The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

This morning was hectic, and Kent hadn't had the chance to thoroughly check out the public opinion, but at first glance, all those

clickbait accounts were beating the drum for Nell, since they were all kinda hinting at Nell's homeless background and digging into

his past. They didn't even mention Sophia, which made it look like they were trying to jump the gun and hype things up without

knowing the real deal on the ground.

Brandon glanced over at Kent and stayed mum, his eyes already on Nell.

"What happened last night?" He asked.

Maybe because Sophia had saved his life at the cost of hers, Brandon's tone softened a bit when he looked at this simple and

honest old timer.

But even with a gentle tone, Nell was still shaking like a leaf in the wind, too scared to meet Brandon's eyes, and it took him an

eternity to squeeze out.

"Somebody bumped into me. | was gonna fall, then she grabbedhard and pulledback, and then, | dunno, she got knocked

away."

His voice was barely above a whisper, fragile as a mosquito's buzz. While he spoke, Nell's hands were twisting nervously in front of

him, like he didn't know where to put himself.

Brandon glanced at Nell's rough and cracked hands, and then asked, "Who bumped you?"

Nell lifted his head, looking lost, and shook it, "Too dark, couldn't see."

Tomas hurried over to explain, "Last night there were over twenty people up here, and when the power went out, everyone just

stood around blindly. The space was tight, and we were all crammed together. Seems like someone dropped their phone, and while

stooping to pick it up, someone accidentally stepped on him, tripped, and that's what kicked off the chaos."

Kent also whispered to Brandon, "The cops took spreliminary oral confessions last night, and the initial investigation points to

a small-scale stampede in the dark leading to the confusion. It should've been Nell who got knocked off, but Sophia saved him and

ended up getting hit herself."

Brandon didn't say anything, and just turned to Nell, "Can you reenact what happened last night?"

Nell nodded and stepped out of the crowd to where he'd been standing the night before.

Brandon looked at the others, "Everyone take your positions from last night."

Most did as told, more or less finding their spots from the night before, all not far from Nell.

Brandon questioned the few guys closest to Nell, asking if they'd bumped him by accident. They all denied it seriously, without a

hint of hesitation or guilt.

The culprit was clearly laying low.

"Where was Director Yearwood standing?" Brandon gazed at Nell and asked.

Nell pointed to a spot. "The whole time, she was holding my arm, trying to pullaway," Nell explained quietly.

Brandon gave him a look, then stood where Nell had pointed, grabbed his arm, and asked Nell to show the direction from which the

force that hit him had come.

Nell gestured behind him, "Here."

The guy standing behind him quickly said, "Wasn'twho bumped him."

"I was checking out the foundation pillar; didn't even notice him," the man added, pulling the shorter guy aside to vouch for him.

The shorter guy nodded, proving what he said was true.

Brandon didn't say a word, just called Kent over to stand where Nell indicated the bump cfrom, and then tried bumping into

Nell himself.

As Nell lurched towards the railing, Brandon pulled him back. If it weren't for someone deliberately shoving Sophia from behind,

her position wouldn't have resulted in her being knocked towards the railing due to inertia.

The impact from the chaos wouldn't have been enough to send an adult flying off the edge. Unless it was done on purpose.

A chill crept into Brandon's eyes, which had been slightly narrowed.

"You guys can head back," Brandon said, releasing Nell's hand with an even tone.

"Alright."

Everyone scattered like they'd been pardoned, turning to leave.

"Hold up." Brandon suddenly said, "You all worked hard last night trying to help save someone. Go back and get srest. No

need to switch up the construction crew, just keep working after you've rested up. Considering your hard work, I'm doubling your

pay."

Kent looked puzzled at Brandon.

The others were both surprised and delighted, thanking him and heading off.

Once everyone was far enough away, Kent couldn't help but frown at Brandon, "Mr. Crawley, have you found something?"

"Sophia was deliberately knocked off."

Brandon said, his eyes involuntarily filling with moisture when he mentioned Sophia. He tilted his head back, gazing at the now

calm river, and after a while, he spoke slowly, "Hire speople to keep an eye on these folks; don't let anyone slip away."

"Got it," Kent replied softly.

"Also, leak snews saying the police have surveyed the scene and determined that last night's incident wasn't an accident, it

was intentional, and they've got crucial evidence." Brandon instructed, "In the next few days, whoever tries to make a run for it,

keep tabs on them, but don't spook them."

Cops needed evidence to solve cases, but he wasn't law enforcement; he didn't have to play by the book.

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