The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

"Isn't that a bit much?" Jerry couldn't help but speak up, "We've all been working our tails off from the get-go, not daring to ditch

even half a day's work, and now you're just gonna switch us out like that? How are we supposed to trust you after this? How are we

supposed to work together?"

"Yeah," Tomas chimed in, clearly troubled as he looked at Sophia, "We've all been through thick and thin together, Jerry's crew has

built several projects for the company, and we've always worked well together. If there's an issue, we should just put our heads

together and figure it out, right? Swapping out the team last minute not only messes with the schedule, but it's also a hit to the

company's rep."

Augus, who was nearby, also couldn't hide his concern as he glanced at Sophia. "Yeah, changing teams on a whim seems pretty

rash."

"How is it rash?" Sophia gave him a look before turning to Tomas and Jerry, "Isn't it Jerry who said that everyone's not willing to

work anymore? | get it, everyone's got their hesitations, and we can't force them to keep going."

Jerry was caught off guard and was at a loss for words. His face changed, and pointing at Sophia, he blurted out, "Hang on, you're

just the designer, what right do you have to swap out the construction crew?"

Cindy couldn't stand it any longer and snapped back, "Why not? She's the CEO's wife. If she really wanted to step in, do you think

you'd still be here yapping away for so long? She would've given you the boot."

Sophia tugged at her, stopping her from going on.

Jerry was stunned on the spot, his eyes seeking Augus for answers.

Augus cleared his throat but said nothing.

Tomas was also shocked as he looked at Sophia; he had no clue about her connection with the Starlight Group.

"Cindy's just shooting her mouth off," Sophia explained to Tomas and Jerry, "I'm just the project designer, and | indeed have no

authority to demand a change of the construction team. Personally, | don't want to switch the team either. It's only natural that

everyone has concerns right now, and the project can't be kept on hold indefinitely. We need a solution."

Sophia then turned to Jerry, "Since Jerry and his crew are unwilling to continue but don't want to drop out of the project, do you

have any other solutions, Jerry?"

Jerry hesitated and glanced at her, perhaps intimidated by Cindy's earlier "She's the CEO's wife" comment or something else. His

earlier bluster seemed somewhat subdued.

"Well." he hesitated, "Could you bump up the pay a bit? | can organize a vanguard team, let those who are willing to step up do so,

and give it another shot."

"That could work," Tomas jumped in, "I'll discuss it with the chief engineer."

After saying that, he looked at Sophia, "Designer Yearwood, I'll go talk to the chief engineer. If the plan is okay, we'll pick a good

day to pour again, following Jerry's suggestion."

A decision was already being made.

Sophia didn't have the authority to interfere, and during her few days there, she had carefully inspected the work done so far. The

construction was impeccable, a testament to the skill and diligence of the team.

She nodded, "Okay."

"We'll head back first, wait for the confirmation from your end, and then discuss it," Sophia said. As she was saying goodbye to

Tomas and Jerry and was about to leave, she remembered the incident with Nell from before. After thinking it over, she couldn't

help but turn back to Tomas, "Tomas, could you see if the police can help Nell get a new ID? It would be better to have him officially

registered."

Tomas was taken aback, glancing unconsciously at Jerry.

Jerry also paused, seemingly surprised that Sophia knew about Nell, but he quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Sure, I'll take

care of it. Don't worry."

Sophia nodded, "Thank you, that would be great."

The task of getting Nell an ID was left to Jerry, and Tomas didn't meddle. The following day, he had already discussed and agreed

upon Jerry's proposal with the chief engineer.

Jerry was efficient, quickly assembling a team, but recent bad weather, with cold fronts and constant rain, wasn't suitable for

starting work on the pillars. Moreover, the newly formed team, mainly locals, was superstitious due to the previous unsuccessful

pouring and insisted on getting a fortune teller to pick an auspicious day to commence work.

Although pouring the pillars had to wait for the right day, the rest of the construction team agreed to continue with other work.

Work on the construction site resumed on the third day, bringing the quiet grounds back to life with activity.

The day set for pouring the pillars was a few days out. Sophia had no other pressing matters at the site, so she decided to return to

West district and cback when it was tto pour.

The cities weren't far from each other.

Before leaving, Sophia, still feeling uneasy about Nell whom she hadn't seen since their encounter, couldn't help but ask Tomas

about his situation, wanting to know if his ID had been sorted out.

"Oh, after you left that day, | talked it over with Jerry. We both thought you had a point, and considering Nell's age, it would be

safer to send him to a shelter. So Jerry got the police to take him there," Tomas explained, "Don't worry, all's good."

Sophia frowned slightly, "But didn't you say he didn't like life at the shelter and wanted to stay here? Why not just get him an ID

and let him stay?"

Her intention wasn't to send Nell away.

At his age, alone and without family, it would naturally be better for him to stay with everyone here if someone was willing to look

after him.

She was just concerned that since he was with the construction crew, nameless and unregistered, if something happened, no one

would even notice. It would be best to have him officially registered.

"Jerry mainly thought that with Nell being older and everyone busy, they might not be able to take proper care of him, so they just

sent him off to a shelter."

"Which shelter?" Sophia asked.

Tomas paused, that detail he hadn't asked Jerry about.

Nell was Jerry's responsibility, so it was up to him to handle.

With all the hustle and bustle these past few days, Tomas hadn't had the tor inclination to concern himself with the comings

and goings of a single worker.

There are so many people in the team, he can't keep tabs on everyone.

"Lethit up Jerry for you," Tomas said, and then he gave Jerry a call.

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