The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 608

President Poe actually rang Sophia up not long after, breaking the news to her that Brandon had given his thumbs-up to use her design.

Clearly over the moon about the outcome, President Poe was all chirpy on the phone, reminding Sophia to keep the lines open with Brandon and to put a fine polish on her work.

"I will, thanks a bunch, President Poe," compared to President Poe's buzz, Sophia was way more chill.

"By the by, the school's about to throw this massive centennial bash in the next few days. If it's cool with you, Ms. Bright, would you like to swing by as a guest?" President Poe invited with a chuckle.

"Thanks for the invite, President Poe, but I'm not exactly an alum, and the science museum isn't even a thing yet. Even the drafts for the design aren't set in stone. I haven't really contributed anything to the school, so crashing the party now might not be the best move."

Sophia gracefully declined President Poe's offer, feeling like her current ties to the school didn't quite cut it to be a guest of honor at such a big event.

President Poe got where she was coming from. The invite was more of a casual drop, and he wasn't expecting a yes anyway, so he laughed it off, "No sweat. You're always welcome to drop by and check out the school when you've got a sec."

"Sure thing, thanks again, President Poe."

It was a polite thank you, as usual. After hanging up, Sophia got down to brass tacks, mulling over the tweaks for her design.

But maybe because there were so many hopes and expectations pinned on this design, the pressure felt heavier than before.

Sophia sat in front of her computer all day long, churning out drafts but not loving any of them, always sensing something was missing but couldn't put her finger on it.

Ideas seemed to be itching to break free in her mind, but whenever she picked up her pen, the end result was never quite up to snuff.

Left with no choice, Sophia felt compelled to shoot Brandon a message, "Hey Mr. Crawley, got any specific requests for the cultural gallery? Like the structure, style, purpose, or should I just freestyle it?"

Brandon was stumped by the question.

The cultural gallery was Sophia's brainchild. He didn't know about her lack of a place to call home back then; he just knew she often spent her weekends flying solo in the bookstore near the school.

In those days, the bookstore at the school's gates was just about selling books, with no place to sit or chill and read. She'd stand around the bookstore for the whole day.

And since she didn't have the cash to buy books, she felt awkward hanging out there for too long.