Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 311

Elliott tilted his head and looked at Lily, his eyes overflowing with affection for her. 

Lily caught his gaze, her cheeks flushing as she looked away, too shy to meet his eyes for long. 

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A faint smile tugged at Elliott’s lips as he looked up at Lawrence. “Lawrence, I’m serious about marrying Lily.” 

Lawrence was about to say something, but Elliott cut him off. “Maybe you don’t believe it, but given who I am, you probably think Lily isn’t my type. Honestly, I thought so too when we first met. 

“But her sincerity and kindness really got to me. I don’t care about family background or status. All I want is someone who truly understands me.” 

Elliott took Lily’s hand, his voice earnest. “I want to give her a home, to let her know she’s loved. As her parents, I hope you’ll support us.” 

Vivian thought in shock, ‘Sincere and kind? Seriously? Are you seriously talking about Lily? That scheming bitch? You must be blind.‘ 

Lawrence, standing next to Vivian, just stared at Lily, completely at a loss for words. 

Not only did Vivian, who’d lived with Lily for years, not believe it, but even Lawrence, her own father, who’d barely met Lily. didn’t buy it for a second. 

He knew exactly what his own daughter was like. 

But looking at Elliott, he didn’t look like he was pretending. 

Maybe Lily really does have some serious skills, and she’s got Elliott totally under her control, Lawrence thought. 

Lawrence paused, thinking it over, then said, “You know I’m not Lily’s real father. Technically, I shouldn’t be the one making decisions about her marriage. 

“But since both Lily and Mrs. Swanson want me to handle it, I’ll step in as her dad and lay out my terms.” 

Lily’s official background had been public knowledge for years. Anyone could dig it up if they wanted. 

Elliott knew all about it too. 

Only a handful of people knew Lawrence was actually Lily’s real father, so for now, he just played the role of her adoptive dad. 

A shadow flickered in Elliott’s eyes, but he quickly smiled, “Lily told me that even though you and Mrs. Swanson aren’t her real parents, you’re even closer to her than real parents could be. 

“So it’s only right that you two get to decide about her marriage.” 

“Alright, then let me lay out my terms, Lawrence said. “We don’t want any traditional wedding gifts All we ask is for you to give Lily ten percent of your company’s shares as a safety net. 

“If things ever go south between you two, at least she’ll have something to fall back on 

Lawrence glanced at Elliott. “You know Lily’s an orphan She’s spent years living under the Swanson family’s roof, always feeling like an outsider. When she joins your family, I don’t want her to feel that way again 

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9:41 am DXX M 

Chapter 311 

Lily looked up at Lawrence, a cold smirk playing on her lips. 

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‘Orphan Lily thought, rolling her eyes. ‘How can he even say that with a straight face? Who does he think made me ant orphan for twenty years? And now he wants to play the loving dad?‘ 

If it weren’t for wanting to marry Elliott, it wasn’t like she actually wanted him here. 

She just wanted to prove to him that she, Lily, wasn’t any less than anyone else. 

Even though Lawrence hadn’t run it by her first, she was actually pretty satisfied with him asking for shares in Elliott’s company instead. 

‘Seriously, what’s the point of some gifts before marriage?‘ Lily thought. ‘If we took that money, it would probably just go straight into Lawrence’s pocket.’ 

Even though Lawrence was clearly scheming with the whole shares thing, Lily knew he wouldn’t be able to cash out those shares anytime soon. So at least she could keep him on a short leash for now. 

Lily shoved those thoughts aside and fixed her gaze on Elliott, waiting for his answer. 

Giving up ten percent of his company was no small ask. Even if Elliott was head over heels for her, you’d expect him to at east hesitate. 

But to Lily’s shock, Elliott didn’t even blink. He agreed right away. “No problem.” 

Lawrence was a bit taken aback. 

Ten percent might not seem like much, but with how much Elliott’s company pulled in every year, the dividends alone were 

goldmine. Is he really willing to go that far for Lily?‘ Lawrence wondered. 

Elliott picked up his cup, took a slow sip, and the glint in his eyes faded. 

He was more than willing to hand over those shares. 

After all, those ten percent of shares technically belonged to Nina. 

Nina owned fifty percent of his company. 

There were only two shareholders in the entire company: him and Nina. 

Whatever Nina gave up now, she’d earn back tenfold in the future. 

Elliott set down his cup and turned to Lily, his eyes full of affection. “But the gift is non–negotiable. When I marry Lily, t want to give her everything I have. 

I want her to be the happiest bride ever. She can’t just marry me like this. I don’t want people talking behind her back 

Before Lawrence could say a word. Ellout added, “I’ll put up 2.5 million dollars for you two to start a family. As for the ewelry and other gifts, my people will take care of everything.” 

Lawrence’s face lit up with a big grin “Alright, it’s a deal” 

If this had been a few years ago, Lawrence would have turned his nose up at 2.5 million 

But now, with the Nicholson family short on cash, that money could go a long way. 

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9:41 am DXX M 

Chapter 311 

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Vivian, who hadn’t said a word until now, finally spoke up with a smile, “Elliott, why don’t you stay for lunch?” 

“No, thanks. I’ve got some work to handle at the office, and I still need to consider the wedding date and place,” Elliott replied. 

Today was just the two families sitting down to talk about the wedding. 

They still needed to pick a good day for the wedding. 

Vivian didn’t press the issue and just told Lily to see Elliott out. 

Afterwards, Lawrence gently pulled Vivian into his embrace and said softly, “Vivian, you’ve been through so much all these years. Thank you.” 

Vivian looked up at the man standing before her. 

She’d lost track of how long it had been since she’d last seen him. 

He still looked exactly the same as he did back then. Time hadn’t touched his face at all. 

Back then, he was the only one in her heart. Even if they only met once every couple of years, her heart would flutter every single time. 

But now, just looking at him turned her stomach. 

Vivian gathered herself and gave him a gentle smile. “It’s nothing. I’ll do anything for your sake.” 

Lawrence gazed at Vivian with deep affection. “Marry me, Vivian. I’ll get you to meet the Nicholson family and introduce you to my folks. Now that I’m in charge, no one’s going to stop us now.” 

Vivian’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Do you really mean it? You really want to marry me?” 

“Come on, when have I ever not wanted to marry you? I’ve wanted this for as long as I can remember. I’ve dreamed about marrying you every single night. 

“It’s just that life kept throwing obstacles in our way, and you’ve had to put up with so much because of it. Lawrence looked at her with all the love in the world. 

Vivian sneered inwardly, but her face stayed soft and gentle. She clung to Lawrence, her eyes brimming with tears Lawrence, I’ve waited so long for this 

Lawrence held Vivian close, his heart stirring in a way it hadn’t for years. 

He bent down and tried to kiss her. 

Vivian was totally grossed out and dodged him. 

She put on a shy act, saying, “Seriously, we’re not teenagers anymore. What if Lily walks in? Save it for later, okay? You’ll have plenty of chances 

Lawrence looked a little disappointed, but he didn’t push it. He leaned in close to Vivian’s car and whispered, “Let’s get a hotel room tonight, Vivian. I’ve waited so long. I just can’t wait anymore.” 

Vivian’s eyes flickered, and she put on a shy act. “Okay”