Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 256

Chapter 256 

65 vounters 

“We just have to put up with it!” Edward gritted his teeth. “We’ve made things difficult for her too many times in the past. And with Mr. Carter right there beside her, there’s no way we’d stir things up.” 

“Alright,” Diana said, gently patting Edward on the back. “Come on, don’t be mad. At worst, it’s only an hour or two.” 

Edward composed himself, forced a smile, and headed toward the dining room. 

Wrenley sat at the head of the table. 

For most of the meal, it was just Wrenley and Briana chatting away. Shepard would chime in every now and then. Edward and Diana barely got a chance to say a word. 

Finally, after what felt like forever, Briana stood up. Edward quickly said, “Briana, I need to talk to you alone for a bit. Would that be okay?” 

“She’s not available,” Shepard cut in before Briana could even respond. 

‘Like hell I’d let Briana be alone with Edward, Shepard thought. ‘Edward’s at the end of his rope. If he loses it and hurts Briana, who’s going to answer for it?‘ 

“Mr. Carter,” Edward said, “just five minutes.” 

“Not even a minute,” Shepard shot back. 

Edward’s expression darkened, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like his teeth might shatter. 

Just then, Wrenley spoke up. “Briana, if he wants to talk, let him. No need for anything private. Just head to the side room. We’ll be waiting for you in the living room.” 

She added, “And leave the door open. Go ahead and talk. No one’s going to interrupt.” 

With Grandma saying that, Briana nodded in agreement. But Shepard still wouldn’t budge. 

Wrenley relented and said, “Why don’t you two talk by the window? We’ll stay here and wait.” 

Briana nodded. “Okay.” 

Shepard finally gave in. 

With everyone just a few steps away in the dining room, there was no way Edward could pull anything even if he wanted to Plus, Diana and Sophia were there, too. 

If Edward so much as tried to touch Briana, Shepard would turn right around and go after his wife and daughter. 

Briana walked over to the window. 

The window faced the garden, where rows of garden lights glowed faintly, making the place feel distant and chilly 

“Go ahead, Briana said, keeping her voice steady. “Uncle Edward, what exactly do you want to talk to me about? Is this about Lane Group stuff again?” 

Edward shot back, “Don’t make things so final, Briana.” 

“Uncle Edward, you were the one who burned the bridges first,” Briana replied. 

1/4 

0:34 am DDMM. 

Chapter 256 

“But I never tried to ruin you,” Edward said. “You and Charles grew up in the Lane residence. 

55 vouchers 

“I took care of everything. food, clothes, all of it. I never shortchanged you, never let you go hungry or cold. Even your school fees and everything else, I covered it all!” 

Briana found it hilarious. ‘Wow, he really said that out loud?‘ she thought. 

“Let me make this clear,” she said. “The money you spent on me? You got it from Lane Group, which belongs to my parents. You use their money on me, and now you want me to thank you, as you did me some big favor? 

“And let’s be real. You spent way more on yourself and your family than you ever did on Charles and me. Don’t act like I don’t know you’ve been living off my parents‘ money. 

“Uncle Edward, I’m not some clueless toddler. Stop trying to pull this crap on me.” 

She added, “If you were really sincere about changing, you wouldn’t be acting like this. You’re only bowing and scraping because you’ve run out of options. If you still had any power, you’d just be even crueler to me.” 

Briana saw straight through Edward’s schemes and laid everything bare, not holding back for a second. 

Edward couldn’t keep his composure, his embarrassment written all over his face. 

‘Honestly, I was pretty soft,‘ Edward thought to himself. ‘I could’ve been a lot harsher! 

As soon as his brother and his wife died, Edward could have just sent Briana and Charles straight to an orphanage, keeping them far away from the Lane residence. 

And back when Evelyn and Wrenley were arranging the marriage, he should’ve fought harder to put Sophia in Briana’s spot. 

But now, none of it mattered anymore. 

‘Briana’s made a comeback, Charles is finally coming into his own, and there’s just no room left for my family anymore, he wondered. 

But Edward only had the guts to think these things in his head. He couldn’t utter a single word. 

‘Briana, what’s done is done. We should be looking ahead,” Edward said, trying to sound sincere. “We’ve got plenty of years left, and Wrenley’s still going strong. 

‘She could easily live another eight or ten years. While she’s still with us, let’s keep things peaceful so she can be happy.” 

Briana scoffed, “With me around, Grandma will have nothing but joy.” 

Edward was about to say something else, but Briana cut him off. “Are you finished? If you’re just going to keep repeating yourself, there’s really no reason to keep talking.” 

T–I- Edward faltered. 

Edward clenched his jaw and snapped, “Seriously, do you have to cut things off this hard?” 

“I gave you a shot, Uncle Edward,” Briana said. “You just didn’t care enough to take it.” 

Edward locked his gaze on her, unblinking. His eyes were icy, burning with hatred. It was like he could eat her alive. 

Briana instinctively took two steps back. 

2/4 

Chapter 256 

55 vouchers 

She couldn’t help but worry that if Edward snapped, he might do something reckless and hurt her, or even her baby. 

‘Push someone too far, and they’ll snap,‘ she wondered. 

Shepard had been watching the window the whole time. As soon as he saw Briana step back, he didn’t hesitate. He went straight to her. He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Are you done?” he asked quietly. 

Briana nodded and sat down. 

“Let’s go,” Shepard said. Shepard never even looked at Edward the whole time. 

Edward was completely cowed by the sheer force of Shepard’s presence. 

Diana and Sophia watched, disappointment written all over their faces. 

‘It’s over,’ Diana thought, her heart sinking. ‘Our family’s good days are gone! 

After saying goodbye to Wrenley, Briana and Shepard got in the car and drove off. 

Edward and his family didn’t even bother to come out and see them off. 

“Typical. That’s their true colors, Briana thought. ‘When they need you, they’re all groveling and acting like loyal lapdogs. 

‘But the second you’re no longer useful, they’ll toss you aside without a shred of hesitation, like you never even mattered. 

Briana had seen right through them long ago, and honestly, she didn’t care anymore. The only thing she cared about now was Wrenley. 

“Can you send Grandma to the island as soon as possible?” Briana asked, turning to Shepard. “I’m worried Edward might make things difficult for her.” 

“Edward wouldn’t dare,” Shepard said. “And besides, Wrenley’s his mother after all.” 

“He’s desperate now,” Briana replied. “He probably doesn’t care about anything anymore.” 

Shepard reached out and gently patted the back of her hand. “I’ll have Wrenley out of Belaris in a day or two.” 

“Sure,” Briana murmured. 

“What did Edward want to talk to you about?” Shepard asked, his voice low. 

Briana rolled her eyes. “You know how he is. He just wants Lane Group to keep running smoothly, so his cushy life and fat wallet don’t take even the tiniest hit.” 

Shepard asked, “And what do you think?” 

“Not a chance,” Briana replied without hesitation. 

Edward’s greed knew no bounds. Even if he got what he wanted, he’d just crave more. He was never satisfied, nothing was ever enough for him. 

When Lane Group was all his, he wanted to keep every bit for himself, not even letting Charles or Briana have a single scrap.