The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Augus nearly got whacked by her sudden stop as they both stepped out of the elevator. He gave her a puzzled look, "What's up?"

Marian had already turned her back to him, "No biggie, just remembered | need to snag something from the chairman's office."

With that, she spun on her heel and dashed for the stairwell.

"Aren't you gonna punch the clock?" Augus couldn't help but remind her.

"It's cool."

Her clear voice drifted back from the stairwell, fading into the distance.

Augus chuckled and shook his head.

He had already gone through the door.

There stood Theresa at the entrance, craning her neck looking around. When she saw someone enter, she seemed a bit shy and

reserved but still managed a polite, "Good morning."

Augus, who wasn't around yesterday, didn't recognize Theresa and was quite surprised. He bent down and waved back, "Hey

there, kiddo."

Theresa politely returned the gesture, "Hi."

Her cuteness made Augus laugh, "Aren't you a sweetheart. Whose little gem are you?"

While talking, he couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her chubby little cheek.

A colleague passing by behind him chimed in, "That's Mr. Crawley's little princess."

Augus' hand retracted lightning fast, turning to her in shock, "For real?"

"Why would | lie to you?" Said the colleague, nodding at Theresa before heading back to the desk.

Augus didn't dare linger, waving goodbye to the little one before hurrying back to his station.

Sophia, realizing it was almost tto start work and not wanting Theresa to disrupt everyone, quickly phoned Grace to take

Theresa to the children's play area on the second floor.

This was part of the company's perks, shared with the gym, to accommodate employees who needed to work late and bring their

kids.

Just as Grace took Theresa downstairs, Don stepped out from his office. Not seeing Marian, he frowned, "Hasn't Marian arrived

yet?"

"She popped in briefly, said she had to fetch something for the chairman and took off again," Augus replied, looking up at Don.

"Got it," Don said, unsurprised.

She was favored by Daniel due to being mistaken for Yolanda and was often asked for help. She had becthe unofficial bridge

between the Frost family and Crawley family.

He was relieved to hear Daniel had woken up after a night of worry.

Marian never expected to bump into that little girl again, especially not in the office. She paced the hallway alone, feeling oddly

panicked, wanting to go back but not daring to.

She wasn't really worried that the toddler would recognize her; a two-year-old in diapers hardly has a memory to speak of.

Besides, she had found the design, not stolen it, and certainly not snatched it from someone.

But despite reassuring herself over and over, guilt gnawing at her, Marian just couldn't bring herself to enter the office. She paced

the stairs, up and down, unable to decide, and also couldn't bring herself to ask if the little girl was still there, for fear of seeming

too intentional.

Under this mental strain, she somewhat regretted claiming the design as her own creation. Clutching her phone, she contemplated

spilling the beans to Martin and letting him deal with his grandparents.

But then she'd think of Louis' face, which was lit up with surprise, and she couldn't bear it, putting her phone back down.

Frustrated, Marian ran her fingers through her hair and found herself wandering to the staff lounge on the second floor, thinking

she might as well kick back there since heading back to the office wasn't an option.

Brandon's board meeting wrapped up within an hour.

Exiting the meeting room, he handed the documents to Kent and made a beeline for the elevator, heading straight to the

seventeenth floor.

The office was a buzz of activity that went quiet at the sight of Brandon striding towards the entrance. Everyone hushed and

turned back to their work, pretending to be engrossed.

Brandon walked in without a glance at his employees and headed straight for Sophia's office, pushing the door open.

The employees couldn't help but sneak a peek at Brandon, only catching a glimpse of his retreating back as the office door closed

with a soft click.

Brandon surveyed Sophia's office and gazed at her, "Theresa's not here?"

"I had Grace take her down to the play area on the second floor." Sophia answered, "I didn't want her to interfere with everyone's

work."

Brandon nodded, "I'm heading down to find her."

He then offered, "Want to join?"

Sophia shook her head, "Afraid not. I've got a meeting soon."

"Alright then, you get on with your work. Let's have lunch together," Brandon nodded, not pressing further.

Sophia bobbed her head, "Sure."

Without further ado, Brandon left the office and proceeded to the second-floor play area.

There, Theresa was happily playing in the ball pit. Upon seeing Brandon through the glass door, she stood up from the sea of

colorful balls, and toddled towards the door, calling out sweetly, "Daddy!"

Brandon reached the door just in tto catch the joyfully running Theresa and lifted her up, asking, "Having fun with Grace?"

"Yep." Theresa nodded earnestly, and then switching arms around Brandon's neck, she caught sight of Marian passing by outside

the glass wall. She recognized her and excitedly called out, "Miss!"

Marian, on reflex, turned around and froze at the sight of Theresa in Brandon's arms.

Thinking Marian hadn't heard her, Theresa called out louder, "Miss!"

Brandon glanced at Marian and then back at Theresa, "You know her?"

Theresa nodded, just about to speak when Marian already stepped forward with a smile, shook Theresa's hand and said, "Kiddo?

What are you doing here?"

Then she turned to Brandon with a grin, "Mr. Crawley, where'd you pick up this cutie pie? She's absolutely stunning."

"My daughter."

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