The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

The groundbreaking ceremony was about to kick off.

The empty seat next to her was getting filled up with all the big shots, people who were somebody in the world.

Maybe it was because she looks the part with her vibe and style, but a bunch of folks were hitting her up with small talk. Sophia

just played it cool with a polite smile and chimed in now and then.

She was not exactly a social butterfly, not really into the whole mingling scene, so she kept it short and sweet when it cto

these kinds of schmooze-fests.

Brandon's seat was still empty, probably still tied up with something inside.

After running into a brick wall with Don, Daniel and Patricia didn't get to meet the Vivian in person and had to head to the venue

instead.

Their seats were right next to Sophia's, courtesy of Don's arrangement.

Patricia instinctively scanned the nameplates at the front rows as they arrived at the venue, but the nVivian nowhere in sight.

She couldn't help but frown, leaned over to Daniel, and whispered, “Where's Vivian? Hadn't Don said that the head designer had

already here?”

Daniel also took a quick look around the venue, not really bothered, “It's probably just hidden behind the crowd.”

“I checked the first two rows, no name,” Patricia insisted, a bit frustrated. Meanwhile, Sophia was already snagged a front-row seat.

Patricia couldn't help but knit her brows when she saw Sophia sitting quietly in the first row.

Daniel noticed that Sophia's seat was right next to Brandon's and frowned too, but since everyone was already settling in, he kept

his cool.

“I don't know what Don's thinking,” Daniel muttered under his breath, noticing that the ceremony was about to start and holding

off any further comments. He guided Patricia to their seats, all smiles and shook hands with the guests along the way, until they

finally sat down and the smile faded.

Patricia's seat was right next to Sophia's.

She didn't even give Sophia the tof day, just sat down with her left leg crossed over her right, sitting up straight as an arrow,

her gaze fixed on the stage, all poise and arrogance from her posture to her expression.

Sophia didn't bother looking at her either.

Compared to Patricia's stiffness, Sophia was more laid-back, even found the tto shoot off a few texts.

Patricia tried to hold her pose, but her curiosity about where Vivian sitting got the better of her. She sneaked a peek around,

offering a polite smile when she accidentally locked eyes with someone, all proper and polished.

But after a full scan, she still didn't see what she was looking for and her frown deepened. Just as she was about to turn and

whisper to Daniel, Brandon made his entrance, followed by a crowd. He was chatting with a few folks on the side, looking calm and

collected with a strong presence, standing out in the crowd with his stature and demeanor.

As he headed their way, Patricia clamped her mouth shut mid-sentence but couldn't help but watch him.

Although Brandon was engaged in conversation, his attention shifted as he enters the venue, scanning the crowd while listening.

Sophia, catching the commotion of his arrival, glanced in his direction.

Their eyes met.

Brandon flashed her a subtle smile, so faint it was almost imperceptible to others, but it was clear his search is over.

Sophia returned the gesture just as faintly, then turned her attention back to the stage.

Brandon took the seat next to her.

“When did you get here?” he whispered.

“Just sat down a bit ago,” she whispered back, keeping her voice down.

He nodded, “Got it.”

No more chit-chat, he just checked his watch. It was tfor the ceremony to get started.

Don, the special host, took the stage with a mic in hand.

After a brief welcand an overview of the project, Don announced with a smile, “Let's welcMr. Brandon Crawley, the

current CEO of the Starlight Group and one of the heads of Star-Dempsey Architects, to the stage to say a few words.”

A thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Brandon stood and moved to the podium with ease, took the mic, and spoke briefly about the project’s vision, prospects, and

philosophy.

He was rock steady up there, with a voice that was deep and pleasant, and his every move exuded the ease and calm of a leader,

confidently controlling the room.

Sophia had seen Brandon speak before, back when the new company was just kicking off, but watching him again, she had to

admit, sfolks were just born for the spotlight, oozing a charm that was all their own.

The continuous applause from the audience was a testament to that.

Brandon kept it short and sweet, off-script but hitting all the key points.

When he steped down, the applause lingered for quite stime.

Don returned to the stage, and after several gestures to calm the clapping, he said with a grin, “Next, we'd like to invite the one

and only designer of our Zenithan-style resort project, Vivian, to share with us the inspiration behind her design.”

The crowd went wild with applause again.

Patricia and Daniel instinctively turned to look back at the sea of faces, but no one stood up.

Frowning, Patricia was about to query Don on stage when she saw Sophia beside her rise to her feet.

Daniel saw it too, frowned, and then looked back at Don on stage.

Don's gaze was on Sophia, and he introduced her with a smile.

“Vivian, also known as Sophia Yearwood, graduated from D University, one of the top three for architecture in the country, and

then completed her master's at the Apex Engineering University School of Architecture, studying under the well-known

architectural master, Mr. Zachary Gardner. Even during her undergrad years, she participated in the design of several famous

buildings, such as the N City Opera House, the C City Sports Center, and more.”

"The latest hotspot that's been blowing up all over social media, Zion City, owes its fto the new media center designed by

none other than Sophia Yearhood during her senior year. Ms. Yearwood, a whiz kid who joined Dempsey Architects while still

grinding away at her graduate studies, has already knocked out several iconic building projects. And now, she's single-handedly

rocked everyone's socks off with her solo-designed Zenithan-style resort project - it's a total showstopper."

"Now, let's put our hands together and give a warm round of applause to welcthe mastermind behind the Zenithan-style

resort project, Vivian. Hi, Ms. Yearwood, con up and give us a speech."

Patricia and Daniel couldn't help but turn their eyes towards Sophia simultaneously.

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