Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 120

Chapter 120 

Wrenley just gave a faint smile and said nothing. 

Edward and Diana, however, exchanged a knowing glance. 

Both Evelyn and Wrenley were always in Briana and Shepard’s corner when it came to their marriage. 

With these two big shots backing her, Briana’s spot as Mrs. Carte was unshakable. 

But now, after Briana married the Carter family, the Lane family didn’t get much out of it, barely any benefits at all. 

All the advantages ended up with Vivian and the Fletcher family 

Plus, Briana was still trying to get back the Lane family’s assets. 

Edward thought, ‘Like that’s ever gonna happen. 

Edward was already plotting to have Sophia take Briana’s place. 

If Sophia could snag Mr. Carter. 

She’d be living the dream, wealth, power, and a life of luxury, never having to worry about a thing. 

The thing was, Sophia had two love rivals standing in her way. 

One was Briana. The other was Vivian. 

If Evelyn had just made a move and gotten Vivian out of the picture, then Sophia could go all out against Briana. 

Neither Edward nor Sophia ever saw Briana as a threat. They didn’t even bother to pay her any attention. 

31%. 

Vivian called out from the entrance to the living room. “Don’t push me. I can walk on my own. Evelyn’s inside, right? Fine, I’ll go in.” 

Vivian soon walked in. 

She stood respectfully before Evelyn, offering a polite smile. “Good afternoon, Evelyn. My name is Vivian.” 

Evelyn, with eyes downcast, didn’t even look at Vivian. “I had Daniel read me some news online. There’s something I’d like to ask you.” 

“Of course, ma’am. Please ask, and I’ll answer truthfully,” Vivianhid politely. 

Vivian was on her best behavior. 

Evelyn asked, “Those cozy pics of you and Shepard went viral o ine, but now the word is it was just the camera angle, and you two didn’t actually kiss in front of everyone. So, what’s the ral story here?” 

Vivian replied, “It really was just the angle, Evelyn. Shep and I ar for real, but we’ve always known our boundaries.” 

Evelyn scoffed, as if she’d just heard the funniest joke all year, “undaries? Don’t talk to me about boundaries. With your little tricks, maybe you can fool Shepard, but you’ll never fool ” 

Vivian answered firmly, “I haven’t lied to anyone.” 

Evelyn let out a cold laugh. “You’ve been hiding overseas all this time, and with Shepard always shielding you, my hands were tied. But five years is more than enough, Vivian. It’s about time someone took you out of the picture.” 

1/4 

12:58 Fri, Jan 2 D 

Chapter 120 

Vivian’s heart skipped a beat. “Evelyn, are you really going to get rid of me?” 

Evelyn finally glanced up at Vivian, her eyes bored and indifferent. 

Then she smiled and asked, “Why not?” 

Silence fell over the room. 

The Lane family just sat there, not saying a word. 

Sophia was about to say something, but Diana shot her a look that said, ‘Don’t. Just listen.‘ 

31%2 

“I don’t know what I did to upset you, Evelyn,” Vivian said softly. If I’ve done something wrong, I can apologize or fix it.” 

“You seriously don’t know what you did wrong?” Evelyn said. 

“Evelyn, I don’t see how loving Shep is some kind of mistake,” Vivian said. 

Evelyn snorted. “Vivian, all these years I let Shepard keep you stashed overseas. Let him prop up the Fletcher family, and give you all those resources and projects, not because he loves you, but because you saved his life. 

“Shep and the Carter family have already repaid that debt. And you still think you can marry into the Carter family? That’s just a pipe dream.” 

Vivian shot back, “Shep is the one who promised to marry me. Its not like I’m throwing myself at him, trying to force my way into the Carter family.” 

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying you don’t want to marry him?” 

Vivian nodded, “I do. I’m just waiting for Shep to make good on his word.” 

“It’s over for you,” Evelyn said, clearing her throat. “Vivian, you have two choices.” 

Evelyn spoke slowly, her tone icy. “One, leave Belaris and never come back. Two, stay away from Shepard for the rest of your life.” 

If it hadn’t been for Vivian saving Shepard’s life, Evelyn would’ve made her disappear a long time ago. 

After all these years of putting up with her, repaying the favor, and supporting the Fletcher family, the Carter family had paid back every bit of that debt. 

Now, Vivian should know when to step aside. 

Wrenley sipped her coffee, staying silent. 

She knew exactly what Evelyn was doing. Putting pressure on Viian at this moment, in this place, was a clear message to the Lane family. 

Briana was the only one the Carter family truly accepted as their daughter–in–law. 

Evelyn pressed, “So, which will it be? Vivian, have you really thought it through?” 

Vivian clenched her jaw, held her silence, and then suddenly let her shoulders slump, all the tension draining from her body. 

Evelyn arched a brow. 

“Evelyn, please…” Vivian whispered. 

9/1 

12:58 Fri, Jan 2 DD. 

Chapter 120 

“Save it. Your beg means nothing to me,” Evelyn interrupted, not even letting her finish. 

Vivian’s jaw clenched so tight she thought her teeth might crack. 

31% 

Vivian said, “I love Shep. Even if I never get to be his wife, I’ll still be there for him. Evelyn, he needs me, just like I need him. We can’t be without each other. 

“Please, don’t break us up. If that’s what it takes, I’ll take the blame and be called the homewrecker for the rest of my life.” 

Evelyn was just about to speak when Briana’s voice cut in from the living room doorway. 

“You want to be the side chick? Go ahead, but I’m not about to keep playing the fool here,” Briana shot back, her words biting. 

Briana stepped inside, arms full of shopping bags. 

Her sudden entrance had everyone in the room looking stunned 

Evelyn asked, “Briana, what brings you here?” 

Briana said, “I went to Carter residence to see you, Grandma. Turns out you weren’t there. They said you were here, so I rushed right over. I brought you a little gift, just a small token from me.” 

“You really are thoughtful, dear,” Evelyn said. 

“I wanted to pick you up when you were discharged, Grandma, but things got so hectic I just couldn’t get away. So here I am, making up for it now,” Briana said. 

Briana handed the gift to a servant, then plopped down right next to Evelyn. 

Evelyn held her hand with a gentle, motherly warmth. 

Briana leaned her head on Evelyn’s shoulder and said, “Grandma about what happened at the courthouse today… You’re not mad at me, right? 

“You’ve always been the sweetest to me. I know you couldn’t bear to be mad at me. Please don’t let it get to you. I don’t want you stressing yourself out over this.” 

“Me, mad at you? Never. If anyone is making me lose my tempe it’s Shepard and Vivian,” Evelyn replied. 

Briana quickly added, “No need to stress over it, Grandma. You’ve got to take care of yourself first.” 

After being all sweet with Evelyn, Briana skipped over to Wrenle 

“Grandma,” she said, batting her eyelashes, “you’re not mad at me either, right?” 

Wrenley shot her a look and said, “You tell me.” 

“Come on, Grandma, you’ve always loved me best…” Briana tease. 

Wrenley tried to keep a straight face, but Briana’s sweet talk was st too much. She couldn’t help but break into a smile. 

She tapped Briana’s nose. “You! You begged to get married first. Now you’re the one talking about divorce.”