Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 144

Chapter 144 

Shepard whipped around, his piercing eyes fixed on the bodyguard, radiating an intimidating aura. 

The bodyguard replied, “Yes, Mr. Carter. He went by himself, and honestly, he looked pretty suspicious.” 

“Who did Eric go to see in prison?” Shepard asked. 

“Sam,” the bodyguard answered. 

At the mention of that name, Shepard visibly jolted, his tall frame almost staggering. 

That name was burned into his memory; he could never forget it, not in this lifetime. 

Sam used to be a PE teacher at Aetherton University. After he retired, he took on a laid–back job there, managing the sports equipment room. 

It was a super chill gig. All he had to do was open the equipment room on time, sit behind his desk, and log who borrowed what. 

Sam had been doing that for seven or eight years. 

Everything changed the day that fire hit. 

Shepard was in the equipment room, picking out a badminton racket, when he suddenly smelled something burning. 

He looked up, and in just a few seconds, smoke started pouring in, so thick that he could barely breathe. 

He bolted for the door. 

But the door just wouldn’t open, no matter how hard he tried. 

Shepard slammed his fists against the door, yelling for someone to help, throwing himself at it with everything he had. But nothing worked. 

The flames roared higher, smoke choking the room. 

Shepard’s head was spinning, everything going fuzzy. 

That was when Vivian rushed in and pulled him to safety. 

Afterward, when responsibility was assigned, it was clear Sam had neglected his duties. He wasn’t on duty in the equipment room, and the fire was caused by his carelessly discarded cigarette butt. 

Once the cause of the fire was fully investigated, Sam was brought to court and sentenced to seven years prison. 

in 

Shepard thought, ‘Come to think of it, Sam’s probably out already.’ 

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Chapter 144 

He said, “I want to see Sam. Get me in to see him. Right now,” 

The bodyguard replied, “Mr. Carter, Sam’s already out of prison.” 

Shepard exclaimed, “What?” 

Shepard could’ve sworn Sam got seven years. 

He thought, ‘Has it really been seven years already? 

‘Or maybe I’m just remembering it wrong. 

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The bodyguard explained, “Sam got his sentence reduced for good behavior in prison. He was released last month.” 

“Reduced sentence?” Shepard echoed, his voice icy. 

He arched an eyebrow, a cold smirk curling at his lips. 

He sneered inwardly, ‘Something fishy is definitely going on here. 

“The arsonist I sent to prison myself actually got out early. 

‘Did they really think I’d just forget about him and what he did, just because I haven’t kept tabs on him these past few years? 

‘So, someone’s been pulling some shady moves behind my back. 

‘Good. Just great.’ 

Shepard clasped his hands behind his back and asked in a calm voice, “Did Eric see Sam?” 

The bodyguard replied, “No. When Eric got there, Sam had already been released.” 

“So what was he doing at the prison?” Shepard asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice. 

“He went there to wipe the visitation logs,” the bodyguard replied. 

Shepard’s eyes narrowed. He asked, “So all the records of who visited Sam while he was locked up… they’re gone?” 

“No, only his family’s visits are still on file. Everything else is gone,” the bodyguard said. 

Shepard thought, ‘So who went to see Sam, and was so worried about being found out that they had Eric pull some strings to erase the visitation logs? 

‘Who was it, really? 

‘Who is Eric helping out here? 

‘And how is Eric connected to that fire?’ 

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Shepard frowned, lost in thought, his whole presence radiating a chilling aura that warned everyone to keep 

their distance. 

He thought, ‘Who’s been getting close to Eric lately? 

‘Henry and Vivian. 

‘So, between those two, who looks more suspicious? 

‘Vivian, obviously.’ 

Shepard’s chest rose and fell with fury, his anger boiling over as he slammed his fist onto the desk. The desk shook under the blow, 

Even the folders jumped from the impact. 

Shepard demanded, “Get to the bottom of this, no matter what. I want answers fast. Dig into everything between Eric and Vivian, the fire, Sam–leave nothing out.” 

Shepard’s temple pulsed, veins standing out as his anger surged. 

But beneath the fury, there was pain and hate, tearing him up inside. He hated himself for not catching on sooner and digging into it back then. 

He thought, ‘And now, after all this time, I’m only just starting to realize something’s wrong. 

‘Even with all my connections and power, so what? I’m still being strung around like a puppet. How pathetic.’ 

“Go. Drag Sam here; right in front of me!” Shepard barked, his voice cold and commanding. 

The bodyguard hesitated, clearly under pressure. He said, “Mr. Carter, I’ve already tried everything you can think of. After Sam got out, he just disappeared. He never went back to his hometown. Honestly, tracking him down is going to be really tough.” 

“Turn Belaris upside down if you have to. I don’t care how hard it is. Find him and bring him to me,” Shepard snapped, his tone icy and ruthless. 

Shepard thought, ‘Sam’s gone missing? 

Did someone stash him away, or was he silenced for good? 

‘Why would anyone go to such lengths? What kind of secret is Sam hiding?‘ 

The answer was practically staring him in the face. 

He thought, ‘That fire reeked of foul play. 

If the fire really was just because Sam didn’t put out his cigarette, and he did his seven years behind bars, paid his dues. Then that should’ve been it. The story should’ve ended there. 

But of course, just when things should’ve been over, Sam vanished into thin air. 

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Chapter 144 

Shepard let out a cold laugh. 

Suddenly, Briana’s words rang in his head. 

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Briana said, “What if that fire wasn’t what it seemed? What if you don’t really owe Vivian for saving your life?” 

A sudden stab of pain shot through Shepard’s heart, catching him completely off guard. 

The pain was so bad that he almost wished he were dead. 

Shepard bent over, his tall figure suddenly hunched and defeated. He gripped his chest, clutching his shirt like he was trying to hold himself together. 

Seeing this, the bodyguard stepped forward. He asked, “Mr. Carter, are you alright?” 

Shepard said coldly, “Don’t come near me. Get out.” 

“Yes, sir,” the bodyguard said. 

“I want answers, and I want to see those people. Make it happen fast,” Shepard said, his eyes narrowed, rage and cold intent flashing in his gaze. He added, “Get it done, and you’ll be well rewarded.” 

The bodyguard replied, “Yes, Mr. Carter.” With that, he left. 

The door to the CEO’s office opened, then shut with a quiet click. 

Shepard was still clutching his chest, taking deep, shaky breaths, trying to ease the pain that wouldn’t go away. 

Right then, he felt he was the loneliest man in the world. 

It was like he’d lost the most important thing in his life. 

Something he once had, but let slip through his fingers, and now, no matter what he did, he could never get it back. 

It was called love. 

***** 

Vivian swiped her keycard and stepped inside the hotel room at night. 

As soon as the door clicked shut, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. 

Eric said, “Hey, you’re here. Why the long face? Do I really make you that unhappy?” 

He held Vivian by the neck, tilting her chin up so she had to meet his gaze. 

Vivian stared at him, her eyes cold and unwavering. She said, “It’s over for us.” 

Eric said, “Over? What do you mean, over? You’re pregnant. This is just getting started.” 

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Chapter 144 

“Shepard said he wants me to abort the baby, Vivian said, her voice shaking, with fear. 

Eric froze, completely caught off guard. 

Vivian insisted, “He told me himself. I’m sure he’s got feelings for Briana again.” 

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“And lately, I just can’t shake this feeling that someone’s been following me, watching my every move,” Vivian said, swallowing hard, her hands and feet cold as ice. She asked, “Eric, do you think we’ve already been exposed?” 

“Impossible,” Eric said, his voice steady and unbothered. 

“How can you be so sure?” Vivian pressed, anxiety spiking. 

Eric replied, “We haven’t made a single mistake.” 

Vivian pressed, “But Briana already suspects something’s off about that fire, and she keeps trying to trip me up, hoping I’ll say something I shouldn’t. 

“What if she goes to Shepard and starts stirring things up? What if Shepard’s already digging into us?” 

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