The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 221

The ribbon-cutting ceremony on stage kicked off in a flash when Brandon snipped through the ribbon, and the place erupted with applause and cheers louder than thunder.

After Zachary and Alex gave their brief thank-yous, the ceremony finally started winding down. Brandon headed back to the head table with Zachary and crew, and they all dove into the feast amid a chorus of congratulations.

Once Zachary and Alex's fam did the rounds, thanking everyone and exchanging pleasantries, they finally got to park their butts back at the main table and dig into some grub.

As the meal went on, the thick air of business back-patting gradually turned into a free-for-all of casual chit-chat.

Zachary was in high spirits today, knocking back a few too many shots of whisky. Jolin, worried about his health, urged him to take it easy on the booze, but no dice - she ended up so ticked off; she just snatched the cup right out of his hand.

Zachary just chuckled and let her do her thing, "See, this is the downside of getting hitched - zero freedom to booze it up. You young guns have it made, single and no one to answer to, total freedom."

Then, he switched gears, "But hey, when the right one comes along, you still gotta tie the knot." He started grilling the others, "Don, you hitched yet?"

Don, called out, quickly grinned back, "Nope, swamped with work, no time for that."

Zachary laughed, "You're just like Brandon, always using work as an excuse."

Then, he turned to Ivan, "What about you? Got a special someone? You aren't getting any younger."

Brandon paused mid-sip, glancing at Ivan, who was looking at Zachary, "Not yet, no rush."

Brandon shot a look at Sophia. Sophia suddenly felt like a deer in headlights, too chicken to meet Brandon's gaze.

Zachary, oblivious to her, frowned at Ivan's single status, "How come no girlfriend? Too picky, or maybe there's already someone you have a crush on?"

Ivan just chuckled, keeping mum.

Zachary sensed a story brewing, "Aha, I knew it! You've got a crush. Spill the beans - who's the lucky girl? Maybe I know her."

Everyone's eyes swiveled to Ivan at his words.

Don was just nosy. Brandon's brow furrowed ever so slightly, his grip on his cup tightening.

He glanced at Sophia, and in her eyes, he saw confusion. She was clueless about Ivan's feelings for her.

Ivan, too, shot Sophia a look - one that made her heart race for no good reason. She couldn't quite decipher the look, but it seemed loaded with unspoken words, a look from Ivan she'd never seen before.

Zachary, none the wiser, was pleased, "Really? That's great news."

Brandon just smiled, keeping mum.

Zachary, still a bit bummed about him and Sophia not clicking, couldn't help but add, "I thought either you or Ivan would be a good match for Sophia, but looks like one's got his own preferences and the other's heart is taken. Such a shame."

Sophia glanced up awkwardly, "Mr. Gardner."

Zachary thought she was just shy, chuckling, "Alright, alright, I'll drop it. I'll find someone else for you."

Ivan, as if mustering all his courage, put down his tableware and faced Zachary, "Mr. Gardner, the one I have feelings for is Sophia. No need for match-making."

Not waiting for any response from neither Zachary Nor Sophia, Ivan turned to her and continued, "Sophia, I fancy you. I've had feelings for you since I was your college student supervisor."

Sophia kept silent.

Ivan went on, "I was planning to find the right moment to tell you; this isn't exactly the perfect setting for a confession, but I didn't want the professor to play Cupid anymore, so I'm just laying it out. I don't mind your past."