The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 555

Brandon didn't even glance his way; instead, he turned to look at Theresa, who was still deep in dreamland.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, whether something had ruffled her feathers in her dreams or she was revisiting Sophia in her sleep, who knew. Her hand lifted and swiped at the air as if trying to grab something.

Brandon caught her hand and gently patted her shoulder, murmuring soothing words by her ear until she settled back into tranquility.

Daniel couldn't help but look at Theresa. He had only met her a couple of times, but this little girl had made quite the impression on him - pretty and well-behaved, reminded him of Yolanda when she was just a wee one.

But back then, blinded by his bias against Sophia, he had never really given Theresa the time of day, let alone a smile.

Thinking back on how he had treated Theresa previously, Daniel hung his head low, yet he couldn't help wanting to take a good look at the girl - Sophia's daughter, Yolanda's daughter, his granddaughter.

The weight of these identities stirred a complex mix of emotions within him. The image of Sophia coming to his rescue and the countless times he had snubbed her haunted him, leaving him tossing and turning at night with regret.

Sensing Daniel's gaze inching toward Theresa, Brandon subtly shifted his body, blocking the line of sight.

Daniel looked at Brandon with a pleading expression, "Brandon, can I please just take a look at the kid?"

"What for?" Brandon didn't turn around, his voice cold and distant, "To see how much misery you've caused her? Or to see how you turned a kid with a loving mom into one without?"

Daniel fell silent, and then finally mustered a meek apology, "I'm sorry."

Brandon paused in his actions, abruptly stood up, and shot a sharp look at him.

"Sorry, sorry, your flimsy 'sorry' can bring Sophia back?" By the end of his sentence, Brandon's temper was barely under control, though he still kept his voice low, "You've been saying sorry all your life, but when have you ever truly meant it?"

Daniel kept his head low, not daring to make a sound. Patricia couldn't stand it and tried to mediate, "Your dad was just trying to do what's best for you and the company; he never saw the disaster coming."

"Shut it!" Brandon gave her a cold glance, "His blunders and being played for a fool are his own doing; don't try to foot the bill for his stupidity under the guise of looking out for me."

Patricia attempted another intervention, "Brandon, don't talk about your dad that way. I know you're hurting, and so is he. Nobody wanted anything to happen to Sophia."

"Shut your trap!" Brandon gave her another chilly warning, "Who do you think you are here to talk about her?"

Patricia clammed up, her expression souring as she closed her mouth.

"Get out!" Brandon's gaze had already moved away as he issued a frosty eviction order, "Don't make me deal with you both."

Daniel gave him a complex look but caught the underlying message, especially the part about being played for a fool. He couldn't help but ask Brandon, "What did you mean just now? Who's using who?"

But no one answered him.

Just then, Kent came in, and sensing the tension in the room, he could guess what had gone down. He came over with a smile, helping Daniel up, "Chairman Crawley, Mr. Crawley needs his rest to recover. You should head back now."