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Briana couldn’t help but wonder what kind of look Shepard, tha arrogant, self–absorbed guy, would have on his face when he realized the girl he put on a pedestal had been playing him from the very start.Â
And if he found out that Eric wasn’t so innocent either, and had actually hooked up with Vivian ages ago, how would he look then?Â
Briana suddenly couldn’t help but look forward to it.Â
She immediately pulled out her phone, headed for a secluded corner of the garden, and called Olivia.Â
“Hey, Olivia, maybe we should stop zeroing in on Vivian and start digging into Eric instead,” she whispered. “Maybe it’ll be easier to dig up some dirt that way?”Â
“Eric’s way is harder to dig into than Vivian’s, babe. He is one member of the Carter family, and you know how those guys are. None of them is easy to deal with,” Olivia replied.Â
Briana frowned, worried. “So there’s really nothing we can do?”Â
Olivia suddenly burst out laughing. “Please, there’s always a way!Â
“What?” Briana asked.Â
“Henry,” Olivia said. “Isn’t he pretty tight with Eric?”Â
Briana was taken aback.Â
Olivia continued, “If Henry’s on board, it’ll be a breeze. When it comes to Eric, he never misses. If anyone can dig up something, it’s definitely Henry.”Â
Briana hesitated. “Do I really have to trouble Henry again? He’s already done so much for me.”Â
“Come on, after everything he’s already done for you, one more favor won’t kill him,” Olivia said with a laugh.Â
Briana said, “That’s not really fair, Olivia. And can you honestly promise Henry would be on my side instead of Eric’s? They’ve been friends forever. What if we ask him to look into Eric, and he just turns around and tells Eric everything?”Â
Olivia’s smile faded, her tone turning serious. “I’m sure Henry wouldn’t do that. But if he actually does, it means Eric’s more important to him than you are. If that’s the case, then you know it’s time to cut him out of your life.”Â
Briana held her phone, lost in thought.Â
Briana thought, ‘Right now, only Briana and Olivia knew about Vivian plotting to set the fire and her secret dealings withÂ
Eric.Â
‘Should I really rope Henry into this again?Â
Is he really someone I can trust completely?”Â
Briana still wanted to believe in him, but she just hated the idea of bothering him one more time.Â
“I’ll go talk to Henry,” Olivia said. “Let me handle it, you just sit tight.”Â
Briana agreed softly, “Okay.”Â
She was fresh out of better options.Â
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She thought, ‘Looks like I’ll be paying Henry back for all this for the rest of my life.Â
She put her phone away and headed back to the living room.Â
Evelyn spotted her and waved her over. “Come here, Briana. I just cut up some fruit. It’s super sweet.”Â
“Okay, Grandma,” Briana replied.Â
She hurried over.Â
“What took you so long?” Evelyn asked. “Did Vivian give you a hard time or something?”Â
Briana looked uncomfortable. “Vivian…”Â
“What about her?” Evelyn pressed.Â
“Eric came and took her away,” Briana admitted. “I couldn’t stop him.”Â
Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? Eric took her away?”Â
Briana nodded.Â
“Why didn’t you tell me? That Eric, he is obviously covering for hepard. Do they really think I can’t handle those two brothers? If I want to deal with Vivian today, not a single Carter can get in my way!” Evelyn declared.Â
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“Grandma,” Briana said, settling in beside Evelyn, “I really don’t want to see you and Shepard at odds. I don’t want you to get upset and affect your health.Â
“As for Vivian… If Shepard still cares about her, he’ll track her down no matter where she is. But if he’s over her, even if she’s right here in Belaris, she won’t be a big deal.”Â
“I suppose that’s true…” Evelyn sighed.Â
“Grandma, let me talk to Shepard myself. I want him to personally end things with Vivian, once and for all.” Briana said, gently taking Evelyn’s hand.Â
Evelyn was quiet for a few seconds, then finally nodded. “Alright I’ll trust you on this.”Â
After a bit of small talk, Evelyn said her goodbyes and headed out.Â
Wrenley walked her out to the car and then went back to her room to get some rest.Â
Briana was about to head out when Edward stopped her. “Hold .”Â
“Is there something you need, Edward?” Briana asked.Â
“Are you really no match for Vivian?” Edward scoffed. “With bot grandmas here having your back, you still let her slip away. Seriously, that’s just pathetic!”Â
Briana just smiled. “Why would I even bother competing with h? Even if I win, what do I actually get out of it?”Â
“You’d get Mr. Carter!” Edward shot back.Â
“Spending all that effort just for a guy? So not worth it,” Briana sd. “My energy should go into my career. If I’m going to compete, I’d rather go up against you, Edward, and Sophia for real!”Â
Edward pointed at her. “You still hung up on the inheritance?”Â
“That was always mine,” Briana shot back, chin up and defiant. “Im just taking back what’s rightfully mine. It’s only fair!”Â
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“Ha! Your parents have been gone for years. How much of that inheritance is even left? If I hadn’t busted my ass keeping things afloat, the Lane Group would be nothing right now,” Edward scoffed.Â
“Edward, that’s where you’re wrong. If the company were mine, would’ve skyrocketed way past anything you’ve managed,” Briana retorted, her confidence unshaken.Â
Sophia suddenly stood up and gave Briana a mocking look. “Wow, that’s some serious swagger, sis.”Â
“You think that’s gutsy?” Briana fired back, refusing to back down “Trust me, I can be way more outrageous than that.”Â
“But honestly, what kind of trouble can you stir up with just yourself and that loser, Charles?” Sophia sneered.Â
“Guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” Briana shot back.Â
Sophia nodded. “Alright, let’s see how this plays out. Sis, I’m about to make my move, so you’d better brace yourself. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”Â
“I’ve been waiting for you to make a move,” Briana said, arms crossed and standing tall. “If you just kept your head down, I wouldn’t even know where to start.”Â
Briana’s situation was basically hell mode.Â
With Eric and Vivian standing in her way up front,Â
Edward and his whole family were lurking behind her like hungry wolves.Â
Right in the middle, she still had to keep maneuvering around Shepard.Â
Not a hint of fear showed on Briana’s face.Â
She thought, ‘No point hesitating, just go for it.Â
Just do it, no second thoughts.‘Â
Briana flashed a confident smile, spun around, and walked out of the Lane residence like she owned the place.Â
“Ugh, look at her strutting around like she’s all that,” Sophia snorted. “Seriously, what’s she even showing off for? If Grandma had picked me for that marriage, Vivian wouldn’t even be in the picture. Please!”Â
Diana added, “Well, you didn’t get it back then, so now it’s your turn to fight for it. Just make sure you get plenty of face time with Mr. Carter. Make him notice you.”Â
“Got it, Mom,” Sophia replied, bending down to grab an invitation from the drawer under the coffee table. “That dinner party in three days? That’s when I’m going to steal the spotlight,Â
At Carter Estate, night had already fallen.Â
Briana stepped into the living room and immediately spotted Spard sitting on the couch.Â
He was holding a cigarette between his fingers.Â
“You’re back?” Shepard asked.Â
Briana nodded. “Yeah. So, are you going to thank me for letting your girl Vivian walk free?”Â
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