The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 538

Marian's heart did a freaking somersault, nearly blurted out to grill him on why he had to spill the beans about her. She was just shooting the breeze, after all. But she swallowed her words, mustering a strained smile at Daniel, "No biggie, I'm not holding a grudge against Mr. Crawley. My bad that day; shouldn't have been such a chatterbox. I didn't see it coming."

She sniffled, her voice trailing off as she hung her head in guilt.

"It's all fate." Daniel sighed heavily, eyeing the nasty bruise on her neck with alarm, "You better not have hurt your neck; let me take you to the doc, okay?"

Marian touched her neck and whispered back, "I'm fine, thanks Mr. Crawley. I want to check on Mr. Crawley. With him being like this, I'm really worried."

Daniel was kinda taken aback by her concern for Brandon, remembering how she'd been at loggerheads with him since her return. Even when their families tried to play matchmaker, she'd kept it cool.

Marian avoided Daniel's gaze, her eyelids drooping, "I'm just genuinely worried about Mr. Crawley."

Daniel was touched. He figured Marian's lukewarm response back then was due to her being considerate, knowing someone was already in Brandon's life. That reading made him extra grateful to her, plus the memory of how Yolanda had stood by Brandon when he lost his mom as a kid. So he just nodded, "Just be careful, okay?"

Marian nodded, "I will."

After saying their goodbyes, she bolted out.

Brandon beelined straight for the hotel parking lot and zoomed off in his car. By the time Kent hit the parking lot, Brandon's ride was long gone. Concerned, Kent hopped into his car and tailed him.

Brandon drove back to where Sophia had fallen into the river.

Daylight provided a clearer view. Though just a tributary, due to relief degree of terrain which formed the river, the stream's rapid flow, especially after last night's downpour, along with the convergence of mountain creeks could easily cause a flash flood.

No one heard Sophia's cries or struggles after she fell, and her body wasn't found in the foundations. Only one possibility remained: she didn't fall into the foundations but hit her head on them, knocking her out cold, and was swept away by the current.

The spot she fell from was right above a concrete pillar. Normally, she would've fallen right into it, but since she wasn't found there, Brandon figured Sophia's survival instincts made her veer off at the last second. Still, she was too close to completely avoid it, especially being pushed off guard.

Brandon's heart clenched uncontrollably, sending a chill through his eyes.

Last night, as he searched the water fruitlessly for Sophia, he'd simultaneously called in hydrologists to estimate the current's speed and calculate how far she could've been carried. Professional rescue teams were also mobilized to search downstream, hoping against hope that Sophia had been washed ashore. But as time ticked by, despite the efforts of the pro teams, the police, a hefty public reward, and door-to-door inquiries along the riverbanks, there was still no sign of Sophia.

Brandon dared not contemplate the worst-case scenario.

The tributary was short but swift, quickly merging into the main river, not far from the mouth leading to the sea.

An unconscious Sophia had no chance of saving herself. If she'd been swept out to sea.

Brandon couldn't bear to think further. He drove along the river toward the sea outlet, his car's air conditioning on full blast, but all he felt was an icy chill.

Kent hurried after him, unable to stop Brandon. Just as he was about to leap into the river again, Marian's urgent voice rang out from behind, "Brandon, you think playing the hero by jumping into the river is noble? What's the point if it just costs another life?"

Brandon froze in his tracks, turning around with a frosty look to catch a glimpse of Marian on the shore, the latter’s hair tousled by the wind, his eyes slicing through Kent like knives.

Kent was tongue-tied, not expecting Don to have let Marian slip through. He turned to Don, who had also just arrived.

Don hadn't expected Marian to be so fearless, daring to follow his car right up to Brandon. He hurried over and grabbed Marian.

"Are you deaf or something? Get lost, now!" He turned grim, too, grabbing Marian's arm, ready to drag her away.

Marian yanked her arm free with a jerk, tears welling up in her eyes as she stared straight at Brandon, "Brandon, I know this whole mess started with me. I didn't think before I spoke. I shouldn't have blabbered on that day, bringing up the Zenitha-style project for Mr. Daniel Crawley. If I hadn't spoken anything, none of this would've happened. Go ahead, I'll take the heat! But it was totally not on purpose, I just blurted it out when Mr. Daniel Crawley asked about my project progress. I had no idea it would lead to this. I'm heartbroken about Sophia too."

By the end, she was sobbing.

Brandon shot Kent a frosty look, "Kent, I'm warning you, either get her out of here now or toss her in the river, your call!"

With that, he kicked off his shoes, ready to take the plunge into the river, but then the sight of a patchwork plaid vintage scarf, caught in the branches on the opposite bank, made his face change. He dived in and quickly swam towards the other side.

It was Sophia's scarf; he recognized it!