The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate



There seemed to be something lingering in the silence.

Brandon's deep eyes were fixed on her, unflinching. The intensity in his gaze made even Sophia's smile feel awkward and cramped.

"So, if you're all good," she hesitated before breaking the silence, gesturing vaguely behind her, "I'll just be on my way then."

Brandon didn't respond, his eyes still locked on her. Sophia managed a tight-lipped smile in a polite attempt to say goodbye, and just as she was about to turn and leave, her arm was suddenly caught.

"I've got some paperwork to sort out, could use your help," Brandon said.

Sophia turned back to look at him, uncertain.

"These documents are proposals needing approval from various branches and departments. They've been piling up because of how busy work's been. I need to get through them all tonight." Brandon explained, "I'm swamped."

Sophia's gaze shifted to the mountain of papers behind him, then back to his face. She could barely make out a hint of fatigue on his handsome features, and finally nodded gently in response to that weariness.

"Thanks."

Just like always, he thanked her. Sophia's lips curved upwards, barely, in response.

Brandon handed her a small stack of papers, "Give these a preliminary look. If you think they're worth agreeing to, put them on the left side. If not, the right."noveldrama

Sophia glanced down at the hefty stack in his hands, "I'm not that familiar with the company's operations."

"It's fine." Brandon said, "Just use your experience and common sense to judge."

Sophia nodded slightly, "Okay."

She took the stack of documents, pulled over a chair, and sat down at one end of the desk. Brandon also sat down at the other end, picking up another portion of the documents to review.

The pile on his desk was still substantial. Ever since moving here, Brandon had scarcely stayed late at the office, but he was still up to his neck in work, which meant some had to be done from home.

This was Sophia's first up-close encounter with Brandon's work. Although he sometimes worked from home before, his study was like a no-go zone. Unless he invited her in, she never dared to touch his stuff, and he never touched hers. The boundaries between them had always been crystal clear. Sophia was quick to sift through the documents.

Her main focus was architectural design, but she had been keen on various news and marketing operations since her student days, not to mention her gigs as an illustrator and comic artist which required extensive online engagement and personally taking part in project planning. She had considerable experience in packaging and promoting works.

Therefore, when it came to assessing the feasibility and projected outcomes of proposals from the various branches and departments that were more liable to put into practice, she had a solid intuition.

Before long, Sophia had categorized and sorted all the proposals Brandon had given her, placing them neatly on his desk. For those she was unsure about, she made a separate pile.

She had just finished when Brandon took a call from an overseas branch. Perhaps not wanting to disturb her, he moved to the window to talk.

He was standing tall and well-proportioned, his casual stance at the window, phone in one hand, the other in his pocket, exuded an effortless yet commanding presence.

The night outside cast shadows on his sharp features, adding a layer of detached coolness to his already aloof demeanor. Brandon at work was always laid-back yet focused and steady.

Sophia remembered Yvonne's description of Brandon, seemingly invincible, calm, rational, and so powerful that it made one forget his humanity.

Her experience was much the same as Yvonne's. Most of the time, it seemed to Sophia that emotions were superfluous to Brandon. It was as if he didn't need them.