Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 70

 

 

Briana stood by the car door, arms crossed, smiling. “Uncle Edward, I really appreciate how much you care about my marriage, and I especially thank you for going to Shepard to fight for me. 

“That was thoughtful, and I know it wasn’t easy. Even if you did it not for my happiness, but for the Lane family’s company, at least your effort wasn’t wasted. 

“This time, I’ll be honest with you. I just want a divorce. Shepard and I can’t spend our lives together. 

“When I was his wife, Lane Group didn’t benefit from me much, and after the divorce, it won’t affect the company’s overall operations or profits that much either. 

“So,” Briana shrugged, “Uncle Edward, you have to rely on yourself and work hard. Fifty is the perfect age to take risks.” 

Edward glared at her. “What’s gotten into you? You gave up being Shepard’s wife to open your gallery. That’s one thing, but now you’ve pushed it all the way to divorce. Do you think you’re strong or something?” 

Briana replied calmly, “Yes, Uncle Edward. And if you think Lane Group will decline without Shepard’s support, then hand it over to me to manage.” 

Edward tensed immediately. “You don’t even think about it.” 

He realized how blunt he sounded and cleared his throat awkwardly. “You’re young, not trained in finance. How could you run a company? And you’re a woman. Handling social connections and business matters won’t be easy.” 

Briana lifted her chin. “If you don’t trust me, we can make a performance agreement. You set a timeline, one, two, or three years. 

“If I don’t increase Lane Group’s profits by a certain amount, I’ll step away completely and cover the shortfall in full. Uncle Edward, what do you say? Will you sign?” 

Edward stared at her, increasingly alarmed. His niece was far more ambitious and daring than he had imagined. She dared to propose this kind of agreement with him. He had truly underestimated her. 

“This agreement only benefits you, right?” Briana asked. “You wouldn’t dare sign it?” 

Edward stammered, “You… you are way too arrogant. You’re speaking so boldly.” 

Briana answered confidently, “That’s because I have the skills and the ability.” 

Edward felt a rare hesitation and retreat in her presence. Soon he regained his composure, realizing he had been intimidated by his own niece. 

He wanted to say something, but Briana had already turned and walked toward the villa. “If you don’t dare, just forget it.” 

Edward felt humiliated. He came to confront Briana, yet she scared him. He couldn’t keep his dignity intact. “Don’t forget,” Edward called after her. “the funds for opening your gallery came from me.” 

 

Briana didn’t turn around. “Don’t forget either, Uncle Edward. Lane Group was founded by my parents. After they passed, my brother and I became the first legal heirs. All these years, you’ve been occupying it without returning it.” 

She could openly clash with Shepard and the Carter family. In front of Edward, there was nothing she wouldn’t say. 

Edward’s face changed drastically. “You don’t mean you’re going to take it back?” 

Briana stopped in her tracks. She turned to face Edward, still smiling. “Yes. Whatever belongs to me, I will take back.” 

Her eyes shone with ambition, leaving Edward shaken to his core. Only when Briana entered the villa and disappeared from view did Edward slowly regain his senses. 

Edward had watched Briana grow up. She had always been completely wrapped up in love, always revolving her life around Shepard, never accomplishing much. 

But after the divorce, she finally started to grow up. Edward had never expected that when he came to advise Briana to behave as Shepard’s wife, she would end up lecturing him instead. 

“This is out of control,” Edward muttered to himself. “With this divorce, I’ve already lost Shepard’s support, and now Briana is trying to take over Lane Group. This cannot happen.” 

He felt an urgent need to act. He could not just sit back. Edward immediately took out his phone and called his daughter, Sophia. 

“Hey, Dad,” Sophia answered quickly. “What’s going on?” 

“Come home,” Edward said firmly. “Come back as soon as possible. Don’t waste any time.” 

“What? What about my studies?” Sophia asked. 

“The family business is on the line. Your studies can wait,” Edward said, gripping his phone tightly. “Come home first.” 

Sophia sounded confused. “What happened, Dad?” 

Edward replied, “We’ll talk when you get here.” 

“Okay,” Sophia agreed. “I’ll handle things here and book a flight right away.” 

Sophia was Edward’s only daughter. Lane Group was meant to be hers. With her around, Briana had no chance to interfere. She was smart, capable, and not someone to underestimate. 

After a moment, Edward called Shepard. The phone rang for a long time with no answer, and Edward eventually hung up. 

At that moment, Shepard was lying in his large bed. The phone’s ringing had come from some corner of the room. He furrowed his brow and stirred awake. 

 

The hangover, however, was brutal, and his head throbbed painfully. He reached across the pillow, searching for the phone, but did not find it, and the ringing stopped. 

His arm fell in frustration, and his frown deepened. He opened his eyes, not recognizing where he was. Looking around at the unfamiliar room and strange smells, Shepard froze for a long time. 

He struggled to sit up, and the blanket slipped off. He noticed his bare upper body. He was not used to sleeping without clothes. 

The door creaked open, and then Vivian’s voice came, “Shep, you’re awake.” 

Shepard looked up. “Why are you here?” 

“This is my house. Of course I’m here,” Vivian said, carrying breakfast to the bed. “Shep, you drank way too much last night. You’re still not fully awake, and you probably don’t remember what happened. It’s okay. Eat something first so your stomach doesn’t hurt.” 

She placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of him. Shepard waved it away. He had no appetite and no mood for food. He needed a moment to clear his head. 

Shepard rubbed his temples heavily. Slowly, some memories started to return. “I came to see you last night,” Shepard said. “Then we drank.” 

“Yes, Shep, you finally remember,” Vivian said. 

“But after that,” Shepard paused, “I don’t remember anything.” He had drunk too much and blacked out. His mind was blank. 

He looked at Vivian. “What did I do?” 

“What else would you do at home?” Vivian asked softly. “Just eat some oatmeal to settle your stomach, Shep. Your health comes first.” 

Shepard tried to remember, but everything was still blurry. A man and a woman were alone in a room after drinking. Shepard’s expression darkened.