Ivan stepped up and blocked his path.
Brandon glanced at him, "What's up?"
"Mr. Crawley, got time to grab a bite?" Ivan looked at him, asking.
Brandon's eyes narrowed, giving him a suspicious look before instinctively
glancing behind Ivan. But behind him, just the rustling trees and the quiet campus walkway, not a soul in sight.
Ivan chuckled, "It's just me; no need to feel uneasy, Mr. Crawley."
Brandon's gaze returned to Ivan, "Sorry, can't do."
He tried to walk away, but Ivan, hell-bent on having this meal, stepped in front of him again.
"Mr. Crawley, sorry for the past beef. I've been meaning to treat you to a meal and square things up, but..." Ivan gave a self-deprecating smile, his attention now fully on Brandon, "Since we bumped into each other today, why not seize the day? Let me treat you to a meal to express my apology for the past."
He then added, "I've agreed to take over the family business, so I'll be counting on your guidance, Mr. Crawley, down the line."
He sounded humble and sincere, a stark contrast to his previous icy pride. Brandon couldn't help but give him another look but kept it cool, "Congrats. I'll pass on the meal, though."
Just as Brandon was about to leave, Ivan reached out and grabbed him, his other hand already making up a video call with his father.
Mr. Evert answered almost instantly, "What's going on?"
His voice on the other side of line sounded a bit weak.
"I ran into Mr. Crawley on my walk today and thought I'd invite him for a meal as an apology..."
Before Ivan could finish, Mr. Evert excitedly cut in, "That's great news. How many times have I told you, you were in the wrong last time, and you should properly invite Mr. Crawley out to apologize, and you..."
Mr. Evert's nattering was cut short when he noticed Ivan turning the phone toward Brandon, greeting him with a smile, "Mr. Crawley, long time no see."
After a quick hello, he started pestering Brandon to please accept the invitation and let Ivan make amends.
"Maybe next time." Out of respect for the long-standing cooperation with Mr. Evert, Brandon gave him some face, "I've got things to do today."
"Alright, alright, we'll wait for when Mr. Crawley's free," Mr. Evert replied with a chuckle, then reminded Ivan to be a good host and apologize properly.
Ivan nodded along half-heartedly. Brandon politely bid Mr. Evert goodbye and headed out. This time Ivan didn't stop him.
President Poe and the others insisted on escorting Brandon to the school gates.
Ivan had already hung up with Mr. Evert but didn't follow them. He watched Brandon, surrounded by people, his smile fading as he glanced deliberately in the direction Sophia had left, her figure no longer visible.
It wasn't until Brandon got in his car that he finally found some peace and quiet. He casually fired up the engine while he couldn't help but look back towards the campus. The scene of Ivan insisting on that meal replayed in his mind, his frown deepening with the memory.
Ivan strolled out of the campus at his own pace, alone as always, his expression no different from usual.
Brandon's brow furrowed slightly as he scanned around before slowly driving off. On the road, Ivan's persistent attempts to stop him kept flashing through Brandon's mind.
As confusion deepened in his eyes, taking advantage of a red light, Brandon called Kent, "Check out Ivan's recent whereabouts for me."