Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 90

Chapter 90 

Outside the Carter residence, Shepard opened the passenger door. 

Briana just stood rooted to the spot, not budging at all, showing she had no intention of getting in. 

Shepard raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong? Want me to carry you?” 

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“Don’t think I have to feel grateful just because you helped me out at the Lane family,” Briana replied. “I can handle things on my own, with or without you.” 

Truth be told, she was thriving even more when he wasn’t around. 

Men? They just held her back. 

Shepard pressed his lips together. “Guess my good intentions just get twisted, huh.” 

“Good intentions? Please, that’s never been your thing,” Briana shot back. 

“Briana,” Shepard said, his gaze sharp and clear. “Tell me. In your eyes, what kind of man am I really?” 

Briana fired back without missing a beat, “A complete scumbag.” 

“Come on. Be real,” Shepard pressed. 

“I am being real,” Briana replied. “Can’t face the fact you’re a scumbag? Or do you actually think you’re Mr. Nice Guy?” 

‘Seriously, does this guy have zero self–awareness?‘ Briana scoffed inwardly. 

Shepard shut the car door and walked over to her, lowering his head slightly. “When you can talk to me calmly, then we’ll talk.” 

“I can say you’re a scumbag perfectly calmly,” Briana shot back. 

“Briana.” Shepard lifted her chin with his hand. “Being so sharp–tongued doesn’t make you any more likable.” 

“Like I care if you like it,” Briana retorted. 

Shepard frowned. 

Vivian was always gentle and sweet, always going along with whatever he wanted, like she was the perfect woman who just got him. 

And Briana? 

She never missed a chance to challenge him, always had a comeback for everything he said. 

But… Briana used to be gentle and understanding, too. 

‘When did she become so different?‘ Shepard couldn’t help but wonder. 

Briana lifted her hand, ready to brush Shepard’s hand away, but he moved first, withdrawing and shoving his hand into his pocket. 

“Honestly, I’m the one who can really help you,” he said, a smug confidence in his tone. “Anything you want, I can give it to you.” 

As long as she gave in and begged for it, he could help her. 

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He wanted her to bow her head, to be soft and compliant. 

His need to dominate her only got worse after the divorce. 

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“Lane Group, your gallery–whatever it is, just say the word and I’ll make it happen for you,” he added, his tone dripping with arrogance. 

He knew what she wanted most was to take back Lane Group. 

It was her parents‘ legacy. Why should Edward get to keep it? 

Edward didn’t even register on Shepard’s radar. 

Taking him down would be a piece of cake. 

Briana crossed her arms, sizing him up from head to toe. “Are you seriously spouting nonsense in broad daylight? Me, Briana, begging you? Keep dreaming.” 

Shepard smirked, “So you really won’t beg?” 

“I can reclaim everything that’s mine by myself,” Briana snapped. “I don’t need any man–least of all you.” 

Not done yet, she added, “Shepard, not every woman is like Vivian, and not everyone is dying to worship at your feet. 

“Back when I was head over heels for you, I never once thought about using you to get Lane Group back. Now? There is zero chance I’d ever pin my hopes on you.” 

Everything she gave and all the patience she showed was for love, not for profit. 

“Oh, right–one more thing.” Briana suddenly recalled something. “What were you even doing at the Lane residence? Were you… stalking me?” 

“Keeping tabs on you is way too easy,” Shepard replied, sounding almost bored. 

Briana’s voice jumped. “Seriously? You’re actually spying on me!” 

Shepard narrowed his eyes and strode toward her, closing the distance until their bodies were practically touching. 

Briana instantly tried to retreat, but she moved too fast–her ankle gave out, and she tumbled backward. 

Shepard caught her, his arm slipping around her waist and pulling her flush against him. 

Before Briana could even process what was happening, Shepard leaned in close, his breath warm on her skin. “Briana, as I said before, you’re hiding something from me, and I’m going to find out what it is.” 

“If I’m going to get to the bottom of your secrets, I need to know your every move… So tell me,” he drawfed, “how long do you think it’ll take me to figure you out? Three days? Five?” 

Briana drew in a shaky breath, nerves jangling. 

‘Wait. He’s actually serious about it?‘ she wondered. 

“I… I… You… you…” she stammered, totally thrown off. “Seriously, I’m totally innocent. You’re just making drama because you’ve got nothing better to do.” 

Shepard grilled her. “What’s up with you throwing up all those times?” 

“Uh…” Briana stammered, caught off guard. 

Chapter 90 

“And why did you refuse to go to the hospital when you were running a fever?” Shepard demanded. 

“I…” Briana faltered. 

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Shepard’s voice was icy. “I don’t believe a single word out of your mouth. I only trust what I dig up myself. Briana, just you 

wait.” 

Briana’s heart sank. 

With Shepard’s skills, it would be just a matter of time for him to find out she was pregnant. And he’d figure it out in record time. 

If he ever learned that she’d been carrying twins when they split up, and that one was lost because it had no heartbeat while the other survived, he’d snatch the baby away and raise it as a Carter. 

She thought, ‘If all he knows is that I’m pregnant…That way, I could still figure something out!’ 

She decided to deal with whatever went her way. 

Briana bit down hard, peeling his fingers off her one by one. “Don’t touch me!” 

Shepard snorted coldly and let her go. 

Just then, Charles walked over. 

“You two still hanging around?” he asked. “Why are you messing around out here?” 

“Don’t lump me in with him,” Briana shot back. “Charles, why would I go anywhere, with him? Did I get back together with him or what?” 

Charles tapped his own lips. “Ugh, old habits die hard. Gotta fix that. Anyway, Shepard, show my sister some respect, alright? Hands off her, got it?” 

Briana hurried over to Charles’s car and hopped into the passenger seat. “Charles, take me to the gallery.” 

“You got it.” Charles grinned. 

As he spoke, Charles pointed right at Shepard. “Did you hear me? Try anything with her, and you’ll regret it.” 

Who had ever dared to point a finger at Shepard before? 

He glanced at Charles’s finger, then suddenly raised his hand. It happened so fast that his movement sliced through the air. 

But Charles was even quicker, snatched his hand back, and bolted for the car. 

Shepard stood there, his expression grim, watching in silence as Charles’s car pulled away from the Carter residence. 

He pulled out his phone and made a call, his voice icy. “What’s the status of the investigation?” 

“Still looking into it, Mr. Carter,” came the reply. 

Shepard issued his ultimatum. “Three days. If you come up empty, you’ll answer for it yourself.” 

***** 

It was 8 P.M. 

The gallery had its lights off and doors locked, officially closed for the night. 

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But Briana hadn’t gone home. She was sitting in the studio, a brush in hand, completely immersed in her own creative world. 

She held a brush in one hand and a palette in the other, sometimes tilting her head in thought, occasionally adding a few strokes. 

This painting was just getting started. It would take plenty of time and patience, requiring her to build it up stroke by stroke. 

Briana relished being completely absorbed in her art, losing herself in the process. 

She forgot about time, forgot about everything, and her whole world narrowed down to the painting right in front of her. 

“Briana.” Olivia suddenly peeked in at the door, bending down playfully. “Why are you still here? You should head home and get some rest. Don’t wear yourself out.” 

Briana turned around. “Hey, you came.” 

“I came to find you,” Olivia said, her voice all mysterious. “I’ve got some hot gossip and major news to spill.” 

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