The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 193

Don chuckled back at her. "Climbing the corporate ladder ain't a walk in the park, you gotta let your work do the talking here. We don't roll with nepotism, you know."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a snide "Huh." echoed from behind.

Don frowned and glanced over his shoulder, spotting Patricia stepping out of the elevator. His frown deepened, but in a blink, he slapped on a professional smile and greeted her, "What brings you here, Mrs. Crawley?"

He remembered Brandon giving Patricia the boot from the head office, and that she was barred from visiting.

Marian, spotting Patricia, was thrilled and sweetly called out, "Mrs. Crawley!"

She deftly linked arms with Patricia, surprisingly chummy with her all of a sudden.

Patricia, seeing Marian, beamed back, "What are you doing here?"

"Just here for work," Marian replied.

"Congrats!" Patricia smiled, "Must've given your grandpa a real scare, running all the way here for a job."

Suddenly, Sophia remembered the old man she encountered at the hospital yesterday. She didn't want to dwell on that, so she quickly bid Don farewell, "I better get back to work."

Don, not wanting Sophia to catch any flak from Patricia, nodded briskly, "Off you go."

Patricia eyed Sophia with that same condescending look she always had.

Don wasn't a fan of that look, but still kept a polite smile on his face, "Mrs. Crawley, does Brandon know you're here?"

A subtle nudge reminding her of Brandon's ban.

Patricia didn't look too pleased, "I'm here as a client, looking to commission a new project with you guys."

Marian, ever the eager beaver, chimed in with a grin, "Auntie, let me take a stab at it. I'm a designer too."

Patricia liked Marian's drive, but she knew how to play her cards right when it came to favors and connections.

She didn't commit, just smiled, "Sure, you can throw your hat in the ring too. It'll be a chance for your grandpa to see your talent."

Marian wasn't put off by the lack of promise, cooing in her sing-song voice, "Sure thing!"

Ivan, who had been quiet, also turned to say goodbye to Don.

Patricia's eyes then landed on Ivan, her brow furrowing in confusion, struggling to place him.

Don, oblivious to her gaze, instructed Cindy, "Cindy, help Ivan get settled in at his desk, the one opposite the Director."

Then to Ivan, "You can get started in the meantime."

After hanging up, Sophia turned to Patricia, "The corridor's under surveillance. Your every word was recorded. Everyone here is a witness. I'll see you in court."

Patricia was speechless.

Sophia nodded politely and left.

Ivan glanced back at Patricia thoughtfully.

Don, almost wishing he could applaud Sophia for her move against Patricia, didn't try to smooth things over. Instead, he shifted the topic, "So, what's this project you're looking to commission? Let's discuss it in the meeting room."

He caught Patricia's fondness for Marian and pulled her along into the meeting room as well, "Marian, come with us."

Just like that, he escorted the pair into the meeting room.

Patricia was still fuming, but with Marian around, she had to play it cool. After all, she was supposed to be the future in-law that both families were trying to hook up, so she wanted to make at least a decent impression. She managed to swallow her anger and briefed Don about the project. She was fired up and not thinking straight, totally spacing out that Marian had just mentioned taking on the project herself. After laying out the plan, she blurted out,

"Let's hand this project over to the designers at the Zenithan-style resort."

After saying that, Patricia glanced towards the design department outside. "Oh right, she's at the company, isn't she? Get her to come over and join the chat."

Don's smile turned a bit cryptic as he gave her a look. "Are you sure you want to see her right now?"