Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 129

Sophia was utterly stunned. 

.31% 

She quickly dodged to the side, the cake whizzing so close it brushed her hair before smacking into the wall and dropping to 

the floor. 

Her hair was now streaked with white frosting. 

Even though she hadn’t been hit, the whole thing left her rattled, 

Briana just went for it, not even giving her a chance to react! 

“Briana!” Sophia stomped her foot, furious. “You actually dared to hit me?” 

“Why not? What’s there to be afraid of?” Briana shot back. 

“You…Just wait.” Sophia jabbed a finger at her. 

Before she could finish, Briana grabbed another mini cake, clearly ready to launch it at her. 

Sophia stumbled back, terrified. 

“Put your hand down and stop pointing at me,” Briana said. “Or next time, it won’t just be cake I’m throwing at you.” 

Sophia was about to retort, but when she saw Shepard coming up behind Briana, she instantly switched to her best damsel- in–distress act, looking all innocent and pitiful. 

Briana looked right through her in a heartbeat. 

Briana had seen Vivian pull that same stunt way too many times. She was a pro at spotting it now. 

Briana turned around and met Shepard’s gaze. 

Sophia whined, rushing over to Shepard, “Mr. Carter. You’re just in time. Please help me out. Look at my hair. It’s totally ruined, all covered in frosting! Briana just threw cake at me for no reason. She just went for me out of nowhere.” 

Shepard’s expression was completely blank. 

Sophia reached for his arm, pouting. “Mr. Carter, how do you even stand Briana’s temper every day…” 

But before she could touch him, Shepard gave her a look that made her freeze. 

His eyes were cold and razor–sharp, making it clear that she’d beter not try anything. 

One look and everyone just knew, if Sophia laid a finger on him she was asking for trouble, 

Sophia’s hand froze in mid–air. 

It was awkward. 

Briana chuckled softly. “Sophia, that act doesn’t work anymore.” 

Sophia gritted her teeth and glared at her. 

Briana said, “You know why? Vivian is a total pro at this. She is smoother and more natural than you. If you’ve got time, maybe ask her for some tips. After dealing with Vivian’s high–level drama, Shepard’s already immune to your little tricks.” 

1/4 

13:00 Fri, Jan 2 

Chapter 129 

Sophia’s face kept changing colors, pale one moment, flushed the next. “What are you even talking about…” 

Briana rolled her eyes. “Are you really that dense, or just playing lumb?” 

31% 

Sophia chose not to answer Briana, pulling her hand back and keeping up her sweet act for Shepard. “Briana always had this temper. Dad always said it’s because she grew up without parents so…” 

“Sophia!” Briana called out Sophia, her voice ringing with anger and authority. 

“Who do you think you are talking about my parents? Say one more word, I dare you.” Briana glared at her. 

Shepard just stood there the whole time, watching without saying a word. 

He lowered his head, swirling the red wine in his glass. 

Briana kept going, “Back at the Lane residence, you said you were finally going to make your move. Sophia, don’t tell me that weak attempt was what you meant? Those were some real rookie moves. 

“I actually thought you had some real skills, that you could put up a real fight with Vivian for Shepard, and maybe even beat 

her. 

“I had such high hopes for you, but… Seriously? That’s it? That’s all you’ve got? Sophia, you really let me down. Tsk.” Briana shook her head, totally bummed out. 

Suddenly, had a thought and looked at Shepard. “So, what’s your type? Why not show Sophia how it’s done?” 

Shepard’s voice was deep and smooth. “Honestly? I like girls like you.” 

Briana said, “Huh?” 

“No one else can pull it off. But Briana, if you act cute, I’m a total pushover,” Shepard said. 

Briana eyed him warily. “Are you for real? You’re not just playing with me, are you?” 

“You can try it. Just act cute, and whatever you ask for. I’ll say yes on the spot.” Shepard said, lifting his glass with a lazy smile. 

He tipped his glass back and took a long drink, looking completely relaxed, like he didn’t have a care in the world. 

Briana was still skeptical. 

She wasn’t about to stoop to that level. Honestly, she thought it was beneath her. 

But watching Sophia stick to Shepard like glue, Briana started to feel the urge to give it a try. 

She thought, ‘Growing up, Sophia always had to be on top, constantly putting me down, making my life miserable, and blaming me for things I never did. 

‘Back then, I didn’t have the guts or the power to fight back. Butow? I finally had what it takes. 

‘Fine! 

I’ll give it a shot!‘ 

Briana gathered up her skirt and marched right up to Shepard, t wasting a second. She shouldered Sophia out of the way, not holding back at all. 

Briana said, “What do you think you’re doing, crowding my man He is your brother–in–law, so know your place. Stop trying to cling to every rich guy in sight.” 

2/4 

13:00 Fri, Jan 2 ? 

Chapter 129 

Sophia, tottering in her heels, stumbled back a couple of steps before she barely managed to steady herself. 

Sophia was fuming, but before she could get a word out, Briana arm through Shepard’s, looked up at him with eyes full of adora 

Shepard just replied, totally unfazed, “Hmm?” 

31%8 

ddenly put on her cutest, high–pitched voice, hooked her on, and called out, “Honey.” 

Briana blinked her eyes sweetly and said, “Sophia is so noisy and annoying, I really can’t stand her. Can you kick her out for 

me?” 

“Sure,” Shepard answered. He didn’t even hesitate and just agreed right away. 

“But you’ll have to try harder than that,” he said, suddenly changing his tone. 

Briana tilted her head, leaning against his shoulder and whining sweetly, “Honey, I’m your wife. Who else are you gonna side with? Come on, say yes, pretty please?” 

Shepard just raised an eyebrow, staying silent. 

Guess that wasn’t enough. 

Briana glanced at the mini cake in her hand and immediately came up with a plan. 

She scooped up a bit and brought it right up to Shepard’s mouth “Look, it’s super sweet and delicious, babe! Open wide.” 

To be honest, even Briana thought she was being kind of cringe. 

She figured Shepard was probably just as weirded out as she was 

But to her surprise, he was totally into it. 

Shepard not only ate the cake Briana fed him, but even remarked, “Somehow, it just tastes better when feed me.” 

you 

Briana thought to herself, feeling goosebumps rise all over. 

She couldn’t help but think, ‘This is way too cheesy. 

Why do men love these cutesy drama queens so much?!‘ 

She forced herself to keep up the act, nodding along. “Of course Honey, you work so hard every day, and I really worry about you. Come on, let me give you a shoulder rub and help you relax.” 

She kept fawning over him, not forgetting to nudge, “Honey, can you kick Sophia out now?” 

“Of course, Shepard replied, not even hesitating. 

Sophia was left completely stunned, her mouth hanging open. 

“Come on, Mr. Carter, you can’t just…I didn’t even… Hey!” Sophi protested, her voice trailing off in disbelief. 

But before she could finish, the black–suited bodyguards were already hauling her out the door. 

With everyone watching, the bodyguards just dragged Sophia o, no fuss, no mercy. 

Briana just blinked. 

Briana thought, ‘Wow, Shepard really means business. 

Does acting cute actually work that well?‘ 

3/4 

13:00 Fri, Jan 2 

Chapter 129 

ས331%– 

“So, Briana asked, “just hypothetically, if I wanted you to kick Vivian out the same way you did with Sophia, would you do 

it?” 

AD 

Comment