The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 252

Grace said, "Nelly."

Brandon glanced up at her.

Grace met his gaze without flinching.

Whether it was Theresa's birthday or her mom's name, both were specifically mentioned by Sophia and Susan back when they were still in Wye City.

Grace remembered encountering Brandon at a restaurant in Wye City.

That time, she and Susan were taking Theresa to eat at Sophia's company. The three of them went ahead, and Sophia would join after work.

After getting out of the car, Susan went to park, and she and Theresa headed on first.

On the way, she bumped into a childhood friend from her hometown and stopped for a quick chat, exchanging contact info, not expecting Theresa to let go of her hand and dart straight into the restaurant, tumbling right in front of Brandon.

Scared half to death when she realized Theresa was missing, she was relieved to find her after parting the curtains to the restaurant.

That time she had a brief encounter with Brandon. Aside from noting that he was a good-looking guy, she didn't think much of it. But when they were about to sit down, Susan called her, asking if she could get her childhood friend to pose as Theresa's mom for a bit since she and Sophia couldn't come in.

Grace's friend, who happened to be out alone and up for catching up, readily agreed.

So they borrowed her friend Nelly's name that time.

After that day, Sophia had told her that if anyone inquired about Theresa, to say her birthday was November of the year before last, and to use the name Nelly for the mom, sticking with Theresa for the name.

Grace didn't know why, but she made sure to remember this.

Working for someone else, she was afraid of misspeaking and causing trouble for Sophia's family, so when Brandon asked, she recited the details like reading from a textbook, extra nonchalant.

Brandon took another look at her.

At that moment, respectful greetings rang from outside the door. "Chairman Crawley."

Then Kent's voice was deliberately raised. "Chairman Crawley, what brings you here?"

And then he called into the office. "Mr. Crawley, Chairman Crawley's looking for you."

Brandon's eyes shifted towards the doorway.

Daniel was striding over, looking none too pleased.

The news of Brandon bringing a little girl to the office was spreading like wildfire throughout the company.

The company was mostly long-time employees, especially in Brandon's office, where there had been minimal staff turnover for years.

Aside from the revelation that Brandon was married when Sophia visited him two years ago, no one had seen any woman near Brandon for years, Tia's public confession at the company's door notwithstanding.

However, not long after that, Susan had unintentionally let slip in a collaboration with the company that Brandon was divorced.

So everyone knew Brandon was divorced.

But the sight of the bachelor Brandon suddenly showing up with a toddler in tow, looking utterly smitten, was a bombshell even more explosive than an alien visit. In no time, the grapevine did its work, and the news reached Daniel quickly.

Daniel was in his office and knew this couldn't be just a rumor.

He remembered Yvonne recently mentioning her brother might have a love child. He and Patricia had even made a trip to Brandon’s house, only to be brushed off. Not long after, this rumor surfaced at the company, and he hurried over posthaste.

He hadn't expected that just as he reached Brandon's office door, he'd indeed see Brandon holding a little girl over a year old, and standing beside him was the mother of the child Yvonne had described as "kind of plain, a bit tall, a bit sturdy, older than my brother," which made his brows furrow deeply.

Theresa, frightened by Daniel's displeasure, slightly loosened her grip on Brandon's clothes.

Brandon instinctively held Theresa tighter, patting her shoulder to comfort her as he looked at Daniel. "Let's talk in the meeting room."

He was mindful of Theresa, keeping his tone calm and gentle.

Daniel had come to get a look at the little girl in Brandon's arms. He ignored Brandon's suggestion, his assessing gaze already on Theresa.

The little girl was pretty, exceptionally well-behaved and adorable, looking at him with big, round eyes, a mix of anxiety and curiosity in her gaze.

Daniel's expression softened a bit, but not much.

"Whose kid is this?" he asked.

Brandon turned to Kent. "Kent, take Chairman Crawley to the meeting room."

Kent quickly stepped forward. "Chairman Crawley, right this way, please."

Daniel didn't pay him any mind, his eyes shifting from Brandon's calm face to Grace beside him, remaining silent.

But his condescending look made Grace tense up, bowing her head to avoid his gaze.

When Yvonne, who also worked at the company, heard her dad had come up to see Brandon, she hurried over.

Just arriving, she walked into a room that seemed to be at a standstill. She approached with a smile. "Dad, you're here too?"

Then, with a smile, she reached out to Theresa. "Little one, do you remember me?"

Theresa looked at her and nodded politely. "Mhm."

"So well-behaved," Yvonne said with a smile, opening her arms, "Can I give you a hug?"

Theresa looked up at Brandon for approval.

Brandon gave a slight nod.

Theresa immediately climbed into Yvonne's arms.

Brandon looked at Yvonne. "Take her outside for now."

Yvonne nodded, but couldn't help worrying, advising. "Let's talk this out nicely."

Without saying more, she cheerfully told Theresa, "Come on, I will take you for a walk outside," and left with the child. Grace quickly grabbed Theresa's bottle bag and followed.

Brandon watched as the group walked away, then turned to Kent, "Hit up security."

Daniel, realizing what Brandon was up to, his face turned sour, but he didn't dare pick a fight.

Having seen Brandon's tough side a few times, Daniel swallowed his pride, softened his tone and asked, "Who's that girl to you?"