The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 179

"Mr. Crawley, you are getting more and more dashing as the days roll by," Susan chuckled, without a hint of sheepishness or panic.

"Thanks," Brandon replied coolly. "Heard from Kent you left the Hann Group?"

The Hann Group was where Susan worked two years ago, landing the Starlight Hotel project during her time there.

"Yep," Susan laughed back, "I interned in the West district in college, went back there right after graduating, and stuck around ever since. So I figured I better shake a leg and see the world while I'm still young, or I'll kick myself when I'm old."

"Where you hanging your hat now?" Brandon inquired.

"In Skyrim City," Susan replied.

Skyrim City was the city Sophia had mentioned to Brandon when he asked where she was.

"Which company?" he probed, "I'll take you out for a bite next time I'm in town on business."

"I'll hold you to that feast, Mr. Crawley," Susan responded with a smile. "Let's skip the part about announcing my company, shall we? I've had a bit of a tiff with the family, and I'd rather not broadcast my work life. Nowadays, landing a decent job isn't exactly a walk in the park."

Brandon remembered Kent mentioning Susan's family drama over her refusal to go on an arranged date that blew up at her company. He nodded and didn't press further.

He and Susan weren't exactly chatty Kathy's. His greeting was more out of concern for Sophia's odd expression earlier, and a slight sensitivity to Susan's departure from the West district two years ago.

He handed the phone to Sophia.

Sophia pursed her lips slightly, taking the phone in silence.

Susan said her goodbyes to Sophia. "I gotta hop off, Sophia. Got a pitch to polish. We'll catch up later."

"Mhm," Sophia nodded quietly.

Susan also bid Brandon farewell. "Mr. Crawley, see you around."

"Take care."

Brandon echoed her goodbye, then watched as the call ended and the phone's screen switched back to lock mode. He turned to Sophia.

"You look a bit off-color. What's up?"

"It's nothing," Sophia replied softly, "Just got a bit blindsided hearing about some college friends from Susan."

"What happened?" asked Brandon.

"Just the usual sob stories about love-struck fools."

Brandon gave her a quiet look.

Sophia bit her lip, unable to muster her usual calm smile, her mind swirling with the image of Theresa instantly recognizing Brandon in the crowd, her excitement, curiosity, and confusion. She was feeling a bit scattered.

"I should head back."

Sophia made a quiet exit.

"I'll give you a ride," Brandon offered.

"No."

The neighborhood was still bustling at 8 PM, not yet the time to bother others with a ride. Plus, she didn't want too many people knowing where she lived.

Don tried to stop her, but it was too late. He watched as Sophia walked out.

Just as Sophia got to the villa's entrance, she bumped into Ivan, who was also summoned by Don.

Ivan raised an eyebrow at her. "Heading back already?"

Sophia nodded. "Yeah, got some work to crunch."

She gestured towards the villa behind her. "They're all still inside."

Ivan glanced at the villa, then shrugged off the idea of joining. "Nah, these shindigs aren't my scene."

Instead of going in, he walked with Sophia out towards the street.

Sophia was surprised. "You're not going in?"

"Nope," Ivan confirmed. "Just happened to be nearby and thought I'd pop by. Seen it, now I'm good to go."

Sophia gave an awkward smile, momentarily at a loss for words, and they walked on in silence.

The villa's neighborhood was tranquil at night, with the dim streetlights casting elongated shadows of the pair, overlapping into intimate silhouettes.

Just as Brandon drove out of the villa, he glanced up and caught sight of the two figures under the streetlights, walking side by side with an air of closeness.