The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate (Brandon and Sophia) novel Chapter 733

The on-duty staff didn’t recognize Brandon. Seeing him suddenly barge in, the tall security guard nearest the door stiffened, his face darkening.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”

He scowled, rising from his seat. “This is a backstage control room. Authorized personnel only.”

Even as he spoke, he pulled off his headset and strode forward, clearly intending to escort Brandon out by force.

But before he could reach him, Brandon calmly held up his security badge.

“I need to review the surveillance footage.”

Brandon’s voice was low and measured, his stride unwavering.

The staff, unsettled by the force of his presence, instinctively glanced at the badge in his hand. When the words “Starlight Group CEO: Brandon Crawley” registered, the guard’s expression shifted again. He looked up at Brandon, startled.

Brandon paid him no mind. He crossed the room to the rows of monitors, eyes scanning the screens. “Which one is the feed for the dining area?” he asked, voice taut.

“That one—those two, right there,” the guard stammered, quickly pointing to the top-right screens.

A few colleagues, slower to react, hadn’t yet seen Brandon’s badge. Spotting the guard about to break protocol by letting a stranger access the cameras, they hurried to interject, “Hey, you can’t just let outsiders—”

The tall guard quickly cut them off.

“That’s Mr. Crawley,” he hissed under his breath. “The CEO.”

The would-be objectors froze mid-step, glancing at one another, then at Brandon.

Brandon had already settled in front of the monitor showing the dining area. One hand braced on the desk, the other took control of the mouse, pulling up the saved security footage. He dragged the timeline back, eyes razor-sharp and unblinking as he searched the recording.

He said nothing, and in the tense silence, no one else dared to interrupt. The staff held their breath, watching him in confusion, no idea what was happening.

Without a word, Brandon continued scrubbing through the footage, face unreadable.

It hadn’t been long since the incident. Soon enough, the recording revealed Sophia guiding little Theresa toward the children’s buffet, Hannah trailing beside them.

Brandon’s eyes narrowed. He stopped the video, extending a hand behind him. “Headset,” he demanded.

The tall guard hurried to pass it over.

Brandon donned the headset with one hand, eyes never leaving the screen.

“Just bring her,” Brandon said, and ended the call without waiting for a reply.

Kent frowned, sensing something was off, but he went to find Hannah anyway.

She wasn’t far—just a short walk away, champagne flute in hand and only half-listening to the small talk swirling around her.

“Ms. Abbott.” Kent stopped beside her, his tone all business. “Would you come with me, please?”

Hannah looked at him, puzzled. “Is something the matter?”

“There’s just something we need to discuss,” Kent replied smoothly, gesturing toward the lounge. “This way, please.”

The request left no room for argument.

Hannah studied him for a moment, suspicion flickering in her eyes. “Is this about Mr. Crawley?”

Kent kept his polite smile firmly in place. “Just come with me, Ms. Abbott.”

He had no intention of mentioning Brandon’s name—no reason to stir up unnecessary drama for his boss.