Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 101

Chapter 101 

The security guard didn’t recognize Shepard. 

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But from the vibe he gave off, the look in his eyes, and the way stood there, the guard could tell no way he was just some regular dude. 

1-11 let Mr. Parker’s secretary know,” the guard stammered “Please wait a moment…” 

Shepard slipped one hand into his pants pocket and glanced at s watch. 

“Five minutes,” he said, his tone icy. “If you’re even a second late that’s not acceptable.” 

Henry showed up in no time. 

From the security guard’s description, he could already guess who it was. 

Sure enough, it was Shepard indeed. 

At the entrance of Parker Group, Shepard and Henry stood face to face. 

“Mr. Carter, Henry said, his tone polite but distant, “since you’re already here, why not come in and sit down in my office?” 

“I’m worried your office is a bit cramped for me to really handle my business,” Shepard replied. 

Henry shot Shepard a confused look. 

Shepard pressed on, “Still playing dumb?” 

I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about,” Henry replied. “Mr. Carter, just say it straight.” 

Shepard strode right up to Henry. 

He raised his fist and punched, no hesitation. 

Henry was caught completely off guard. 

The punch was packed with power. 

Henry went reeling backward, his head snapped to the side, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. 

The Parker Group staff nearby were shocked for a second, then rushed forward to intervene. 

But Henry quickly waved them back. 

“Get inside. All of you. Stay put,” Henry commanded. 

“Mr. Parker, but-” someone protested. 

“Just do as I say,” Henry snapped. 

With Henry’s order, they had no choice but to obey. 

At the entrance of Parker Group, only Shepard and Henry remained. 

The tension was so thick, it felt like a fight could break out any second. 

Henry wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and straightened up. 

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Chapter 101 

“Mr. Carter, real men talk things out, not throw punches. Henry aid, trying to sound righteous 

You? A real man? Seriously? Shepard shot back with a sneer. 

Tve always played it straight.” Henry replied. 

Shepard went for another swing, not holding back. 

But this time, Henry was prepared. He dodged to the side, avoiding the hit. 

Shepard’s punch missed, but he wasn’t about to let it go. He threw another one, even quicker. 

Henry caught Shepard’s fist in his big hand, locking it tight. 

Their strength collided, both refusing to back down. 

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“You’ve got the gall to call yourself playing it straight?” Shepard scoffed, as if he’d just heard the funniest joke ever. “Henry, if I had to pick one person in all of Belaris to take out, it’d be you. 

“I came here today for one reason: to finish you off.” 

Shepard could never lay a finger on Briana. 

But with Henry, he didn’t have to hold back. He could be as merciless and heartless as he wanted. 

Henry put every ounce of strength he had into stopping Shepard’s fist from crashing down. 

You gotta give me a reason before you start throwing punches, right?” Henry said, keeping his cool. “Mr. Carter, are you just here to pick a fight out of nowhere?” 

As he spoke, Henry seemed to catch on. “Is this all because I’ve always been head over heels for Briana?” 

After a brief pause, Henry suddenly smiled. “If that’s your reason then fine. I’ll admit it. I’ve had feelings for Briana since college, and I still do. Now that she’s getting divorced, my chance has finally come.” 

“Why bother waiting for the divorce?” Shepard snapped, his eyes cold. “You and Briana have been hooking up behind my back way before this, haven’t you?” 

Henry was famous for his chill attitude, smooth style, and being a real stand–up guy. 

Even when Shepard sucker–punched him, Henry kept his cool and didn’t lose his temper. 

But when he heard that, Henry’s face darkened. 

“I’ve always respected her, watched over her from afar, and never once crossed the line,” Henry said, his voice steady and serious. “She’s your wife, and I’ve always made sure to keep my distance. 

“Even now, I’m just waiting for the day she gets her divorce papers. Only then will I let myself get close to her, only then will I finally make my move for real. 

“Shepard, just because you and Vivian have your messy drama doesn’t mean everyone else is like that. As for Briana and 

me…” 

Shepard’s anger flared hotter with every word. 

He grabbed Henry by the collar, veins popping on his hand, and slammed him hard against the glass wall. 

Shepard roared, “Briana already admitted it. So why are you still putting on this act, huh? 

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Chapter 101 

She told me herself. I know everything about you two!” 

Henry looked genuinely shocked now. 

Admit what? What did she say to him? Henry wondered. 

Still pretending? Seriously?” Shepard’s eyes were practically shooting fire. “Henry, if I let you stay in Belaris after this. I would look down on myself.” 

As soon as the words left his mouth, the two of them were locked in a fierce fight. 

But Henry was completely blindsided. 

Just what happened? What did Briana tell him? Henry thought his head spinning. 

As he ducked and dodged Shepard’s furious attacks, Henry yelled. “Spell it out for me, Shepard. If I did something. I’d admit it. But if I didn’t, I’m not taking the fall for it.” 

Shepard was breathing hard, his elbow digging into Henry’s chest as he pinned him against the wall. 

He growled, “Are you the father of her baby? Had the balls to do it, but now you’re too scared to admit it?” 

Henry was completely baffled, stunned, and confused. 

But then, it suddenly clicked for him. 

Wait, Briana’s pregnant?‘ Henry thought, his mind spinning. 

He’d never laid a finger on Briana, not once. 

Not even held her hand–just a couple of quick, friendly hugs, that’s it. 

It couldn’t possibly be his kid. 

Briana was pregnant… Wasn’t that right when she was getting divorced?‘ Henry was lost in thought. 

He knew about it, and he’d even talked to her about it. 

But later, Briana told him she’d had a miscarriage. 

‘She had a miscarriage and then got pregnant again? No way. That’s just not possible. It hasn’t even been that long. Besides, Briana’s not the type to do something like that, he continued to wonder, trying to make sense of it. 

After a quick moment of thinking, Henry understood the situation. 

Briana never had a miscarriage but kept the baby. 

The whole miscarriage thing was just a cover. 

She must’ve been trying to fool everyone and secretly have the baby. 

But somehow, Shepard found out. 

That explained why Briana lied that he was the father of her baby. 

Henry took a deep breath and steadied himself. 

“Shepard, about this baby…” Henry began, his voice calm but hesitant. 

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Chapter 10! 

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Hun as Henry got distracted talking, he let his guard down for just a second. Shepard went savage, landing a flurry of brutal punches 

Henry get totally wrecked, couldn’t even defend tumselt. He went over, clutching his stomach, and couldn’t even stand up straight 

This chest was killing him, all tight and throbbing 

Next thing. Henry coughed up blood, dropped to one knee, clutching his chest and hacking up a storm. 

Shepard wasn’t about to let him off that easily. 

We’re nowhere near done yet. We’re just getting started, Shepa thought, his eyes cold and ruthless. 

He loomed over Henry, towering above him. 

I came here today to finish you off,” Shepard claimed, his voice ty. “And when I get back, I’ll deal with that bastard in her belly. 

Henry took a deep breath, wiped the blood from his lips, and looked up at Shepard. 

He kept staring, then suddenly broke into a laugh. 

That laugh was like gasoline on Shepard’s fire–he was about to explode. 

Why the hell is Henry laughing? He’s the one getting wrecked here. Is he laughing because he thinks he made a fool out of me?’ Shepard wondered, his mind was spinning with rage. 

You really have a death wish, huh?” Shepard snarled. 

He aimed a vicious kick right at Henry. 

Henry dodged, rolling across the ground, his suit now covered in dust. “Shepard, you’re seriously… beyond saving.” 

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