Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 122

Chapter 122 

Vivian was made to stand, beaten up, and left bleeding. 

She was on the verge of losing all her dignity. 

Right now, Vivian was trying to figure out how to let Shepard know. 

He was the only one who could save her. 

Vivian glanced up and saw Briana staring right at her. 

Vivian glared right back at her, not backing down. 

Evelyn saw the whole thing. 

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Evelyn immediately jumped to Briana’s defense. “What are you glaring at? Everyone here is out of your league. Especially Briana. She is Mrs. Carter, my granddaughter–in–law. Who do you think you are, anyway? 

“Take Vivian outside. Let her reflect on her actions.” Evelyn barked out an order to stand for Briana. 

“Yes, ma’am,” the guards replied. 

Two security guards quickly came over and stood on either side of Vivian. 

up 

Just then, Briana stood up. “I’ll supervise her myself. I don’t want Vivian to slack off or pull any stunts. I’ll make sure she stands the way she’s supposed to.” 

She waved her hand, signaling the guards to follow. 

The guards escorted Vivian outside. 

Evelyn watched the scene unfold, clearly pleased. She called out “That’s the spirit, Briana! 

“You should carry yourself with that kind of presence and authority. Don’t hold back, use your power as you see fit. If you ever stir up trouble, I’ll be here to cover for you!” 

Vivian was standing at the entrance of the Lane residence. 

Briana watched her with cold eyes. 

Briana said, “Bet you never thought you’d end up like this, did you? 

“Back when you first came back, you were riding high, acting all ough. Just a few words to Shepard, and I was at your mercy, But now? Look at you, Vivian. See how the tables have turned?” 

Vivian gritted her teeth. “I can still badmouth you to Shep!” 

“Oh, is that so?” Briana grinned. “But where’s Shepard now?” 

“He’ll come for me sooner or later. I’m not going to just stand here and let you all walk all over me,” Vivian shot back. 

Briana’s smile grew even wider. “Trust me, Evelyn could just send you away somewhere Shep would never find you. The two of you? You’d never see each other again.” 

Vivian’s face darkened. 

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Chapter 122 

That really was something Evelyn could pull off. 

Briana sauntered over to Vivian. “Scared now? Lost your nerve?” 

Vivian looked up at her defiantly. “Just wait, Briana!” 

I’m waiting. I’m right here. What are you gonna do about it?” Brana taunted. 

Your arrogance won’t last long!” Vivian snapped. 

Briana just shrugged. “Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.” 

Vivian accused, “You’re the one egging Evelyn on to go after me, aren’t you? You can’t win Shep’s heart, so you just hide behind the old folks and try to crush me!” 

“I’m not trying to crush you. Honestly, I was even thinking of helping you,” Briana replied. 

Vivian let out a cold laugh. “Yeah, right. You make it sound so nice.” 

Briana sat down on a seat, her eyes surprisingly sincere as she looked at Vivian. 

Im not joking, Vivian. I really do want to help you. But there’s a catch.” Briana said, looking her straight in the 

What’s the catch?” Vivian asked. 

“I already told you,” Briana replied. 

eye. 

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Vivian stared at Briana for a few seconds, then gave a mocking laugh. “Let me guess, you want me to confess I was the one who set that fire years ago, right?” 

“Come on, we both know you started that fire, Vivian,” Briana said. 

“I didn’t do it, Briana. You’ll never get a single word out of me!” Vivian shot back. 

Briana let out a cold laugh. “Then just keep standing here until your legs go numb, until you black out. When you wake up, you’ll be in a whole new place.” 

Vivian couldn’t help but shiver. 

Briana stood up, arms crossed, and drawled, “I’m heading inside to talk to Evelyn about where to dump you. Somewhere in the country or shipping you overseas. And once you’re gone, what’s gonna happen to your precious Fletcher family? 

“All those projects, all those partnerships. We’re taking them all back. No way we’re letting the Fletcher family get any more handouts. And don’t forget-” 

“Enough,” Vivian cut her off. “Even if you force me out of here, hep will come looking for me.” 

Briana hit her with three quick questions. “Really? Are you sure? Do you honestly think he’ll come for you?” 

Vivian’s confidence started to crack. 

She didn’t have her phone, and not a single trusted sidekick was nywhere near. 

She was completely on her own, no backup at all. 

And this was the Lane residence. Her first time ever stepping foot here. 

“Vivian, come on, just admit you set the fire. It’s not the end of the world. You had the guts to risk it all, but now you’re too chicken to own up?” Briana taunted. 

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12:58 Fri, Jan 2 DD. 

Chapter 122 

“I didn’t start the fire,” Vivian shot back. 

“Fine, then just keep standing here,” Briana said flatly, not intere ed in arguing anymore. 

Briana turned on her heel to leave, done wasting her breath. 

She had barely climbed a few steps when Vivian called out, “Wai” 

Briana gave a slight smile and came back. “Have you thought it through?” 

“Why are you so hung up on what happened with that fire?” Vivian asked. 

Briana replied, “Because I need closure for myself. I need answers. I need the truth.” 

“You just want to run to Shep and snitch on me, don’t you?” Vivian shot back. 

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“Think whatever you want,” Briana said. “But here’s the deal: admit it, and I’ll help you get out of here. Keep denying it, and I’ll send you off somewhere no one will ever find you. You’ll be stuck there for the rest of your life.” 

Vivian gritted her teeth. “Admit it, and I’m screwed. Deny it, and I’m still screwed. Either way, I’m toast.” 

She thought, ‘If I confess, it’s game over. Shepard will never respect me again. I’ll crash and burn his eyes. 

‘No, I won’t even have a place in his heart anymore. He’ll probably want to skin me alive, rip me to shreds! 

‘But if I keep denying it, at least I can dig in my heels, stall for time, and maybe find a way to escape. 

Briana said, towering over Vivian. “I told you, I’ll help you. Just admit you started the fire, and I’ll back you up in front of everyone. Make sure you get your shot with Shepard. 

“I’ll do whatever it takes to get a divorce and clear the way for you, just like you’ve always wanted…” 

Briana kept selling her dreams, dangling promises that sounded almost too good to be true. 

Meanwhile, she’d already hit record on her phone. 

She was just waiting for Vivian to give in and spill the truth. 

This was another perfect chance to trick Vivian into confessing. 

She was desperate for some solid proof to finally rip off Vivian’s mask and show everyone who she really was. 

Vivian’s lips moved a few times, but nothing came out. She stayel silent. 

The two of them were locked in a standoff, neither willing to back down. 

Vivian had no clue what Briana was really up to. 

She thought, ‘Admitting I started that fire? Not a chance. 

‘But all I want is to get out of this place, fast! 

Briana was plotting her own game against Vivian. 

And Vivian was busy working her own angles against Briana. 

It’s just see who has got more tricks up their sleeve, and who’s the real mastermind here. 

“That fire actually…” Vivian started, stringing Briana along, keeping her hooked. 

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Chapter 122 

Briana stared her down, eyes locked on Vivian’s face. 

But right then, a car tore into the Lane residence. 

Both of them thought at the same time, ‘Who’s showing up now 

They both looked up at the same time. 

‘Could it be Shepard?‘ Vivian thought. 

Vivian’s eyes lit up with hope. 

Briana grew wary, instantly on alert. 

The car rolled to a stop, the door swung open, and out stepped.. It wasn’t Shepard. 

But it was still someone from the Carter family. 

It was Eric. 

Vivian jumped up, eyes wide with excitement. “Eric!” 

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