The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Ivan couldn't help but glance at the big screen, and the familiar design style made him frown a bit, then he turned to look at

Sophia.

Sophia looked a bit tense, her eyes already shifting from the big screen to Marian on stage.

Marian seemed flustered, fumbling to hit the keyboard. But probably because she was so frazzled, she missed the keys and even

managed to knock over the water bottle next to the computer.

It was a tiny move, but it still made the applause from the audience die down a bit, everyone looking at Marian with puzzled faces.

Martin was also puzzled by Marian's blunder, but considering all the eyes and cameras on him, he gave everyone a sheepish smile,

turned to the side, and began pointing at the render on the big screen with a laser pointer, saying.

"Actually, we've been toying with the idea of building this manor for years, but just couldn't find the right designer for the job. Just

so happens, my little sis cback from abroad this year after graduating from a top-notch architecture school. She was eager to

show slove to my grandpa and grandma, so it was a match made in heaven. She took on the challenge of designing the

vacation manor all by herself."

"I'd like to ask Ms. Barlow, what was your mindset when you designed this piece?"

Brandon's voice suddenly cut through the crowd, clear and strong, interrupting Martin's spiel.

Sophia looked over in surprise at the sound, only then noticing Brandon standing up in the crowd.

Brandon's handsface was cool as ice, his gaze toward the stage sharp and piercing.

Theresa was still in his arms, her big beautiful eyes looking confusedly at the big screen, the more she looked, the more puzzled

she became.

Louis was already thrown for a loop by Brandon's sudden move, quickly stood up and whispered to him, "Let's talk about this in

private, the press are interviewing right now."

Brandon ignored him, his eyes still fixed intently on Marian, who was now pale, calling her out, "Ms. Barlow, is something the

matter?"

pm

Marian was stuttering, completely panicked and at a loss for words.

Martin's brows were almost twisted into a knot, about to signal someone to escort Brandon to the reception room, when Theresa,

still puzzled, looked at Marian and blurted out, "That's my mommy's, her drawing."

Afraid Marian might not hear her, Theresa raised her voice, her sweet little voice ringing out loud and clear in the now quiet hall,

causing everyone to turn their heads toward her in confusion.

Theresa's attention was all on the painting on the big screen, her pretty face full of bewilderment.

She had no idea how her mom's lost painting ended up here.

Louis also furrowed his brow, thoughtfully glancing at Theresa, then at Brandon, and finally at Marian on stage.

Marian probably had never been in such a big predicament before and was utterly overwhelmed.

Louis had a hunch something was off and signaled to Martin to clear the room.

Brandon, noticing the shift in Martin's eyes, grew even colder, turned to go on stage, but as he turned, he saw Sophia standing by

the side door, with Ivan standing next to her.

She was looking over at them, her expression somewhat startled.

Brandon gave her a glance, then looked behind her but didn't see Don.

The rest of lvan's team also noticed Ivan and Sophia, and got up to wave them over.

Brandon's gaze paused at the nameplate in front of the man waving, which belonged to a representative of the Evert Group.

Next to him, two seats were conspicuously empty.

Brandon knew Sophia wanted to attend this bidding meeting, but he also knew she had no reason to be here.

The project wasn't designed by their company, and who the builders were had nothing to do with them.

If it was just out of curiosity about the bidding, there was no need; she was in the biz herself and had been to plenty of big and

small bidding meetings, so there was no need to be curious about this one.

Brandon didn't want to guess if she had cspecifically to accompany Ivan to this bid.

The thought made his heart suddenly constrict.

Theresa's attention was still entirely on the big screen, full of confusion, and she hadn't noticed Sophia.

Martin had already apologetically addressed the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, | apologize, but we've had a

little situation here that we need to deal with. Please make your way to the lounge for a break."

Martin's words brought Brandon back to reality.

This was not the tto dwell on why Sophia was here.

He went up with Theresa in his arms, put her down as soon as he reached the stage, making sure she didn't see Sophia with Ivan.

He didn't stop Martin from clearing the room. Marian was under the n"Yolanda," and Brandon didn't want the word 'plagiarism’

to fall on Yolanda.

A latecomer Don, just reaching the entrance of the hall, saw the guests filing out and looked inside, puzzled, not quite

understanding what had happened, and turned to a greeter with a questioning look, "What's going on?"

"It seems there was a little hiccup, they need to sort it out," the greeter said softly, equally puzzled.

Don frowned and walked into the hall, his mind full of questions.

As soon as he entered the hall, he saw Brandon standing on stage.

Brandon looked at Marian expressionlessly, "Ms. Barlow, aren't you going to explain?"

Louis had already hurried up to the stage, seeing Marian almost in tears, both anxious and sympathetic, he quickly comforted her,

"Don't rush, take it easy, Martin and |, we are here."

Martin had turned off the microphone, also sensing something was amiss, and looked seriously at Marian, "What's going on?"

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Don also hurried up on stage, "What happened?”

Brandon glanced at him, then back at Sophia not far behind him, and his gaze returned to Don's face, "What are you doing here?"

"Just popped by to check out the bidding," Don explained, "got caught in a nasty traffic jam and just made it here."

Puzzled, he asked, "What brings you here, too?"

"Just swinging by," Brandon said, glancing back at Sophia who was still standing next to Ivan, "cover here."

Sophia gave him a hesitant look before slowly making her way over.

Ivan followed suit and joined them.

Don flashed a smile and gave a casual wave to the two, by way of greeting, before turning his attention back to Marian and Martin,

repeating his earlier question, "So, what's the ?"

But no one responded.

Everyone's attention was fixed on Marian, who looked like she was about to break down in tears.

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