The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 74

Sophia walked into the classroom, and there stood Brandon, rooted to the spot and not budging an inch, just giving Louis and his family the cold shoulder. Then he shifted his gaze slightly, landing on Martin who was sporting the same chilly vibe.

Martin's face was missing any hint of joy or excitement, a far cry from his earlier eagerness to zip over to Wye City.

Martin caught Brandon's eye, but only offered a cool glance from a short distance before turning his attention to Louis, who was trying his hardest to keep his excitement in check. He couldn't take his eyes off Louis and stayed that way.

Brandon also took a quick peek at Louis.

Louis was over eighty, and who knows, maybe the travel had taken its toll because he looked a lot more worn out and frail than he did a few months back.

It had been a hot minute since Brandon had seen Louis, and in his memory, the guy had always been in tip-top shape, an eighty-something you'd mistake for seventy. But just a couple of months apart and the man seemed to have aged a bunch.

Louis was all eyes on Marian, totally oblivious to Brandon nearby. However, Patricia caught sight of him.

Her eyes rimmed with red, she walked towards Brandon with an excited face and a placating smile, "Brandon, Yolanda's back."

Her words instantly redirected everyone's focus from Marian to Brandon.

Brandon's dad, Daniel, couldn't hide his excitement either and waved Brandon over, "Brandon, come here."

Brandon gave him a frosty look, no words, no movement.

Martin, who had been silent until now, chimed in, "Marian's got class, let her go to class first."

Then he looked at Louis, "Grandpa Louis, you're not in the best shape, and you've been on a plane for so long. Better head back to the hotel and rest up, don't wear yourself out."

The others joined in the persuasion, "Right, right, you should rest first. It would be a shame if your granddaughter finally finds her way back and then you go and keel over."

As they urged him, they helped Louis walk away.

Martin took the opportunity to nudge a totally bewildered Marian back into the classroom.

"What the heck is going on here?" Marian, finally finding her chance to speak, asked Martin with an urgent whisper, as she tried to poke her head out of the classroom to talk but was pushed back in by Martin.

He whispered back, "Take your class first, I'll explain later."