The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 561

"I have no clue!" Ivan suddenly burst out, his hand fiercely pointing towards the winding river outside the balcony, "She fell down there, and you're telling me you don't know? She's gone, man, she's never coming back!"

"You're talking nonsense!"

Brandon was clearly riled up by his words, cutting him off sharply.

But this did not stop Ivan, who, seemingly using the moment to vent his emotions, sneered even more scornfully, "Brandon, you finally got what you wished for – you killed her! If it weren't for you forcing her to stay by your side, she would never have died. She was supposed to live as she did in Wye City – devoted, motivated, happy, fulfilled... it was your damn selfishness that killed her!"

"She's not dead!" Brandon retorted coldly, refuting him word by word, as if convincing himself, "You hid her away, didn't you? Otherwise, why the hell did you suddenly resign? Why have you disappeared after her accident?"

“My resignation gave Mr. Crawley great hope, didn’t it?” Ivan sneered as if he heard a great joke, a smirk appearing on his lips, "Isn’t Mr. Crawley always all about evidence? If you think Sophia is with me, go ahead and search. Search anywhere, the whole damn city, the entire world even – go on, search! Aren't you capable? Didn't you find her when she was on the other side of the globe? Continue searching, then, why don't you dig full fathom five to find her?"

By the end, Ivan couldn't control his emotions and roared out loud.

His uncontrollable outburst gradually snuffed out the flicker of hope that had ignited in Brandon.

Watching Brandon's handsome face drained of color, Ivan seemed to slowly realize his own lapse, pursing his lips and turning his face back toward the balcony.

Mr. Evert, who had been nervously watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but look at Brandon with concern.

He hadn't expected him to seek Ivan out for this matter.

This was beyond his comprehension.

Whether it was Brandon or Ivan, losing control over a girl was beyond what he knew of them.

He always thought of Brandon as a rational, cool-headed man with authority, like a king of the business world, masterfully strategizing with ease; women seemed to be the least of his concerns.

And his own son Ivan, while not exactly giving off the detached-from-the-world vibe like Brandon. The fact that he was now acting out of character over a woman was more shocking to Mr. Evert than surprising.

But as for Sophia, he had no impression of her; he had never met her.

Now, seeing the two men at each other's throats over a girl, Mr. Evert couldn't help but worryingly call out to Brandon, "Mr. Crawley?"

Brandon glanced at him but didn't respond, his gaze returning to Ivan. As his Adam's apple bobbed, he pleaded, "Where is she? I beg you, tell me."

Ivan, seemingly caught off guard by Brandon lowering himself to beg, paused, then looked at Brandon seriously, "How could she possibly be with me? I only learned about her accident from the news, how could I have had the chance to save her?"

Brandon remained silent.

Logically, Ivan had no opportunity to save her. Brandon was just gambling on the slim chance that Sophia had been rescued and found by Ivan first.

Because given the hefty reward, only Ivan, with his background and his known affection for Sophia, could remain so indifferent.

"I went to Star·Dempsey Architects because of Sophia. With her gone, there was no reason for me to stay," Ivan said, "I didn't want to be reminded of her."

Brandon couldn't help but look at him.

Ivan met his gaze unflinchingly, with no trace of guilt in his eyes.