The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Kent glanced over; it was a call from Martin.

Brandon also caught the n"Martin" lighting up on the phone screen, guessing it was because Martin had just been hung up on and had decided to try Kent's line instead.

Unless it was something urgent, Martin wouldn't bother ringing a second tthis way.

Brandon guessed it had to do with Marian; Martin would only look for him regarding matters concerning Marian.

Marian was pretty much under control, so Brandon didn't pay much attention to Martin's call. But the fact that Martin had made several calls in succession, even going through Kent when his own calls went unanswered, suggested to Brandon that the matter was significant. He gave Kent a slight nod, "Take it." Kent looked apologetically at Harvey Ferber and Clark, "Mr. Ferber, Clark, excuse me, I need to take this call." Harvey Ferber smiled and nodded, "No worries, go ahead." "Thank you, Mr. Ferber." After his thanks, Kent had already scooped up his phone and stood up, walking off to the side as he answered.

"Hello, Mr. Frost?" "Kent, it's Martin." Martin on the other end cut straight to the chase, "Where's Mr. Crawley?" Kent glanced over at Brandon, "Mr. Crawley is discussing business with a client." "Then, could you let Mr. Crawley know to givea ring once he's done? I've just intercepted a video of a conversation between Augus and Marian; there's news about Sophia." Kent's expression tightened, "I'll let Mr. Crawley know right away." With that, he turned and swiftly made his way back to Brandon.

Back at Brandon's end, Harvey Ferber watched Kent leave and turned his attention back to Brandon, reiterating his earlier question, "Mr. Crawley, under what conditions would you be willing to part with it?" "Without any conditions," Brandon looked steadily at him, having set aside the pleasantries from their earlier casual conversation, "Starlight Group's not giving up Aurora Wharf no matter what." "Is that so?" Harvey Ferber also dropped his leisurely demeanor, "Would Mr. Crawley be interested in taking a stroll withon the ship?" Brandon looked at him.

Harvey Ferber looked back at Brandon, too.

In their quietly clashing gazes, both hid their assessments of the other.

In Harvey Ferber's eyes, Brandon saw a determination.

"Sure." Brandon nodded lightly, already rising to his feet.

"Please." Harvey Ferber stood up as well, with a gesture of invitation, started leading him out of the restaurant.

Kent, phone call done, hurried to catch up to Brandon.

As Brandon reached the restaurant's entrance, he wasn't surprised to see the hallway leading to the tightly shut hospital doors; he paused for a moment.

Harvey Ferber glanced at Brandon, his outstretched hand now pointing towards the elevator in the direction of the hospital, "Mr. Crawley, this way." Leaving it ambiguous whether he meant the elevator or the hospital.

Brandon gave him a look and responded, "Much obliged, Mr. Ferber," before following Harvey Ferber.

Before they reached the elevator, Kent had already caught up to Brandon.

"Mr. Crawley," he called out urgently.

Brandon turned to look at him, noting Kent's serious expression and gestured him to speak.

Kent apologetically smiled at Harvey Ferber and Clark, then approached Brandon and whispered, "Mr. Frost just called me, saying he intercepted a video of Marian and Augus's conversation. It contains news about Sophia." Brandon's stride halted abruptly.

Harvey Ferber and Clark looked at Brandon in surprise.

Brandon quickly turned to Harvey Ferber, "Mr. Ferber, my apologies, something urgent'se up. I must take my leave now; we can talk another day." Without waiting for a response, Brandon spun around and headed for the stairs, his rapid footsteps echoing in the stairwell. Kent also apologized to Harvey Ferber and Clark, "We're truly sorry, Mr. Ferber, but Mr. Crawley has urgent matters to attend to. We'll reschedule sother time." After that, he too turned and headed into the stairwell after Brandon.

Clark glanced at Harvey Ferber, "Mr. Ferber?" Brandon's abrupt exit was a bit unexpected for both of them.

Neither Clark nor Harvey Ferber really thought money alone could convince Brandon to let go of Aurora Wharf. Brandon was not short of money.

But there might be someone who could make Brandon give up - the woman he'd spent a billion looking for clues about.

A billion is a fortune to ordinary people, but like Brandon, Harvey Ferber wasn't short on money.

What he wanted was the dock.

Harvey Ferber looked away, catching Clark's anxious gaze, "No hurry." The bargaining chip was in his hands; he had the confidence not to be hurried.

From their brief encounter, Harvey Ferber could tell Brandon's resolve was far stronger than he had imagined, local power was greater, and the man himself more assertive.

He was on Brandon's turf now, and if Brandon played tough, he might not be able to hold his own.

Moreover, the safety and travel experience of all the passengers aboard the ship were tied to the reputation of "The Royal Marine" and, by extension, the Ferber Group behind it. There's no way he could gamble with this cruise liner.

Clark immediately understood Harvey Ferber's thoughts and nodded, "Gotcha." Just then, the tightly closed hospital doors not far behind them opened, and a nurse in her scrubs rushed out, all pumped up. She did a double-take at Harvey Ferber and then hustled over to whisper, "Mr. Ferber, the patient'se around." A flicker of surprise shot through Harvey Ferber's eyes: "So soon? Didn't they say it could take a month or even a year, with the timing entirely unpredictable?" Even as he said it, he was already turning on his heel, striding toward the hospital entrance.

Brandon gave him a cold glance, "Why didn't you tellthis back then?" "I didn't find any other anomalies. You were also in a bad state those few days feared that knowing this would give you hope and then lead to disappointment, potentially harming your health, so I dared not tell you, thinking I'd wait until there is concrete evidence," Kent said in a low voice. "Don't filter stuff forfrom now on, I can judge for myself," Brandon said, Brandon said, swiftly walking towards Kent's car parked not far away. He opened the door and got into the car.

Kent quickly slid into the driver's seat.

The car sped away from the dock and, as it took to the highway, Brandon glanced out the et window the posh cruise ship they left behind was slowly retracting its gangway, the behemoth vessel starting to ease away from the port, heading out to the open sea.