The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Don chuckled back at her. "Climbing the corporate ladder ain't a walk in the park, you gotta let your work do the talking here. We

don't roll with nepotism, you know."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a snide "Huh." echoed from behind.

Don frowned and glanced over his shoulder, spotting Patricia stepping out of the elevator. His frown deepened, but in a blink, he

slapped on a professional smile and greeted her, "What brings you here, Mrs. Crawley?"

He remembered Brandon giving Patricia the boot from the head office, and that she was barred from visiting.

Marian, spotting Patricia, was thrilled and sweetly called out, "Mrs. Crawley!"

She deftly linked arms with Patricia, surprisingly chummy with her all of a sudden.

Patricia, seeing Marian, beamed back, "What are you doing here?"

"Just here for work," Marian replied.

"Congrats!" Patricia smiled, "Must've given your grandpa a real scare, running all the way here for a job."

Suddenly, Sophia remembered the old man she encountered at the hospital yesterday. She didn't want to dwell on that, so she

quickly bid Don farewell, "I better get back to work."

Don, not wanting Sophia to catch any flak from Patricia, nodded briskly, "Off you go."

Patricia eyed Sophia with that scondescending look she always had.

Don wasn't a fan of that look, but still kept a polite smile on his face, "Mrs. Crawley, does Brandon know you're here?"

A subtle nudge reminding her of Brandon's ban.

Patricia didn't look too pleased, "I'm here as a client, looking to commission a new project with you guys."

Marian, ever the eager beaver, chimed in with a grin, "Auntie, lettake a stab at it. I'm a designer too."

Patricia liked Marian's drive, but she knew how to play her cards right when it cto favors and connections.

She didn't commit, just smiled, "Sure, you can throw your hat in the ring too. It'll be a chance for your grandpa to see your talent."

Marian wasn't put off by the lack of promise, cooing in her sing-song voice, "Sure thing!"

Ivan, who had been quiet, also turned to say goodbye to Don.

Patricia's eyes then landed on Ivan, her brow furrowing in confusion, struggling to place him.

Don, oblivious to her gaze, instructed Cindy, "Cindy, help Ivan get settled in at his desk, the one opposite the Director."

Then to Ivan, "You can get started in the meantime."

Ivan nodded, "Okay," and followed Sophia inside.

As lvan's profile caught Patricia's eye, she suddenly remembered he was the man who had accompanied Sophia at the airport

restaurant two years ago when Sophia left the country.

She had even snapped a photo to remind Brandon, feeling that Sophia's open departure with another man was a slap in Brandon's

face. But Brandon, always covering for Sophia, insisted it was his arrangement, leaving Patricia little room to complain. Now,

seeing the pair working together at Brandon's company, Patricia felt it was a direct affront to him.

After all, Sophia was Brandon's ex-wife, and her being in the company with another man was bound to stir the pot.

With that thought, Patricia's mood soured, and she smirked at Don, "Young man, why are you letting just anyone into the

company?"

"Huh?" Don was lost for a moment.

Patricia gestured towards Ivan and Sophia's retreating figures, "One is fine, but bringing in a pair? Are you trying to rile Brandon

up?"

Don laughed it off, "Mrs. Crawley, what are you on about? They were hired on their merits, after all."

Patricia scoffed, "Someone who's been loafing around at hwith no ambition, what merits could they possibly have?"

Don couldn't help but glance at Sophia's back.

Sophia seemed oblivious to Patricia's words, her expression calm, her steps unaltered as she walked into the office alongside Ivan.

Patricia's words, however, had clearly struck a nerve. Without raising her voice or showing any displeasure, Sophia calmly took out

her phone and dialed a number, her gaze fixed on Patricia, "Hello, | need to handle a matter. | want to file a defamation lawsuit.

Yes, for slander."

After hanging up, Sophia turned to Patricia, "The corridor's under surveillance. Your every word was recorded. Everyone here is a

witness. I'll see you in court."

Patricia was speechless.

Sophia nodded politely and left.

Ivan glanced back at Patricia thoughtfully.

Don, almost wishing he could applaud Sophia for her move against Patricia, didn't try to smooth things over. Instead, he shifted the

topic, "So, what's this project you're looking to commission? Let's discuss it in the meeting room."

He caught Patricia's fondness for Marian and pulled her along into the meeting room as well, "Marian, cwith us."

Just like that, he escorted the pair into the meeting room.

Patricia was still fuming, but with Marian around, she had to play it cool. After all, she was supposed to be the future in-law that

both families were trying to hook up, so she wanted to make at least a decent impression. She managed to swallow her anger and

briefed Don about the project. She was fired up and not thinking straight, totally spacing out that Marian had just mentioned taking

on the project herself. After laying out the plan, she blurted out,

"Let's hand this project over to the designers at the Zenithan-style resort."

After saying that, Patricia glanced towards the design department outside. "Oh right, she's at the company, isn't she? Get her to

cover and join the chat."

Don's smile turned a bit cryptic as he gave her a look. "Are you sure you want to see her right now?"

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