Chapter 130
The second the words came out, Briana wanted to take them back. She thought, ‘What was I thinking? Why did I ask something so pointless?”
“Never mind,” Briana quickly said. “Just forget what I said.”
However, Shepard answered seriously, “That depends on just how much charm you’re willing to use.”
Briana wasn’t really listening. She kept her head down, digging into her cake with her spoon until it was completely unrecognizable, but she didn’t take a single bite.
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Shepard grabbed her wrist, forcing her to listen. “Briana, a few sweet words aren’t enough to make me give up on Vivian that easily.
“If you truly want to fix our marriage and get Vivian out of our lives for good, you need to show me your sincerity.”
Shepard paused, then added, “I’m not asking you to depend on me or follow me blindly. Just be yourself like you used to be. You know, the perfect Mrs. Carter is everyone’s eyes.”
What he wanted most was for Briana to go back to the way things were.
Ever since the mention of divorce, she had changed a lot, making him feel alienated, unable to hold on, with the constant fear that he could lose her at any moment.
Shepard had never felt this kind of uncertainty and insecurity in almost thirty years.
Briana looked up slowly, meeting his eyes. “I’m worn out from playing the role of Mrs. Carter. I don’t want to be your anymore. I just want to be me.”
“Briana, you are Mrs. Carter, and you’ll always be,” Shepard replied, his voice gentle but insistent.
“No,” she shook her head. “Anyone can be called Mrs. Carter, but Briana is just me.”
She wanted to make it clear that she was unique.
Shepard was about to say something more, but Briana had already looked away and walked back to her table.
He stayed behind, and Briana had freed herself, letting go.
All eyes were on Shepard and Briana, and everyone seemed to read something different into their every move.
From across the room, David looked absolutely grim.
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He remembered how, not long ago, Charles had smashed a wine bottle over his head, causing a scene at the police station. Back then, Briana almost had to beg him for forgiveness.
Only a short time had passed, yet Briana was already on top.
David thought, ‘What the hell is going on? Has Vivian lost her place?‘
David walked out of the room, heading to a quiet corner in the llway. He pulled out his phone and called Vivian,
Vivian answered, “David? What’s up?”
“Do you know about the investment dinner in Belaris tonight?” vid asked.
“Yeah, I know,” Vivian replied.
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Chapter 130
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“Then why aren’t you here with Mr. Carter?” David pressed. “Briana is stealing all the spotlight.”
Vivian was silent for a couple of seconds. “I asked Shep, and he said he could only bring Briana.”
She thought, ‘What else could I do? Should I make a scene? Should I break down in tears? Only a foolish woman would behave like that, driving a man further into annoyance, making him want to break free.
Vivian could tell that Shepard’s love for her was slowly slipping away.
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She figured the harder she tried to hold on, the less she could keep. It was better to stay calm, wait patiently, and keep things as they were.
“Come on, you have to try harder.” David was getting desperate. Don’t you realize? You’re not just fighting for yourself; you’re carrying the Fletcher family on your shoulders.”
Vivian replied, “David, when Shep swept Briana up and carried her out of the courthouse in front of everyone, making that big romantic gesture, you should’ve known how he acts in public as the perfect, loving husband.”
“What about when no one’s around? Does Mr. Carter treat you the same as always?” David pressed.
Vivian let out a bitter laugh.
David was getting frantic. “You have to do something.”
“Just wait,” Vivian replied. “You’ll be hearing some good news from me soon.”
“Are you sure?” David said.
“Come on, we’re family. If one of us wins or loses, it affects everyone. Why would I lie?” Vivian said. As she spoke, she looked over at the pregnancy test on the table.
Just a few days ago, during her ovulation, Eric had been there nearly every day, without a single attempt at contraception.
If things went smoothly, she was probably already pregnant.
“Alright,” David replied, his tone much calmer now. “Vivian, if you ever need anything, feel free to ask.”
Vivian nodded before hanging up.
David made his way back into the room. Just then, the investment dinner was getting started.
Shepard was sitting in the center seat of the front row, the main spot everyone had their eyes on.
Briana was feeling kind of bored because this wasn’t really her event, and she was just there to accompany Shepard.
She kept her head down, fiddling with the little diamonds on her dress without thinking.
As her gaze shifted, something caught her eye.
Shepard was wearing a wedding ring on his finger.
She thought, ‘Wait, our wedding ring? Since when did he start wearing it? Why haven’t I noticed it before?‘
Shepard’s fingers were long and nicely shaped, and the ring made him look even more mature and composed.
Actually, he’d always been mature. He was always the top student in both middle and high school, a true academic superstar, the campus heartthrob at Aetherton University.
After graduation, he took over the Carter Group with ease, doubling its market value without breaking a sweat.
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Chapter 130
To him, nothing seemed impossible.
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He was strong, but Briana couldn’t help but think he was actually kind of unlucky because he had never truly known love and had been completely deceived by Vivian.
She was still fixated on his wedding ring when Shepard suddenly rested his hand lightly on hers.
“Where’s your ring?” he asked in a low voice, leaning slightly toward her.
“I put it away,” Briana mumbled.
“Wear it when we get home,” Shepard said.
Briana didn’t say anything.
She had worn it continuously for five years, only taking it off when she asked for a divorce. However, Shepard only wore it at the wedding.
She took hers off, and now he was wearing his. They were never love at the same time.
Just then, the camera zeroed in on Shepard and Briana.
Briana instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Shepard held on tight, refusing to let go.
He even put her hand on his thigh for everyone to see.
He sat with one leg crossed over the other, his suit perfectly tailored, eyes fixed on the stage. He tilted his head up slightly.
Briana tried to mimic him, sitting up straight and acting like she was really paying attention to the host, but after barely five minutes, she lost interest and gave up the charade.
What she was really thinking about was the painting she was almost done with.
Suddenly, Shepard leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I’ll buy a brand for you. How does that sound?”
His tone was gentle, lingering with affection.
Briana nodded without thinking. “Okay. Wait, what?”
She froze for a second.
However, Shepard was already gesturing for someone to come over.
Soon, a staff member came over quickly, crouched down respectfully, and said, “Is there anything you need, Mr. Carter?”
Shepard said, “I’m taking over that brand we just saw. Change the name to Dreamscape.”
“Sure, Mr. Carter,” the staff member replied.
It was a local brand teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, specialising in bath and hair care products. They hadn’t kept up with online trends, sales had fallen, but the brand name still cared weight.
Just like that, Shepard bought it for Briana.
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