would be sleeping in his arms, back against him. In his half-awake state, he¡¯d grunt a husky ¡°Awake?¡± before letting go of her waist and turning on the night light before she even turned around. So even during her nighttime bathroom trips, Sophia rarely saw Brandon so unguarded. 3 5 2 8 2 2 2 This Brandon was handsome and gave a sense of security. Though he tended to be cool and aloof, he was always considerate and steady in his actions. No matter the time, even now after their divorce, Sophia couldn¡¯t deny that with Brandon around, she felt an inexplicable sense offort and stability. Just like now. Sophia didn¡¯t make a sound to disturb Brandon. She carefully propped herself up on the bed, trying not to make any noise, but still managed to rouse him. Brandon opened his eyes, turned to look at her, and nced at the half-full IV bag. ¡°I need to use the bathroom.¡± Sophia said awkwardly, reaching to push the IV stand, but Brandon intercepted her halfway. ¡°Let me do it.¡± ¡°No need, I can manage it. This was definitely not something she could ask Brandon to help with. Brandon gave her a look. ¡°How are you going to manage by yourself?¡± Sophia instinctively looked down, only then remembering the IV needle was in her left hand, and her right hand was injured and couldn¡¯t be used. Suddenly realizing the uing awkward situation, Sophia said, ¡°Maybe I won¡¯t go now. It¡¯s not that urgent.¡± Brandon nced at the IV bag, ¡°There are two more bags to go, can you hold it?¡± Sophia felt like crying. Her dder was about to burst, and she really couldn¡¯t hold it, but even the simple act of pulling down her pants was a struggle. Chapter 135 Chapter 135 Sophia didn¡¯t change into a hospital gown that afternoon, still rocking her own threads. When she left the house in the morning, for convenience¡¯s sake, she slipped into some tight denim jeans ¨C not exactly a one-handed job, considering her injured right arm and IV-dripping left hand. Brandon couldn¡¯t help but notice the snug jeans and the needle in her left hand, along with her immobile right arm. He cleared his throat, turned his head slightly, and then nced back at her. ¡°Let me take that for you,¡± he said. ¡°If you need anything else, just holler. I¡¯ll be right outside.¡± Sophia managed a nod, feeling so awkward she was practically digging her toes into the floor. She almost wished Brandon wasn¡¯t there, so she wouldn¡¯t have to deal with this embarrassment. The loo was right inside the room. Brandon set the IV bottle up in the bathroom for Sophia, and before he left, he gave her a concerned look. ¡°Still feeling dizzy?¡± Sophia shook her head. ¡°Not anymore.¡± The drip was doing wonders; a little nap and she felt loads better. Brandon nodded, hung everything up for her, then stepped out, standing with his back to her at the bathroom door. ¡°Give a shout if you need anything.¡± Sophia nodded again, her face burning up like it was on fire. She was already mortified that Brandon had to escort her to the john, let alone do her business in front of him that was a no-go. ¨C ¡°You head back to the room, yeah?¡± she said. Brandon caught a glimpse of her utterly mortified expression, didn¡¯t say a word, just nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t try to be okay if you need help,¡± he instructed before turning back to the room, sparing her any further embarrassment at the bathroom door. Sophia gave a weak ¡°Mhm,¡± and closed the bathroom door.. No lock on the door, and she wasn¡¯t in any shape to fuss with it, so she just left it slightly ajar and went to tackle her jeans button ¨C no dice. Her jeans were not only tight but featured a triple row of metal buttons, and she, fearing the buttonholes were too big and might pop open, had made them small and tight a real pain to undo. ¨C With her right arm freshly injured and swollen, she couldn¡¯t muster any strength. Afraid of dislodging the IV needle in her left hand, she didn¡¯t dare apply too much force, and after a lot of fumbling, she hadn¡¯t managed to undo a single one. Back in the room, Brandon wasn¡¯t exactly at ease. Seeing that she wasn¡¯ting out and there was no sound from the bathroom, he furrowed his brows and walked over to the bathroom door, knocking. ¡°You alright?¡± Sophia¡¯s mix of panic and embarrassment was spiking, ¡°It¡¯s fine, just go back to the room.¡± In her rush to undo the buttons, her left hand yanked at the IV site, causing her to hiss in pain. The sound made Brandon¡¯s expression change instantly, and he pushed the bathroom door open. Sophia was awkward. Brandon saw her left hand on the waistband¡¯s metal button and then looked at her face, giving a light cough. ¡°Let me do it.¡± He said, stepping forward and reaching for the button. Sophia¡¯s soft handnded on his, stopping him from going any further. Her face was already red enough to bleed, and she was on the verge of tears from embarrassment. ¡°We¡¯ve been through this before,¡± Brandon looked at her, ¡°How long you gonna torture yourself like this?¡± Been there, done that, but Sophia felt like she wanted to die. She never thought she¡¯d be in a situation so awkward that she¡¯d need Brandon to help her undress to use the bathroom. She had never been this embarrassed in her life. Now, she just wanted to yank out the IV and handle it herself. Her mortified look was almost making Brandon chuckle. ¡°I¡¯ll close my eyes,¡± he said, and then he did, his long fingers finding the metal button, and with a ¡°pop,¡± the first one was undone. His fingers moved to the second button. Sophia closed her eyes and turned her head away, refusing to face the situation. But they were standing so close, Brandon¡¯s familiar crisp scent was all around her, and the constraint at her waist loosened with two more ¡°pop¡± sounds. Brandon didn¡¯t push any further, just opened his eyes and looked down at ¡°Can you manage on your own now?¡± His voice was slightly hoarse. ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Sophia felt the awkwardness was torturous not just for her but maybe for Brandon too. She kept her eyes tightly shut, not wanting to face him, and just nodded lightly. ¡°Mhm.¡± Her voice was so choked with embarrassment it was almost a cry. Brandon had to suppress augh at her ostrich act, patting her shoulder lightly. ¡°I¡¯ll be outside, just call when you¡¯re done.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± It was almost a sob. Brandon stepped out, considerately closing the bathroom door behind him, not lingering at the door. His retreating footsteps provided some relief to Sophia¡¯s embarrassment. Chapter 136 Chapter 136 Brandon helped Sophia get dressed, too. Just lending a hand with the metal buckle. Having been through it once before, Sophia was a bit more mentally prepared this time, not overwhelmed by a strong sense of mortification, but still feeling awkward. When they got back to the ward, she didn¡¯t even have the guts to look Brandon in the eye, just mumbled ¡°I¡¯m gonna hit the sack¡± before diving into bed like an ostrich burying its head in the sand. Brandon didn¡¯t say much, just grunted an acknowledgment, nced at her IV bag still hanging there, and plopped down on a chair to tackle some work emails on his phone. The room was peaceful. After the tidal wave of awkwardness, Sophia wasn¡¯t sleepy at all and couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon. He sat there calmly on the chair, thumb swiping away on his phone screen, eyes glued to the device, his handsome face a picture of concentration, clearly caught up in work. Sophia didn¡¯t interrupt him, just squinted her eyes a bit, not expecting that squinting would send her off into a light doze. Still, she was mindful of her IV and didn¡¯t fall into a deep sleep. When it was about time, she jolted awake and instinctively checked the IV bag. Brandon happened to turn his head towards the drip at the same time, their gazes met, and Sophia felt a twinge of embarrassment. Before she could figure out how to ease the awkwardness, Brandon had already stood up, walked over to the nearly empty drip, and pressed the call button. The nurse came quickly, deftly removed the IV, pulled out the needle, and pressed a cotton swab to the site. ¡°Press down for five minutes, the nurse instructed. Sophia was about to press down with her right hand, but Brandon beat her to it with a long finger. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said as the nurse closed the door behind her. Silence fell over the room. Maybe because of the earlier incident, the air was still tinged with a hint of awkwardness. Sophia cleared her throat, pondering how to break the ice when Brandon looked at her and asked, ¡°Still feeling dizzy?¡± Sophia shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine now.¡± ncing at his phone set aside, she made small talk. ¡°You¡¯re still working thiste?¡± ¡°Not really, just on my phone.¡± Sophia awkwardly tugged at her lips. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you had time to y on your phone.¡± The phrase ¡°ying on the phone¡± seemed out of character for Brandon, and she guessed he didn¡¯t want her to worry, so he switched ¡®working¡¯ to ¡®ying on his phone! ¡°Just killing time,¡± Brandon said, looking back at her. ¡°Anything else bothering you?¡± Sophia shook her head. ¡°No, I feel a lot better after the drip.¡± Brandon nodded and didn¡¯t say more, his gaze returning to the cotton swab he was pressing, but he didn¡¯t move his hand. Sophia recalled the question she asked him when he first showed up. ¡°Why did youe back?¡± ¡°Just had dinner nearby with a friend, so I swung by,¡± Brandon said, his voice light, not looking at her, but trying to remove the cotton swab from the puncture site. Seeing no blood seep out, he tossed the swab into the trash and nced at his watch before looking at her, ¡°It¡¯ste, you should rest.¡± Sophia nodded, hesitated, and looked at the hospital room. Other than a chair, there was no extra bed for him to rest on. ¡°So,¡± she hesitated, ¡®you might want to head back to get some rest? I¡¯m fine now.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, get some sleep,¡± Brandon said, turning off the light. Darkness engulfed the room. In the light seeping in from outside, Sophia saw Brandon settle into the chair, elbow propped on the table, forehead resting on his hand as if he was going to rough it out for the night. Sophia couldn¡¯t bring herself to sleep peacefully knowing he was like that. But she couldn¡¯t persuade him to leave either. She eyed the hospital bed that still had a bit of space and after much hesitation, finally mustered the courage to speak up. ¡°Um, maybe you should lie down on the bed too. You won¡¯t get any rest sitting like that.¡± Brandon turned to look at her, and the depth in his eyes made her relive the embarrassment of the bathroom incident. She awkwardly tugged at her lips again. ¡°Or maybe you should head out to a hotel for the night? If anythinges up, I¡¯ll call you.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Brandon had already stood up and made his way to the bed, flipped back the cover, andy down beside her, still dressed. The already narrow bed suddenly felt cramped. Their bodies were forced together. Brandon¡¯s familiar warmth seeped through their clothes. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Sophia shifted slightly to the side, lying rigidly straight, not daring to move. Brandon pulled the nket over her and murmured a husky ¡°Sleep now¡± before lying straight and closing his eyes. In no time, the sound of his steady, soft breathing began to drift down from above, seemingly asleep. Sophia didn¡¯t dare look or move, lying stiff as a board, trying to fall asleep, but Brandon¡¯s presence was too palpable, whether it was his breathing or body heat, constantly reminding her he was there. Especially in the dead of night, under the cover of darkness, memories rted to the physicality of their past encounters came flooding back. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was the addition of another person on the bed or if the AC wasn¡¯t cranked up high enough, but she started to feel hot and restless, wanting to move but not daring to, and too hot to sleep. She couldn¡¯t help but sneakily lift a corner of the nket and shifted a bit, but it was still too warm, and she subconsciously moved a bit more, kicking off some of the nket on her feet. That still wasn¡¯t enough. She shifted slightly again, and suddenly felt a hand on her waist. ¡°If you move any more, you¡¯ll fall out.¡± Sophia turned her head in rm to look at Brandon. He had opened his eyes at some point and was watching her, his eyes dark and profound. Sophia¡¯s voice softened involuntarily, ¡°The temperature¡¯s a bit hot.¡± Brandon looked down at the nket she had unconsciously pushed to her chest, then shifted his gaze to her slightly widened eyes because of the awkwardness, and said nothing. The air grew warmer from his silence and the intensity of his gaze. In the standoff of their eyes, Sophia remembered countless nights tangled in passion. She saw the inkiness in Brandon¡¯s eyes deepening bit by bit. ¡°I need to use the bathroom.¡± Sophia tried to shake off the butterflies that the intense eye-lock brought on and was about to throw back the covers to get out of bed. But in a sh, the hand hooked around her waist tightened, and Brandon flipped over, pinning her down. As his other hand glided along the side of her ear and into her hair, he was already leaning in to nt a kiss on her. Chapter 137 Chapter 137 Sophia totally spaced out for a second there. Brandon didn¡¯t give her a chance to react. Slipping his long fingers into her hair and applying just a touch of pressure, Sophia waspelled to tilt her head back. Brandon¡¯s lips and tongue imed hers with a gentle yet dominant force that left no room for refusal. The hand Sophia had initially pushed against his chest suddenly went limp and a bit flustered.¡± Brandon¡¯s kisses grew hotter and deeper, their heavy breathing sounding through the dark room as their embrace spiraled out of control. The hand in her hair grew restless, tightening its grip, while the hand on Sophia¡¯s waist began to curl uncontrobly. Sophia could distinctly feel her shirt tightening across her back, her slender waist arching as his kisses deepened. The hand that was supposed to push him away was now, somehow, hooked around his neck.. What started as an unconscious closeness turned into a wildfire. Their entwined kisses evolved into a devouring feast. Brandon¡¯s kisses wandered from her lips to her sensitive neck, his hands, now out of control, slipped beneath her clothes just as the door suddenly swung open. The two, locked in their unrestrained kiss, froze abruptly. Brandon flipped over to lie t on his back, while Sophia awkwardly turned away, panting in short breaths. The nurse came in to check on the room, remembering only at the door that she had just removed Sophia¡¯s IV earlier. After making sure Sophia was alright and giving some advice, she left. The room fell silent once more. So quiet they could hear their still uneven breathing, a messced with intimacy, reminding each other of the earlierck of control. Sophia didn¡¯t make a sound. Neither did Brandon. As their breathing gradually steadied, Sophia heard Brandon¡¯s husky voice. ¡°Let¡¯s get some sleep.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Sophia murmured in agreement, still awkwardly facing away from Brandon. After covering her with a nket, Brandon didn¡¯t speak again. Nor did Sophia. She didn¡¯t know when she fell asleep, but she slept heavily through thetter part of the night and woke up to a bright new day. Brandon had already gotten up, brought her breakfast, and was standing to the side, unpacking the food from the delivery bag. Seeing her awake, he said calmly, ¡°Go freshen up. Have some breakfast, and then it¡¯s time for your medication.¡± As ifst night¡¯s chaos had never happened. Sophia, keeping a lid on thoughts ofst night¡¯s kiss, nodded lightly. After she was done freshening up, Brandon had breakfast ready. It was a nutritious porridge with eggs, milk, and corn stuff that didn¡¯t require any tableware. Sophia could handle it with her left hand, no need for Brandon¡¯s help. Brandon didn¡¯t insist either. He ate breakfast with her at a leisurely pace but showed no signs of leaving. Sophia knew he was busy with work. Still, she couldn¡¯t help but urge him, ¡°Maybe you should head to work. The caregiver is here during the day..I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Brandon replied in his calm tone, busy tidying up without looking at her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. It¡¯s not like anyone dares to dock my pay.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t press further. Right then, a knock sounded at the door. With a ¡°Come in¡± from Brandon, Kent entered the room. ¡°Mr. Crawley, I¡¯ve brought yourptop and clothes,¡± Kent said as he handed over Brandon¡¯sptop. Then, with an awkward chuckle, he greeted the figure in the hospital bed, ¡°Hello, Ms. Yearwood.¡± Sophia returned the greeting politely, ¡°Hello, Kent.¡± Kent¡¯s gaze lingered on the bandage wrapped around Sophia¡¯s arm before he asked her, ¡°Feeling better today?¡± ¡°Yes, much better, thank you, Kent,¡± Sophia replied with a smile. After exchanging pleasantries and giving Brandon a brief work update, Kent excused himself. Brandon settled into the hospital routine, having a cot delivered for himself, but as always, he was busy, and their interactions were minimal. Whether it was mealtime, medication reminders, or dealing with checkups and doctors, Brandon took care of everything personally, with the same attention to detail as before. It was as if the whole divorce thing had never happened between them. But while Brandon acted as if nothing was amiss, Sophia couldn¡¯t embrace it so casually. 09:28 ¡°Why do you still treat me so well? We¡¯re not even friends anymore, let alone married. You have no obligation to care for me,¡± Sophia finally asked on the fourth day when the doctor said she could be discharged, watching Brandon patiently discuss her situation with the doctor. Brandon paused, then turned to look at Sophia, ¡°Habit, I guess.¡± Sophia pursed her lips, ¡°It¡¯s been two years. Haven¡¯t you kicked the habit yet?¡± The corners of Brandon¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, and when he looked at her again, his face had calmed, ¡°Sophia, not everyone can let go as easily as you say you can.¡± Sophia looked at him, puzzled. Brandon continued, ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. Sophia, you don¡¯t hate me, but sometimes, I¡­ He thought, ¡°I hate you.¡± He didn¡¯t finish his sentence, switching topics instead, ¡°What¡¯s your n after getting discharged?¡± ¡°I need to go back to Wye City,¡± Sophia said, ¡°I rushed backst time and there¡¯s a lot I need to sort out there first.¡± Brandon nodded, ¡°And what about work?¡± ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. He was referring to whether she¡¯d join the branch office and continue with the Zenithan-style resort project. ¡°How about I give it a try?¡± Sophia considered. Brandon nced at her, ¡°Is it to repay me? Or because of Ivan? Do you think he was right?¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if it was some kind of repayment. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted, ¡°But it has nothing to do with my senior.¡± Ivan and Sophia were in the same college and same major. He was her senior. Every time Brandon heard Sophia affectionately call Ivan¡¯s name, he found he didn¡¯t like that intimacy. It felt like she and Ivan were the ones who truly belonged together. Brandon squashed that knee-jerk resistance that bubbled up with the formality of the address, and looked at her coolly, ¡°You weigh it out for yourself.¡± He then asked, ¡°What time¡¯s your flight? I¡¯ll give you a lift.¡± ¡°Tomorrow morning.¡± Brandon nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up at the hotel.¡± Sophia gave a nod in return. Brandon didn¡¯t say anything more and turned around to start packing for her. Watching his busy profile, Sophia hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°Brandon, do you ever think about remarrying?¡± Brandon paused mid-action. Chapter 138 Chapter 138 He nced at Sophia, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve thought about it.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°So, would you consider remarrying?¡± Brandon probed, ¡°Is that a big deal to you?¡± Sophia wanted to say it was crucial, but remembered how sharp he was when he first figured out she was pregnant, and on the day they met in Wye City, when he offered to take her home and she refused, he¡¯d pondered thoughtfully, ¡°You¡¯re so resistant, you hiding something from me?¡± She also recalled how his eyes had sharpened when he casually brought up seeing a little girl in a restaurant who reminded him of her. And then there was that time at Don¡¯s get-together when he had grilled her fiercely, ¡°Have you really cut tiespletely? Sophia, be honest with me, is that child still alive?¡± Her words had reached the tip of her tongue but she held them back. Brandon¡¯s overly keen insight made her wary of any carelessness. She even managed a breezy smile, ¡°Nah, just curious.¡± Adding on, she said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard guys usually find it easier to remarry after a divorce, especially someone with your credentials.¡± Brandon looked at her, unmoved, ¡°Such great credentials, yet you still dropped me so easily, didn¡¯t you?¡± Sophia¡¯s smile froze for a moment, then she looked at him calmly, ¡°You¡¯re out of my league.¡± Brandon asked, ¡°What would ¡®in your league¡¯ look like to you?¡± Sophia replied, ¡°Matching social status, right?¡± ¡°Matching social status,¡± Brandon repeated softly, his eyes on her, ¡°Is that so important to you?¡± Sophia answered, ¡°To me, it is.¡± Brandon questioned, ¡°What if you were Ynda?¡± Sophia was taken aback. It had been so long since she heard that name, and hearing Brandon mention it now, she couldn¡¯t help but feel startled. His gaze remained fixed on her, ¡°The Frost family and the Crawley family are not only well-matched but also from old money.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about a hypothetical that wouldn¡¯t exist. Even if it did, back when I was just a nobody orphan, your parents disapproved of me, thinking! wasn¡¯t good enough. But if I suddenly became the daughter of a wealthy family, unchanged on the inside and out, would they just overlook their past disdain because of my influential background and start seeing me differently?¡± Sophia asked, ¡°Even if they could, wouldn¡¯t you find that disgusting?¡± After a moment of silence, Brandon said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry about the past. I neglected you and the harm they caused.¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I was part of the problem too. It was an equal mess between us.¡± It¡¯s not about you,¡± Brandon said, his gaze steady on her, ¡°Sophia, if I promise it won¡¯t happen again, and I assure you they¡¯ll never bother you again, would youe back?¡± Sophia paused, looking at him. ¡°Why?¡± Sophia didn¡¯t understand, ¡°There are so many women in this world, outstanding, beautiful, interesting, all sorts. It¡¯s not like you can¡¯t live without me.¡± Brandon replied, ¡°What if I just can¡¯t live without you?¡± Sophia hesitated, giving Brandon a nce. He was still watching her, his eyes calm and deep. Sophia forced a smile, ¡°Is it out of habit? Because I¡¯m low maintenance and you can¡¯t be bothered to adapt to another woman?¡± Brandon admitted, ¡°I won¡¯t deny that¡¯s part of it.¡± Sophiaughed, ¡°It¡¯s normal to feel ufortable at first. Like getting used to a new phone, it feels awkward at the beginning, but give it a couple of days and not only does it fit right in your hand, it works better. Then you might even regret not switching phones sooner.¡± Brandon asked, ¡°So, do you regret not switching phones sooner?¡± Sophia shook her head, ¡°No, but I¡¯ve found that I¡¯m happier without a phone.¡± ¡°Of course, I won¡¯t deny that I might find a new phone that suits me,¡± Sophia said, looking at him, ¡°Brandon, there¡¯s no turning back for us.¡± ¡°We¡¯re too much alike, both so dull and boring, not cut out for being partners.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was soft, ¡°Maybe we need people whoplement our personalities better.¡± Brandon watched her without a word. Sophia saw his Adam¡¯s apple bob. After a while, he spoke calmly, ¡°Maybe.¡± His voice was faint, and he said no more. Sophia didn¡¯t speak either. That afternoon, Brandon took care of her discharge and drove her back to the hotel. ¡°Do you have ns tonight? Maybe I can treat you to dinner.¡± Sophia hesitated to ask as they parted, ¡°You¡¯ve been such a help these past few days.¡± ¡°It was my choice, don¡¯t feel guilty,¡± Brandon cut her off, ¡°Consider it a small amend for those two years.¡± Sophia nodded, falling silent. ¡°I¡¯lle to pick you up tomorrow.¡± Sophia gave a slight nod. Brandon didn¡¯t say much else and left after a brief goodbye. Sophia¡¯s flight was at five in the afternoon the next day. Brandon came to pick her up two and a half hours early. He dropped her off at the airport, the drive there was silent. Once there, he apanied Sophia to check in, then walked her to the security checkpoint before finally asking, ¡°I won¡¯t be much around the branch office, Don will take care of it. The Zenithan-style resort project is also being handled, so I won¡¯t get too involved. Don¡¯t worry about me, just make the choices that benefit you¡± Sophia gave a gentle nod, ¡°Okay.¡± Brandon nced at the security checkpoint, then back at her, ¡°Give me a call when you get there.¡± Sophia agreed, ¡°Okay.¡± She turned and looked back at the moving line, then at him again, ¡°I should go now.¡± Brandon gave a light nod, ¡°Safe travels.¡± Sophia thanked him, ¡°Thanks.¡± She waved goodbye and headed towards the security checkpoint. Brandon watched her go and then turned to leave the airport terminal. Sophia didn¡¯t look back, silently moving with the queue. Just then, her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp video call from Susan. Sophia pressed ¡®answer¡¯. A chubby, rosy-cheeked little face popped up in front of the camera, with big, round eyes wide open, staring at the phone screen with a mix of curiosity, bewilderment, and a dash of excitement. ¡°Mommy, mommy.¡± The babbling followed, just as excited and stato. Sophia instinctively shielded her phone with her body, shing a smile at her and then ncing hesitantly towards Brandon. Brandon had just stepped into the elevator. Through the clear ss of the elevator, she could see him standing out in the crowd, tall and upright, with his handsome face calm and chiseled. It was as if he felt her gaze on him, and he suddenly shot a look her way. Chapter 139 Chapter 139 Sophia and Brandon¡¯s gazes collided. Sophia shed a smile, bidding farewell with her eyes without letting on anything unusual. It was her turn in line. She looked away, said a quick virtual goodbye to the little girl in the video, then handed over her passport and boarding pass, and went through security. Once her phone was back in hand, Sophia shot a WhatsApp video to Susan. The call connected in no time. A baby girl popped up on the screen, clueless about how to use a phone, her face pressed curiously against it. Her big eyes fluttered as her chubby little fingers poked at the screen. ¡°Mommy, mommy,¡± she called out to Sophia with her sweet, mushy baby voice, her chubby cheeks still showing that adorably puzzled baby look. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but smile, chatting with the baby off and on, not wanting to strain her eyes with too much screen time, so she didn¡¯t talk long. She coaxed her into hanging up the call, pocketed her phone, and started scoping out the airport¡¯s interior, bored out of her mind. She had arrived early, with plenty of time before her flight. In the parking lot. Brandon sat in his car, not starting the engine just yet. He nced towards the tarmac, catching a glimpse of nes taking off through the window, the image of Sophia¡¯s distant goodbye lingering in his mind, hinting at a sense of finality. Brandon couldn¡¯t fathom why such a thought would cross his mind. He sat in silence for a while, nced at his watch, then got out of the car and made his way quickly to the airport terminal. Sophia was idly examining the airport¡¯s architecture. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. She had been to this airport many times before and had pretty much scoped it out, but the wait for boarding was long and boring, and a part of her couldn¡¯t help but indulge her professional curiosity to pass the time. After what felt like an age, with the airport announcements starting and stopping, flights departing one after the other, Sophia finally heard the boarding call for her flight. She got up to join the line and, turning around, saw Brandon in the crowd, looking rushed and a bit startled. He saw her too, slowed down, and his handsome face regained its usual calmposure. He approached her, ¡®Ready to board?¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡± Her gaze drifted behind him, ¡°Are you heading somewhere too?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± said Brandon, but he stayed put, joining her at the end of the line. Sophia couldn¡¯t quite suss out what Brandon was up to. She turned, hesitating, and looked at him, ¡°Are you heading to Wye City too?¡± ¡°No ticket.¡±¡® ¡°Oh.¡± Brandon looked at her, ¡°Sophia, you¡¯re not pulling my leg this time, right?¡± Sophia was baffled by his question, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a few days you¡¯re going back for.¡± Sophia realized, ¡°Yeah, just to sort out some stuff with my school registration, work, and the house.¡± Brandon gave her a look, then nodded, saying no more. He didn¡¯t even know why he needed this confirmation. Whether Sophia was getting divorced, changing her number, or moving house, even if she had already made up her mind, she always kept her cards close to her chest. So, this kind of confirmation was actually pointless. But his body had made the decision before his mind could catch up. Now that reason had taken over again, Brandon made no further moves. He watched Sophia board the ne, and only after she disappeared into the cabin did he turn to leave. When Brandon returned to the office, Don was there too, and could roughly guess the situation by Brandon¡¯s expression. ¡°Had Sophia left?¡± he asked. Brandon nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡± Don was only concerned about retaining talent and projects, ¡°Did she agree to stay?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know.¡± Don was speechless. He said, ¡°Weren¡¯t you taking care of her at the hospital for a few days? Didn¡¯t that sway her?¡± He knew from Kent that Brandon had been at the hospital taking care of Sophia. Brandon nced at him, ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with anything?¡± Don was stumped. ¡°What if she doesn¡¯te back?¡± Don asked anxiously, noticing a slight pause in Brandon¡¯s gaze before he heard a casual reply, ¡°Let her go.¡± Don didn¡¯t know what to say. Knowing he couldn¡¯t count on Brandon, he reluctantly called Ivan from his office to ask about his progress in persuading Sophia. The answer was the same. they¡¯d talked, but Sophia was considering it. Sophia¡¯s consideration dragged on until it was nearly up against the deadline Brandon had set. These past few days, she hadn¡¯t reached out to him, hadn¡¯t been to thepany, and seemed to have vanished into thin air. Don was freaking out internally, but seeing Brandon so calm, he didn¡¯t push and even started asking him to look for recements. ¡°Are you seriously going to rece her?¡± When notified, Don couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and barged into Brandon¡¯s office to ask about his intentions. Brandon was busy, and without even looking up, he replied, ¡°Since she doesn¡¯t want toe, should we just leave the spot empty?¡± Chapter 140 Chapter 140 Don got blocked. ¡°No way, aren¡¯t you guys married?¡± He just didn¡¯t get it. ¡°I¡¯m the boss here, and she¡¯s just an employee. I was even bummed when she resigned. You guys were husband and wife for crying out loud, how can you be more chill about it than me?¡± ¡°Would Mr. Crawley happily sign those divorce papers if he wasn¡¯t that chill?¡± Kent chimed in, with a bit of a teasing tone, and couldn¡¯t resist sneaking a peek at Brandon. When it was time to clock out, with Don beefing up his courage, he had no problem ribbing Brandon. After he finished, Brandon just gave him a cool nce. ¡°You got a problem with that?¡± Kent quickly shook his head. ¡°Nope. Just stating the facts.¡± Brandon grabbed a stack of documents from the table and tossed them to Kent. ¡°Since you¡¯ve got so much free time, get these sorted. Summarize everyone¡¯s strengths, weaknesses, and design philosophies, and hand it to me before work tomorrow.¡± Kent picked it up and saw it was a thick pile of resumes for candidates for the design director position at Star Dempsey Architects, each apanied by detailed introductions and design portfolios. There were in-house rmendations from the head office and external candidates as well-quite a few of them. To summarize their work styles, strengths, weaknesses, and design philosophies, he¡¯d have to dive deep into each person¡¯s work before he could even start analyzing and summarizing, not to mention background checks and scouring the web to understand their past styles. This was an all-nighter job. Kent was speechless. ¡°Mr. Crawley, there¡¯s no way I can finish this in one night.¡± Kent tried to reason with Brandon, ¡°I can¡¯t be making HR calls for background checks in the middle of the night, can I?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it not even midnight yet?¡± Kent fell silent. Brandon nced at the time on hisputer. ¡°It¡¯s eight o¡¯clock. You still have two hours before break time. Hustle a bit, and you¡¯ll have enough time for calls.¡± Don gave Kent a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. ¡°Less heart-stabbing words next time, huh? See, karma¡¯s already here.¡± ¡°This is straight-up revenge.¡± Brandon gave him another indifferent look. ¡°Yeah, got a problem?¡± Kent didn¡¯t dare object, his mouth all puckered up not wanting to do overtime. ¡°Boss, work¡¯s over, and this isn¡¯t exactly urgent.¡± The most important thing was, this was a job for a junior assistant, having him on it was overkill. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who¡¯s not in a hurry to leave? Then help your assistant out with some of their workload.¡± ¡°I¡¯m in a hurry, super in a hurry,¡± Kent said as he put down the stack of resumes. ¡°I¡¯m off then, Mr. Crawley, you go on with your busy schedule.¡± After saying that, he turned to leave, but hesitated at the door, ncing back at the stack of resumes and then at Brandon. ¡°Mr. Crawley, are you really picking someone from there to rece Ms. Yearwood?¡± Kent¡¯s concern was the same as Don¡¯s. He too looked at Brandon. ¡°Yeah, the newpany has just started, and besides the Zenithan-style resort project, there are no other projects. I can cover the design director position for now; we don¡¯t have to rush to find someone. Maybe Sophia got held up with something.¡± Brandon looked at him. ¡°How long can you cover? If she neveres, will you cover forever?¡± Don was stumped. ¡°And about the Zenithan-style r¨¦sort project, the start date is already set. If she doesn¡¯t show, do we just not start?¡± Don frowned. ¡°Then why not start construction based on her n?¡± ¡°No person, no n.¡± Don couldn¡¯t help but exchange a look with Kent. Kent had a helpless look on his face. Brandon issued the marching orders. ¡°You guys head out first.¡± Worried, Don gave him another look, wanting to say more, but Kent already stepped forward to pull him. ¡°We¡¯ll leave now. Mr. Dempsey still has a ton of work to do.¡± He yanked Don out of the office. Brandon watched the office door close, his gaze lingered on the stack of design director candidate profiles on the table, then he looked away. Sophia had called him to report her safe arrival in Wye City the day she returned, but that was it. She never expressed any desire to continue the project. And Brandon didn¡¯t ask. 09-291 He gave her time to think it over, but as the opening date approached and there was still no word from Sophia, the likelihood of her giving up was quite high. Even though he saw iting, when the moment actually arrived, Brandon couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit disappointed. Whether it was leaving or having no further ties with him, Sophia had always been decisive and straightforward. Brandon remembered Sophia saying, ¡°Brandon, I liked you.¡± He didn¡¯t know if her liking wasn¡¯t deep enough, or if the disappointment umted over two years outweighed this affection, making her prefer to start anew far from his world rather than getting entangled again. She could do just fine on her own. Brandon had to ept this fact. In fact, she was probably doing much better on her own than when she was with someone else. Like she said at the time of their divorce, life felt the same with or without him. But without him, she could have fewer expectations, fewer hassles. She wouldn¡¯t need to care about whether another person was happy or troubled by their mood swings, didn¡¯t have to amodate or please anyone, and most importantly, didn¡¯t have topromise herself. Whether it was settling for less or chasing dreams and distant horizons, she didn¡¯t need to amodate anyone. It was all about what she liked. With such freedom, she didn¡¯t want to go back to the past, and Brandon could understand that. The one who couldn¡¯t let go was always himself. He had never considered whether he liked it or not, so he never felt the worries and uncertainties that Sophia did. He was the one taking a wife, not being wedded off, and he never experienced thepromises and endurance she felt facing his family, nor did he sacrifice anything for the marriage. He was even the beneficiary of that marriage, so he couldn¡¯t understand Sophia¡¯s determination after comparing her life before and after. His life didn¡¯t lose anything because of marriage. On the contrary, he gained a lot. Whether it was emotional value orpanionship, Sophia satisfied him. So, from marriage to divorce, it was a process for him of going from having to losing. But Sophia wasn¡¯t like that. She had been through the roller coaster from loss to gain. So what she really needed was just to let go of the past. Everyone had got the right to choose their own path in life. Brandon knew he had gotta be cool about it, just let go and send good vibes. Just don¡¯t think about it, it¡¯ll be alright. Brandon stared at the resume on the table, looking absolutely gobsmacked. ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. In the outer office, Don and Kent were also sneakily peeping through the door crack at Brandon. Brandon¡¯s poker face had Don worried again, and he couldn¡¯t help but tug at Kent¡¯s sleeve. ¡°You think he¡¯s gonna be okay? He seems off.¡± Kent took a peek through the crack as well. ¡°Chill, man. If something was gonna happen, it would¡¯ve happened by now. He¡¯s been like this for two years.¡± Don was speechless. ¡°Let¡¯s hit the road, it¡¯s quitting time,¡± Kent was used to the drill, ¡°before we get roped into overtime again.¡± ¡°You go ahead.¡± Don wasn¡¯t as chill. He was still fretting over the newpany. ¡°Alrighty, I¡¯m outta here.¡± Kent started to tidy up his desk, ¡°This is when being a wage ve rocks, no worrying about thepany¡¯s ups and downs.¡± After packing up, he didn¡¯t forget to wave at Don. ¡°Catch youter.¡± Don waved him off and kept his eyes glued to his phone, flipping through to Sophia¡¯s WhatsApp. After hesitating for ages, he finally shot her a message. [Hey Sophia, Friday¡¯sing up. How¡¯s the decision-making going?] Chapter 141 Chapter 141 Sophia was at home tucking the little ones in for a nap when she got the message. The kiddo had just nodded off, and Susan was also around the house. Sophia went dead silent for a bit when she saw the message, just zoning out while staring at her phone screen. Susan took a shot in the dark, ¡°Brandon?¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°As if it¡¯d be him.¡± Then she flipped her phone towards Susan, ¡°It¡¯s from Don.¡± Susan nced at it, then back to Sophia, ¡°Honestly, I think you should totally snag this job opportunity.¡± She nced at the little girl snoozing on the bed, ¡°Just picture Theresa punching in one day, bragging to her pals all proud-like, ¡®My mom designed this ¨C how cool is that?¡± She picked up the design proposal Sophia had left on the table, flipping through it with a touch of regret, ¡°Such a killer design getting buried would be such a waste.¡± Sophia nced at the design proposal too, but kept mum. Susan looked at her. ¡°Anyway, Brandon said himself, Star-Dempsey Architects is Don¡¯s baby, he won¡¯t be hanging around much. This project¡¯s got its own head honcho, He won¡¯t be getting his hands dirty. As long as he doesn¡¯t make a point of showing up, you two bumping into each other in thatpany is pretty much slim to none, plus you don¡¯t have to clock in at an office, which makes it even less likely.¡± int ¡°You already had to pass up a job once because of getting hitched and having a bun in the oven, and now to duck him, you¡¯re gonna pass on this one? Seems like a crying shame to me, Susan added. Back in the day, fresh out of college, Sophia had a sweet job lined up, but then she got pregnant, and with the early pregnancy being rocky, she had to y it safe and stick around the house, putting work on the back burner. Then, after a miscarriage and a spell of getting her health back, she ended up out of the loop for a whole year, and when she started job hunting again, it wasn¡¯t the same as right after graduation. She kept busy, working on and off on projects with her mentor Zachary Gardner, but without a solid track record of a 9-to-5, employers were iffy, offering her gigs that were basically starting from scratch as an assistant. But Sophia¡¯s college portfolio and the experience she racked up had her itching for a shot at flying solo in design, so the job hunt was never quite hitting the mark. That¡¯s partly why sheter thought about hitting the books again. Now that she¡¯d finally wed her way back to a stable spot in the design world on her own terms, the idea of giving it up felt like a waste to Susan. Sophia felt the pinch too. If Brandon weren¡¯t the client, she wouldn¡¯t be sweating it one bit. ¡°The other day, I asked Brandon if he¡¯d ever tie the knot again, and he didn¡¯t give me a straight answer,¡± Sophia nced at the still-sleeping tyke, ¡°If he¡¯d just said yes or no, I probably wouldn¡¯t be overthinking it this much.¡± If he said yes, she¡¯d never spill the beans about the kid to him or even to the kid herself. That would be a low blow to his future family and wife. No woman wants to wake up one day to her hubby saying, ¡°Surprise, I¡¯ve got a kid.¡± If he said no, she¡¯d y it by ear when to break the news to him, but definitely not now. Not when she wasn¡¯t sure how hung up Brandon and his folks might be about the kid, whether they¡¯d go so far as to wrestle for custody. She wouldn¡¯t risk tipping him off. The Crawley family¡¯s loaded and powerful. If they got it in their heads to fight for custody, Sophia wasn¡¯t sure she could hold her ground. The kid was her miracle baby From biting her nails at every prenatal checkup to the life-and-death struggle in the delivery room, to the round-the-clock grind of looking after a newborn, all that blood, sweat, and tears weren¡¯t something you could just wipe away because they provided half the genes. She couldn¡¯t just give up her child. Sophia didn¡¯t want her kid to be the glue that forced two people back together either. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. She¡¯d finally moved on from that chapter with the Crawley family and didn¡¯t want to be sucked back in because of the kid. So, whether to tell Brandon about the child was a decision she¡¯d have to make after careful observation and thought, not on a whim. But Brandon didn¡¯t say yes or no, and his sharpness made her wary of probing further. One wrong question and he¡¯d sniff out the reason. She was spooked by Brandon¡¯s knack for reading between the lines. Caught in this game of chess, it left her in a bind. It was like being forced to choose between giving up her future and gambling with the risk of losing custody of her child. Neither choice was easy for Sophia. And Susan couldn¡¯t make that call for her. Deep down, she hoped Brandon would stay in the dark about the kid, which would mean no custody battles. But she wasn¡¯t the mom; she couldn¡¯t decide for Sophia. ¡°You could consider taking the project for starters, and while you¡¯re at it, scope out Brandon and his family¡¯s vibe. Gives you some breathing room to decide whether to spill about Theresa,¡± suggested Susan. ¡°Anyway, if we¡¯re gonna head back, you¡¯d be setting up shop first, and Theresa and I would follow. Gives us some time to work with.¡± Sophia shot her a look but didn¡¯t utter a word. Right then, her phone buzzed back to life. Chapter 142 Chapter 142 Sophia nced at her phone and saw a call from her college mentor, Zachary. Raising an eyebrow in confusion, she picked up the call. It turned out that Zachary was hitting her up for a meal. He was in town for a schrly conference and knew she was still around, so he wanted to catch up over some grub. Sophia was kinda taken aback. Zachary had been her uni mentor. Back in her freshman year, she¡¯d snagged an award at the Architectural Design Competition and caught Zachary¡¯s eye. He¡¯d taken her under his wing ever since. During those years, it was Zachary leading her through projects, from group gigs without any credit to solo designs where her name could shine. His mentorship paved the way for where she was today. So, for her old college mentor, Sophia had nothing but respect, gratitude, and admiration. When she nailed her grad school eptance here, she¡¯d buzzed Zachary with the good news first thing. Life, work, and studies had gotten in the way, and while they hadn¡¯t worked together in a while, they stayed in touch. But since she hadn¡¯t managed to go back home, she hadn¡¯t had the chance to visit him in person. Now with Zachary swinging by for a conference, Sophia was both surprised and stoked. She was down for the dinner date. Zachary had set it up for the evening at a joint near the campus. When Sophia arrived, Zachary was already there, waiting. The guy was over sixty, a retiree from academia. But with his hefty academic rep and clout, he still got the odd invite to lecture. Post-retirement, he¡¯d shifted gears to focus on architectural research and boosting domestic design. Probably from years of hard yakka, he looked older than his years, with a head mostly silver, but he still had this refined and gentle vibe, always talking with a twinkle in his eye and a smile at the corner of his mouth, real grandfatherly. ¡°Professor,¡± Sophia greeted with a smile upon seeing Zachary at the table. Zachary beamed, standing to greet her. ¡°You made it.¡± After ushering her to her seat and letting her order from the menu, he turned to Sophia. ¡°Have you been swamped with worktely?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Nope,¡± Sophia chuckled, shaking her head, ¡°Just graduated, pretty chill for now.¡± ¡°What¡¯s your n after graduation?¡± Zachary probed. Sophia had heard this same tune before Brandon asked, her dad asked, and now Zachary was the third. ¡°I¡¯ll sort out some stuff here then head back home to job hunt,¡± Sophia shared. ¡°So, you¡¯re not thinking of taking up that gig at Star-Dempsey Architects?¡± Zachary threw out there. Sophia froze, giving Zachary a puzzled look. Zachary just chuckled. ¡°Ivan mentioned it to me.¡± Ivan was sorta her senior by the same mentor, both Zachary¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s. ¡°Landing a job like that fresh outta school isn¡¯t a cakewalk. Especially since that Zenithan-style resort proposal you cooked up got the green light,¡± Zachary advised with a hint of concern, ¡°In our design biz, sure, talent and smarts matter, but so does finding your patron. Our job¡¯s about pleasing aesthetics, but beauty¡¯s in the eye of the beholder. Before you make a name for yourself, your masterpiece might be treasure in A¡¯s eyes but trash to B. With your bold style, you¡¯re gonna prize ¨C your fans will adore you, but the naysayers might not get it, you¡¯ll be stuck in a bit of an on-off situation.¡± ¡°For mostpanies and clients, we¡¯re all just punching the clock. Between radical and safe, most would rather y it safe to secure their livelihood than take risks, unless you¡¯re the big cheese with a vision. But in today¡¯s climate, those folks are few and far between.¡± Sophia nodded quietly. ¡°I get it.¡± She wasn¡¯t some green newbie; she knew the job hunt¡¯s ups and downs all too well. And thepromises in the work process. In architecture, it was not just about transferring thoughts to paper. Aligning with leadership¡¯s style and vision was key. Without a mentor on the same wavelength, a project could suffer endless tweaks until it was unrecognizable. And that was just from the higher-ups. If you got a client who¡¯s all over the ce, you were back in endless revision loops, needing a boss who can wrangle them. Thanks to a guy named Don, Sophia hadn¡¯t felt much of this pressure. She was clued in enough to know that until her work was fully recognized, she might not find another champion if she switched jobs. So, before making any moves, she needed rock-solid achievements to speak for her, to be the one calling the shots. 09:29:3 It¡¯s like acting ¨C no matter how ster your skills, without an award or a hit role to your name, no one¡¯s taking your word as gospel. But once you hit it big or snag an award, even if your views are controversial, you¡¯re still treated like the authority. For Sophia at this stage, the Zenithan-style resort project was her golden ticket, her springboard. ¡°Ivan showed me your project designs, Zachary said slowly, ¡°I reckon it¡¯s a strong contender for awards. Don¡¯t let it go to waste.¡± Sophia hesitated, looking at him. Zachary smiled gently, ¡°Sophia, you¡¯ve always been one of my sharpest and most creative students. You know what you want, and what you don¡¯t. I won¡¯t harp on it, just hope you won¡¯t bury your talent. Like two years ago, when you rushed into marriage and lost two years.¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Thanks, Professor. I¡¯ll think it through.¡± Zachary nodded back, not dwelling on the topic, and steered the conversation to work and studies, chatting about thetest industry news and trends. Sophia listened intently, chiming in now and then. Noticing Zachary¡¯s coffee cup was empty, she picked up the cup and filled it up for him. Someone hustled by through the aisle next to her, moving fast and frenzied. As they passed by Sophia, their thigh identally bumped into her elbow, the one holding the coffee cup, and just like that, the coffee sshed out. Sophia instinctively whipped her head around to see who it was, a slight frown creasing her brow. She knew the guy. Two years back, when she and Brandon were shacking up at the Starlight Hotel, it was the same stocky dude they bumped into in the basement parking lot. Back then, Brandon didn¡¯t want the chubby guy to catch a glimpse of them, so he¡¯d pulled a fast one and pretended to smooch her, dodging the peepers of him and another tall, skinny guy. She remembered asking Brandon who those two were, and Brandon had spilled the beans ¨C the chunky fellow was named Darcy, the big cheese for the Starlight Hotel¡¯s operations in Ephemora. Chapter 143 Chapter 143 Brandon popped into Ephemora because there was some trouble at the hotel here. He didn¡¯t want to stir the pot, but they didn¡¯t get into the nitty-gritty of the matter. Sophia was clueless about whether Darcy was still with the Starlight Group or not. He looked just like he did two years ago, short and portly, but without the pep in his step he used to have. He looked way more worn out and down in the dumps. As Sophia craned her neck to get a better look at him, Darcy nced down at her, noticed the tea he¡¯d spilled but just peeped it and didn¡¯t even mutter an ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡¯ before he breezed past her to greet the tall, skinny guy behind her with a warm double-handed wave, ¡°Ms. Barlow.¡± Among Sophia¡¯s acquaintances, only Marian had it. She couldn¡¯t help but take a second look at thenky dude-it was the same guy she¡¯d bumped into in the Starlight Hotel¡¯s underground parking lot two years ago. Zachary caught Sophia peeking and nced over at the pair before turning to her, ¡°Do you know this guy?¡± Sophia chuckled and shook her head, ¡°Nope. Just thought that guy was kinda rude. Bumps into someone and can¡¯t even apologize.¡± ¡°No point sweating the small stuff with that kind of person.¡± Sophia nodded with a smile, ¡°Yeah.¡± But maybe because of the past episode where Brandon had deliberately avoided Darcy, even though Sophia kept her cool and kept eating, she couldn¡¯t help but eavesdrop on their conversation a bit. The restaurant wasn¡¯t crowded, and Sophia¡¯s table was close to theirs, so if she listened carefully, she could make out their chat. At first, the two just exchanged pleasantries, but then the skinny guy asked Darcy, ¡°How are things on your end?¡± Sophia heard Darcy chuckle and say, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s all good. You think Ms. Barlow needs to worry when I¡¯m on the job?¡± followed by the so-called ¡°Ms. Barlow¡±ughing heartily, replying, ¡°Worrying about Mr. Darcy doing his thing? That¡¯s thest thing I¡¯d do.¡± Darcy also let out a few heartyughs before getting down to brass tacks, ¡°I¡¯ve already got the person in ce at thepany, rest easy.¡± The tall and skinny guy said, ¡°Is the person reliable?¡± Darcy said, ¡°Absolutely. You know how tough it is to get into the Starlight Group. Solid HR, barely any turnover, hardly any external recruitment spots open each year. If they hadn¡¯t started this new subsidiary and needed fresh faces, who knows how long it would¡¯ve been-till kingdome, probably.¡± The mention of ¡°the Starlight Group¡± made Sophia pause mid-sip. The skinny guyughed and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll await the good news from Mr. Darcy.¡± Their conversation didn¡¯t seem to have any smoking guns. But maybe because of Brandon¡¯s past covert investigation, Sophia couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that their words hadyers, like there was some scheme brewing. Sophia wasn¡¯t sure if she was just being paranoid. Later, when she got home, Sophia couldn¡¯t help but ask Susan, ¡°Susan, do you know this Darcy guy? The head honcho at the Starlight Group¡¯s Ephemora branch.¡± ¡°Sure do.¡± She was always up to speed with business info, especially for the deals she had clinched herself. But then.. ¡°Why the sudden interest in him? Wasn¡¯t he booted from the Starlight Group ages ago?¡± Susan asked, puzzled.. ¡°Huh?¡± Sophia looked at Susan in surprise. ¡°Didn¡¯t you know? Not long after Brandon returned to the country, he axed the head of the Starlight Hotel¡¯s Ephemora branch and nearly snagged the Barlow Hotel too.¡± Sophia shook her head, clueless. She¡¯d cut ties with Brandon and had blocked all news rted to him since then. ¡°It¡¯s no wonder you¡¯re out of the loop. Word is, Brandon kept it hush-hush out of respect for Darcy¡¯s long service. Just spun it as a ¡®staff reshuffle¡¯ and reced the head of the Ephemora branch,¡± Susan exined, ¡°I was tracking the Starlight Hotel project at the time, so I caught some of the gossip on the down-low, not much though.¡± Sophia nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing back to Darcy¡¯s words about having ¡°already got the person in ce at thepany, rest easy,¡± and ¡°If they hadn¡¯t started this new subsidiary¡­¡± She kept reying those lines in her head. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Susan asked, seeing Sophia¡¯s pensive look. Sophia shook her head, ¡°Nothing much. Just ran into Darcy and some guy at the restaurant with my teacher today. They mentioned the Starlight Group. and I got curious.¡± That reminded Susan of Sophia¡¯s lunch with Zachary, ¡°Oh right, what did the teacher need from you?¡± ¡°Just encouraging me not to give up on opportunities too easily.¡± ¡°See, everyone who knows you thinks it¡¯d be a shame.¡± Sophia nodded silently, still deep in thought, the conversation with Darcy ying on loop in her mind. Theresa, who had been engrossed in her fishing game, finally noticed Sophia¡¯s silence, looked up with her big, round eyes, tugged on her clothes with her tiny hand, and called out in her baby voice, ¡°Mommy?¡± Sophia turned her gaze to her, squatted down in front of her with a smile and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up, Theresa?¡± Theresa shook her head and handed Sophia the fishing rod, ¡°Mommy fishy-fishy, happy¡­ Sophia chuckled and stroked her little head as they yed the fishing game together. The little one was beaming with joy. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but look at her and softly asked, ¡°Theresa, do you wanna go home?¡± The little girl¡¯s small mind couldn¡¯t quite grasp what Sophia meant by going home, but after pondering seriously, she nodded vigorously, ¡°Want to.¡± Chapter 144 Chapter 144 On Friday, the Architects officially opened for business. Since it was Dempsey Architects¡¯ first venture into the domestic market, they went all out with a big opening ceremony to make some noise. The ceremony was set up in the Starlight Group¡¯s first-floor reception hall, and the headquarters really put on quite the show. Don, as the head honcho of the new branch, was hustling from the crack of dawn to get everything ready for the big day. One moment he was checking the stage lighting, the next he was double-checking the guest list to avoid any unexpected hups. Kent was right there with him, buzzing around like a busy bee. By the time they wrapped up, there was less than half an hour left before the auspicious moment to kick things off. Guests were trickling in steadily. Don and Kent were casually greeting the neers while sneaking peeks at their watches and scanning the crowd, with Don asking, ¡°Where¡¯s your boss?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Probably holed up in his office.¡± Kent responded in a hushed tone while smiling and nodding at guests. Don frowned, ¡°What¡¯s he doing in there? Isn¡¯t heing down?¡± Kent nced at him and quipped, ¡°What do you think?¡± Don was momentarily thrown off, ¡°Huh?¡± Kent nudged him, ¡°Have you picked your design director yet?¡± That was when it clicked for Don, and with the realization came a headache. He had texted Sophia the other day to see where her head was at, and she had texted back right away. Just as he suspected, she hadn¡¯t made up her mind yet. But she didn¡¯t want to hold up their work, advising him to go ahead with someone else if the project was urgent or if the office was swamped, no need to wait on her. Don hadn¡¯t pressed the issue since then, nor had he poked his nose into the backup list for the design director. Deep down, he was still holding out hope for ast-minute surprise on opening day. The deadline was set by Brandon, and Sophia had every right to take her sweet time until the final second. He wanted to see if there was still a chance for ast-minute miracle. But judging by the current situation.. Don checked his watch again and couldn¡¯t resist scanning the room one more time. The ce was buzzing, but Sophia¡¯s familiar face was nowhere to be seen. He nced at his phone ¨C dead silent, not a peep. Don let out a sigh, turned to Kent, and said, ¡°Hold down the fort. I¡¯m going upstairs.¡± Kent nodded, ¡°Go ahead.¡± In the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor, Brandon was sitting at his desk, propping his chin up with one hand, eyes closed, recharging the batteries, looking both worn out and serene. The sunlight was streaming through the window, casting a mix of shadows and light upon him. To his left was his phone, and to his right, the resumes of the candidates for the design director position. As Don pushed the door open, he was met with the sight of Brandon taking a breather, a rare hint of fatigue on his face. ¡°Another night without sleep?¡± Don queried with a raised eyebrow as he approached. Brandon opened his eyes and gave him a look, ¡°Got some work stuff on my te.¡± ¡°Is it really work or are you just distracting yourself with it?¡± Don asked as he walked up to the desk, his eyesnding on the resumes, then shifting to Brandon. Brandon nced at the resumes, then at his silent phone, and looked at Don, ¡°No word from Sophia?¡± Don nodded dejectedly, ¡°Nope, no sign of hering, and she¡¯s not here.¡± Brandon nodded, stood up, and grabbed the resumes, ¡°Then it¡¯s time to scrap the Zenithan-style project.¡± ¡°Start over with someone new.¡± He tossed the resumes to Don as he said, ¡°Pick him for the design director. He¡¯s got skills, a couple of sessful projects under his belt, and a pretty distinctive personal style.¡± Don frowned and nced down at the resumes, ¡°We¡¯re not out of time yet.¡± He checked his watch, ¡°We¡¯ve still got over ten minutes till the official opening.¡± Brandon also looked at his watch, ¡°Let¡¯s go, don¡¯t want to miss the lucky moment to start.¡± With that, he grabbed his phone off the desk and headed for the door. 09-29. Don watched Brandon¡¯s retreating figure, upright and austere, his profile steady and determined, his expression cold and almost without emotion, leaving no room for second-guessing. Don sighed deeply, his enthusiasm dampened, and followed him out. When the two of them reached the opening hall downstairs, most guests had already arrived, mingling in small groups, the ce alive with excitement and festivity. The emcee was already on stage, doing mic checks, prepping for the opening. As the big shots of the newpany, Brandon and Don were seated in the front row. As Brandon made his way to his seat, the guests who spotted him came up with warm greetings. Brandon just nodded politely in response and then sat down, stone-faced. His chilly demeanor left the greeting guests feeling a bit puzzled and uneasy. Quick on the draw, Don came up with a smile to smooth things over. Kent also swooped in with a grinning face to y peacemaker, and after calming the waters, he couldn¡¯t help but whisper to Don, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± All he got in return was Don¡¯s helpless shake of the head and sigh. After his sigh, Don couldn¡¯t help but cast one more hopeful nce towards the entrance. Still no sign of her. Chapter 145 Chapter 145 At the airport. Sophia was hustling out of the jet bridge while whipping out her phone to power it up, striding towards baggage im. Before she even reached the carousel, her phone, now booted up, was flooding with notifications one after another. ncing at her screen, she saw that it was mostly Susan, peppered with a barrage of missed call alerts. Texts morphed from [Have you reached West district yet?] to the more urgent [Why¡¯s your phone still off? Sophia, call me back ASAP when you see this.] Sophia skimmed the messages and quickly video-called Susan back. The moment the call connected, Susan looked like she was about to burst into tears. ¡°Finally, you call back. What took you so long? Did something happen to the flight? You had me scared to death.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all good, just some weather dys,¡± Sophia reassured softly, ¡°We got held up due to a local thunderstorm at theyover, and the ne kept circling without clearance tond. It¡¯s caused a bit of a dy. I¡¯m at West district now, so don¡¯t fret.¡± Susan sighed in relief, ¡°As long as you¡¯re safe. Remember to call me once you¡¯re settled in, and watch out for yourself.¡± ¡°Will do,¡± Sophia nodded, inquired about the kid for a bit, and then hung up. After the call, Sophia checked the time on her phone ¨C past ten in the morning. She paused for a second. The flight was hours behind schedule, and it was already past the nine o¡¯clock work rush. Sophia had no clue whether Brandon¡¯s ¡°by Friday¡± meant business hours or the opening ceremony. If it was the former, she had essentially given up by now. If it was thetter, making it on time was still touch and go. Brandon was always a man of his word. Letting go of the Zenithan-style project was something Sophia knew he would follow through on. Suddenly, she wasn¡¯t sure if there was any point in rushing over. Her decision to return wasn¡¯t solid to begin with. It was more Zachary¡¯s plea, the suspicions from overhearing Darcy and others¡¯ conversation, and several other factors that had rushed her. The conveyor belt started moving, and luggage began to appear one by one. Sophia spotted her bag among the sea of suitcases. She bent over to lift her luggage as it approached. Pushing her suitcase out, she nced at the clock again ¨C thirty minutes to spare. If she caught a cab now, it would be a race against the clock to make it or not. Her original n had enough buffer to get to the Starlight Group in time, but this flight just had to get caught in a freak storm. dy. Sophia suddenly wondered if this was some cosmic sign holding her back. She decided to leave it up to fate. If she made it, it meant she was destined to be part of this project and she¡¯d give it her all. If not, maybe it was destiny¡¯s way of telling her it was time to cut her losses. Stepping out to hail a cab, Sophia was surprisingly calm. At the Starlight Group¡¯s lobby. The emcee was delivering a speech for the grand opening, and the celebratory mood peaked. Brandon sat in the guest of honor seat with an expressionless face, sneak-peeks at his phone from time to time, his demeanor cool and detached. Don managed to keep a festive smile, though his eyes betrayed his anxiety. Soon, it would be Brandon¡¯s turn to speak, introducing the newpany¡¯s leaders and design team, including the head designer. Although there was no rule saying the head designer couldn¡¯t be reced, once announced, it would mean Brandon¡¯s definitive 08:40 drop of Sophia¡¯s Zenithan-style resort design, leaving no room for negotiation. He knew Brandon well. Amidst this anxiety, Don also kept ncing at his phone, even reaching to call Sophia directly when there were no updates. But as his fingertip touched the phone, Brandon pushed it away. ¡°No need,¡± he said, his voice faint, his face still expressionless. ¡°What if she ran into some trouble on the way?¡± Don whispered, ¡°Got held up?¡± ¡°Does sheck a phone? Or inte?¡± Brandon¡¯s tone remained t, not even looking at him, ¡°If it was something serious, wouldn¡¯t she have called ahead?¡± Don had noeback. The emcee had finished the opening speech and turned the attention to Brandon. ¡°Please wee, with a round of apuse, the President of the Starlight Group, Mr. Crawley, to deliver his speech.¡± Apuse filled the room. Don frowned at Brandon, noticing a brief flicker of something on his face before he rose emotionlessly and headed for the stage. Brandon stood on stage,posed, speaking at an even pace, exuding stability. His speech was sinct, first expressing gratitude to the guests, then briefly exining the reasons behind Star Dempsey Architects¡¯ inception and future aspirations, before segueing to introducing the new leadership and design team. First up was Don, with a quick verbal intro and a disy of his r¨¦sum¨¦ and portfolio on the big screen behind Brandon, eliciting awe and apuse from the audience. Don went up to express his thanks amid the ps. ¡°Our design team isprised of equally young and talented designers,¡± Brandon continued in a calm voice as the apuse subsided, ¡°Next, I¡¯d like to invite our head designer.¡± Brandon¡¯s voice suddenly halted. The audience, puzzled, looked at him. Don, standing right next to him, also turned his gaze to Brandon. Brandon was facing the podium, looking at the embeddedputer screen, his eyelids slightly drooping, his face calm, a chilling sort of calm. Out of sight from the audience, Don saw Brandon¡¯s long finger reaching towards the multimedia keyboard¡¯s Enter key, pausing just above it. Don turned to look at the slide frozen on the big screen behind them. He knew that once that button was pressed, it would herald the arrival of the new head honcho of design, a dude named Barret whose resume was still chilling on Brandon¡¯s desk. Brandon didn¡¯t immediately go for it, though. He just stared nkly at the LCD screen embedded in his desk, not making a move. The crowd was getting restless, and the whispers started to grow louder. Everyone was wondering what was up with Brandon. Don couldn¡¯t help but throw a worried nce at him and nudged, ¡°Brandon?¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Brandon looked up, his face still a nk te, and took a cold, sweeping nce at the audience below. As his gaze icily swept from the entrance, Don caught a glimpse of resolve in his eyes and saw his long finger poised over the Enter key, ready to m it down, but then it stopped abruptly, just shy of hitting the key. The crowd was puzzled once again, all eyes on Brandon. Brandon scanned the room and announced, ¡°Head of Design will remain open for now!¡± Don looked at Brandon, taken aback. Kent down in the audience was also shocked. But Brandon had already coolly shifted his gaze. ¡°Now, please wee the CEO of Star Dempsey Architects, Don.¡± His steady voice paused when he caught sight of a slender figure against the y of light and shadow at the door. Sophia stood outside, hesitating as she took in the room full of guests, and then slowly turned her gaze towards Brandon on the stage. Brandon¡¯s eyes had already cut through the crowd, locking onto her with an intense stare. Chapter 146 Chapter 146 Brandon¡¯s gaze brought Sophia to a screeching halt, leaving her feeling awkward as all get out. She had bolted over to the hall the second she hopped out of the cab. The second she stepped into the hall, she was greeted with a massive, fire-engine red banner screaming ¡°A Warm Celebration of Star Dempsey Architects¡¯ Grand Opening!¡± and the buzz of a party in full swing in the reception area. In that moment, a wave of cold feet washed over her as she got closer to home turf. The timing of her card drop was kinda iffy. While she was on the fence about whether to crash the party or not, Brandon caught sight of her, and those piercing peepers of his threw her for a loop. Brandon¡¯s deep, cold gaze was like a riddle wrapped in an enigma-she couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it. The courage she had mustered up was slowly but surely deting under his intense stare. Suddenly, she was second-guessing whether she had shown up at an inopportune time. Don also spotted her and shed a grin that had a hint of surprise when he did. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but return the smile before her eyes drifted back to Brandon. Brandon was still in the same pose, the same intense, cold stare, just standing there, motionless across the crowd, giving her the eye. People at the venue started to pick up on Brandon¡¯s unusual stare, craning their necks to sneak a peek at Sophia. The domino effect of head turns sparked even more curiosity. More and more heads turned to look towards the entrance. Sophia wasn¡¯t exactlyfy with all eyes on her. She awkwardly grinned at the onlookers before spinning on her heel to leave, figuring she¡¯d better wait outside in the lobby and not stir up any trouble during the opening ceremony. Brandon¡¯s face turned to ice, he chucked the mic onto the table, and leaped off the stage, striding through the crowd towards the departing Sophia at the door. The room went bananas. Everyone was bbergasted by the sudden turn of events, their heads swiveling towards Brandon on reflex. Brandon¡¯s pace was fast and frantic, and as he nearly reached Sophia, he suddenly reached out, grabbed her arm, and spun her around with a yank. Sophia looked at Brandon, her face a nk te of confusion. ¡°Where to now?¡± Brandon demanded, his voice as cold and deep as his unwavering stare. Sophia was still trying to get her bearings, her hand instinctively pointing towards the public area¡¯s couch. ¡°I was just gonna wait over there ¡¯til you guys wrapped up.¡± Brandon nced at the couch in the public area, his piercing gaze not softening one bit as he kept his eyes locked on her. Sophia was at a loss under his intense scrutiny, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Brandon just looked at her, not saying a word, then suddenly stepped forward, his hand snaking around her neck, pulling her into his embrace, and nting a deep kiss on h¨¦r. Sophia fell silent. The room erupted with surprise again. Those who had a clear view of the door were gobsmacked, their jaws dropping. Those who couldn¡¯t see were antsy and confused, craning their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of the action outside, especially Cindy. She was about to take the stage and, along with her new colleagues, was seated right at the front, totally oblivious to the drama unfolding outside. She only saw Brandon ditch the mic and dart off the stage, followed by a wave of gasps and murmurs, and a crowd of necks craning towards the door. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she asked, pulling a colleague towards her and quickly moving towards the doorway to snoop around. Quick on the uptake, Kent was already at the door when Brandon pulled Sophia into a kiss, mming the reception hall¡¯s doors shut to shield the untimely scene from prying eyes. Don, ever the smooth operator, grabbed the mic with a smile, steering the chatter back to the opening ceremony. ¡°Now, let¡¯s give a big hand to our designers, a young and vibrant team with tons of experience.¡± Those who missed the action outside sighed as they watched the door close, whispering to their neighbors, trying to get the skinny on what had just happened, not really paying attention to the stage. Don, sensing the room¡¯s gossip mill working overtime, coughed pointedly into the mic. H¨ªs reminder via the mic brought everyone back to their senses, and they covered their awkwardness with apuse, sneaking another look at the door as they settled back into their seats. But Kent was holding the fort at the door, which was shut tight, revealing zilch. Kent ignored the crowd¡¯s disappointed and curious stares, standing his ground by the door and looking towards Don on stage. Don, keeping up the momentum, reiterated his initial introduction of the design team, starting with the designers. Outside. Brandon¡¯s kiss lingered on Sophia¡¯s lips before he finally stopped. He was still holding her neck in a firm grip. Both were panting slightly. Sophia¡¯s lungs felt nearly vacuumed out, her mouth agape as she gasped for air, her oxygen-deprived brain still muddling through a fog of confusion and bewilderment. Brandon¡¯s kiss had been so sudden and intense, she was still reeling. Brandon, too, was a bit breathless, his palm gently cradling her neck, forehead lightly pressed against hers, eyes half-closed. But unlike Sophia¡¯s scrambled thoughts, Brandon¡¯s mind and gaze were crystal clear. He looked into Sophia¡¯s still-dazed eyes and asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Where¡¯s your ID?¡± ¡°In my bag.¡± Sophia replied instinctively, even reaching into her bag¡¯s side pocket to fish out her ID and hand it over to Brandon. Chapter 147 Chapter 147 By the time Sophia fully snapped back to reality, she was already sitting in the HR office. Two employment contracts wereid out in front of her, both already signed by her hand. Brandon was standing right beside her, handing one copy of the contract to her while tucking away the other. Sophia nced hesitantly at the contract now in front of her, then back at Brandon. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Wee to Star Dempsey Architects,¡± Brandon said, looking at her, his demeanor back to its usual coolposure. Sophia managed a tight-lipped smile. ¡°Thanks.¡± She took the weighty contract with a bit of hesitation, still feeling like she was in a dreamy daze. Her mind was all muddled. Brandon¡¯s cell phone chose that moment to ring. It was Kent on the line. [Mr. Crawley, do we need to introduce the new Design Director to the guests? Don¡¯s struggling to keep up on stage.] He was still at the event diligently blocking the door, clueless about what was going down with Brandon and Sophia. Don on stage was also doing his best to keep the show running, equally in the dark about the current situation with Brandon and Sophia. Was Sophia¡¯s new role as the Design Director set in stone? Would she being back? Should he take the chance during the design team introduction to officially announce Sophia? His head was swimming with question marks, but with Brandon having already ditched the scene, he couldn¡¯t just bail like Brandon and had to stay on stage, trying to signal Kent with desperate eye gestures to call Brandon. Luckily, Kent was on the same wavelength and caught on to Don¡¯s predicament straight away. Brandon didn¡¯t give Kent a straight answer but instead turned to Sophia. ¡°Don is up there introducing thepany¡¯s design team right now. Wanna make an appearance?¡± Sophia nced subconsciously towards the reception hall. ¡°Do I have to?¡± Sophia was still a bit spaced out, the contract signing had happened so fast, she couldn¡¯t even remember when exactly she had signed it. ¡°I¡¯m not some big-name designer, nor do I have any standout pieces to show off. My experience and age don¡¯t carry much weight either. If I go out there now, I might just lower everyone¡¯s expectations of thepany.¡± She looked at Brandon and added, ¡°Maybe we should keep it under wraps for now, and let my work do the talkingter on.¡± Brandon studied her for a moment before nodding lightly, then told Kent on the phone. ¡°No need for introductions.¡± Kent got the message, hung up, and mouthed ¡°It¡¯s over¡± to Don on stage, who seemed visibly deted for a moment before Kent added an ¡°OK¡± sign with his hands. Don got it in a second. His spirits, which had just started to sink, leaped back up. With years of experience running the show, he left the guests with a teaser, ¡°Our candidate for Design Director is a graduate of the renowned Apex Engineering University School of Architecture and has a portfolio of well-known architectural designs. She has a unique vision and solid strength. We look forward to her joining us,¡± and wrapped up the grand opening ceremony perfectly. The opening ceremony had already been done at an auspicious time while Brandon was still around. After the opening ceremony, it was time for the guests to dine and mingle. Don made his way through the crowd of well-wishers towards Kent, who was still guarding the door. ¡°What¡¯s the deal here?¡± he asked, since he couldn¡¯t get much from just exchanging looks earlier. ¡°How should I know? Mr. Crawley just brushed me off with a ¡®no need for introductions¡±, Kent replied, equally in the dark but couldn¡¯t resist trying to sneak a peek outside the door. ¡°But rx, Mr. Crawley sounded pretty chill, he must¡¯ve sealed the deal with Sophia.¡± ¡°Are you sure your gut¡¯s reliable?¡± Don frowned, not entirely trusting Kent¡¯s intuition. ¡°Hope it¡¯s not another false rm.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, no one knows Mr. Crawley better than I do,¡± Kent bragged as he opened the door wide, not forgetting to turn back to Don with a boastful, ¡°I dare say, I even know him better than he knows himself.¡± His bragging came to an abrupt end when he saw Brandon and Sophia standing outside the door, and he respectfully greeted, ¡°Mr. Crawley!¡± Brandon nced at his hand on the doorknob. ¡°Why close the door?¡± Kent was left speechless. Don¡¯s gaze shifted from Kent¡¯s face to Brandon, then to Sophia, his evaluative look making Sophia a bit awkward, but she still politely greeted Don. ¡°Mr. Dempsey.¡± Don, ever so sharp, didn¡¯t pry but just gave her a big smile. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± Sophia responded with a polite smile. ¡°Yeah.¡± Seeing Kent¡¯s deted look and his indecisive hand on the doorknob, remembering Brandon¡¯s kiss from earlier, and guessing Kent might have seen it too, her embarrassment grew. Kent, equally awkward, chuckled and greeted. ¡°Hello, Ms. Yearwood.¡± Sophia awkwardly replied. ¡°Hi, Kent.¡± As other guests noticed Brandon¡¯s return, they came forward enthusiastically to offer their congrattions, their attention wholly on Brandon, hardly noticing Sophia standing by his side. A few guests who were fortunate enough to witness Brandon¡¯s impromptu kiss recognized Sophia from her clothes and cast curious and scrutinizing nces her way. Feeling increasingly ufortable under their probing eyes, Sophia subtly moved away from Brandon. At that moment, a refined middle-aged man holding a wine ss approached Brandon with a smile and congrattions. ¡°Mr. Crawley, congrattions.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Evert.¡± Brandon took a ss from a passing waiter¡¯s tray and courteously clinked it with Mr. Evert¡¯s. Mr. Evert downed his drink in one go, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then his inquisitive gaze casually shifted towards Sophia. ¡°And who might this be?¡± He had seen Brandon kiss Sophia earlier. Hanging out with Brandon over the years, he had never seen Brandon get so worked up and expressive, especially over a girl ¨C definitely piqued his curiosity. Before Brandon could pipe up, Sophia introduced herself to Mr. Evert with total ease, ¡°Hey, I¡¯m a designer with Star-Dempsey Architects.¡± Brandon nced at her and kept mum. Mr. Evert, who was itching for some juicy gossip, got cut off by Sophia, but still chuckled and reached out for a handshake, ¡°Pleased to meet you, I¡¯m Gavin Evert, the head honcho at the Evert Group.¡± Sophia responded politely, ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Evert.¡± Gavin, failing to fish for any good intel, shifted his focus back to Brandon. ¡°Mr. Crawley, your new venture is brimming with talent. The youngsters are impressive!¡± ¡°Thanks for the props, Mr. Evert.¡± Gavin chuckled and asked, ¡°Mr. Crawley, is yourpany still hiring by any chance?¡± Brandon looked at him dead in the eye, ¡°Just spit it out, Mr. Evert.¡± Gavin chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Well, it¡¯s about my son, just wrapped up his grad studies and hasn¡¯t started working. He refuses to join the family biz. He studied architectural design, too. I¡¯m worried he¡¯s gonna turn into a couch potato if he stays home any longer. Maybe he could work with you guys?¡± Brandon gave a polite smile, ¡°Afraid our little outfit might not be grand enough for your prince.¡± Even though he said that, Brandon turned and introduced him to Don, suggesting he get in touch for a job since Don was the main man running the newpany. Gavin, all smiles, agreed and turned to mingle with the other guests. Finally having a moment to himself, Don looked over at Sophia and Brandon, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with you two?¡± The direct question got both Brandon and Sophia to cough awkwardly and avert their gazes. Don couldn¡¯t quite make heads or tails of this drama, and it wasn¡¯t the time to pry, so he turned to Sophia with a grin, ¡°Contract all signed?¡± Brandon answered for Sophia, ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± Don let out a sigh of relief that had been weighing on him and raised his ss to Sophia, ¡°Wee back.¡± Sophia, without a ss, just smiled back, ¡°Thanks, Mr. Dempsey.¡± ¡°I¡¯m the one who should be saying thanks,¡± Don said, already waving over Cindy and the others who were chatting up a storm with other guests, ¡°Come over here, folks.¡± Cindy and the rest hurried over, setting down their drinks. ¡°Mr. Dempsey, what¡¯s up?¡± Cindy asked, her attention all on the boss, Don. Don announced, ¡°Let me introduce everyone to our new design director, Ms. Sophia Yearwood.¡± As he said it, his hand gestured towards Sophia. Cindy and Sophia looked at each other. They both fell silent.. Cindy was the first to catch on, recognizing Sophia as the girl from the sperm bank story at the police station and got super excited, ¡°Hey, it¡¯s you.¡± Brandon fixed his gaze on the two, ¡°You two know each other?¡± Chapter 148 Chapter 148 ¡°Uh, kinda, yeah,¡± Sophia piped up before Cindy could get a word in. ¡°Last time I was back, I ran out of juice on my phone during dinner and didn¡¯t have any cash on me, and she covered the meal for me.¡± She kept herposure and tone casual, and after she finished, Sophia coolly turned to Cindy. ¡°I really owe you one forst time. I didn¡¯t get around to adding you on WhatsApp to pay you back. Let¡¯s swap numbers, shall we?¡± Whipping out her phone, she opened WhatsApp and went straight to add Cindy¡¯s contact. Cindy was totally thrown off by Sophia¡¯s pace, puzzled at first but then totally focused on adding each other on WhatsApp. She happily nodded, ¡°Sure thing!¡± and quickly pulled out her phone, flipped to her WhatsApp QR code, and turned her screen towards Sophia. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Cindy¡¯s eyes were lit up with excitement and admiration, just like someone who¡¯s had the surprise of bumping into a stranger andter finding out it was their boss. Kent chuckled and chimed in, ¡°It¡¯s a small world, isn¡¯t it? Fancy you two having such a twist of fate.¡± As Sophia scanned Cindy¡¯s WhatsApp, she replied with an easy smile, ¡°You bet.¡± Casually ncing at Cindy, who was buzzing with the excitement of a new connection, Sophia¡¯s gaze then seemingly drifted unintentionally to Brandon. Their eyes met, his gaze calm yet unreadably deep. Sophia felt her heart pound wildly, her palms sweating as she clutched her phone. She never imagined that the girl she casually chatted with at the police station would turn out to be a colleague, giving her such a big surprise right after signing her employment contract. Feeling a bit rattled under Brandon¡¯s intense stare, she was saved by the arrival of guestsing to congratte him, momentarily drawing his attention away with a ¡°Mr. Crawley.¡± Sophia forced herself to stayposed, exchanged smiles with Cindy, and then turned to the others. ¡°Let¡¯s all add each other on WhatsApp, shall we? Looking forward to working with everyone. Please forgive any shorings on my part.¡± She showed her QR code to them, and they all whipped out their phones to connect. The atmosphere quickly shifted to work mode, and Cindy¡¯s initial surprise was soon forgotten. After everyone had added her, Sophia pocketed her phone and stole another nce at Brandon. He was standing side-on, engaging politely with a client, his expression cool and detached but with that effortless control he always had. His attention didn¡¯t return to her. As people began mingling again, Sophia felt out of ce. She wasn¡¯t one for schmoozing, and the long flight and jetg were taking their toll. She didn¡¯t join the crowd but drifted towards the dining area, messaging Cindy. [Sorry for the trouble, but could you keep the other day¡¯s incident under wraps? It¡¯s a bit too much for some folks to wrap their heads around.] After sending the message, she watched Cindy nce down at her phone as it buzzed, then promptly replied with a [No worries, I get it. Your secret¡¯s safe with me.] [Thanks,] Sophia sent back, then after a moment asked, [Could you delete this chat, please?] Cindy looked confused and a bit puzzled as to why but after spotting Sophia in the crowd, she replied with a quick [Sure thing] and deleted their chat history. Sophia saw Cindy delete the messages, feeling a weight lift off her chest, though she was still somewhat uneasy. Running into Cindy was totally unexpected and threw her for a loop. She didn¡¯t really know Cindy and whether she could keep her promise of confidentiality. Sophia was just there to work, to push the Zenithan-style resort project forward, not to stir up any complications, especially not after Brandon¡¯s unexpected kiss had caught her off guard, and now Cindy. Feeling lost, Sophia absentmindedly swirled the wine in her ss, deep in thought and oblivious to the curious nces of those around her. Sophia was a looker fair-skinned, slim, and with a girl-next-door vibe that was effortlessly charming and disarming, the kind that sparks a protective instinct in men. So even though she wasn¡¯t mingling, she caught the attention of others. A young-looking guy approached her with a drink in hand and greeted her confidently, ¡°Hello, Director.¡± Sophia snapped out of her reverie and looked up at the young man. He was tall, easily over six feet, with a handsome and sunny demeanor, exuding the fresh energy of someone straight out of college. His eyes were clear and bright, untouched by the cynicism of the corporate grind. 08:41 She vaguely remembered seeing him during the WhatsApp exchange but her mind had been elsewhere, so his name didn¡¯t stick. ¡°Hello,¡± Sophia replied with a smile, not quitefortable with the formal title. ¡°Just call me Sophia.¡± ¡°Sophia?¡± The young man mulled over the name. ¡°Unique and charming. It suits you.¡± His ease showed no hint of formality or nervousness around a superior. Sophia offered a polite smile. ¡°Thanks.¡± He introduced himself with a cheerful grin, ¡°I¡¯m Augus, part of the design team too. I hope you can show me the ropes.¡± With that, he shed a broad, friendly smile. He¡¯s got pearly whites and a smile that could light up a room so dang infectious it puts everyone in a good mood just looking at him. Sophia shed a polite grin back, ¡°Let¡¯s learn from each other.¡± Off to the side, mingling, Brandon nced over at Sophia. His gaze lingered when he caught the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. Then, turning to the tall dude chatting her up, he couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brow just a tad. Kent was right next to Brandon and, noticing the wrinkle in his forehead, instinctively followed Brandon¡¯s line of sight to Sophia. Spotting the guy yapping away with her, he quickly sifted through his memories and filled Brandon in, ¡°That guy¡¯s name¡¯s Augus, fresh out of grad school this year, currently working as an assistant designer in the design department.¡± Brandon shot him a look, ¡°Assistant to who?¡± ¡°The head hon,¡± Kent started to say ¡°head honcho¡¯s assistant¡± but caught himself mid-sentence under Brandon¡¯s piercing stare, correcting himself, ¡°Head manager¡¯s assistant.¡± Brandon probed further, ¡°What¡¯s he like?¡± ¡°Pretty talented, his designs are fresh and innovative, a real design wiz,¡± Kent replied, making sure to add, ¡°That¡¯s ording to Don. He was a personal hire.¡± Brandon pressed on, ¡°And his personality?¡± Chapter 149 Chapter 149 Kent said, ¡°Funny, outgoing, and super charming. He was a big deal back in school, the type that girls go gaga over. Heard he had quite the fan club chasing after him.¡± He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, catching the stern look from Brandon. Brandon said with a cool tone, ¡°Kent, have you got too much time on your hands?¡± Kent quickly backed down. ¡°Nope.¡± Brandon shoved his drink into Kent¡¯s hand and walked away. Kent, curious, nced at Brandon¡¯s retreating figure heading towards Sophia. Meanwhile, Sophia was chatting with Augus. ¡°Hey, which school did you graduate from?¡± He was talkative and straightforward. They started off talking about architectural design, but smoothly, he steered the conversation back to Sophia. Once Sophia mentioned her alma mater, Augus¡¯s eyes lit up with surprise. ¡°So you¡¯re the legendary senior Sophia from that school? No wonder your name rang a bell.¡± Sophia wasn¡¯t aware of any legend about her, and feeling a bit awkward with Augus¡¯s direct praise, she just gave an embarrassed smile. ¡°You went to Apex Engineering University¡¯s School of Architecture too?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m from Apex Engineering University, graduated two years after you,¡± Augus said, half-jokingly, half-seriously asking her, ¡°You weren¡¯t one of Zachary¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s, were you?¡± Sophia nodded lightly. ¡°Yeah, he used to be our homeroom teacher.¡± Augus couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Well, guess it¡¯s a small world after all.¡± ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡°Zachary was just talking about you the other day, about how you wowed the whole School of Architecture with your work as a freshman, but he didn¡¯t mention your name. Had no idea it was you,¡± Augus added. ¡°If Zachary knew we were on the same team now, he¡¯d be over the moon.¡± As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, sidling up to Sophia. ¡°Sophia, let¡¯s take a selfie. I¡¯ll send it to Zacharyter, he¡¯ll be thrilled.¡± Sophia nced at him, hesitantly nodded, and was just about to pose when a hand suddenly reached from the side and snatched the phone Augus was holding aloft. ¡°What¡¯s with taking photos during work hours?¡± A calm voice. Sophia instinctively turned and saw Brandon standing beside her, slightly taken aback. Brandon¡¯s expression was indifferent, and without a word, he switched off the phone and handed it back to Augus, merely giving him a nce. Augus immediately greeted respectfully, ¡°Hello, Mr. Crawley.¡± Brandon gave a slight nod, his gaze shifting to Sophia. ¡°You¡¯ve just had a long flight and you¡¯re still jet- lagged. You should head back and get some rest, don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡± Sophia was a bit surprised by Brandon¡¯s thoughtfulness and insight. She hadn¡¯t mentioned her rush from the airport to him. But the fatigue from the long journey and jetg was real, so she nodded gently. ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Got a ce to stay?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve booked a hotel.¡± Brandon looked at her, then nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll have Kent take you there.¡± He turned and motioned to Kent. Kent quickly approached. ¡°Mr. Crawley, what can I do for you?¡± ¡°Drive Ms. Yearwood back to her hotel to rest.¡± Kent nodded, his eyes flickering unintentionally towards Augus. Augus seemed oblivious to the nature of Brandon and Sophia¡¯s rtionship, bidding her farewell with ease. ¡°Well then, Sophia, get some rest and I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± Kent mentally cursed ¡°airhead,¡± but still smiled, said goodbye, and escorted Sophia out. Brandon watched them leave through the door and disappear before turning his attention to Cindy in the crowd. Don arrived just then, noticed the direction of Brandon¡¯s gaze, and quizzically raised an eyebrow ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Have here to my office.¡± With that, Brandon left. Chapter 150 Chapter 150 When Don told Cindy that Brandon wanted to see her in his office, she was on pins and needles. ¡°Why does Mr. Crawley want to see me?¡± She racked her brain but couldn¡¯t for the life of her figure out why she had caught Brandon¡¯s eye. Don was also stumped, but he tried to reassure her with the mindset of a boss. ¡°Probably work stuff. Chill out, Brandon is a tough cookie with a soft center. He won¡¯t give you a hard time for no good reason.¡± But Cindy wasn¡¯tforted by Don¡¯s words. She had never interacted with Brandon up close, but from a few times of watching from a distance, he seemed to have a daunting presence. With that anxious feeling, she knocked on Brandon¡¯s office door. ¡°Come in,¡± a deep voice followed from the office. Cindy pushed the door open and immediately became more cautious upon seeing Brandon seated at his desk. ¡°Mr. Crawley, you wanted to see me?¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Brandon responded tly, noticing her hand on the doorknob about to close the door, he quickly said, ¡°Leave the door open.¡± Cindy awkwardly withdrew her hand, feeling a bit awkward. Brandon looked at Cindy. ¡°How do you know Sophia?¡± Cindy was taken aback. ¡°Huh?¡± She was puzzled by Brandon¡¯s intentions. Thinking about Sophia¡¯s stern instructions to keep their secret, she felt even more unsettled, wondering if there was an issue with Sophia. ¡°Is there a problem with Sophia?¡± she asked tentatively, not wanting to throw Sophia under the bus. ¡°No,¡± was Brandon¡¯s reply. Cindy was confused. Was he doing a more thorough background check? ¡°Just tell the truth. Don¡¯t worry about anything else,¡± Brandon cut her off. Cindy didn¡¯t dare to spill the beans. She couldn¡¯t get a read on Brandon¡¯s intentions and didn¡¯t know if he was in on something with Sophia or if he was digging for dirt on her. After all, she had just promised Sophia not to tell anyone, and if she bbed to Brandon, it would look super shady. And if it was thetter, if Sophia was in the clear and Brandon was just looking for an excuse to sack her, Cindy couldn¡¯t bear the guilt of getting Sophia fired. So she stuck to Sophia¡¯s story. ¡°I just met her when we were out for a meal. Her phone died and she couldn¡¯t pay, so I just covered for her.¡± After she finished, she saw Brandon frown. She couldn¡¯t decipher what his frown meant and her heart was in her throat, not expecting a simple chat to stir up such a storm. Just when she thought Brandon was going to drop it, he asked, ¡°Where did you eat?¡± Cindy felt like crying. She didn¡¯t expect that one little lie would require a hundred more to cover up. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I can¡¯t remember,¡± she said, resorting to the universal excuse, her back drenched in cold sweat. ¡°Which day?¡± Brandon pressed. ¡°I really can¡¯t remember,¡± Cindy was on the verge of tears, ¡°It was such a small thing, I didn¡¯t make a note of it, I just remembered when I saw the director today.¡± But Brandon wasn¡¯t letting it go. ¡°No payment record on your phone?¡± Cindy was speechless. Brandon continued, ¡°Your director was back in the West district from the 28th ofst month to the 10th of this month. You can check the records for those days.¡± 08:41 ¡°I paid in cash.¡± But Brandon¡¯s eyes were fixed on her unwaveringly. ¡°What a coincidence.¡± Cindy couldn¡¯t withstand the interrogation-like pressure and burst into tears, sobbing out loud. Brandon was speechless. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? The other assistants busy in the outer office couldn¡¯t help but peek over, each sticking their heads out from their cubicles. Brandon nced outside. Everyone immediately withdrew their heads but couldn¡¯t help but prick up their ears. Cindy, already sobbing, blurted out, ¡°Mr. Crawley, just tell me straight what you want to say. I really can¡¯t handle this kind of questioning.¡± Brandon, seeing her tear-streaked face, frowned with a headache. ¡°Go back to your desk.¡± Cindy¡¯s meltdown made his actions seem absurd. He didn¡¯t even know what he was suspecting. It was just a fleeting look of panic in Sophia¡¯s eyes when she saw Cindy that puzzled him. But afterward, Sophia exined how she and Cindy met, and there was nothing unusual about it. Cindy¡¯s story had no holes, and paying in cash wasn¡¯t that far-fetched.. Her nervous reaction in front of him was also understandable. There were hardly a few people in thepany who weren¡¯t cautious around him. People as brazen as Kent were almost non-existent. Cindy, feeling like she¡¯s been pardoned, didn¡¯t dare to linger a moment longer. She sniffled a ¡°thank you, Mr. Crawley¡± and turned to dash out when Brandon suddenly called out to her. ¡°Wait.¡± Cindy¡¯s legs went weak, and she turned back to face Brandon with tears still in her eyes. ¡°Is there anything else, Mr. Crawley?¡± Brandon looked at her. ¡°Could I take a look at your WhatsApp?¡± Cindy¡¯s eyes immediately filled with hesitation. WhatsApp was a private matter, and she didn¡¯t want to show it to her boss. Brandon read the hesitation in her eyes. ¡°I only want to see your chat history with Sophia.¡± Cindy didn¡¯t understand but reluctantly rotated her WhatsApp chat with Sophia towards Brandon. She had already deleted Sophia¡¯s messages as promised, so the chat was spotless, not a single message left. After a nce, Brandon looked at her. ¡°Hasn¡¯t Sophia contacted you?¡± Cindy felt like crying again. She never expected her well-intentioned lie to lead to a string of baffling interrogations from Brandon. Now, if she replied with a ¡°yes,¡± it would lead to more questions about what was discussed and why the records were deleted, digging back into the first lie. She had no choice but to assert ¡°no,¡± and after that, she saw Brandon give her a look. The sight of her quickly set her already unsteady nerves skyrocketing, and her eyes started to redden with the pressure. Just as Don rocked up, he caught sight of Cindy¡¯s pitiful little figure and shot Brandon a questioning look, ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Brandon nced at him and simply said, ¡°Nothing.¡± Then, turning to Cindy, he said, ¡°You can go back now.¡± Cindy bolted like she was running for her life, totally spacing out on even saying thanks. Don watched Cindy¡¯s hasty retreat and couldn¡¯t help but give Brandon the side-eye, ¡°What did you do to her?¡± ¡°What could I possibly do to her?¡± Brandon¡¯s expression was indifferent as he gave Don a quick look, ¡°You, on the other hand, might want to vet your hires better. Can¡¯t handle a little heat without crying. What¡¯s she gonna do when the client turns up the pressure, cry her way out?¡± ¡°The clients aren¡¯t as scary as you, man,¡± Don said, heading into the office, ¡°You pulling Cindy aside ¨C it wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with Sophia, would it?¡± That was the only reason Don could think of. Brandon didn¡¯t answer him directly, ¡°Are all the guests gone?¡± Don nodded, ¡°Yeah, all cleared out.¡± 08:41 Brandon gave a nod and left it at that. Don handed over the resort proposal to Brandon, ¡°So, we¡¯re moving forward with this, right? Are you handling it, or is it going back to your folks? They¡¯ve been on my case, asking about the progress.¡± Brandon looked at him, ¡°What¡¯s Patricia¡¯s take?¡± Don replied, ¡°She¡¯s over the moon, can¡¯t wait to get the coboration rolling.¡± Brandon asked, ¡°Does she know who the designer is?¡± Mentioning this made Don p his forehead, ¡°Oh shoot, I totally spaced on telling her about the designer.¡± Daniel and Patricia had been tied up with newpany stuff and weren¡¯t around the office. They hadn¡¯t received any special notice about the subsidiary¡¯s opening today. ¡°No need to tell her,¡± Brandon cut him off, ¡°What did you tell her when she was pushing you before?¡± ¡°What could I say? I just told her the proposal was stuck with you, and you wouldn¡¯t sign off.¡± Brandon nodded, ¡°Then just leave it. She¡¯lle to me.¡± Don, already hassled by Patricia, was more than happy to pass the buck, ¡°Then it¡¯s all yours.¡± He dropped the weight off his mind and raced back to his office to get busy. After Kent had dropped Sophia back at the hotel, he too rushed back to thepany. ¡°Did you drop her off at the hotel?¡± Brandon asked with a cool tone as soon as he saw him. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s back at the hotel,¡± Kent quickly nodded. Brandon asked, ¡°Which hotel?¡± Chapter 151 Chapter 151 Kent dropped the hotel name, it¡¯s a stone¡¯s throw from the office. ¡°Room 1503.¡± At the end, Kent thoughtfully included the room number. Brandon shot him a nce. Kent, all humble and docile, said, ¡°I¡¯m off to work then.¡± Brandon watched the office door close, nced at his watch but didn¡¯t get up. Instead, he grabbed some paperwork off his desk. He got so wrapped up in work that before he knew it, it was nearly quitting time. Brandon looked up at the clock in the top right corner of hisputer screen and his busyness came to a halt. After a moment of silence, he shut down hisputer, stood up, grabbed his suit jacket from the coat rack, and snatched his car keys on his way out. Kent, busy at work but quick to speak, blurted out, ¡°Mr. Crawley, where are you headed?¡± ¡°Clocking out,¡± Brandon replied. Brandon had already left, standing by the elevator, his face calm but with a fleeting moment of hesitation before he turned and asked Kent, ¡°Did Sophia find a ce?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± ¡± Kent had a say in this-after all, he had chatted with Sophia about this very topic while driving her home. Brandon nodded, said nothing more, and reached out to press the elevator button. The elevator doors opened, and Brandon stepped inside. The elevator quickly reached the ground floor. As soon as Brandon stepped out of the elevator, he caught sight of Sophia hurrying towards him, and his own steps gradually slowed. Sophia, on her way, spotted Brandon and her pace also naturally slowed. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Brandon asked. ¡°Just getting a feel for the work environment,¡± Sophia replied, still a bit uneasy facing Brandon-maybe it was the aftereffect of that intense kiss at noon. Brandon nodded but didn¡¯t say much more. The two were back to that awkward silence. ¡°Are you heading out?¡± Sophia tried to make conversation, striving for a casual and rxed tone. ¡°Not really,¡± Brandon responded indifferently, ncing at his watch, ¡°I¡¯m actually about to run an errand to your firm, let¡¯s go together.¡± Sophia gave him a puzzled look, then nodded, ¡°Fine.¡± Brandon turned and pressed the elevator button. Sophia followed him into the elevator. The doors closed. In the confined space, the memory of that intense, uncontroble midday kiss suddenly became crystal clear, and it felt like the temperature in the elevator was subtly rising. Sophia stood just behind and to the left of Brandon. His tall posture and the pressure of his cool, distant silhouette reminded her of that overly emotional kiss at noon. It wasn¡¯t often that Brandon showed such a domineering and forceful side. She had beenpletely stunned by the kiss, so much so that when she went to sign the contract and then followed him back to the event, she was in a daze. Now, well-rested and clear-headed, the memories and sensory stimuli from that moment were vividly resurfacing. 08:42 With that rity came an awkward feeling. Sophia tried not to let her thoughts wander, standing quietly and obediently without fidgeting, until the elevator jolted suddenly, startling her into instinctively turning around. Almost at the same moment, Brandon firmly grasped her arm. Sophia instinctively looked at Brandon and their eyes collided. The elevator stabilized after that brief shake. But Brandon didn¡¯t let go of Sophia¡¯s hand, and his gaze didn¡¯t leave her face. His deep eyes seemed to draw her in, and she found herself lost in their bottomless depth. In the silence of their gaze, Brandon slowly leaned towards her. Sophia¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, watching his handsome face grow closer, his unique scent enveloping her, his lips almost touching hers when the elevator doors suddenly opened. Sophia and Brandon snapped back to reality, their eyes met briefly, then they both turned away. Don was standing by the elevator, his eyes shifting suspiciously between them, ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Brandon replied calmly, stepping out of the elevator with poise. Sophia also walked out, maintaining herposure. They both entered Star Dempsey Architects together. Everyone was getting ready to leave for the day, but when they saw the two walk in together, they quickly turned back to theirputers, pretending to be busy. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Don pped his hands together, ¡°Alright, cut the act, pack up. We¡¯re going out to celebrate the firm¡¯s opening day.¡± He then turned to Brandon and Sophia, ¡°You¡¯vee at the right time, join us for dinner, why don¡¯t you?¡± Sophia felt a bit awkward, ¡°I had an appointment with a realtor to see some ces, so I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t.¡± Don¡¯s questioning gaze turned to Brandon, ¡°What about you, Mr. Crawley?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pass,¡± Brandon said. Don nodded, not pressing further-without Brandon, everyone else could rx a bit more. Sophia¡¯s phone rang just then. It was the realtor. The 7 PM house viewing was canceled. Thendlord hadn¡¯t left work yet. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Sophia replied softly to the realtor¡¯s apology, then hung up. Don, who had overheard Sophia¡¯s conversation with the realtor, raised an eyebrow, ¡°Can¡¯t see the house, but you can make it for dinner now, right?¡± Sophia nodded promptly, ¡°Sure.¡± Don¡¯s inquiring look once again shifted to Brandon, ¡°You¡¯re not going, right?¡± Chapter 152 Chapter 152 Don sure wasn¡¯t whispering, and the moment his voice rang out, everyone who was buzzing with excitement suddenly tensed up and turned their gaze to Brandon. Brandon nced at the anxious crowd and didn¡¯t want to kill the vibe, so he gave a slight nod, ¡°Go ahead.¡± As soon as he said that, the whole office seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. ? ? ? ?? ??? ? Except for Sophia. She had just finished a phone call and hadn¡¯t noticed the subtle shift in the office atmosphere. She looked around confusedly, not sharing the collective exhale of relief, nor did she seem disappointed. She just had this thoughtful, serene look on her face. Brandon noticed Sophia¡¯s calm and couldn¡¯t help but frown slightly. Don was already organizing carpooling. Who rides with whom was crystal clear. After sorting everyone out, he turned to Sophia, ¡°Sophia, you ride with me.¡± Sophia nodded, ¡°Sure.¡± Others were already shutting down theirputers, packing up, and getting ready to leave, buzzing with excitement and chatting away as they headed out in groups. Cindy, also caught up in the excitement, approached Sophia and casually linked arms with her, ¡°Sophia, I¡¯m tagging along with you.¡± But then she paused slightly when she caught Brandon¡¯s look, and her face showed a mix of caution and anxiety as she gave Brandon a restrained nod, ¡°Mr. Crawley.¡± Sophia cast a puzzled nce at her, then looked at Brandon. Brandon simply nodded back, his expression revealing nothing out of the ordinary. Don leaned over to grab his car keys from his desk and called out to Sophia and Cindy, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Then he followed the crowd toward the elevators. Cindy, still buzzing with excitement, tugged at Sophia to catch up with the main group. Suddenly, the once bustling office was deserted, save for Brandon, who was still standing there. Being pulled along with the crowd, Sophia couldn¡¯t help but look back at Brandon. Standing there in the spacious, bright office, his tall figure somehow took on the air of a lone wolf. A pang of sympathy suddenly hit Sophia and she blurted out, ¡°You wanna join us?¡± Brandon looked at her sharply, a flicker of intensity in his eyes. Sophia felt a bit ufortable under his gaze and awkwardly tugged at her lips, ¡°Work¡¯s never done, right? When it¡¯s time to chill, you gotta chill.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Don, already at the elevator, interjected, ¡°Don¡¯t bother with Brandon. To him, work is his greatest joy. He¡¯s never been one for group stuff, not since we were kids.¡± Sophia frowned slightly, disliking the way Donbeled Brandon. She thought Don, being friends with Brandon for years, would understand him better. It was clear Brandon just didn¡¯t want to rain on everyone¡¯s parade. As thepany¡¯s top decision-maker, he wasn¡¯t as approachable and funny as Kent and Don. He had an aura about him that could make others feel constrained. Don didn¡¯t notice Sophia¡¯s frown as he ushered people into the elevator, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± He didn¡¯t forget to turn back and smile at Brandon, ¡°Mr. Crawley, we¡¯ll head out first. Stick to your work. Don¡¯t mind us.¡± Brandon nodded lightly, his gaze drifting past Don to Sophia, who was being pushed into the crowd. Sophia was trying to turn around, her eyes searching for Brandon through the elevator throng. Their gazes collided unexpectedly. 08:42 Brandon¡¯s eyes were reassuring. ¡°Have fun,¡± Brandon said, and then he turned away. The elevator doors slowly closed, and Sophia¡¯s gaze lingered on Brandon¡¯s retreating figure. Behind himy a long, quiet corridor, where his solitary figure seemed lonely and the path ahead stretched on. Sophia watched, transfixed, until the doors sealed shut. The elevator quickly descended to the parking garage. Everyone walked out cheerfully. Don called out to Sophia and Cindy to head towards his car. Cindy, already over the moon, linked arms with Sophia and turned to ask Don, ¡°Mr. Dempsey, what are we eating?¡± ¡°BBQ buffet,¡± Don replied, fishing out his car keys and pointing them at his vehicle. The car doors unlocked promptly. Don called out, ¡°This way.¡± Cindy, all geared up to go, pulled Sophia in the direction of the car. Sophia¡¯s steps slowed to a halt. Cindy and Don looked at her puzzled. Sophia gave an awkward smile, ¡°I forgot something. You guys go ahead, I¡¯ll catch a cab and meet up with youter.¡± With that, she extracted her arm from Cindy¡¯s grasp and turned back towards the elevator. ¡°Huh?¡± Cindy was baffled, ¡°She just got here, what could she have left behind?¡± Don was equally puzzled. As soon as Sophia got to the elevator, she hastily pressed the button, and when the doors opened, she stepped in and hit the button for the top floor. But the elevator didn¡¯t move. Sophia then remembered that you needed a card to ess the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor. She pressed the highest floor she could ess instead. Stepping out as soon as the elevator stopped, she turned and headed straight for the fire stairs. Brandon had just returned to his office when he ran into Kent who was about to leave. Kent was surprised, ¡°Huh, Mr. Crawley, weren¡¯t you off for the day?¡± Brandon didn¡¯t answer, just looked at him, ¡°Not leaving yet?¡± Kent tugged at his bag, ¡°About to head out.¡± Brandon nodded, ¡°Head home and get some rest.¡± With that, he walked towards his office. Kent moved towards the elevator and caught sight of Sophia gasping for breath as she came out of the fire stairs, ¡°Ms. Yearwood?¡± Brandon stopped in his tracks and slowly turned back to look at Sophia. Chapter 153 Chapter 153 Sophia was just chilling at the top of the stairs, one hand on her knee, the other patting her chest, huffing and puffing like she¡¯d run a marathon. Her face was all flushed, her hair a bit of a mess, and you could see ayer of fine sweat beading on her forehead. She caught Brandon¡¯s eye and felt a bit embarrassed. ¡°Today¡¯s the grand opening of the newpany, and everyone¡¯s buzzing with excitement. Why don¡¯t youe and celebrate with us?¡± she said awkwardly. ¡°Honestly, people love it when the boss lets loose and hangs with the crew. Makes you feel less like the big man upstairs, you know?¡± Brandon nced at her still-thumping chest, then at her damp, rosy cheeks, before his gaze settled into her eyes. ¡°Did you specificallye looking for me?¡± The word ¡°specifically¡± hung in the air between Sophia and Brandon, loaded with unspoken meaning, given theirplicated rtionship. ¨C She hadn¡¯t thought it through his solitary silhouette had just popped into her head, and on a whim, she¡¯d dashed up to find him. ¡°Not really,¡± Sophia replied, her cheeks coloring. ¡°It¡¯s just everyone¡¯s heading out to party, and it seemed like a bummer for the big boss to be missing out.¡± She nced at the now-deserted office, then back at him. ¡°You¡¯re here burning the midnight oil all by yourself. If work¡¯s not screaming for attention, why not take a break? Don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡± Kent looked over at Sophia, a tad surprised. Her casual concern for Brandon was kind of sweet and unexpected. Brandon threw him a nce. Kent, taking the hint, quickly made his exit. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you two to chat. Mr. Dempsey¡¯s waiting for me to join the celebration. I¡¯ll head over so no one¡¯s kept waiting.¡± With that, he bolted. Brandon¡¯s eyes lingered on the sweat on Sophia¡¯s forehead, and he casually grabbed some tissues from a nearby desk, walking over to her. Standing in front of her, he reached out with the tissue towards her forehead. ¡°Did you take the stairs?¡± ¡°Yeah, the elevator was out of service,¡± Sophia replied, taking the tissue from him with an awkward smile. ¡°I¡¯ve got it.¡± He gave her a look but didn¡¯t fight her for it, handing over the tissue. After drying off, Sophia turned to him again. ¡°So, youing?¡± He nodded. ¡°Sure, why not?¡± A smile flickered across her face, and a hint of one appeared in his eyes too. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, and they headed down together. Don had texted Sophia the details for the get-together. He¡¯d booked a rooftop farm with its own BBQ and bonfire setup. By the time Sophia and Brandon arrived, everyone was already in full swing some prepping the food, others manning the grills, chatting andughing in little clusters. Brandon¡¯s entrance caused a momentary freeze, everyone suddenly self-conscious. Sophia, all smiles and warmth, called out/¡±Keep the fun rolling. Don¡¯t mind us!¡± Her gentle demeanor and innocent charm quickly eased the tension, and the party vibe bounced back. She grabbed some skewers for Brandon. ¡°Want to grill some?¡± He looked at her and nodded, standing side by side with her at the grill. Don and Kent were also by the BBQ, skewers in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together, Don couldn¡¯t hide his surprise. ¡°Are you actually up for this kind of thing?¡± ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Brandon asked, skillfullyying the skewers Sophia handed him on the grill. 08:125 ¡°Nope, no problem at all, Don replied, thrilled. ¡°Just saying, it¡¯s good to rx every now and then, take a breather.¡± Brandon ignored him, focusing on grilling the meat for Sophia. Cindy, out of breath, set down a te of oysters and called Sophia over to help clean them.. Brandon gave her a passing nce. Cindy straightened up, ¡°I¡¯ll get back to it,¡± quickly dismissing the idea of Sophia joining her.. Sophia nced over at the busy oyster crew, then back at Brandon. ¡°I¡¯m gonna go help out over there.¡± He looked at the pile of oysters and nodded. ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¨C else. As Sophia walked away, he paused his grilling, clearly more interested in something or someone Don, aware Brandon wasn¡¯t into these gatherings, nudged him. ¡°Why force yourself if you¡¯re not into it?¡± Brandon shot him a look. ¡°It¡¯s not about liking or not. It¡¯s just a way to pass the time.¡± He nced towards Sophia again. She had settled next to Cindy, awkwardly scrubbing oysters out of a foam cooler. Among the chattering girls, Sophia¡¯s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just content to listen and smile without diving into the hubbub. Brandon didn¡¯t intrude, nor did he show much interest in BBQ. Social gatherings weren¡¯t his thing. Luckily, a work call came through on his phone. When Brandon returned from his call, everyone had dropped their tasks and was now dancing around the bonfire, the music andughter creating a lively atmosphere. He scanned the crowd for Sophia but didn¡¯t spot her. Looking to the outskirts, he found her still with the oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, asionally ncing at the lively crowd with a smile, but with no intention of joining in. He approached her and stood by her side, picking up a skewer from the te. ¡°Why not join them?¡± he asked, cing the skewer on the grill. Her surprise at his sudden appearance melted into ease as she turned to face him.. ¡°Are you done with your call?¡± she asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled up in work stuff again. ¡°Yeah,¡± Brandon nodded lightly. As she watched the beef skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally turned to Sophia, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you mingling with the crowd?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not really into that scene,¡± Sophia admitted, too embarrassed to say she didn¡¯t want to leave Brandon hanging by himself after his call. She had talked him intoing; it wouldn¡¯t be cool to just ditch him and let him waste his time alone. Brandon, true to his nature, would be thest person to jump into a sing-and-dance kind of crowd. Catching a nce from him, then looking over at theughing and joking group, he turned to her, ¡°Wanna go check it out?¡± Sophia was a bit surprised but nodded, ¡°Sure, why not?¡± When the two of them joined in, everyone did a double-take before Don let go of Cindy¡¯s hand to make way for them to step in. Sophia and Brandon joined the hand-holding dance. It wasn¡¯t anyplex dance, just a bunch of folks holding hands, hopping on one foot to the catchy music now and then. Sophia felt a bit self-conscious at first but soon got swept up in the festive vibe,ughing along with everyone else. In the midst of the fun, she couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at Brandon. His handsome face was calm, but there was a slight smile at the corners of his mouth. He wasn¡¯t laughing uproariously like the others, but his eyes and expression were clearly rxed and enjoying the moment. Compared to his usual serious and aloof demeanor, he seemed to have a bit more youthful vigor under his coolposure. And just then, Brandon turned to look at her. Sophia shed him a light smile. ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. 08:42 He smiled back. As they stepped away from the group, the revelry was still in full swing, shifting from the campfire dance to a boisterous mix of karaoke and freestyle dancing. Don and Kent, the life of the party, had already grabbed mics and were belting out tunes that were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but not dampening the spirits of the crowd one bit. Sophia and Brandon sat down by the barbecue grill. Brandon warmed up some skewers he had grilled earlier and handed one to Sophia. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said, taking it and watching Kent belt out a song with all his heart, ¡°Who knew Kent could let loose like this?¡± ¡°That¡¯s just how he is,¡± Brandon remarked, ¡°He tones it down when he¡¯s around me.¡± Sophia nced at Brandon. He definitely had a knack for making people feel like they couldn¡¯t cut loose around him. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he asked. ¡°Nothing.¡± Sophia chuckled, ¡°Just feels like everyone tightens up around you.¡± ¡°Including you?¡± Brandon inquired. She nodded honestly, ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Looks like I¡¯ve got some reflection to do.¡± ¡°No need for that,¡± Sophia replied, ¡°Some people just have a natural regal aura.¡± ¡°Is that apliment?¡± he asked. ¡°1 guess so.¡± Sophiaughed shyly after her reply. Brandon also chuckled, his gaze drifting back to the carefree crowd. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but look at him, feeling that coaxing Brandon out had been the right call. ¡°Have you ever been to something like this before?¡± she asked. ¡°Nope,¡± Brandon replied, looking at her. ¡°It seems like, for you, nothing but work matters in life,¡± Sophia said with a smile, a question she¡¯d been curious about for a long time but had never discussed with Brandon when they were more uncertain in their rtionship. He looked at her intently and nodded lightly, ¡°Seems so.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cool,¡± Sophia grinned. ¡°What¡¯s cool?¡± ¡°Loving your work,¡± she said. ¡°People who naturally love their work see it as a challenge, so they don¡¯t feel tired or annoyed,¡± she added with augh, ¡°It¡¯s what many people dream of, to be as thrilled about work as they are about eating.¡± Brandon just smiled, not saying anything, and looked down at the skewers on his te, taking a bite. ¡°How¡¯s it taste?¡± Sophia asked. ¡°Not bad,¡± he nodded. Sophiaughed, ¡°I grilled it.¡± ¡°Pretty good skills then.¡± ¡°I think so too,¡± Sophia replied with a smile, and then, unable to resist, she looked back at Brandon¡¯s good-looking face, softly saying, ¡°Brandon, look, we could be friends, right?¡± Brandon paused, turning to look at her. Chapter 154 Chapter 154 ¡°You know what, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ve tried to leave you five times and I¡¯ve lost every single time. Guess some things are just out of our hands. So this time, I¡¯m not gonna gamble my future on a sixth go- around.¡± As Sophia spoke, she nced over at Brandon. ¡°I¡¯m still easy to influence where you¡¯re concerned; I¡¯ve always known that¡¯s a weak spot for me. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve always kept my distance from you. But just like you said, I can¡¯t seem to escape this weird cycle. It feels like no matter where I run, I end up back with you, so I¡¯ve decided to just go with the flow.¡± ¡°Evening back this time, I wasn¡¯t all that sure about it, so I left it up to fate. If I could make it back in time, great; if not, so be it. And I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s good luck or what, but despite the flight dys, I still made it to your opening ceremony. The moment I stepped into the Starlight Group, I knew for sure that Inded the Zenithan-style resort project fair and square. There¡¯s no reason for me to let it go.¡± ¡°Although you¡¯re not the one in charge of this project, we¡¯re in the samepany and it¡¯s inevitable that our paths will cross. We may not be cut out to be husband and wife, but it¡¯s not like we have any major beef between us. It¡¯s just that our families, personalities, and ambitions don¡¯t mesh, that¡¯s all. We¡¯re bound to interact professionally, so we can¡¯t keep going at each other. like cats and dogs.¡± Sophia said this, looking at him. ¡°Maybe being friends is the most suitable rtionship for us.¡± Brandon stared at her silently for a moment. ¡°We can¡¯t be friends, Sophia.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no middle ground for us. We¡¯re either married or we¡¯re strangers,¡± he said with a calm that borders on icy. This version of Brandon reminded Sophia of the night they divorced. The same calmness, the same ¡®it is or it isn¡¯t¡¯, with no room for anything in between ¨C not even a need for a reason. Sophia didn¡¯t know quite how to feel. Sheughed a little and fell silent, feeling like she was awkwardly trying to suck up to someone in power. Brandon didn¡¯t say anything more. They both quietly continued eating their skewers. Meanwhile, Don, who had been howling like a banshee on the phone, put the receiver down and headed out, returning shortly with someone in tow. ¡°Let me introduce you all to our new designer, a hotshot straight from the world-renowned Apex Engineering University School of Architecture, Ivan Evert.¡± Don¡¯s excited,ughter-filled voice reached Sophia as she subconsciously looked up at him, catching sight of Ivan by his side. She was a bit surprised to see Ivan. Ivan also noticed Sophia and gave her a warm smile. Sophia reflexively smiled at him. Their exchange didn¡¯t miss Brandon¡¯s attention. Brandon¡¯s expression cooled down, and he got up and left without a word. Sophia couldn¡¯t help but nce at his retreating figure, a bit stunned. Don also noticed Brandon¡¯s silent departure and looked worriedly in his direction before turning back to Sophia. Sophia just sat there, not getting up to follow. Ivan nced at Sophia, then thoughtfully at Brandon¡¯s disappearing back. Brandon¡¯s figure merged with the night and slowly vanished. When Ivan looked at Sophia again, she was still staring in the direction Brandon left, her face a mix of the familiar daze and carefully concealed sadness. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Don¡¯s gaze swept over Sophia¡¯s face, his worry fading as he yed the part of the mood-lifting boss, introducing Ivan¡¯s credentials to everyone. Ivan wasn¡¯t just any designer at thepany; Don gave him a title equal to Sophia¡¯s. After thanking everyone for their apuse, Ivan sat down next to Sophia. 08:42 ¡°Congrattions,¡± Ivan said first. Sophiaughed and replied, ¡°It should be me saying congrats to you.¡± Ivan also chuckled. Don brought over some drinks, and they all celebrated together. Sophia was distracted and identally gulped down the drink in front of her, mistaking it for a soft drink. She realized toote it¡¯s whiskey, and by then it was toote to spit it out. Sophia was not good with booze, usually a teetotaler, and suddenly downing a big ss of whiskey threw her into a bit of a panic. Don noticed her pale face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sophia replied, worried she would get tipsy soon. She politely said goodbye to Ivan, ¡°I have some things to take care of at home, so I¡¯ll head back first. You guys have fun.¡± She also bid farewell to Don, Kent and the others. Ivan, having seen her down a hefty ss of whiskey, insisted, ¡°Let me take you home.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not necessary, thanks.¡± Sophia smiled, declining, and after saying goodbye to everyone, headed out. Ivan followed, saying, ¡°I should really take you. It¡¯ste, you¡¯re a woman, and you¡¯ve been drinking.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, a cab ride home is just about fifteen minutes, I¡¯ll be there in no time,¡± Sophia tried to dissuade him, ¡°Go back and have fun with them, don¡¯t worry about me.¡± But Ivan wasn¡¯t persuaded. He didn¡¯t stop or turn back; he just walked with her to the parking lot. Sophia hailed a cab on her phone and was about to say farewell to Ivan when she turned and saw Brandon¡¯s car, and Brandon inside it. She paused in surprise. Brandon also saw her and Ivan at her side. His gaze swept back and forth between them, then he got out of the car and strode towards Sophia. He reached her, leaned in, grabbed her wrist, and started pulling her towards the car. Ivan instinctively tried to stop Brandon. Brandon just gave him a cold look. ¡°I brought her here; it¡¯s my responsibility to make sure she gets home safe.¡± Ivan was at a loss for words. Brandon didn¡¯t wait for a reply, pulled Sophia into the passenger seat, hopped into the driver¡¯s seat himself, and the car sped off. Sophia¡¯s hotel wasn¡¯t far, and soon they arrived.. Brandon stopped the car at the hotel entrance, walked around to her side, opened the door, and pulled Sophia out of the car. Sophia was starting to feel the buzz, a bit wobbly on her feet. Brandon only caught the rosy flush on her cheeks after she got out of the car, his brow furrowing slightly. ¡°Hit the sauce, huh?¡± he asked. Chapter 155 Chapter 155 ¡°Whoops, kinda treated booze like it was soda.¡± Sophia replied in a soft voice, her head spinning a bit and her steps a little wobbly, but her mind was still sharp. She tried to wiggle her wrist free with a little force, but it didn¡¯t budge. ¡°What¡¯s the point of showing off when you¡¯re stered?¡± Brandon said, not letting go of her, ¡°Can¡¯t hold your liquor and didn¡¯t even keep an eye on it.¡± Sophia stayed silent. The dizziness from the alcohol made her feel a bit sick, and her body was going a bit limp. Brandon shifted to wrap his arm around her shoulders. Sophia squirmed a bit. ¡°I don¡¯t need.¡± Brandon let go of her coldly. ¡°Thanks for walking me home,¡± Sophia said, looking at him and whispering her thanks. Brandon just gave her a cold look and said nothing. ¡°I¡¯m gonna head back now.¡± Sophia whispered a goodbye and turned to head for the elevator, her steps not too steady but still knowing which way to go. She didn¡¯t lean on anything or ask anyone for help, just pressed on towards the elevator with her hand on her head, and only when she reached the elevator did she manage to press the button with effort. Brandon stood there, watching her coldly, not moving to help. He knew if he didn¡¯t take the initiative, she¡¯d never ask for help. She wasn¡¯t just putting on a front for anyone, nor was she being unnecessarily delicate ¨C she simply didn¡¯t need it. She didn¡¯t need him. Nor anyone else. Ever since Haley picked her up and took her home, she had always relied on herself. Growing up, she never got in the habit of depending on others. Maybe she tried once, didn¡¯t get the response she hoped for, and just decided to drop it.. Brandon watched her press the elevator button with difficulty, leaning weakly against the wall to rest. There was another couple waiting for the elevator, all lovey-dovey and giggling. When they saw her, confusion shed in their eyes, and the guy had a hint of disdain and disgust, probably mistook her for some nightclub girl. Sophia saw the disdain and disgust in his eyes too, but didn¡¯t care, just calmly waited for the elevator to arrive. From where Brandon stood, he could clearly see the expression on Sophia¡¯s face. Ever since they met in their school days, she never cared about what others thought. All her choices along the way were just following her own heart. When she graduated from high school, she finished her studies and didn¡¯t feel much for her new ss, so she chose to leave without saying goodbye. At the reunion, when someone prying like a census taker asked everyone about their love lives, he didn¡¯t shy away from his single status. She knew he was single, and she was too, so when he offered her a ride home, he wanted her, she wanted him, and she chose to follow that desire. Later, when she found out she was pregnant, he suggested marriage, and after weighing it out, she still chose to follow her heart at the time. Like she said, she liked him, so she chose to give herself and the child a chance. Later, when married life wasn¡¯t all roses, she still, after weighing her options, chose to pick up the dreams dyed by marriage and opted for divorce. Brandon had no doubt that even when she spoke of divorce, she still liked him, but that didn¡¯t stop her from leaving him. She knew all too well what she wanted and what she didn¡¯t, so she never gave herself the chance to drag her feet. Even if Sophia took a wrong turn and ended up battered and bruised, she would just lick her wounds in silence and then get back up, without relying on anyone. She¡¯d walk away from what she didn¡¯t want and would never look back, including him. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. All along, it was he who clung on. Brandon was acutely aware of this. And it was this rity that he loathed. Chapter 156 Chapter 156 Sophia, still waiting for the elevator, had slightly closed her eyes, fighting off the dizziness the booze was causing. The dude still hugging his girlfriend was checking Sophia out with a sleazy look in his eyes, his gaze dropping from her flushed face to her gently heaving chest. She was dressed all business-like today, in a long-sleeve white chiffon blouse, paired with a light khaki ankle-length skirt, and her brown curls draped over her shoulders, professional with a touch of softness. Sophia definitely caught the skeevy vibeing from the guy¡¯s stare. She opened her eyes and gave him an icy nce, subtly turning her body to block his view of her chest, her grip on the phone in her hand tightening just a bit. Brandon noticed her fingers hovering over her phone, not really about to call the cops, but keeping her options open. He was right there, for crying out loud. Brandon looked away, squashing the surge of anger bubbling up inside him, then turned back and strode over to her, grabbing her hand as soon as he reached her, shooting a cold look at the elevator- waiting creep. Intimidated by the chill in his eyes, the guy unconsciously tightened his grip on his girl and found an excuse to skedaddle. Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Brandon, holding Sophia¡¯s hand a bit too forcefully, ushered her inside and pressed the button for the fifteenth floor. Sophia silently watched him, not saying a word. Her hand, firmly held, tried to squirm free, but at the slightest movement, Brandon¡¯s grip just tightened, giving her no chance to break away. It wasn¡¯t until they reached the door of the room that Brandon finally extended his hand, ¡°Room key!¡± His voice was cold and tinged with anger, quashing any of Sophia¡¯s attempts to resist. Hesitating, she pulled out the room card, which Brandon snatched away, swiped to open the door, and pushed Sophia inside before turning his attention to the room. It was a spacious double room with no kitchen appliances. He had Sophia sit on the couch, then turned around to call room service for some sobering tea, and afterward grabbed the kettle from the table, unsure if it was clean. He heated half a kettle of lukewarm water, warmed a bottle of mineral water, twisted off the cap, and handed it to Sophia. ¡°Drink some water first.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Sophia murmured her thanks, took a sip, and the difort in her stomach from the alcohol eased a little. Knocks on the door came just then. Room service had brought the sobering tea. Brandon collected it, muttered a thanks, and handed it to Sophia, ¡°Drink this first.¡± She nodded silently and epted the cup, sipping it slowly until it was empty. ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. The initial dizziness subsided after a brief sweat, the tipsiness remained, but not as strong. After finishing the tea, she and Brandon fell back into a wordless silence. Neither spoke, neither knew what to say. She refused to be his wife, he refused to be just friends, and between them, there was nothing left but strangers. Suddenly, the ringtone of a phone shattered the silence. Sophia and Brandon both turned to look at the ringing handbag; it was Sophia¡¯s phone. Brandon passed her the bag. Sophia pulled out the phone. It was Ivan calling. He was worried about her, checking if she¡¯d made it home. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m back now,¡± Sophia said softly, ¡°Thanks, Ivan.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so formal with me,¡±ughed Ivan on the other end, then hesitated before asking, ¡°You alright?¡± He hadn¡¯t forgotten how cold Brandon had been when he dragged her away earlier. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Ivan. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was calm and soft, like how she spoke to him, but Brandon still detected a hint of aggression. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? He suppressed his difort as Sophia hung up the phone and looked at her, ¡°Did hee to the company for you?¡± Sophia was taken aback by the question; she hadn¡¯t considered this possibility, but she didn¡¯t think it was the case. Ivan¡¯s interactions with her weren¡¯t that deep. ¡°No,¡± she said. Brandon¡¯s lips curled slightly, his tone mocking, clearly not buying her judgment. But he didn¡¯t dwell on it. ¡°If he pursued you, do you think there could be something between you?¡± Brandon asked. Sophia hadn¡¯t thought about this either. Ivan hadn¡¯t shown any signals in that direction. Brandon saw her perplexity. ¡°I mean, hypothetically.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sophia admitted honestly. Brandon pressed, ¡°What if it were me?¡± Sophia kept silent. ¡°No chance, right?¡± he asked, his voice calm. Sophia didn¡¯t answer, but her silence said enough. Brandonughed lightly, ¡°So you¡¯re saying there¡¯s a chance with anyone else but not with me, is that it?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve tried already, Brandon,¡± Sophia said softly, ¡°Maybe being friends is more fitting.¡± ¡°Friends?¡± Brandon murmured the word, nced at her, and suddenly leaned in close, his left arm bracing against the back of the couch behind Sophia, trapping her between his chest and the couch. Sophia instinctively looked up at him. Brandon was leaning down, his eyes calm and sharp. ¡°Sophia,¡± he called her name. ¡°Hmm?¡± she looked up, puzzled. ¡°Is this something friends do?¡± As the words fell, he gripped the back of her neck with one hand, leaned down, and kissed her. Precise and fierce. Chapter 157 Chapter 157 Sophia was zoned out, and by the time she snapped back to reality, she instinctively tried to push him away. Her palm hadn¡¯t even touched Brandon¡¯s shoulder when he paused his kiss and locked eyes with her. ¡°Sophia, you¡¯re obviously still under my spell, still craving me. Why the resistance?¡± he said, his deep voice growing raspier by the second. ¡°I dig abalone, I love to chow down on it, but it doesn¡¯t mean I can afford the luxury. The two aren¡¯t mutually exclusive,¡± Sophia said softly, looking into his eyes. ¡°I like you, so I¡¯m not repelled by you physically. Heck, I might even yearn for you, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that I can live a perfectly fine life without you.¡± Brandon stared at her intently, ¡°Is that really ¡®liking¡¯ me, Sophia?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered back, ¡°it¡¯s just that I¡¯m not head over heels anymore.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Brandon murmured. ¡°Sophia, someday I¡¯ll be with someone else, get hitched, have kids, start my own family. I can¡¯t be around forever.¡± Sophia replied, ¡°I¡¯ll be happy for you.¡± As soon as the words left her lips, Brandon¡¯s gaze turned fierce and icy, pinning her down with his stare. Feeling the booze kicking in and her stubborn streak rising, Sophia puffed up her cheeks and met his gaze without flinching. Brandon leaned in, hell-bent on kissing her. In a moment of desperation, Sophia blurted out, ¡°What, do you want us to be friends with benefits?¡± Brandon froze, shooting her a fierce re. Sophia shrank a little, her eyelids dropping involuntarily, not daring to meet Brandon¡¯s eyes. But Brandon wasn¡¯t having it. He grasped her chin and lifted her face to meet his. ¡°Fine, friends with benefits it is,¡± he said. ¡°No strings attached, no responsibilities to each other.¡± Sophia was speechless. ¡°I was talking nonsense,¡± she rushed to exin. ¡°But I took you seriously,¡± Brandon retorted. ¡°Sophia, we¡¯re both single,¡± he continued, his voice calm. ¡°We don¡¯t need to y the saint for anyone.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that.¡± Sophia tried to object, but her alcohol-fueled brain couldn¡¯t find the right words. Brandon was already leaning in, ¡°You want me, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m clean, fit, and got stamina. Most importantly,¡± he inched closer, ¡°you¡¯ve had a taste, and you know we¡¯repatible; you don¡¯t have to worry about getting a dud.¡± ¡°Where else are you gonna find that?¡± he added slowly. That wasn¡¯t the point at all. ¡°I could find someone better than you if I tried,¡± Sophia finally found her voice. ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared of catching something?¡± he countered. ¡°The guys you could pick up out there won¡¯t necessarily be as clean as me.¡± Sophia was silent. Brandon straightened up slightly, leisurely fixing his tie. Sophia¡¯s eyes widened in realization, and she struggled to get up, but Brandon caught her wrist, and she was immobilized. He leaned in again, his eyes calm, ¡°What are you scared of? Wasn¡¯t this your idea?¡± Sophia averted her gaze from his stunningly close face, silently turning her head and trying to push him away with her hand against his chest, though she couldn¡¯t budge him. Brandon leaned down and kissed her again with a patience that was almost unbe With her brain fogged by alcohol, and Brandon¡¯s deliberate patience, her rationality was retreating step by step. In a daze, Sophia even thought to herself, if it¡¯s free, why not take advantage of it? That thought quickly took over her tipsy brain.. 110 Her initiativepletely shattered all of Brandon¡¯s patience. In a hazy state, Sophia only remembered his husky voice whispering in her ear, ¡°Sophia, this is why we can¡¯t be just friends.¡± Sophia passed out from sheer exhaustion. When she woke up, it was already the next morning. She woke up to blinding sunlight, her hangover making her head throb and her mind foggy. She felt completely lost, not knowing where she was, and instinctively turned towards the window where the sunlight streamed in. As she looked up, her gaze collided with a pair of deep eyes. Memories of the previous night flooded back like a tide. Brandon had woken up at an unknown time, propped up by one hand, watching her with half-lidded eyes. ¡°Good morning,¡± he said.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 158 Chapter 158 Sophia took forever to find her voice again, her eyes, widened with embarrassment, seemed to be searching for a ce to hide. When her gaze crashed into Brandon¡¯s, it brought back shes of the fiery tangle fromst night. She might¡¯ve been tipsy, but her memory had no ckouts. She vividly remembered blurting out ¡°friends with benefits¡± in a moment of desperation, and she also recalled the near-defeatist thought when Brandon leaned in for a kiss, coupled with her fierce determination to wrestle back control by sping her hands around his neck without a care in the world. In their two years of marriage, she had never been so fierce. Although, ultimately, due to her natural disadvantage in size and strength, the upper hand remained firmly in Brandon¡¯s grasp. But her initiative had certainly fired Brandon up. The fiercer she gotst night, the more ruthless Brandon became. Brandon, the businessman, was never one to pull punches, and he certainly wasn¡¯t about to start then. The soreness all over her body, like she¡¯d been run over by a truck, reminded Sophia of the intensity and wildness ofst night. Her fingers tightened awkwardly around the nket, and Sophia silently turned her back. ¡°I was drunkst night.¡± she murmured, her voice so weak and soft it was almost a whisper. ¡°ckout?¡±ostrich-like back and asked. Sophia didn¡¯t want to answer that question. ¡°Sometimes when you¡¯re drunk, certain actions and words can bypass your brain¡¯s control,¡± she said softly. ¡°I noticed.¡± Brandon said and slipped out of bed. Sophia could feel the mattress suddenly lighten behind her, followed by the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing, then the running water. Brandon had showeredst night, even given Sophia a rinse. She was dead tired in the wee hours, but she vaguely remembered Brandon carrying her into the bathroom for a wash. And then in the bathroom¡­. Sophia touched her forehead and stopped herself from recalling any further. Brandon came back from his shower in no time, toweling his damp hair with one hand while walking towards the blow dryer on the balcony. He had only a white towel wrapped around his waist. Sophia looked up and saw his toned chest, muscles well-defined, with a pair of beautifully curved Adonis belts diving beneath the towel. Noticing Sophia looking, Brandon gave her a nce. His expression didn¡¯t show any difort. ¡°Do you want to take another shower?¡± he asked. ¡°I had clothes sent over. They¡¯re on the table.¡± Sophia nced at the table instinctively and indeed saw two sets of new clothes. ¡°I guess not right now,¡± she said in a low voice, still clutching the nket. Under the nket, she wore nothing that could cover her, and she couldn¡¯t muster Brandon¡¯s composure. ¡°My head¡¯s still a bit achy, I¡¯ll sleep a bit more. You go ahead to work when you¡¯re done,¡± she said softly, her back still to Brandon, not quite knowing how to deal with the awkwardness of having slept with her ex-husband. Brandon looked back at her and read her ostrich-like avoidance in a nce. ¡°Get some more rest, then.¡± He said, gave his hair a quick blow to half-dry, and shut off the dryer. Sophia didn¡¯t really fall asleep; after the dryer stopped, she faintly heard the rustling of packaging being opened. She expected Brandon to leave first after getting ready, but he didn¡¯t. 08:43 Brandon, now in a white shirt, looked back at her while tying his tie. ¡°I had breakfast sent up from the hotel. Eat something first. If you¡¯re really feeling unwell, just rest at the hotel today, I¡¯ll cover for you at work.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Sophia had to sit up, still wrapped in the nket, ¡°I can go to work.¡± Her pale, delicate shoulders became exposed as she sat up. Bite marks could be seen on them. Brandon¡¯s gaze lingered on her bare shoulders for a moment before he coughed lightly and looked away. Sophia then btedly noticed her exposed shoulders and awkwardly pulled the nket up a bit, barely daring to meet Brandon¡¯s eyes. The doorbell rang from outside at that moment; it must¡¯ve been the breakfast delivery. ¡°I¡¯ll get the breakfast. Start getting ready.¡± Brandon said and turned to answer the door. He was being considerate of her feelings, giving her some space. After Sophia got ready, Brandon had alreadyid out the breakfast on the table. ¡°Is your head still hurting?¡± He asked as she approached. Sophia shook her head. ¡°Not anymore.¡± She felt much better after freshening up. Brandon nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s eat, then.¡± Sophia gave a small nod. During the meal, they typically didn¡¯t talk much. Sophia was still a bit embarrassed, especially since they had just been so intimately connected the night before, in such a raw and passionate way. The steamy memories made it hard not to think of something more suggestive when she looked at the neatly dressed Brandon across the table. Both of them tacitly avoided discussingst night, knowing full well that it wouldn¡¯t lead to anything. Like Brandon had said in the heat of the moment, they were two consenting adults, each taking what they needed; once out of bed, there were no responsibilities to each other. Despite the passion of the previous night, Brandon had been careful. One of the perks of staying in a hotel was people could easily get hold of contraceptives just by opening the bedside drawer. After breakfast, Brandon drove Sophia to the office together. ¡°Got any thoughts on where to find an apartment?¡± On the way to the office, Brandon asked Sophia, ¡°Renting or buying?¡± ¡°I think I¡¯ll rent for now,¡± Sophia replied. ¡°Probably just look around near the office.¡± Brandon nodded, ¡°The properties you got in the divorce are still vacant. You could live there.¡± Sophia replied, ¡°I¡¯d rather not, it¡¯s not very convenient for work to live in those ces.¡± She hadn¡¯t touched those properties or the assets Brandon had divided with her after the divorce. ¡°What about the one you had before?¡± Brandon said. ¡°I remember it¡¯s close to the office.¡±¡± Sophia replied, ¡°I sold it.¡± Brandon mentioned, ¡°I heard from Kent it¡¯s up for rent recently.¡± ¡°Oh. Sophia wasn¡¯t very interested the apartment was too small to house three people, and with a kid, there were way too many clothes and toys. Besides, the memories tied to that ce were too sweet, and she didn¡¯t want to touch them. Brandon turned to look at her, ¡°Not nning to move back in?¡± Sophia shook her head, ¡°No, I want a change of scenery.¡± Brandonughed, ¡°You really don¡¯t cling to the past, do you?¡± Sophia cracked a smile and yed it cool, as if she hadn¡¯t caught the snark in his words. ? ? ? ? ? ?? The car soon came to a stop in thepany¡¯s underground parking lot. As Brandon unbuckled his seatbelt, he turned to her and said, ¡°I¡¯ll tag along with you to hunt for an apartment after work.¡± Sophia paused in the middle of unbuckling hers, giving him a hesitant look, ¡°Nah, that¡¯s not necessary. You told me when you were dropping me off at the airport that Don is handling the branch office and you wouldn¡¯t be swinging by often. The Zenithan-style resort project has got its own point person, so you won¡¯t be too hands-on. You told me not to sweat thinking about you too much.¡± Sophia spoke up softly. Brandon locked eyes with her for a moment, ¡°Last night you really did treat me just like a booty call.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°I was drunk,¡± Sophia murmured. Brandon gave her a nce but didn¡¯t say much, his expression asposed as ever. ¡°Let¡¯s head up.¡± They took the elevator together. ¡°I¡¯ll have Kent sort out an elevator card for you to ess the top floor,¡± Brandon said as the elevator doors closed. ¡°That¡¯s not necessary¡± Sophia turned to look at him, ¡°I don¡¯t really need to go up there for my job that often.¡± He gave her a look, ¡°You have the right to refuse, but I have the duty to offer. It¡¯s up to you whether you take it or not, but it¡¯s up to me whether I give it.¡± Sophia kept mum, and not long after returning to her office, the HR department delivered the elevator card. The HR rep didn¡¯t recognize Sophia and just stood at the entrance of the office area, scanning the room politely asking, ¡°Excuse me, is Director Yearwood here?¡± Brandon¡¯s mother, Patricia, just happened to walk up to the office entrance at the sound of the name ¡°Yearwood¡± and immediately frowned, looking towards the office space. Sophia, who was discussing design ns with Cindy at her desk, looked up, ¡°Over here.¡± Patricia followed the voice and when she saw Sophia looking back, her brow knitted so tightly it almost tied a knot. Sophia also noticed Patricia and her movements slightly froze. Patricia gave Sophia the once-over from head to toe with that same haughty, disdainful attitude. ¡°Director Yearwood?¡± Patricia shed a sardonic smile, the scoff in her eyes all too clear, ¡°Is this my son¡¯s way ofpensating you?¡± Chapter 159 Chapter 159 Patricia¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t exactly hush-hush; her mellow, chuckling tone immediately had the whole office turning heads towards Sophia. The office was filled with newbies; no one knew Patricia, but herment about ¡°thepensation my son gave you¡± reeked a bit of the ol¡¯ casting couch, and the crowd¡¯s expressions quickly turned into a mixed bag. Right there in the office, Don happened to look up and catch the scene at the door. He quickly put on a smile and stepped in to smooth things over. ¡°Hey, Mrs. Crawley, what brings you here?¡± He approached with a grin, subtly wedging himself between Sophia and Patricia. ¡°Sophia here¡¯s our head honcho in design, handpicked for the job.¡± Patricia scoffed, ready to retort, but Don beat her to the punch. ¡°You¡¯re here about the project, right? Let¡¯s talk shop in my office.¡± While leading her away, he shot a worried nce back at Sophia. Sophia¡¯s face was the picture of serenity. Seeing Don¡¯s concerned look, Sophia returned a courteous smile and turned to face the HR specialist. The HR person knew Patricia and had been specifically instructed by the big cheeses to handle the elevator card. Their gaze at Sophia was nowced with extra curiosity and probing. Sophia didn¡¯t ept the card. ¡°I won¡¯t be needing that, thanks,¡± she said softly, her voice as gentle and calm as ever. ¡°If you¡¯re worried about exining this to the higher-ups, just tell them I refused. If there¡¯s an issue, they can come to me directly.¡± The HR person hesitated but finally nodded, ¡°Alright.¡± And then they were gone. When Sophia got back to Cindy¡¯s desk, Cindy couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What was that all about?¡± The HR person had tried to hand Sophia the elevator card, but she had turned it down, and no one in the office was in the loop about the exchange. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t want to delve into it. She leaned over, pointed at theputer screen to guide Cindy on some changes, and then headed back to her office, leaving behind a trail of curious stares and whispers. The office door closed behind her, shutting out the buzz from outside. In Don¡¯s office, once the door was shut, Patricia turned to him and asked, ¡°This design director position wasn¡¯t something Brandon asked you to save for her, was it?¡± After more than two decades as a wealthy socialite, Patricia was no stranger to talking down to people, especially the younger ones. Don didn¡¯t take it personally, replying with a smile, ¡°You must be joking, Mrs. Crawley. Is Brandon the type to y favorites?¡± ¡°Well, who knows?¡± Patricia wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°Brandon¡¯s always been big on loyalty. He obviously got the short end of the stick in this marriage, but he still feels guilty, like he owes her. It¡¯s only natural he¡¯d want to make amends.¡± Don kept his smile, ¡°If Brandon wanted to make it up to Sophia, there are plenty of ways to do that without using such a key position as a token gesture.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that key, it¡¯s just a figurehead,¡± Patricia chuckled. ¡°The real power¡¯s in your hands anyway. You give her a fancy title, a little gold ting, and everyone¡¯s happy. She looks good, you¡¯re not out of pocket, and Brandon¡¯s done his bit.¡± Patricia knew this game all too well, having been given plenty of these ceremonial titles by Brandon¡¯s father, Daniel, over the years. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Don steered the conversation back to business without arguing, ¡°Anyway, Mrs. Crawley, did youe to talk about the Zenithan-style resort design case?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Patricia got back on track, dropping the smirk. ¡°What¡¯s the deal with this project? It¡¯s been dyed for so long, why hasn¡¯t it moved forward?¡± ¡°We had some headhunters trying to poach our designer with a fat paycheck, and I didn¡¯t want to push forward without someone to follow through, just in case we lost them,¡± Don exined, feigning a frown, ¡°I remember you were adamant about having the designer involved throughout the project.¡± 09:12 grew anxious, ¡°How can we let someone poach the designer at a time like this?¡± She then looked at Don with concern, ¡°What¡¯s the status now? Do we have to scrap the design?¡± Don nodded hesitantly, ¡°There¡¯s a risk, so we¡¯re weighing our options. How about we assign a new designer toe up with another proposal?¡± ¡°No way,¡± Patricia cut him off without a second thought, ¡°I want that design. If pushes to shove, sweeten the pot for the designer, throw in a bigger cut. Who doesn¡¯t like money?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about the money. I¡¯ll find you another designer,¡± Don still looked troubled. ¡°Our other designers are just as good, I promise the oue will be satisfying.¡± ¡°Come on, Don, what¡¯s the problem?¡± Patricia frowned at him. ¡°This design was made for our project. I¡¯m the client, and I want it. Why are you making it so difficult?¡± Don replied, ¡°I¡¯m just worried you¡¯re acting on impulse. Look at this design,¡± he said, pulling out Sophia¡¯s Zenithan-style resort proposal, ¡°the style isn¡¯t that remarkable.¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s quite distinctive,¡± Patricia took the proposal from him, flipping through it casually. ¡°Although it uses themon ancient architectural style overall, the pavilions, terraces, towers, and the pairing of bridges and flowing water are quite unique and natural. The gardenyout perfectly interprets the subtlety of hidden paths and concealed views. Boldly incorporating elements of the north style into the courtyard design, the integration of white gates and ck tiles with blue brick and stone bridges is seamless, creating a dream-like space reminiscent of an ancient city.¡± Looking at Don, Patricia continued, ¡°You can tell the designer is creative and talented. Our project needs to be more than just beautiful-it must offer an immersive experience. She¡¯s nailed it.¡± Don looked at her with a smile, ¡°I had no idea you were so knowledgeable.¡± ¡°I studied architectural design when I was younger,¡± Patricia replied with a smile, ¡°Even though I switched careers right after college, I¡¯ve learned a bit about architecture over the years hanging around my husband. Don¡¯t think I made a snap decision. I¡¯m making a professional judgment here.¡± Don cracked a smile too but quickly reined it in, turning to her, ¡°So, Auntie, are you dead set on her, and this is the only n you¡¯ll go for?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± Patricia confirmed with conviction. ¡°She¡¯s the one for me, and this n is a must-have.¡± Chapter 160 Chapter 160 ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the deal if all goes well, we can ink the contract today,¡± Patricia chimed in, ¡°Let¡¯s lock in the n before someone else snaps up our talent. Once we nail down the n, where¡¯s he gonna go? Later on, just throw a bit moremission his way, smooth things over, and all will be well.¡± Don looked at her for a good while, as if making up his mind about something big, and finally nodded in agreement. ¡°Okay, fine. If you¡¯ve got your eye on something, I¡¯d have to pull down the moon for you if that¡¯s what you wanted, right?¡± Patricia cracked up. ¡°You sure have the gift of the gab. If Brandon had half your sweet talk, I wouldn¡¯t be worrying my head off all the time.¡± Don just smiled and didn¡¯t reply. He headed over to Patricia¡¯s office that afternoon and they got the contract signed. Truth be told, the main contract was already signed when Brandon approved the project design. Brandon held the reins of the project, but to avoid a head-on sh with Daniel and Patricia, on the surface, they were still in charge for the time being. Hence, there was also a side contract prepared to sign with them, and it stipted that in case of any disagreement, the terms of the main contract would prevail. Patricia, being familiar with the folks involved, didn¡¯t scrutinize the contract too closely, assuming it was based on the original agreement, so she signed and stamped it without much fuss. Walking out of Patricia¡¯s office, contract in hand, Don gave it a flick with his finger. ¡°Thest person who didn¡¯t rate our designer has grass growing over their grave that¡¯s nearly two meters tall now, and here you Don shook his head with a chuckle, wondering whether to credit Sophia¡¯s stealth or just chalk it up to the others¡¯ frailty ¨C one by one, they were all lining up to get a face p from her. Brandon¡¯s case had been an ident with no malice intended. He hadn¡¯t even nned on mentioning the designer¡¯s name. Today, though, there was a bit of intent behind it. Previously, Don was indifferent towards Patricia, even somewhat reserved out of respect since she was, after all, Brandon¡¯s mom. But today, Patricia, with her know-it-all, been-there-done-that attitude, and her talk about how it¡¯smon for small-timepanies to just hang a director¡¯s title on anyone Don wasn¡¯t too fond of that. Although Patricia was a bit rough around the edges with her words, she didn¡¯t nitpick too much over the design proposal. Maybe she was just too fond of Sophia¡¯s work and feared that giving too much feedback might scare her away. After signing the contract, Patricia shot Don a WhatsApp message, telling him to proceed with the construction ording to the original n, no changes needed. Patricia didn¡¯t have any objections, but Brandon was a different story. After leaving Patricia¡¯s office, Don made a beeline for Brandon¡¯s to discuss any tweaks he might have for the Zenithan-style resort project design. Brandon was ready and pulled out the proposal from his desk, tossing it to Don. Don looked it over, and while the general direction remained the same, there were numerous small but tedious details to be adjusted, including some aspects of the buildingyout and color schemes, requiring back-and-forthmunication and fine-tuning. After reviewing it, Don couldn¡¯t help but close the proposal. ¡°How about you just talk to Sophia directly? Some of this stuff might not be clear why it¡¯s changed. It really needs some face-to-face discussion.¡± Brandon, flipping through a report, didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°No need, hand it to her, she¡¯ll get it.¡± Don looked at him skeptically. ¡°Does she really get where you¡¯reing from, or is it that you don¡¯t want to deal with her?¡± Brandon, still preupied with his paperwork, replied, ¡°The condition for her taking on this project is that I¡¯m not involved and there¡¯s no work-rted contact between us.¡± Don got it. He hadn¡¯t been fully aware of why Sophia was reluctant to interact with Brandon, but after seeing Patricia¡¯s attitude. towards Sophia that day, he could totally understand Sophia¡¯s side of things. Patricia, deep down, had zero respect for Sophia, and it was tantly obvious. She couldn¡¯t even be bothered to keep up appearances. Don figured Daniel was probably the same, just a bit more subtle than Patricia. Otherwise, Patricia wouldn¡¯t have the audacity to 08:43 look down on Sophia. ¡°Have you ever seen how your parents interact with Sophia?¡± Don asked abruptly, changing the subject. Brandon stopped what he was doing and looked up at Don. Don grinned. ¡°With your busy schedule, I¡¯m guessing you haven¡¯t really noticed.¡± ¡°Patricia was at your ce today?¡± Brandon quickly connected the dots and asked with a frown..Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 161 Chapter 161 ¡°Yup, she also ran into Sophia,¡± Don admitted without beating around the bush. ¡°What did she say to Sophia?¡± Brandon asked, his voice getting chillier by the second. ¡°Nothing too outrageous, just prying into whether the position of Design Director was your divorce settlement to her,¡± Don said with a little head shake and a chuckle, ncing at Brandon. ¡°You know how your mom is, always caring about keeping up appearances in front of others. But man, the way she looks at Sophia, it¡¯s like she can¡¯t even stand her. You¡¯re busy, I get it, but you gotta keep an eye out now and then, see how your folks are getting on with your wife.¡± Don gave Brandon¡¯s shoulder a pat. ¡°It¡¯s not about how they act when you¡¯re around, but what goes down when your back is turned.¡± Brandon turned to him. Don raised his hands in a surrender gesture. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look, man. I¡¯m just worried your mom¡¯s gonna scare off my people. It was hard enough getting her on board in the first ce.¡± With that, he didn¡¯t linger, quickly saying ¡°I¡¯m heading back to the office¡± and made a beeline for the door. Watching the office door close, Brandon hit the inte for Kent. ¡°Come in here for a sec.¡± Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. Kent dropped what he was doing and came in. ¡°Mr. Crawley, what¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Get Patricia over to my office.¡± Kent froze. ¤é Brandon didn¡¯t often call Patricia by her first name. Back in the day, he¡¯d politely refer to her as ¡°Mom¡± in private, and at thepany, he¡¯d get people to call her ¡°Mrs. Crawley¡± out of courtesy, rarely ever just Patricia. ¡°Anything else?¡± Seeing Kent zone out, Brandon asked in an even tone. Kent snapped back to reality. ¡°Nope, on it right now.¡± After leaving Brandon¡¯s office, Kent called Patricia¡¯s assistant¡¯s office, passing on the message that Brandon wanted to see her. ¡°Mrs. Crawley just stepped out,¡± came the polite reply on the phone. ¡°Stepped out?¡± Kent frowned. Didn¡¯t Don juste back from Patricia¡¯s office a moment ago? ¡°When did she leave?¡± he asked. ¡°Just a few minutes ago,¡± they replied. ¡°Any idea when she¡¯ll be back?¡± ¡°She¡¯s noting back today, said she had something to do.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Kent¡¯s brow furrowed deeper, ¡°Alright, thanks.¡± Hanging up, Kent reported back to Brandon. ¡°Where could she be off to during work hours?¡± Brandon asked, ¡°Check with HR, see if she took leave. If not, it¡¯s considered skipping work.¡± Kent was stunned. He didn¡¯t even need to think about it. Of course, Patricia wouldn¡¯t have asked for leave. Who in HR would dare to mess with the CEO¡¯s mom? Brandon said, ¡°Also, have HR check her clock-in records. Any missed days are skips, and five no- shows mean termination, as perpany policy.¡± Kent kept silent. Seeing Kent still standing there, Brandon looked up. ¡°Well? What are you waiting for?¡± Kent gave a sheepish smile. ¡°Mr. Crawley, isn¡¯t this a bit much?¡± He was worried Brandon¡¯s dad would blow a gasket over this. Patricia was Daniel¡¯s insert into thepany, after all, Patricia, the CEO¡¯s mom ¨C basically, it was her company. No one would dare question whether she clocked in or not. Knowing Patricia, she wouldn¡¯t be bending over backwards to follow the rules, let alone stick to a strict clocking in schedule. ¡°Too much?¡± Brandon asked tly. ¡°As thepany leader, she doesn¡¯t set an example and even leads the way in skipping work. Who gave her that right?¡± *Kent was at a loss for words. ¡°I¡¯m on it now.¡± He didn¡¯t dare say more and quickly left to handle it. Not wanting to cause a fuss, he personally went to HR to ask. As Brandon expected, no leave was taken, and no clocking in either. Kent reluctantly conveyed Brandon¡¯s decision to terminate, as perpany policy. HR was stunned by this turn of events. The staff didn¡¯t dare issue the notice and quickly informed the HR manager to deal with it personally. Everyone knew Patricia was Brandon¡¯s mom, but the stepmom bit, not so much. Patricia had married Daniel when Brandon was just a kid, spending over a decade devoted to family life, staying out ofpany affairs. Plus, after over twenty years of marriage, the oldpany hands had long been reced. Those in the know were no longer around. To the current staff, unaware of the backstory, the news of Brandon wanting to terminate Patricia was shocking. The HR manager, after much thought, reported it up to the general manager. The general manager, who also answered to the CEO, didn¡¯t hesitate upon hearing it was an order from the CEO¡¯s office. They instructed the HR manager to issue the notice but, considering Patricia was Brandon¡¯s mother and not sure if there was some family feud, they didn¡¯t want to make too much noise and had HR send ¨¢ termination email to Patricia as perpany policy. When Patricia received the HR termination email, she was busy lunching with Daniel and the Frost family. Chapter 162 Chapter 162 Louis Frost from the Frost family was treating them today, and he specifically asked Daniel and Patricia toe over for a bite. He wanted Brandon to join too, but Brandon turned him down, saying he was mmed with work. Patricia had just settled into her seat at the restaurant where Louis was picking up the tab when she got hit with ayoff email from HR. And it wasn¡¯t the usual pink slip ¨C they straight-up gave her the boot. When Patricia saw the email, she spaced out for a good while. Losing a job was small potatoes compared to the embarrassment of getting axed like that. Patricia didn¡¯t know if the email was stedpany-wide or if it was just a personal p in the face. The thought of the wholepany knowing made her scalp tingle with dread. Louis, seeing something was off, asked with concern, ¡°What¡¯s up? You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡± Daniel, already seated, looked up too, wondering what was going on. Patricia squashed the butterflies in her stomach, forced a smile, and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Then she casually stashed her phone away as if it was all cool. Louis, relieved to see her looking normal again, chuckled, ¡°As long as you¡¯re good.¡± Meanwhile, he couldn¡¯t help but crane his neck toward the door, ¡°What¡¯s up with Brandontely? Every time I call, he¡¯s busy. Can¡¯t seem to spare a day.¡± Danielughed, ¡°Just the usualpany grind. You know him. The kid¡¯s all work and no y. It¡¯s not just you. Even trying to get him home for dinner is like pulling teeth.¡± ¡°Ynda¡¯s just the same,¡± Louis said, looking at Martin¡¯s dad, Gary, ¡°Isn¡¯t sheing over?¡± Gary nodded, ¡°Yeah, busy with work, so she¡¯s noting.¡± Louis couldn¡¯t help but shake his head, then his gaze drifted to Marian, who was happily engrossed in her phone, ¡°That¡¯s why girls are better. They actually spend time with their old folks.¡± Marian, sensing she was the center of attention again, looked up, bewildered, ¡°What? Why¡¯s everyone staring at me?¡± ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡°Just singing your praises,¡± Louisughed, not minding herck of manners one bit. He doted on his granddaughter who was willing toe home. Marian offered a lukewarm smile and dove back into her phone, oblivious to the others still watching her. Daniel nced at Marian. It had been a while since Marian returned, but Daniel hadn¡¯t had a chance to meet her. Two years back, when they all visited Wye City with the Frost family, Marian was resistant and there was no chance to chat. She was willing to return this time, but whenever Daniel dropped by to visit the Frost family, either she wasn¡¯t home or she wasn¡¯t in the mood to meet anyone, so he never got the chance. Now that he finally saw her in person, Daniel felt a mix of gratitude and relief, like the universe was finally paying off for his patience. He always had a soft spot and gratitude for the little girl who kept Brandonpany in his childhood. Back then, after the death of his mother, Brandon turned into a loner, shunning everyone, even his beloved grandpa couldn¡¯t coax him out of it ¨C only Ynda managed to. She¡¯d stick to him like glue, neverining, barely talking, just quietly keeping himpany. She¡¯d sit with him on the rooftop, staring at the night sky when he needed to zone out, or she¡¯d skip meals with him when he refused to eat; when he¡¯d cry secretly, she¡¯d be right there, tearing up alongside him. And when he finally felt like eating, she¡¯d quietly bring him food, her eyes sparkling with joy and surprise as she watched him eat. The adults were all too busy to tend to Brandon¡¯s emotional needs. Daniel was grateful to Ynda for being there quietly beside Brandon during that tough year-plus when he was mourning his mother. It¡¯s a shame such a sweet girl didn¡¯t get the kindness she deserved from fate, getting separated from her family so young. Who knows if she was treated well all these years. Looking at the indifferent face of Marian, Daniel felt a pang of sorrow and couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile, asking her. ¡°Ynda, do you still remember me?¡± Chapter 163 Chapter 163 Marian looked up and shed Daniel a grin, ¡°My name¡¯s Marian. Please don¡¯t call me anything else, not my cup of tea.¡± With that, her smile quickly vanished as she dove back into her phone. Daniel¡¯s smile froze a tad. Louis jumped in to smooth things over, ¡°She¡¯s got no memory of her childhood, man. The chick had it rough growing up outside, took us two years of sweet-talking to get her to even peek back home.¡± Hearing this, Daniel felt even more for her and didn¡¯t mind Marian¡¯sck of manners, keeping up his smile he asked, ¡°Got a boyfriend yet, Marian?¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Marian nced up briefly, ¡°Swamped with studies, dude. No time for boy trouble.¡± ¡°This girl¡¯s a bookworm, just graduated from Apex Engineering University, nailed a master¡¯s in architecture.¡± Louis couldn¡¯t help puffing up with pride as he rattled off the university name, boasting, ¡°Called it when she was a tot, said she was brainy material. Quiet, diligent, focused, and smart as a whip, knew she¡¯d land in a top school and she did!¡± Daniel had been to that uni with Louis back in the day but still couldn¡¯t help marveling, ¡°That¡¯s seriously badass.¡± He was genuinely stoked for Ynda. He¡¯d been rooting for Ynda since she was a kid. Finally, Marian looked up again, ¡°Thanks.¡± Her smile this time held a genuine spark. That bit of sincerity touched Daniel, and he couldn¡¯t help but steer the convo back to matters of the heart, ¡°Got anyone you fancy, Marian?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Marian answered straight-up, without a trace of shyness or difort. Louis seized the moment to bring up Brandon, ¡°Brandon still flying solo?¡± Patricia jumped in, ¡°Yup, still on the market, Heard from Kent he¡¯s thinking about trying his luck at matchmaking events.¡± ¡°Why bother with matchmaking?¡± Louis looked at Marian, ¡°Both unattached, childhood friends, families know each other inside out, same age range, might as well y Cupid, right?¡± ¡°Wha?¡± Marian looked at Louis, surprised, ¡°Is that really cool?¡± Thinking she was just ying hard to get, Louis reassured her, ¡°Just hang out, see if it clicks. No matchmaking, no wedding bells, no pressure.¡± Daniel was all for Louis¡¯ idea. The families had been tight for decades, matched well, and despite the distance after Ynda¡¯s disappearance, they were keen on tying the knot between their kids. Sure, arranged childhood engagements were out of vogue, but with eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in both ns, match-making by the elders was still on the cards. But Daniel was stumped on how to y Cupid. Brandon had always been headstrong, not the type to follow through on a dinner setup just because his dad said so.. On the drive back, Daniel couldn¡¯t help but strategize with Patricia. Patricia was still hung up on the dismissal thing, clueless about what went down, so she wasn¡¯t really in the mood to debate with Daniel. When he asked her what to do, she shot back, ¡°How should I know? If you can¡¯t handle your own son, what makes you think I can?¡± Realizing her tone, she quickly softened, ¡°We should probably chat with Brandon first, see his take on Marian. Ever mentioned her?¡± This was new territory for Daniel. ¡°What do I know?¡± Danielmented, ¡°Used to be he¡¯d fend off the girlfriend talk with Ynda. Now that she¡¯s back, not a peep about it. It¡¯s all on him, really. Why the heck did he rush into marriage outta nowhere?¡± The mere thought fired Daniel up, clueless about what charms Sophia used to get Brandon to tie the knot on the fly. ¡°Speaking of which,¡± Patricia remembered her encounter with Sophia at Star-Dempsey Architects, ¡°Sophia¡¯s over at Star-Dempsey 09:49 Architects,nded a gig as a Design Director. You knew about this?¡± Daniel frowned, ¡°She¡¯s back?¡± ¡°Yeah, you didn¡¯t know?¡± Daniel shot her a look, his face clouding over. He checked his watch, still before quitting time, and instructed the driver, ¡°Nell, back to the office.¡± ¡°Right away, Mr. Crawley, Nell responded, taking the next turn. Sophia was wrapping up for the day, close to quitting time. She had a date with a real estate agent to see some ces and was ready to dash as soon as the clock struck the hour. So, spotting it was nearly 6 PM, she started packing up. Cindy was almost done too. Around the same age as Sophia and feeling they were birds of a feather- women who¡¯d rather hit up a sperm bank than deal with men she felt a kinship with Sophia. No sense of hierarchy between them, she peeked into Sophia¡¯s office as the end of work neared, ¡°Hey, dinner tonight?¡± Sophia was in a bind, ¡°Got an appointment to see some apartments, let¡¯s rain check?¡± ¡°You¡¯re house hunting?¡± Cindy picked up the thread, ¡°I¡¯ll tag along, extra pair of eyes can¡¯t hurt. I know this area like the back of my hand.¡± Sophia thought it over and nodded, ¡°Sure, that¡¯d be great.¡± ¡°¡±Come on, what¡¯s this ¡®trouble¡¯ talk between us? Got nothing better to do after work anyway. My biggest joy is house hunting, even if I can¡¯t afford it,¡± Cindy confessed with an embarrassed chuckle, ¡°But who says I can¡¯t enjoy the view?¡± Sophia cracked a smile, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll hit you up in a bit.¡± Cindy shed an ¡°OK¡± sign and bounced out of Sophia¡¯s office. Just as she looked up, she caught the motion-activated ss doors of the office area swinging open, and in walked Daniel. But instead of moving further in, he just stood at the entrance, his face a nk te as he swept his gaze across the room. His piercing look instantly turned the once noisy space into a dead silence. Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, not recognizing Daniel. They had no clue who this tall, imposing guy with a mean mug was looking for or what he was after. Gathering her courage, Cindy stood up and politely asked him, ¡°Hey there, can I help you find someone?¡± Daniel¡¯s eyes locked onto her. ¡°Is Sophia Yearwood around?¡± The others shot each other that look again, and the quiet turned into a low buzz of whispers and hushed chatter. Sophia thought she heard her name being called but couldn¡¯t be sure. Frowning slightly, she got up and walked toward the door, where she paused at the sight of Daniel standing at the entrance. Daniel spotted her too, sizing her up from head to toe before speaking. ¡°Come here for a sec.¡± He still had that authoritative air of the head of the family. Without waiting for Sophia¡¯s response, he turned to leave, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed she hadn¡¯t moved. He looked back at her. ¡°I need a moment with you,¡± he said, his tone a bit softer. ¡°Just a few minutes.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be in the conference room,¡± he added, his eyes still on Sophia, waiting for her nod of acknowledgment. The onlookers couldn¡¯t help but shoot curious nces at Sophia. Not wanting to be the center of attention, Sophia gave a slight nod and followed him out. As the ss doors shut behind them, the murmurs inside the office exploded into a full-blown marketce buzz. People spun around, gossiping with their neighbors about what was going down and who this guy could be. No one had forgotten the loadedment Patricia had dropped that morning, ¡°Thepensation my son gave you?¡± Don walked back into the office to find everyone chattering like it was a farmers¡¯ market. ¡°What¡¯s the deal here? Are we not busy anymore?¡± he asked, causing the noise to abruptly halt. Everyone quickly straightened up and swiveled back to their desks, not daring to make a peep. Only then did Don turn to Cindy, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Some guy came looking for Sophia, Cindy whispered. 09:49 ¡°A guy?¡± Don frowned, puzzled. Cindy realized he¡¯d gotten the wrong impression and quickly rified, ¡°An older guy, well, not old-old, but this tall, handsome fe in his fifties or sixties, all suited up. He looked a bit stern, came straight in asking for the director, said he needed to talk to her. Now they¡¯re,¡± she gestured towards the conference room, ¡°in the meeting room next door.¡± Don¡¯s frown deepened. He nced at the conference room and headed out the door towards it. Before he even got close, he could see through the ss wall that Daniel was sitting across from Sophia. ¡°Damn it.¡± Don couldn¡¯t help but let out a curse and whipped out his phone, dialing Brandon as he turned around. ¡°Your dad¡¯s here for Sophia, in the conference room,¡± Brandon was busy at hisputer when he heard the news. He stopped dead in his tracks, got up from his chair, and bolted out the door. ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Kent was on his way to talk to Brandon when he nearly collided with him rushing out. ¡°Mr. Crawley?¡± He called out to Brandon, confused, but Brandon didn¡¯t even nce his way. Stone-faced, he brushed past Kent blocking his path and strode quickly towards the elevator. In the conference room Chapter 164 Chapter 164 Daniel looked down on Sophia from his high horse. Having arrived in the conference room before Sophia, he gave her the once-over out of habit as she followed in, and only then did he direct his gaze to her face. ¡°So, you and Brandon split up, huh?¡± Daniel asked, exuding a kind of elder¡¯s authority from his demeanor to his tone. Daniel wasn¡¯t sure if the two had really divorced. Brandon had never directly addressed the question. And Daniel had neverid eyes on a divorce certificate. But it was a fact that Sophia hadn¡¯t been back in two years. Even without an official divorce, being separated for two years was enough for a court to issue a divorce decree. Sophia ignored his question. ¡°Did you need something from me?¡± She asked, her voice consistently calm and gentle, neither servile nor overbearing. ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my question.¡± ¡°If you called me here just to confirm that, then yes, we¡¯re divorced.¡± ¡°Anything else?¡± Sophia asked, ¡°I¡¯ve got work to get back to, so if there¡¯s nothing more, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡± After saying this, Sophia gave a polite nod and turned to leave. ¡°Hold on,¡± Daniel said to stop her. ¡°Now that you¡¯re divorced, whye back?¡± He looked at Sophia and added, ¡°Didn¡¯t do too well out there, did you?¡± Compared to Patricia¡¯s high and mighty attitude, Daniel was a tad more gentle, but it was still a kind of elder¡¯s arrogance that said, ¡°See, I knew you couldn¡¯t cut it.¡± Sophia couldn¡¯t help butugh and nced back at him. ¡°I¡¯m doing just fine, thanks for your concern.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re doing so well, whye back?¡± Daniel said, ¡°If you¡¯ve chosen to split, it¡¯s better to let bygones be bygones. All this back-and-forth is messy, and it¡¯s not good for anyone, whether you remarry or Brandon does. You should know, Brandon¡¯s been hung up on Mr. Frost¡¯s youngest daughter, Ynda,¡± Daniel said to Sophia, adding, ¡°Now that Ynda¡¯s back and they¡¯re both single, both families know each other well, it¡¯s a good match.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m only back for work, not to entangle with your son,¡± Sophia cut him off coolly, turning back around, ¡°Your son isn¡¯t worth meing back for, nor is he worth me giving up my career. Once I¡¯m done with the current project,¡± The conference room door was suddenly flung open from the outside, interrupting Sophia. Sophia instinctively turned back and caught sight of Brandon with an expressionless face. Daniel saw Brandon too and frowned in displeasure. Just as he was about to scold, Brandon strode forward, bent down to grab Sophia¡¯s wrist, and pulled her to her feet before turning to Daniel. ¡°Who let youe here?¡± he asked, his voice icy, ¡°Who gave you the right?¡± Danielughed in irritation. ¡°What¡¯s with that attitude? I heard my former daughter-inw was working at thepany, I came to check in. What¡¯s wrong with that? Do I need a pass?¡± ¡°Is this how youe to see someone? Brandon retorted, ¡°Was one Patricia this morning not enough, so you too need toe here and flex your muscles?¡± Daniel¡¯s face grew cold with anger. ¡°Do you know what you¡¯re saying? Is that how you speak to your father?¡± ¡°Do you even act like a father?¡± Daniel was left speechless, choking on his rage, and he nced at Sophia. Sophia wasn¡¯t looking at him or Brandon; she just tried carefully to pry Brandon¡¯s hand off her wrist. She didn¡¯t want to get caught in the father-son feud, nor did she want to stick around. But she couldn¡¯t break free. Brandon¡¯s grip was firm. He didn¡¯t look back at Sophia either, just kept his eyes on Daniel. ¡°The 17th floor is not your jurisdiction. If I catch wind of youing here again, don¡¯t expect me to be nice.¡± ¡°And you better stay away from my people,¡± Brandon added, ¡°Whether it¡¯s my work or my personal life, it¡¯s my own business, and it has nothing to do with anyone else. I hope you don¡¯t use the fact that you¡¯re my father to interfere-I don¡¯t want to have to cut ties with you.¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. With that, he pulled Sophia along and walked off without looking back. Behind them came Daniel¡¯s furious voice, breaking through hisposure. ¡°You ingrate, is this how you treat your own father? I raised you for nothing.¡± Sophia didn¡¯t look back at Daniel, nor did she struggle, just silently let Brandon lead her downstairs. It wasn¡¯t until they were in the car that Brandon finally let go of her wrist, his face still tight, not speaking a word. Sophia didn¡¯t speak either, just rubbed her wrist for a while before softly saying, ¡°I¡¯ve got an appointment with Cindy to look at houses, I should get going, it¡¯s not nice to keep someone waiting.¡± After saying this, Sophia tried to push the car door open. But just as the door cracked open, a hand suddenly reached over from behind and mmed it shut. Sophia looked up to see the handsome face close to hers. Brandon was looking at her too, his eyes deep and cold. Chapter 165 Chapter 165 Sophia quietly met his gaze, staying silent. She had no clue how much he¡¯d heard or which words had set him off. ¡°Why don¡¯t you speak up when they treat you like that?¡± After what felt like forever, Brandon finally broke the silence, his voice cool as ice. ¡°Do you really not know, or is it because you never cared?¡± Sophia softly retorted, locking eyes with him, ¡°That time you and your dad were talking about Ynda in the study, he said you screwed up by drinking too much and should¡¯ve never gone to that damn reunion. You let that woman take advantage of the situation.¡± Sophia¡¯s voice briefly faltered, as she looked at him, ¡°That ¡®woman¡¯ he mentioned was me. A woman he wouldn¡¯t even bother to call by name, do you think he¡¯d ever give me the respect I deserve?¡± Brandon frowned, about to speak, but Sophia cut him off, ¡°Even if that was the first time he showed that attitude towards me in front of you, did you ever give me a chance to speak up?¡± ¡°You¡¯re always busy, at work or otherwise,¡± Sophia continued, her tone still calm and measured, ¡°Every time I psych myself up and muster the courage to talk to you, you¡¯re either on a call or buried in emails. Then off you go, back to work. You¡¯ve always got endless work and calls to take. Do you have any idea how long it takes for me to gear myself up, the courage I need to find just to talk to you?¡± Brandon¡¯s brow furrowed deeper, seemingly puzzled as to why she needed to prep herself to talk to him. ¡°Brandon.¡± Sophia looked into his eyes, ¡°It¡¯s not just your employees who are afraid of you, I am too. You¡¯re alwaysposed, calm, meticulous, restrained. You have so many good qualities, they make you unbeatable, but it¡¯s this same you that I can¡¯t feel a hint of normal human warmth from.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just like the rest of them, always tense and unsure around you, terrified of saying or doing the wrong thing. I don¡¯t know how to get close to you, and you¡¯ve never signaled that I can.¡± ¡°Our rtionship has never felt like husband and wife, not even close friends. We¡¯re more like boss and subordinate than anything else.¡± ¡°They say the one who falls in love first, loses. I married you because I liked you, but I¡¯ve never felt an ounce of that from you.¡± ¡°I thought affection would grow over time, so until you learned to care about me, I couldn¡¯t help but tread lightly, carefully considering my words and actions. I¡¯d agonize over whether you¡¯d dislike it if I mentioned your parents, if you¡¯d think I was gossiping, if it would make you hate me. Should I just keep out of it, since it¡¯s not a big deal anyway?¡± ¡°Every time I finally convinced myself to talk to you about it, you¡¯d be either taking a call or checking emails. You never hung up the phone or shut down yourputer to let me finish. Your work always came first, even while waiting for food at a restaurant, you¡¯d still be glued to your workptop.¡± ¡°I get tired too. After it happened over and over, I thought, forget it, I¡¯ve got no energy left to fuss over it because, by then, I was ready to leave. I didn¡¯t want you anymore, do you get that, Brandon?¡± Towards the end, Sophia¡¯s emotions started to unravel, her voice losing its usual calm and her eyes reddening. This side of Sophia reminded Brandon of the time at Don¡¯s gathering when she found out he was the client behind the project, her breakdown. His gaze on her wasplex, watching the tears slide down her cheeks. He reached out to wipe them away, but Sophia pushed his hand aside. ¡°Stop it, Brandon, I just don¡¯t want you anymore. Do you understand?¡± Sophia choked out, pushing him away, ¡°Everyone says you¡¯re good to me, gentle, considerate, thoughtful, that I¡¯m ungrateful. But all your kindness feels programmed, without warmth.¡± ¡°And your family, I can¡¯t feel a bit of warmth from them either. They always act so high and mighty, like I¡¯m so lucky to have married into your family.¡± ¡°I was wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have been so greedy to want to marry you. But I¡¯ve paid the price already. Can¡¯t you and your family just let me be, stop haunting me? I can take good care of myself; Ihave no emotional needs from you anymore. Can we just be strangers, just strangers, okay? uh.¡± Brandon kissed her, silencing her sobs and breakdown. Sophia pushed and hit him, letting out her frustration. Brandon let her hit him, his hand firmly cradling the back of her head, pinning her against the car seat, kissing her more intensely. 09-14 Sophia¡¯s fierce resistance gradually melted away under the heat of his deepening kiss. Finally, she stopped pushing him away, but she didn¡¯t kiss back, just letting her tears fall. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Brandon¡¯s kissing slowed down. He didn¡¯t let her go, still holding her tightly, forehead resting against hers, their breath mingling together. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he whispered, his voice low and hoarse. ¡°I don¡¯t want your apology.¡± Sophia gently pushed him, ¡°Brandon, you can¡¯t keep being so fickle.¡± ¡°Just think of me as the bad guy.¡± Brandon said hoarsely, looking at the wetness in the corners of her eyes, lifting a hand to tenderly wipe her tears away. Sophia looked up at him. His expression was serious and focused, his eyes filled with an unprecedented softness and a trace of remorse. Sophia didn¡¯t want Brandon¡¯s apologies. She wasn¡¯t trying to make him feel sorry for her. Their marriage wasn¡¯t just Brandon¡¯s fault. She had her share of responsibility. She simply wanted to move forward. She shifted her head slightly, avoiding Brandon¡¯s hand. Brandon looked at her. Chapter 166 Chapter 166 ¡°I¡¯m heading out,¡± she murmured under her breath.. Brandon didn¡¯t utter a word, his hand frozen in mid-air after she pushed it away, his gazeplex as he watched her. Sophia¡¯s eyes were downcast, avoiding his gaze. She didn¡¯t dare look at him. This version of Brandon would just make her heartache and go all mushy. She turned and shoved open the car door. Brandon watched her, his hand twitched but ultimately didn¡¯t reach out, silently observing as she got out of the car. He didn¡¯t stop her, nor did he dare to. Sophia had told him many times to let her go, but never as bluntly and thoroughly as this time. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. So blunt that he felt like a total jerk, unworthy of bothering her. Maybe Sophia was right. He didn¡¯t care for her enough, failing to notice her needs, her grievances. During those two years of marriage, he took herpany for granted. He relished her quiet presence, herpanionship, but never pondered what she got out of the marriage. She was smart, hardworking, had her own career and wealth. The money she earned was more than enough to satisfy her material desires. So, she didn¡¯t need marriage for material pleasure, let alone to climb socialdders. She never chased after such superficial things. They married because of a child, but that child didn¡¯t stay. Over the following year, he considered her health and insisted on not having kids. Although that child did briefly return after the divorce. Thinking back to rushing to the hospital two years ago, seeing pale-faced Sophia on the bed and those words ¡°termination of pregnancy¡± on the yellowed hospital report, Brandon pressed his lips tightly together, and he slightly turned his head away. He didn¡¯t want to touch on this topic. Even though Sophia made that decision without his consent, Brandon knew he had no right to me her. So for Sophia, this marriage brought nothing but the shackles of being a Crawley daughter-inw, with no added happiness or confidence, only forced to endure the discrimination and constraints of an unequal status. So her choice to end the marriage, to stop walking that path with him, to start anew, wasn¡¯t wrong at all. Brandon knew he should let go. When she spoke so frankly about why she needed him to release her, he should¡¯ve just honored their agreement-no clinging, no disturbance, just wishing each other well. Wishing each other well. The familiar spasms in his stomach surged again. They say the stomach was an emotional organ. Every emotion in the heart could manifest as a physical response in the gut. Brandon raised his hand to press against his stomach, nced in the direction Sophia left, but her figure was no longer in sight. Her departures were always decisive and without a second look back nor would she ever nce back. Brandon somberly withdrew his gaze and started the car¡¯s engine. Sophia took the stairs up. Around the corner of the lobby on the first floor, she saw Brandon¡¯s car slowly leaving thepany gate. Her steps didn¡¯t falter as she numbly watched the ck sedan turn a corner and gradually disappear, her mind reying Brandon¡¯s hand suspended in mid-air and his handsome face watching her with a complex expression. She always felt that their marriage was simply a matter of ipatibility between her and Brandon. Their marriage wasn¡¯t born of love, nor was it about coercion. It was a result of unteral wishes. So there was nothing wrong with Brandon being engrossed in his work after their wedding or not caring about her; she just wasn¡¯t the one he truly wanted. 10 00.16 And yet, he happened to be the one she wanted, creating this imbnce. That was why she never med Brandon, nor did she hate him. Even when she saw his lonely and vulnerable side, she couldn¡¯t help feeling sorry for him. Fortunately, she could now rationally control these emotions. She didn¡¯t stop or look back, just moved forward numbly. Behind her, the ck sedan grew smaller in the distance. One to the left, one to the right. When she returned to the office, Cindy was already anxiously waiting. ¡°Did that guy bother you with anything?¡± Don was also in the office. He couldn¡¯t help but look behind her as she walked in and, not seeing Brandon, he frowned slightly, putting down his work and standing up to approach Sophia. ¡°Everything okay?¡± he asked, his usual casual demeanor reced with a more serious tone, concern barely concealed in his eyes. Sophia offered him a smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Don also smiled, his gaze drifting towards the elevator, not spotting Brandon, his concern deepening. Cindy, oblivious to his worries and seeing Sophia seemingly fine, breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Then let¡¯s go. We¡¯re off to see the house.¡± Sophia nodded slightly, shut down herputer, and left with Cindy. Don lost interest in work, shut down hisputer, and pulled out his phone to call Brandon. ¡°Where are you at?¡± Brandon was aimlessly driving. ¡°Just driving. What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Where are you headed? I¡¯ll join you.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Brandon hung up on Don. Cindy and Sophia went to view a house, and as soon as they arrived at the neighborhood, Cindy noticed Sophia¡¯s distraction. She seemed absent-minded during the viewing, not really listening to the agent, often staring into space, her expression vacant. ¡°What¡¯s up with you?¡± Seizing a moment when the agent stepped away to take a call, Cindy asked her softly, ¡°You seem off tonight.¡± Sophia looked at her. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± But Cindy wasn¡¯t easily brushed off. ¡°Is it because of that older guy this afternoon?¡± Sophia shook her head gently. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then, is it about Mr. Crawley?¡± Sophia turned to her. Cindy gave an awkward smile. ¡°I just feel like Mr. Crawley is, well, kinda different around you. Right after you left on opening day, Mr. Crawley called me into the office and asked about you.¡± Sophia paused, looking at her. ¡°What did he ask you?¡± Chapter 167 Chapter 167 ¡°He asked about how we met.¡± Cindy brought it up, still looking totally puzzled. ¡°No clue why he¡¯d be into that.¡± Sophia frowned. ¡°So what did you tell him?¡± ¡°I just went with your story, of course. Said we met over a meal, your phone died, and I just casually picked up the tab for you.¡± ¡°And what did Mr. Crawley say?¡± ¡°He grilled me about when and where I picked up the tab, even wanted to see proof of payment,¡± Cindy said, still feeling weak at the knees. ¡°Mr. Crawley was seriously intimidating then, like he was interrogating a criminal, seemed like he didn¡¯t buy my story at all.¡± ¡°He can be pretty intense sometimes,¡± Sophia chuckled, ncing at him. ¡°Then what happened?¡± ¡°I told him I paid in cash.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t buy that, did he?¡± Sophia could just picture Brandon¡¯s expressionless face upon hearing that response. ¡°Exactly.¡± Cindy nodded earnestly. ¡°He was like, ¡®That¡¯s a bit too convenient, and gave me this terrifying look. I just couldn¡¯t stand it and, I couldn¡¯t help it, I burst into tears.¡± Sophia thought it was an unexpected turn of events. Cindy felt a bit embarrassed. ¡°I was seriously under a lot of pressure, couldn¡¯t bother with anything else. And then Mr. Crawley seemed kind of speechless with me, didn¡¯t push further, told me to go home.¡± Sophia couldn¡¯t quite picture Brandon being at a loss for words. She had rarely cried in front of Brandon, the only time was during a dinner with Don¡¯s team, when she found out Brandon wanted to leave, and he suddenly demanded fiercely if she had really cut ties completely, and pressed her to tell the truth about whether the child was still there. In that moment, he shattered all her defenses. That meltdown was more about her disgust and despair over not being able to cut tiespletely herself. In the abortion clinic two years ago, she ultimately couldn¡¯t bring herself to give up the child. Her logic told her that to sever ties with Brandonpletely, the child couldn¡¯t stay. But when she actuallyy on the operating table, she was inconsble with tears. It wasn¡¯t about parting ways with Brandon, it was about not giving up on her child. Even though she was too young to feel her heartbeat, just the thought of hering to find Sophia, choosing her to be her mother, and Sophia cold-heartedly rejecting her, made her cry uncontrobly. She couldn¡¯t bear not to have her. She was the only person in her life who had chosen her with such certainty, the only blood rtive she had. Sophia had always longed for a family, but she had a home without a home, never truly having a family of her own. That child represented her most recent chance at having her own family, perhaps the only chance. She was also the only one who chose her not because she resembled someone else, but simply because she wanted her to be her mother. Sophia had the financial means to raise her independently, and she was mentally prepared to do it alone. She had everything ready, yet she still had to give up on her child because she didn¡¯t want to have any ties with the father, Sophia thought of the little one being abandoned, reaching out with those round, helpless, scared eyes, wanting her to hold her hand, while she cruelly retreated step by step, refusing to grasp it, crying so hard she couldn¡¯t catch her breath. The doctors and nurses, seeing her so distraught, didn¡¯t dare to proceed with the surgery and eventually wheeled her out of the operating room. From the moment she was wheeled out of the surgery room, Sophia knew that unless the child didn¡¯t want her, she could never give her up, no matter what. Keeping the child and not entangling with Brandon further, leaving the father and keeping the child seemed the best way to not disturb each other. Brandon would never know about the child, and the child¡¯s existence wouldn¡¯t disturb Brandon¡¯s family and life. 10 These past two years, she¡¯d done well, despite it being hard, she was happy and content. She had never regretted her decision that day at the hospital. Sophia thought life would continue to go on smoothly just like that. ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. But unexpectedly, she ran into Brandon again. Out of the blue, over and over. Especially in such encounters, when Brandon demanded so fiercely whether she had really cut ties, his piercing questions made her feel utterly disheveled, exposing all her lies. She had not managed to cut ties with Brandon as cleanly as she had imed. This fact disgusted her, and her emotions just copsed,pletely uncontroble. That was the only time she had cried in front of Brandon. But at that time, Brandon¡¯s gaze remained as steely as ever in the face of her breakdown. Sophia couldn¡¯t imagine what Brandon¡¯s speechless expression looked like when Cindy cried. She had never seen him at a loss for words. Nor could Cindy describe it. ¡°Anyways, it was just like, ¡®Is this chick for real?¡¯ kind of speechless,¡± Cindy struggled to describe it but couldn¡¯t. ¡°In the end, maybe he couldn¡¯t stand a woman crying in front of him, so he let me go.¡± To Cindy, it seemed like Brandon had a real distaste for women crying. Chapter 168 Chapter 168 Sophia was on board with that. She figured Brandon probably wasn¡¯t a fan of women crying, so during the years she knew him, whether it was senior year or the two years they were hitched, she always kept a tight lid on her emotions in front of him.. But she didn¡¯t see iting that Brandon would cut short his sleuthing because of Cindy¡¯s waterworks. ¡°He hit you up after that?¡± Sophia asked. ¡°Nah,¡± Cindy shook her head, ¡°just stopped me on my way out to peek at my phone, wanted to see the chat history with you. But chill, I wiped our chat clean, nothing left to find,¡± Cindy quickly added, then, unable to contain her curiosity, gave Sophia a look, ¡°So, what¡¯s the deal with you and Mr. Crawley?¡± Sophia hesitated, ¡°We were high school ssmates.¡± She skirted around the fact that they were once married. Cindy was taken aback. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s one of those stories, high school sweethearts, split over some dramatic misunderstanding, now it¡¯s a bittersweet reunion?¡± She sniffed out the scent of a reunion with Brandon, one tinged with unfulfilled longing and resentment. Sophia just smiled. ¡°Nah, that¡¯s not it.¡± ¡°Mr. Crawley? Date? As if,¡± she said. Cindy nodded, seeming convinced, and didn¡¯t pry further. Sophia didn¡¯t borate either, just gently reminded her to keep the police station run-in under wraps, especially the bit about the kid. Not everyone¡¯s cool with the idea of sperm bank babies, and she wasn¡¯t keen on being gossiped about. Cindy got where Sophia wasing from and agreed to keep it zipped without a fuss. The realtor had finished a call and came back to ask about Sophia¡¯s rental intentions. Sophia wasn¡¯t really in the mood to keep looking. The ce was a simple two-bedroom t, more than enough for a studio.. Theplex had a prime location, with good schools, parks, and shopping nearby, not too far from her company, but not too close either-just the right distance from the Crawleys and out of Brandon¡¯s commuting path. Plus, theplex was fairly new, with decent property management and cleanliness. The internal greenery and kids¡¯ facilities were on point, making it a good bang for the buck. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one,¡± Sophia said. ¡°Great!¡± The realtor was ecstatic, ¡°So, about the one upstairs.¡± He wanted to know if Sophia was still interested in taking a look at therger apartment upstairs, a spacious three-bedroom spot. with better interior design and natural light. Sophia had initially wanted to see the upstairs unit first, but upon meeting him, she opted to check out the two-bedroom instead. Sophia knew what he was about to ask and cut him off. ¡°This one¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Alright, the realtor agreed promptly. Sophia and Cindy followed him back to the shop to sign the lease. After the paperwork, Sophia treated Cindy to a meal and called her a ride. It was only after the taxi had disappeared into the distance that Sophia headed back to the real estate office. ¡°Let¡¯s have a look at the big three-bedder upstairs,¡± she said. The realtor was puzzled, not used to someone wanting to see more ts right after signing a lease. ¡°I¡¯ve got a friend who¡¯s also looking to rent,¡± Sophia exined. Naturally, the realtor was thrilled and quickly escorted Sophia back to see the apartment. It was just above the seventh-floor unit she¡¯d rented, on the eighth floor, a short climb away. Theyout, orientation, and light were indeed better than the smaller t, with a cozy, warm off-white decor and even a kids room ready to go. 08:45 Sophia was pleased and signed the rental contract on the spot. She signed on behalf of someone else, renting under the name Susan. By the time she got back to her hotel, it was past eleven. Her room felt empty yet still haunted by Brandon¡¯s presence and the remnants ofst night¡¯s intimacy. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Just the night before, a tipsy her and a furious Brandon had tangled out of control on that king-sized bed. The bed still held echoes of their reckless abandon. Sophia averted her gaze and rang the front desk, asking for a room change. Sophia spent the night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. As soon as she closed her eyes, her mind was a jumbled mess of images-Brandon¡¯s hand frozen in mid-air, hisplex gaze on her, Patricia¡¯s haughty stare, Daniel¡¯s condescending interrogations, asking why she came back, and then the loneliness of sitting in the living room of an empty marital home, watching Brandon rush out the door. Brandon wasn¡¯t sleepy either. Alone on the living room couch, he stared out the window at the winding river below, its lights shimmering in the darkness, and suddenly remembered senior year, the first time he met Sophia. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!