The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 277

"She just left, not even a few minutes ago."

As he finished speaking, he saw Brandon's brow furrow slightly and his eyes turn towards him. "Why would she clock out so early all of a sudden?"

Caught off guard by the question, Don responded.

"Well, it was time to punch out."

"She's not the type to watch the clock for quitting time."

"Plus," Brandon paused, "she left before it was time to finish up, didn't she?"

Sophia was a workhorse who could really get into the zone, never one to watch the clock or duck out early.

Don was at a loss for words, as Sophia definitely wasn't one to leave work early.

Brandon's eyes had a sharp edge. "What exactly happened?"

The smile on Don's face stiffened. With everyone watching by the company's entrance, it wasn't the place for straight talk. He hesitated, glancing at Brandon, then hesitantly looked towards Martin.

Brandon's gaze followed to Martin.

Martin subtly turned his head away. With Marian inside and all the company people watching, he didn't want to bring it up there.

Brandon didn't press further.

"I'll catch up with you guys later."

He dropped the sentence coldly and turned on his heel, his steps firm and quick.

Don watched him hit the elevator button, stepping in without a pause, his long fingers also "snap" pressing the button, the elevator doors closing, and the car beginning its descent.

Don couldn't help but turn to Martin. "Let's get a move on and have a feast to set us on our way."

Martin glanced at him, ignoring the jest, and headed for the elevator.

Don followed suit.

Brandon rode the elevator down to the underground parking garage.

Getting into his car, he pulled out his phone to call Sophia.

After a brief ring, the call was picked up.

"Hello?" Her voice soft and listless, not sounding overly enthusiastic.

"Where are you at right now?"

Brandon asked, his other hand already fastening the seatbelt and starting the engine.

"I'm on my way home," Sophia said softly, "Is something up?"

Brandon didn't answer her question, just softly asked, "Whereabouts are you?"

Sophia wasn't too keen on saying.

She was in a funk and couldn't pin down why.

Perhaps it was Martin's suggestion to submit her design project under Marian, which was Yolanda's name, to Louis that had stirred up some unpleasant memories, dragging her back to the gloomy days before her divorce, reminding her of the times Brandon and Daniel discussed Yolanda in the study.

Daniel wanted Brandon to divorce her to make room for Yolanda, Brandon mistook her for Yolanda, Martin wanted to dress up Yolanda with her hard work.

She had already cleared the way as everyone wished, escaped that marriage, studied hard, worked hard, and finally made some achievements. Yet, two years later, all her efforts were still paving the way for Yolanda.

Sophia couldn't describe her feelings. It seemed like her efforts, even her existence, were just for another woman.

Love was like this, marriage was like this, and even her career wasn't spared.

Perhaps because of the unhappiness that surfaced, facing the tenderness in Brandon's voice on the phone, Sophia felt an inexplicable resistance.

Brandon also sensed her off vibe, his voice dropping lower.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Nothing." Sophia's voice was faint, weary, "I'm heading home, gotta hang up."

With that, she ended the call.

The "beep beep" of the busy tone transmitted, Brandon glanced at the phone, which had reverted to the screensaver.

He pinched the phone, pondering for a moment, then looked out the car window, slowing down.

Sophia's call had been filled with the noise of the bustling traffic, not the kind of noise you'd get inside a car.

Brandon figured Sophia was standing by the road when she answered, either walking or biking home.

Driving towards Sophia's neighborhood, Brandon deliberately slowed down, scanning the bike lane and sidewalk to his right.

The clock-out traffic wasn't too heavy yet.