Chapter 119
In the car. Briana was clutching her phone, frantically venting to Olivia.
Briana: [The divorce didn’t go through, and I got hauled back to Carter Estate.]
Briana: [Honestly, the way Shepard handles a crisis totally blew me away.]
Briana: [Olivia, we tried to play with him, but it didn’t work. We pst.]
Briana: [They always say three brains can outsmart a genius, but when it comes to us, it’s like magic just fizzles out.]
Olivia was feeling pretty bummed out, too.
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She’d leaked news, stirred up the buzz, and even hired a bunch of shills to blend in with the reporters, all ready to stir things up when the time was right.
But out of nowhere, Shepard showed up with a bouquet of roses swept Briana off her feet, and carried her out.
Now, everyone online was singing Shepard’s praises.
Especially that photo of Shepard carrying Briana out of the courthouse. It went totally viral; people called it legendary.
In the photo, Shepard looked absolutely stunning in a perfectly tailored suit, his pants accentuating those powerful legs. His sharp, handsome features and intense gaze, paired with his tall,pright stance, made him impossible to ignore.
He exuded an air of elegance and privilege, tall, long–legged, and every bit the head–turner.
Briana had her arms around Shepard’s neck, her dress cascading down and brushing lightly against his trousers.
Olivia thought, ‘Seriously, who took this shot?
It looks just like a scene straight out of a TV drama.‘
Olivia: [Shepard has got himself a total image makeover. Everyone online is hyping him up, and they’re absolutely roasting Vivian.]
Briana: [Wait, they’re roasting Vivian?]
Olivia didn’t even bother explaining. She just shot Briana a link,
Briana clicked it. Turns out, some netizens had dug up the truth that infamous photo of Shepard and Vivian kissing was all over the internet, but it was just a trick from the angle. They never actually kissed.
Netizens were convinced it was all a scheme. Shepard was totally set up.
So, who’d pull off a stunt like that?
Of course, it had to be Vivian. She was the one who’d benefit the most from all this.
So, Vivian was getting absolutely roasted online.
Briana zoomed in on the photo again and again, muttering, “Is just a trick of the angle?”
“Hmm?” Beside her, Shepard, who had been resting with his eye closed, murmured in a low voice.
Briana glanced over at him.
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He’s right here Might as well just ask him, she thought.
“Back when my brother hit you,” Briana asked, “you didn’t actually kiss Vivian, did you?”
I’ve already explained this, Briana,” Shepard said.
“Huh?” Briana looked puzzled. “When was that?”
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Shepard suddenly opened his eyes and turned to her. “I’ve told you a bunch of times, Briana. It’s not what you think between Vivian and me. In all five years of our marriage, I never even laid a finger on her.”
“So why didn’t you defend yourself when my brother hit you?” Briana pressed.
“How was I supposed to know what kind of crazy Charles was on about?” Shepard replied.
Briana pouted. “You guys are all nuts. Not a single one of you is normal.”
Shepard’s mouth twitched.
Just then, Briana’s phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the screen. It was Evelyn calling.
She instantly looked like she was holding a hot potato. “Uh, I…”
Shepard had already reached over and swiped to answer.
“Briana,” Evelyn’s voice came through, “you two can argue and fuss all you want behind closed doors, but don’t let outsiders get a show. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I really feel for you.
“Just give Shepard a bit more time and another chance, okay? Hell show you he’s worth it and win you back. And listen, stop talking about divorce all the time or running off to the courthouse. It’s really not good luck.”
Briana clutched her phone, giving a dry laugh. “Sure, Grandma, hear you.”
Evelyn said, “Don’t worry, Briana. If Shepard ever messes up again, I’ll be the first to set him straight. He won’t get off easily.
“And as for Vivian, you don’t need to worry about her. I’ll handle her. You just focus on getting ready to have a baby, and give us a chubby little boy soon!”
Briana looked at Shepard.
Shepard’s expression was completely blank.
“Grandma,” Briana asked, “um… How exactly are you going to deal with Vivian?”
Evelyn said, “You think I can’t handle her? Just leave it to me. You don’t need to get involved. Just wait and see.”
“Uh…” Briana was at a loss for words.
Briana thought, ‘Wait, no. I am actually counting on Vivian to keep acting like a drama queen, crying, making a scene, and grabbing Shepard’s attention nonstop. That way, he would get so fed up he’d finally cave and agree to the divorce.
‘But if Evelyn stepped in, she would take Vivian down in no time
“Then I could kiss my chances of ever getting a divorce goodbye
“Alright, it’s settled then.” Evelyn declared. “Now that I’m out of the hospital, I’ve got nothing but time and energy in my hands. I’ve let Vivian do as she pleases for way too long. It’s abou time I teach her a lesson!”
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Briana wanted to say something more, but Evelyn hung up before she could get a word in.
gave Shepard a look, blinking in surprise.
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Briana explained, trying to clear her name, “Hey, I swear I didn’t stir anything up. I didn’t do a thing; you heard it yourself. Or maybe you could just ship Vivian off overseas again to keep her out of the spotlight?
“Or should I go talk to Grandma and try to stop her? What do you think?”
Briana was tossing out ideas, genuinely worried that something bad might happen to Vivian.
In Briana’s mind, there was only one fate waiting for Vivian: getting thrown in jail for conspiracy to commit arson.
Shepard gave her a cold stare. “Shut up.”
“Why aren’t you freaking out at all?” Briana asked. “Aren’t you worried Grandma’s gonna go after your girl Vivian?”
“As long as I’m here, no one can touch her,” Shepard replied.
“But Grandma didn’t sound like she was joking just now,” Briana pressed.
Shepard rubbed his temples and didn’t say a word.
Once he’d made sure Briana was safely back at Carter Estate, Shepard finally made his way to Carter Group.
Briana stood on the steps, watching the car disappear down the road, and just stayed there, not going inside for a long while.
“Mrs. Carter,” Daniel said, “Mr. Carter instructed that-”
Briana cut him off. “He’s not letting me leave the house again, is he?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Daniel replied.
“So,” Briana asked, “what if I want to go to the Carter residence to see Grandma?”
Daniel hesitated for a moment. “Right now?”
Briana nodded. “Yeah. Grandma is already out of the hospital, and I haven’t even gone to see her yet.”
“Well…” Daniel hesitated.
While Daniel was still hesitating, Briana was already heading for her scooter. “I’m going to see Grandma.”
Daniel called after her, hurrying to catch up, “Mrs. Carter, wait. et me arrange a driver and a car for you. There’s no way I can let you drive yourself. And I’ll get some gifts ready, too. You an’t show up empty–handed.”
Briana smiled. “Okay.”
But when Briana arrived at the Carter residence, Evelyn was nowhere to be found.
Turns out, she was actually at the Lane residence.
Briana found the place empty, so she switched gears and made her way over to the Lane residence instead.
The Lane residence was quite lively today.
Wrenley and Evelyn were sitting in the main seats of the living room, sipping coffee and chatting away.
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Chapter 119
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“Hey, old friend, what brings you here?” Wrenley asked. “Now that you’re out of the hospital, I should be the one coming to see you. I was just trying to figure out when to drop by.”
Evelyn waved her hand dismissively. “We’ve been friends for a lifetime. Who cares about all that formal stuff? I came here today to put your mind at ease.”
“Oh?” Wrenley raised an eyebrow.
Evelyn declared, “That Vivian woman who’s been messing with Shepard and Briana’s relationship for years. I’m putting an end to her nonsense today.
“Just sit back and watch. I want you to see it with your own eyes. Evelyn slammed her coffee cup
down.
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