The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 276

Even though he was trying to keep a lid on it, he couldn't help but let slip a hint of suspicion.

This wasn't Sophia's first rodeo with this kind of doubt.

Young women who notch up accomplishments in the workplace were often suspected of having some backdoor way to the top, especially the ones with a bit of a looker.

So she just nodded coolly, "Mhm."

As she spoke, she took a seat across from him, unfolded her notebook, and then looked at him, "Mr. Frost, got any concerns?"

Her poised confidence made Martin glance her way and crack a small smile, "Nope."

He too took a seat at the table.

On the sidelines, Don chuckled as he filled Sophia in.

"Sophia trained under the well-known domestic architecture guru, Zachary Gardner. She’s his star pupil. She's been involved in project design since freshman year, flew solo on projects by senior year, and later snagged a spot in the grad program at the renowned School of Architecture. While still hitting the books, she joined the company and independently worked on several project designs that have been all the rage. Hand your project to her and you can sleep like a baby."

Martin gave a smile and then turned to Sophia, "Sorry, Ms. Yearwood. I didn't mean to cast doubt on your abilities."

Sophia just smiled back, "No worries. So, Mr. Frost, you here for some project help today?"

Martin repeated his earlier request to Sophia, and along with it, he handed her an album of old photos of his grandparents.

"These are some snapshots from their youth and places they've been," Martin said, "My grandpa wants to recreate those cherished spots in the park."

Sophia flipped through the album casually, her gaze suddenly stalling, that familiar yet baffling feeling invading her yet again.

The photos were vintage black and white, with a young, dapper Louis in military garb standing by the sea, and Martin's slender and pretty grandma tiptoeing to wrap her arms around Louis's neck, grinning up at him, her eyes brimming with girlish whimsy and an unmistakable joy.

Louis was gazing down at her, eyes filled with adoration.

Despite the decades separating them, the happiness and sweetness between them could still be felt through the photos.

Sophia couldn't pinpoint where this sense of confusion and familiarity came from, but with each page she turned, it deepened, her touch on the album almost nostalgic.

Martin noticed Sophia's distraction and called out to her, "Ms. Yearwood?"

Sophia snapped back to reality, gave an embarrassed smile, glanced again at the album in her hands, and without much thought, perhaps moved by the sweetness in the couple's eyes that saw only each other, she blurted out, "I'll take on this project."

Martin beamed, "Thank you, Ms. Yearwood."

But his face seemed hesitant, as if weighing his next words.

Sophia prompted him, "Spill it, Mr. Frost."

Martin nodded, looking somewhat apologetic, "I do have an awkward favor to ask."

"Go ahead," Sophia said.

Martin looked at her, "I'd like to put Marian’s name on this project, present it as a gift to my grandpa in her name. It would mean more to him."

"No way!" Sophia pushed the album back at him without a second thought, "I'm nobody's ghostwriter."

Don was just as stunned by Martin's request, giving him an incredulous look.

Martin's demeanor had settled back into his usual businesslike cool, "Ms. Yearwood, we won't strip you of your credit. You'll still be the lead. I just hope to add Marian’s name. Name your price. Money is no issue."

"I'm not short on cash," Sophia retorted as she stood up, "Sorry, but I won't take this project. You'll have to find someone else."

And with that, she was out the door.

Martin tried to persuade her, but Don quickly stopped him.