The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 412

Aaron was sticking to Marian and Louis like glue, acting like a dedicated bodyguard, seriously keeping the eager crowd at bay.

His earnest and attentive demeanor made Sophia think of a favored eunuch from a foreign drama.

You've got to admit, Aaron has a knack for playing the servant role.

Sophia couldn't help but shake her head with a chuckle, about to look away, when Aaron, busy shielding Marian and Louis, happened to look up and caught her eye, momentarily freezing in surprise.

His sudden stop made Marian glance over in Sophia's direction, and when she spotted Sophia chilling on the lounge seat, her gaze froze, and her smile stiffened.

Sophia found Marian's reaction a bit odd and gave her a curious look.

Marian quickly flashed a smile across the crowd and then got swept up with the others into the elevator.

As she turned away, Sophia caught the stiff smile re-forming on Marian's lips and the gravity in her expression.

Ivan noticed too and frowned, asking Sophia, "What's up with you and Marian?"

Sophia responded with a puzzled shake of her head, "Nothing's up. We've been cool at the office."

Ivan’s confusion deepened as he glanced back at the now-quiet elevator area, with everyone having entered the lift.

Checking his watch, Ivan noted that the tender meeting was about to start.

He looked at Sophia, "Shall we head in?"

Sophia replied somewhat awkwardly, "You go ahead. I'll wait for Mr. Dempsey a bit longer."

"He's not involved in the bidding, so he might not arrive that quickly. Plus, he's been swamped these past few days, and there's been some traffic. Might have to wait a bit longer," Ivan said.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sophia’s phone rang—it was Don calling.

Sophia answered.

Sophia nodded, "Okay."

Brandon woke up after an hour's nap.

When he checked the time, it seemed the Frost family's resort tender meeting hadn't officially started yet.

Knowing the Frost family would be there and recalling Martin's previous attitude toward Sophia, he couldn't shake off his concern. After some thought, he got up, changed clothes, grabbed his car keys, and was about to head out.

Theresa was playing in the living room. Seeing Brandon grab his keys, she quickly dropped her toys and "pitter-pattered" over, thinking Brandon was taking her out.

Brandon, having changed his shoes, turned to see Theresa struggling to put on hers and couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Theresa, I've got something on today, can't take you with me. How about we go out when I get back tonight?"

He crouched down to her level and spoke softly.