The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 84

“Mr. Crawley, it’s midnight.” Kent couldn't help but remind him.

“Hmm.”

Kent didn't say anything.

He couldn't resist sneaking a peek at Brandon. Brandon's handsome face was turned towards the window, his expression as calm as ever. Kent always felt that, calm as he was, something seemed missing compared to before he went abroad.

Before, Brandon's calm was like the sea that welcomed a thousand rivers—serene and composed after weathering the years. Although he seemed a bit distant from the average Joe, he had the air of a detached sage, high above the mundane world, merely lacking the common emotions and desires of ordinary people. Now, his calm seemed lifeless, like the stillness of death.

Kent had no clue what had happened to Brandon in Wye City and didn't dare to pry. He only subtly advised. “Mr. Crawley, there’s no rush with work. The company’s running smoothly, and there’s no need to hurry. You’ve been on a plane for so long. Why not get over the jet lag first and give your body some rest?”

But his earnest advice was met with a calm response from Brandon. “No need.”

Kent didn’t dare to say anything more, driving smoothly, occasionally glancing at Brandon in the rearview mirror with concern.

Brandon sat in the backseat, arms crossed, his head slightly tilted towards the window.

The rear window was wide open, the cool night air rushing in with the speed of the car, messing up his hair. Brandon remained motionless throughout, calmly watching the passing traffic outside.

At this hour, the roads were mostly empty. Billboards and skyscrapers slowly turned off their lights. It was very quiet—not exactly the time to keep working.

Kent knew he shouldn't ask, but he couldn’t help himself. “Mr. Crawley, did you run into Sophia during your time in Ephemora?”

As soon as he spoke, Brandon glanced at him.

Kent's hands, resting on the steering wheel, broke into a sweat. Just when he thought Brandon wouldn’t reply, Brandon calmly said. “No.”

Kent chuckled awkwardly. “Right, Ephemora is so vast. It's not that easy to bump into someone you know.”

Brandon gave him a look and suddenly asked. “Kent, do you have a girlfriend?”

Kent laughed. “I'm so busy every day. When do I have time to date?”

After saying that, he realized that complaining about being busy in front of his boss might seem like whining. He quickly added. “Mainly because I haven’t met the right person yet.”

But he saw Brandon slightly curl his lip as if in self-mockery, and then quickly hid the expression, without saying anything.

Kent was puzzled by Brandon’s question. He never talked about personal matters with him, nor about everyday life. And it wasn't just with him; in all the years he had known Brandon, he rarely talked about anything other than work with anyone. From a normal person's perspective, Kent actually found him a bit dull. So, he had once admired Sophia for being able to live with someone so lacking in fun. He wondered if their divorce had something to do with this.

Kent didn't dare to ask, but as a colleague and a friend, he couldn't resist giving Brandon a heads-up. “Mr. Crawley, life isn't just about work. Sometimes chatting with people about everyday life, like sports, games, celebrity gossip, or even some trivial family matters can be good ways to build relationships.”

Brandon glanced at him and said nothing.

Kent felt like he had hit a wall and didn’t dare to continue.