The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 223

Ivan didn't back down; instead, he returned Brandon a similarly icy stare, "And who are you, directing me to let go?"

As soon as he finished, everyone's eyes darted to Brandon, all a bit lost as to what the heck was going on—especially Zachary.

It wasn't his first time trying to set up a get-together for Sophia and Brandon, but every time they seemed as if they barely knew each other. Forget normal chit-chat, there wasn't even a sharing of glances, but now.

His puzzled gaze fell on Brandon's firm grip on Sophia's hand, then slowly rose to his cold, handsome face.

Brandon didn't show any sign of anger, nor did he back down in the face of Ivan's challenge; he simply met his gaze with composure, "And what gives you the authority to stop me?"

Ivan was stumped, his eyes instinctively shifting to Sophia.

Sophia pursed her lips apologetically at Ivan:

"Ivan, thank you."

Her grateful whisper came with a slight twist of her arm, the universal sign for “let go,” which couldn't be clearer.

Ivan's eyes were full of complex emotions as he looked at her, but he slowly loosened his grip.

"I'm sorry."

Sophia murmured an apology to Ivan, then gently twisted the arm that Brandon was holding. She didn't look at Brandon but said softly, "Mr. Crawley, please let me go."

Brandon's lips suddenly tightened, his eyes glued to her, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing. He didn't comply with her request, instead, his grip became firmer.

"Let's talk."

His voice was ice cold.

Sophia gently shook her head, "We've already discussed everything that needs to be discussed; there’s no point in rehashing it."

Her voice was soft, she didn't make eye contact with Brandon, and she tried to withdraw her wrist with a bit more force.

But it wouldn't move.

Brandon was uncharacteristically obstinate today, his eyes fixated on her and his grip inflexible.

Sophia even felt a twinge of pain.

Even the usually careless Zachary could tell something was off between them.

Sophia bit her lower lip and turned her head away, refusing to look at his injured hand.

"We're all adults here, capable of being responsible for our actions," she stated.

She tried harder to pull her hand back, but still couldn't.

Brandon's gaze was complex as he looked at her cold and calm profile.

He remembered though Sophia wasn't one to cling to him, a tiny scrape on his hand would have previously sent her into great concern—unlike the indifference she displayed now.

He had never intended to gain her sympathy through injury; the shattered glass was just an accident, a momentary lapse of emotion.

But Sophia's indifference still cut through him, yet he refused to believe she could be this indifferent. He forcefully twisted her wrist outward, compelling her look at him.

"Look at me."

Ivan reactively stepped forward to intervene, "You have no right to treat her like this."

But Brandon snapped without even sparing him a look, "Get out!"