The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Halfway through handing over the work, Ivan got this feeling that something was fishy.

"How long are you planning on taking off?" Ivan paused the handover and looked at Sophia. "This doesn't look like a short break."

"I might take a long vacation." Sophia didn't want a whole lot of complications. "I'm thinking of taking Theresa to explore around.

Ever since she was born, I've been all tied up with studying and work, barely had any twith her. Now that the Zenithan-style

resort project is wrapped up for the moment, | figured it's a good chance to spend more twith her."

"How long?" Ivan asked.

Sophia pursed her lips slightly. "I don't know the specifics."

"Where to?"

"Just roaming around." Sophia kept it vague. "Planning on living as a nomad with Theresa for a bit."

She had in mind to take Theresa on a nomadic journey with Susan and Grace, maybe for a year or a year and a half, until Theresa

was old enough for preschool. Then they'd find a city they all loved to settle down in.

Just as she had told Ivan, from Theresa's birth until now, she had been swamped with school and work, with only slivers of tto

spend with her daughter.

Once Theresa started preschool, the tavailable to be with her would inevitably shrink, so Sophia wanted to take advantage of

the tbefore preschool to wander around and be with her.

The decision to leave was spontaneous, and nomadic living seemed to fit the bill for them.

She hadn't given up her apartment, nor did she have tto deal with it now.

"So, when are you planning to leave?" Ivan asked.

"As soon as | tie up loose ends here."

Ivan chuckled, "So, in a couple of days, huh?"

Sophia smiled but didn't bite.

"Does Brandon know?" Ivan inquired.

Sophia's smile faded a bit. She didn't want to delve into that topic.

Ivan got the hint and didn't push further.

"Dropa line once you're settled in," he said with a smile. "I'll cover for you here, don't sweat it."

"Thanks, Ivan."

Sophia couldn't help but smile back.

Brandon just happened to cdown looking for Sophia, and as he stood at the office door, he caught the two of them sharing a

laugh, which made him pause slightly.

Sophia just happened to look up and saw Brandon at the door. Her smile subconsciously waned.

Ivan also sensed the shift in the air, and as he turned and saw Brandon, his own smile gradually faded.

Brandon gave him a glance and then calmly walked toward Sophia.

"All done for the day?" he asked, his voice steady.

Sophia nodded, then turned to Ivan. "lvan, maybe we should call it a day."

Ivan nodded, "Yeah."

He then packed up his notebook, stood up, and left.

As he passed by Brandon, he didn't stop or greet him, just walked straight out.

Brandon paid him no mind, just turned to Sophia. "Why so late today?"

"Got a bit of a backlog with the projects," Sophia whispered, looking at him, "You haven't headed back either."

"Mhm."

Brandon hummed softly, looked at her and asked, "Shall we go?"

On the way back, they grabbed a bite to eat, and after dinner, Brandon dropped Sophia off at her 15th-floor office.

At her doorstep, Sophia turned to say goodbye to Brandon.

"Aren't you going to invitein for a glass of water?"

Brandon looked at her, his tone neutral.

Sophia hesitated, then nodded and opened the door, flicking on the light switch.

The flood of light instantly brightened the dim room.

Brandon glanced around. Everything was the sas his last visit, except for the desk.

The desk wasn't as tidy as before, with sblueprints scattered around.

Sophia noticed too.

She'd been too busy these past days to tidy up.

She had a habit of leaving her drafts on the desk, so she'd specifically told Grace not to clean it.

Seeing Brandon's gaze linger on her slightly messy desk, Sophia felt a tad embarrassed.

"It's been hectic these last few days, didn't get a chance to clean up," she said, moving to the desk, and softly added, "There are

cups under the water dispenser."

"Mhm."

Brandon responded and headed to the dispenser.

Sophia stood at the desk, ready to tidy up, when she realized that the top design blueprint was missing.

She frowned slightly, lifting each sheet to check, but it wasn't there.

Brandon noticed her searching and cover with his cup. "What's up?"

Sophia shook her head. "It's nothing."

She searched again, still no sign.

Confused, Sophia frowned and suddenly remembered Theresa mentioning she'd lost her drawing. She wasn't sure if it was this one.

She hadn't asked in detail, and Grace hadn't seen the drawing.

Brandon stood by the desk, glanced at the papers she was stacking, and then asked her, "Looking for something?"

Sophia shook her head again, slowly placed the papers on the desk, then glanced at his empty cup. "When you go out, could you

close the door behind you? I'm heading to my room."

Brandon gave her a look, nodded, and watched her go into her room and close the door behind her.

Her room was as usual, nothing out of place.

But Brandon didn't leave.

As he stepped out, he grabbed the keys from the entryway and headed to the 18th floor.

The 18th floor was deserted.

Coming back down, Brandon pulled out his phone and called Kent.

"Need a flight check."

"Huh?" Kent sounded puzzled on the other end. "Check what?"

"See if Sophia and Susan have any recent flight bookings."

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