Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 20

Posted by ADMINMMADMIN, ? Views, Released on December 18, 2025

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Edward quickly regained his composure. He had known Briana wouldn’t be here without a reason.

Briana was the smart one, not like her good–for–nothing brother Charles. But at the end of the day, in Edward’s eyes, she was just a housewife. No matter how sharp she was, she’d never pose a real threat.

He gave a light, dismissive cough. “Briana, the business world is no place for a lady. All those late nights. and drinks with clients… You know, it’s simply not for you. Your duty is to support your husband.”

“What’s wrong with being a lady? We can’t spend our whole lives depending on men,” Briana said with a grin. “Besides, Sophia is your daughter. She’s the one who will take over the family business from you one day.”

Edward had only one child, his daughter Sophia. She had just graduated from university abroad and was expected to return home soon.

The moment Sophia returned, Edward would focus on grooming her as his successor, effectively sidelining Charles and Briana for good.

“Sophia isn’t as lucky as you are,” Edward replied with a sigh. “She doesn’t have a good marriage arranged for her, so she has to rely on herself. If she were to marry someone like Shepard, I would never let her get involved in the company.”

“Your uncle does have a point,” Wrenley said, gently patting Briana’s hand. “You should take care of your health and focus on starting a family. Having a child is your most important task right now.

“A woman married to a man like Shepard doesn’t need a career. Managing his household will be more than enough to keep you busy.”

Briana used to feel that way, too. Now, she could see how naive she’d been.

She could still hear Shepard’s words, accusing her of always asking for money, with no ambitio

of her

Own.

Briana dropped her gaze. “I have nothing but time at home, Grandma. I thought finding something to do would help. And honestly…” She hesitated, leaving the sentence hanging.

“What is it, child?” Wrenley’s tone was gentle but direct. “Speak your mind.”

“You know how it is, Grandma,” Briana replied. “A woman without her own purpose… she starts to feel like a burden.”

“Are you saying Shepard sees you as a burden now?” Wrenley asked.

“I feel it,” Briana admitted quietly. “So I want to build something of my own. Something small, that I love, that means something. It would give me a place in the world again, without taking me away from here or from our plans for a family.”

“And what did you have in mind?” Wrenley pressed.

“Grandma, you know painting has always been my passion,” Briana said. “I want to open my own gallery and host exhibitions.”

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Chapter 20

Painting was more than a hobby for Briana; it was a natural gift.

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She started training under a master in kindergarten, won a national art competition in first grade, and sold an oil painting for a remarkable price of 30 thousand by middle school.

She was all but guaranteed a spot at the country’s most prestigious art academy, with the talent and grades

to match.

But when Shepard enrolled at Aetherton University, she changed course, pouring herself into her studies to get into the same school and leaving her art behind for three long years.

Looking back, Briana realized she’d lost herself chasing Shepard’s life. Now, she was carefully trying to rebuild the person she used to be.

“That’s a wonderful plan,” Wrenley said, her face brightening. “It’s respectable work. I used to tell Evelyn you’d be famous one day.”

“It is wonderful, Grandma,” Briana said, her voice softening. “But I need money to begin, and I won’t ask Shepard for it. So, I thought…”

She let the sentence hang, her eyes darting meaningfully toward Edward.

Wrenley took the hint. “Edward, you should help her,” she stated plainly. “This is a real endeavor. She’s not like Charles. She’ll see it through.”

Edward watched her, unsure of her game.

He’d caught wind of her helping Charles with his deals. Since then, he’d been watching carefully and had made sure her plans wouldn’t pan out.

So when Briana suddenly brought up hosting an art show, he couldn’t help but wonder what her real game

was.

“Uncle Edward,” Briana said with a smile. “It’s such a small venture, and the cost is nothing to you. I know you wouldn’t deny me this.”

Edward gave a tight, unconvincing laugh. “And what kind of sum are we discussing, Briana?”

“Let’s start with ten million,” she said casually, as if naming a trivial amount. “Just to get things off the

ground.”

He wanted to refuse, but he couldn’t. Every dollar he gave her felt like a theft from Sophia’s future.

He had to admit, Briana was far cleverer than Charles. She was always setting traps for him, yet she always made sure she had a clean way out.

As Briana stepped out of the Lane residence, a genuine, triumphant smile graced her lips.

From the living room window, Edward watched Briana leave.

He prided himself on being a shrewd man, yet she had just played him,

He’d let his guard down. But this was only the beginning. He was ready to show her how the game was really played.

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Chapter 20

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With Edward’s money in her account, Briana made her first practical purchase: a tiny, no–frills electric car that was worth just over 10 thousand.

Without it, her plans would go nowhere.

Now mobile, she began the real work, finding a gallery, negotiating with landlords, meeting designers, and calling in every favor to reach the art world’s elite.