The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Marian's heart did a freaking somersault, nearly blurted out to grill him on why he had to spill the beans about her. She was just

shooting the breeze, after all. But she swallowed her words, mustering a strained smile at Daniel, "No biggie, I'm not holding a

grudge against Mr. Crawley. My bad that day; shouldn't have been such a chatterbox. | didn't see it coming."

She sniffled, her voice trailing off as she hung her head in guilt.

"It's all fate." Daniel sighed heavily, eyeing the nasty bruise on her neck with alarm, "You better not have hurt your neck; let me

take you to the doc, okay?"

Marian touched her neck and whispered back, "I'm fine, thanks Mr. Crawley. | want to check on Mr. Crawley. With him being like

this, I'm really worried."

Daniel was kinda taken aback by her concern for Brandon, remembering how she'd been at loggerheads with him since her return.

Even when their families tried to play matchmaker, she'd kept it cool.

Marian avoided Daniel's gaze, her eyelids drooping, "I'm just genuinely worried about Mr. Crawley."

Daniel was touched. He figured Marian's lukewarm response back then was due to her being considerate, knowing someone was

already in Brandon's life. That reading made him extra grateful to her, plus the memory of how Yolanda had stood by Brandon

when he lost his mom as a kid. So he just nodded, "Just be careful, okay?"

Marian nodded, "I will."

After saying their goodbyes, she bolted out.

Brandon beelined straight for the hotel parking lot and zoomed off in his car. By the tKent hit the parking lot, Brandon's ride

was long gone. Concerned, Kent hopped into his car and tailed him.

Brandon drove back to where Sophia had fallen into the river.

Daylight provided a clearer view. Though just a tributary, due to relief degree of terrain which formed the river, the stream's rapid

flow, especially after last night's downpour, along with the convergence of mountain creeks could easily cause a flash flood.

No one heard Sophia's cries or struggles after she fell, and her body wasn't found in the foundations. Only one possibility

remained: she didn't fall into the foundations but hit her head on them, knocking her out cold, and was swept away by the current.

The spot she fell from was right above a concrete pillar. Normally, she would've fallen right into it, but since she wasn't found

there, Brandon figured Sophia's survival instincts made her veer off at the last second. Still, she was too close to completely avoid

it, especially being pushed off guard.

Brandon's heart clenched uncontrollably, sending a chill through his eyes.

Last night, as he searched the water fruitlessly for Sophia, he'd simultaneously called in hydrologists to estimate the current's

speed and calculate how far she could've been carried. Professional rescue teams were also mobilized to search downstream,

hoping against hope that Sophia had been washed ashore. But as tticked by, despite the efforts of the pro teams, the police, a

hefty public reward, and door-to-door inquiries along the riverbanks, there was still no sign of Sophia.

Brandon dared not contemplate the worst-case scenario.

The tributary was short but swift, quickly merging into the main river, not far from the mouth leading to the sea.

An unconscious Sophia had no chance of saving herself. If she'd been swept out to sea.

Brandon couldn't bear to think further. He drove along the river toward the sea outlet, his car's air conditioning on full blast, but all

he felt was an icy chill.

The professional search continued, from the point of Sophia's fall to the sea outlet, and even into the ocean itself. No one had given

up hope, all still trying to recover her, yet nothing turned up.

Nearing the sea outlet, Brandon saw no clues related to Sophia. He parked near the mouth, heart wrenching in his chest. He

wanted to get out, yet he couldn't bring himself to.

Kent, who had followed Brandon all the way, saw him slumped over the steering wheel, wracked with pain. Still worried, Kent

tapped on the car window.

Brandon was silent for a while before looking up at him, then sighed deeply, opened the door, and stepped out, gazing into the

endless sea.

Search efforts from the police and rescue teams were still active on the water.

"The search area has been expanded out to the open sea," Kent said softly, his voice heavy and slow.

Brandon's throat tightened, unable to respond. He walked to the shore, eyes fixed on the flat sandy beach carved by the river and

the tumultuous waters rushing into the sea. His throat constricted even more.

He forced himself to look away from the sea, back to the river that had swallowed Sophia, wanting to dive in once more to search

for her.

Kent saw through Brandon's intent and hastily spoke up to stop him, "Mr. Crawley, you can't go back in the water now."

But Brandon ignored him, shedding his suit jacket as he walked and handed it to Kent, heading for the river.

"Mr. Crawley."

Kent hurried after him, unable to stop Brandon. Just as he was about to leap into the river again, Marian's urgent voice rang out

from behind, "Brandon, you think playing the hero by jumping into the river is noble? What's the point if it just costs another life?"

Brandon froze in his tracks, turning around with a frosty look to catch a glimpse of Marian on the shore, the latter's hair tousled by

the wind, his eyes slicing through Kent like knives.

Kent was tongue-tied, not expecting Don to have let Marian slip through. He turned to Don, who had also just arrived.

Don hadn't expected Marian to be so fearless, daring to follow his car right up to Brandon. He hurried over and grabbed Marian.

"Are you deaf or something? Get lost, now!" He turned grim, too, grabbing Marian's arm, ready to drag her away.

Marian yanked her arm free with a jerk, tears welling up in her eyes as she stared straight at Brandon, "Brandon, | know this whole

mess started with me. | didn't think before | spoke. | shouldn't have blabbered on that day, bringing up the Zenitha-style project for

Mr. Daniel Crawley. If | hadn't spoken anything, none of this would've happened. Go ahead, I'll take the heat! But it was totally not

on purpose, | just blurted it out when Mr. Daniel Crawley asked about my project progress. | had no idea it would lead to this. I'm

heartbroken about Sophia too."

By the end, she was sobbing.

Brandon shot Kent a frosty look, "Kent, I'm warning you, either get her out of here now or toss her in the river, your call!"

With that, he kicked off his shoes, ready to take the plunge into the river, but then the sight of a patchwork plaid vintage scarf,

caught in the branches on the opposite bank, made his face change. He dived in and quickly swam towards the other side.

It was Sophia's scarf; he recognized it!

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