The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 196

Kent couldn't help but stealthily observe Brandon, unable to read anything off his poker face.

The line was inching along, and Sophia and Ivan were chatting away as they shuffled forward with the crowd.

When it was Ivan's turn, he casually grabbed an extra tray and then swung around to hand it to Sophia. Sophia, busy answering Ivan's questions, couldn't ignore the intense feeling of being watched from behind.

Maybe it was because she and Brandon had been married before, but when Ivan handed her the tray, Sophia felt a ridiculous sense of infidelity.

"Thanks a bunch."

She thanked him awkwardly, hesitantly taking the tray and her movements stiffened a bit as she carefully controlled the scope of her actions while getting her food.

Ivan was done first. There was soup on the side; he picked up an extra one on his way past, and then turned back to Sophia saying, "Sophia, I grabbed you some soup too."

Sophia felt the gaze on her back getting even stronger.

She turned and awkwardly thanked Ivan before holding her tray and moving towards him, "I'll take it myself."

She tried to take the soup from him, but Ivan dodged her reaching hand.

"Let me do it."

After saying that, he was already carrying his tray in one hand and the soup in the other, glanced over at the dining area, spotted Marian, Don, and Cindy sitting in the right-hand section, and headed their way.

Sophia had no choice but to follow.

Kent shot a glance at the two; their height difference and the way Ivan carried Sophia's soup made them look like a couple on the move. After watching them, he couldn't resist worrying and turned to look at Brandon.

Brandon's face was still the same old impassive facade. He didn't even glance at Sophia, just grabbed a tray, picked a few dishes at random, and headed towards the dining area.

He didn't go towards Sophia and her group, instead finding a quiet corner for himself. But at this time, the cafeteria was crowded, and since Marian, Don, and Cindy had already scoped out a quiet spot, Brandon ended up not far from Sophia's group.

Brandon sat diagonally behind Sophia, two rows back.

When Kent, with tray in hand, sat down at the table in front of Brandon, he couldn't resist glancing over at Sophia again.

The group sat at a long table, with Sophia's back to Brandon, and Ivan opposite her.

During the meal, Ivan kept looking up and chatting with Sophia. Even though they couldn't see Sophia's expression from their angle, Ivan's gentle smile and tender eyes suggested she was probably responding warmly.

Thinking this, Kent couldn't help but look back at Brandon again, who was still calmly eating, but his calmness now seemed to carry a hint of being expressionless.

Don, sitting directly opposite Brandon and Kent, noticed the two sitting alone and gestured, "Hey, we've got empty seats over here. Come join us; it'll be bored sitting by yourselves."