Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 111

Chapter 111 

26% 

65 vababere 

Olivia was super reliable, and she was always punctual. Right at eight, her car pulled up outside the Carter Estate. Briana, who was sitting at the dining table, immediately stood up and looked outside. 

Shepard raised an eyebrow and asked, “Who’s here?” 

“Olivia!” Briana exclaimed. She put down her fork and hurried out to greet her. 

Shepard sat at the dining table, his expression calm and composed, but there was a hint of anger in his eyes. 

Daniel looked at Shepard’s face and said, “Mr. Carter, I was just about to let you know. The guards at the gate tried to keep her out, but somehow Miss Hughes still got in.” 

Shepard waved him off. He knew exactly what Olivia was like. He’d known Briana for just as long as he’d known Olivia. 

Briana was gentle and well–behaved. Maybe it was losing her parents so young that made her so introverted. But Olivia was the type who feared nothing. She was the Hughes family’s precious only child, pampered and spoiled beyond belief. 

Shepard had always thought Briana and Olivia were polar opposites. But now, it seemed like Briana was starting to develop a bit of Olivia’s bold and brash streak. 

Out in the garden, Olivia pulled up, opened the car door, took off her sunglasses, and leaned casually against the hood. She ran a hand through her hair, watching Briana sprint toward her 

Olivia said with a grin, “Slow down, babe. I’m not going anywhere. No need to rush.” 

“I’ve been waiting for you forever!” Briana called out. 

Olivia said, checking her watch, “We agreed on eight, and I didn’t waste a single second. Hop in?” 

“Okay!” Briana replied. 

Olivia headed for the driver’s seat, and Briana went to the passenger seat. 

Shepard stood on the steps, one hand casually shoved in his pocket. “Stop right there. Briana, who said you could leave?” Shepard called out. 

Before Briana could even open her mouth, Olivia was already rapid–firing. “Oh, please! Who the hell do you think you are? Still acting like you’re some big shot? What, you trying to control Briana now? You’re just her ex, nothing more.” 

Shepard’s temple was already throbbing. Dealing with Briana alone was enough of a headache. And now Olivia showed up, 

too. 

Olivia fired back, “I’m taking Briana with me, and there’s no way you can stop me. Go ahead, ask her. Does she want to stay here with you, or leave with me?” 

“Of course, I’m going with you, Olivia,” Briana said without hesitation. 

Olivia lifted her chin, her tone full of attitude. “Did you hear that Shepard?” 

With her bestie by her side, Briana stood a little taller, her confidence shining through. She’d never been afraid of Shepard to begin with. Now, with Olivia backing her up, she was even less fazed. 

Honestly, with Olivia by her side, Briana felt like they could totally walk all over Shepard if they wanted to. 

Shepard said coolly, “If I don’t let you go, you’re not getting out of the Carter Estate. Trying to go against me? You don’t stand a chance.” 

1/3 

16:55 Wed, Dec 31 D GG. 

Chapter 111 

20% 

He strolled down the steps. “Briana, I should’ve just taken your gone away. You texted Vivian, then called Olivia. And don’t Tell me you’ve been video chatting with Henry, checking up on s injuries?” 

“Wait, what? Henry got hurt?” Olivia exclaimed, her eyes wide. 

“Yeah, Shepard beat him up.” Briana replied. 

“Are you kidding me? That’s just straight–up bullying!” Olivia snipped, clearly pissed. 

Shepard strode up to the car, his voice cold as ice. “Letting him walk away alive? That was me being merciful? 

Olivia fired back, “You know, for someone with a face like yours, you’d think you’d have at least a little class. But nope. It’s just a pretty face with a nasty mouth. 

“You are always talking crap and making trouble. Seriously, what did Henry ever do to deserve your crap? Whatever, you’re hopeless. 

“So, are you letting her go or not? If not, I’ll just drive right through the gate. I’m bored with this ride anyway. Might as well get a new one. Out with the old, in with the new.” 

Shepard didn’t even spare Olivia a glance. He just strode straight toward Briana. Seeing this, Olivia quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his way. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” Olivia spread her arms wide, anding her ground. She turned and shouted, “Briana, hurry up! Get in the car.” 

“Okay!” Briana replied. She dashed to the passenger seat, jumped in, and hit the lock button. 

Shepard tried to stop her, but Olivia stood her ground, not letting him through. And to make things worse, Olivia was getting all up in his space. 

Olivia shot back, “Hey, hey, hey. Get any closer and I’ll call you out for harassment. You, perv, creep, shameless, total sleazebag.” 

Shepard’s tongue pressed hard against the roof of his mouth, barely holding back his anger. “Olivia!” 

“Yeah, I know my name’s nice, but you don’t have to shout. I’m not deaf,” Olivia shot back with a smirk. 

“Move!” Shepard snapped. 

Olivia glanced back to make sure Briana was in the car, then stepped aside. “Alright, alright, I’m moving. Happy now?” 

Shepard walked over to the passenger side and tapped on the window. 

Briana rolled the window down just a crack. “I’m going to the gallery, and you can’t stop me. Even if I can’t get out today, I’ll figure it out tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after. 

“One way or another, I’m leaving this place and leaving you. You can count on it!” Briana said. Her eyes burned with determination and defiance. 

Shepard just stared at her for a few seconds, then finally said, “Fine.” 

“Huh?” Briana blinked, totally thrown off. 

She thought, still in shock, ‘Did he just cave that easily? Is this really the Shepard I know?‘ She felt like she’d stepped into some parallel universe. 

Shepard took two steps back. “You can only go to the gallery, and I’ll have someone keeping an eye on you. Briana, you’ll never slip through my fingers.” 

2/3 

O 

< 

16:55 Wed, Dec 31 DGG. 

Chapter III 

26% 

Shepard knew keeping Briana cooped up at the Carter Estate wasn’t a long–term solution, Since he couldn’t stop her anyway, he figured he might as well go with the flow and let her have this one. 

As the car pulled out of the Carter Estate and turned onto the rod, Briana finally snapped out of it. “Olivia, am I really out?” Briana said, still a little dazed. 

Olivia nodded. “Yeah. But look behind you.” 

Briana glanced back. Two black cars were trailing them, keeping steady distance. 

Olivia said, adjusting her sunglasses, “Shepard’s bodyguards. Babe, they’re keeping tabs on your every move.” 

Briana shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, as long as I get out. Once we’re at the gallery, I’ll just lock the studio door and slip out the window. No one will know.” 

“Where are you headed?” Olivia asked. 

“The hospital. To see Henry,” Briana replied. After what happened to Henry, she just had to go and check on him. 

Olivia asked, raising an eyebrow, “So, when did Shepard and Henry actually go at it? What was it about? Was it because of you or something?” 

“Yeah, it was because of me,” Briana said. 

Olivia got even more curious. The light turned red, so she hit the brakes and turned to Briana. “Come on, spill. What happened?” 

Briana said, glancing down at her flat stomach, “Honestly, it was because of the baby inside me.” 

Olivia blinked, looking confused. ‘A baby? Pregnant?‘ Her eyes widened in shock. 

“Wait, Shepard and Henry actually fought over your baby? And whose baby is it, anyway?” Olivia stammered. 

3/3