Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 141

Chapter 141 

Briana refused to talk. 

Shepard’s words hovered on the tip of his tongue, but he just couldn’t bring himself to say them. 

He wanted to tell her that he’d already taken care of what she was worried about. 

Charles would be back in Belaris tomorrow. 

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Shepard wanted to say that he wasn’t going to make any deals, and he wouldn’t force her to do anything anymore. 

He just wanted her to live without worries, to be a little happier 

Shepard thought, ‘Haven’t I done enough? How much more do I have to give?‘ 

Actions were the truest proof of love. That’s what really mattered 

He had already given in this much. He stepped up and took care of the whole Charles situation for her. 

He didn’t want anything back. 

But in the end, all he got back was Briana’s icy attitude. 

Just like the way he used to freeze her out. 

Shepard let out a bitter laugh to himself. 

He thought, ‘Guess this is karma.‘ 

Shepard used to give Briana the cold shoulder, and now the tables had turned: she was freezing him out just the same. 

Briana lay down, as always, right on the edge of the big bed, with her back to Shepard, and shut her eyes. 

She was completely drained, her thoughts all tangled up, still racking her brain over how to help Charles out of this mess. 

Lost in her worries, she fell asleep before she even knew it. 

The next morning, her phone rang, waking her up. 

The caller called out, “Hey, Briana!” 

Briana, still half–asleep, mumbled, “Yeah, what’s up?” 

It took her a couple of seconds to really wake up and realize who was calling. 

She thought, ‘Hold on, that voice…it’s Charles.’ 

Briana called out, “Charles? Is that really you?” 

Charles replied, “Yeah. Thanks, Briana. When it really mattered, knew I could count on you. Guess I’ve learned my lesson 

this time.” 

Briana was stunned. 

She thought, ‘I didn’t do anything. 

‘How is Charles safe now?‘ 

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Chapter 141 

“Charles, where are you right now?” she asked. 

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Tim at the airport, just landed, Man, it feels good to be back in Helaris. Everything’s familiar, and I feel safe. Here at home, those casino guys wouldn’t dare cause trouble for me,” Charles replied, his voice full of relief. 

Briana held her phone and sat up slowly, 

She glanced at the time. 

It was 9:30 AM. 

Just last night, Charles had reached out to her for help, and now he was already back in Belaris. 

Briana thought, ‘What happened? 

‘Seriously, I just slept through the night.” 

Briana looked over to the side of the bed. 

Shepard was nowhere to be seen. 

By now, he must’ve already left for the office. He was always the type to stick to his routine. 

Charles kept going, “Briana, you must’ve gotten Shepard to help out, right? I mean, sure, he’s your ex, and you two are in the middle of a divorce, but when you need something, you gotta make use of him. 

“Guys aren’t for loving, they’re for getting things done. He’s the only one who could actually handle this, anyway. But honestly, it’s what he should be doing. He owes you plenty. Just see it as him finally paying you back.” 

Briana wasn’t even listening to what Charles was saying. 

Her mind was stuck on one thing. 

She thought, “Things totally fell apart between Shepard and me, 

‘Like he’d ever help me now. 

‘If he doesn’t kick me when I’m down, that’s already more than I can hope for.‘ 

But Briana just replied, “Okay, Charles, go home, freshen up, and then swing by Dreamscape Corporation. Let’s catch up face–to–face.” 

“Sure thing!” Charles said. 

He’d just dodged a bullet and was in a great mood, so he agreed right away. 

Briana got up and got ready for the day. 

Sitting in the dining room, looking at the spread of breakfast, Briana asked, “Where’s Shepard?” 

Daniel replied, “Mr. Carter has already left for the office. He told us not to disturb you and to let you sleep in.” 

Briana took a bite of her sandwich. 

She thought, ‘Did Shepard really save Charles? 

‘I have to find out. 

‘If it wasn’t Shepard, then who could it be? 

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Chapter 141 

I need to find out who helped me, so I can return the favor one day! 

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At Dreamscape Corporation, Charles stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows, hands clasped behind his back, checking out the neat and tidy office. 

He nodded in satisfaction. 

He said, “Not bad. So, Shepard gave you this whole floor? And all these employees and managers–he picked and 

interviewed every single one himself, then sent them over to your company? He really handled the whole thing from start to finish?” 

“Yeah,” Briana replied. 

Charles said, “Guess he finally woke up. But honestly, this is just what he should’ve been doing for you all along. He should’ve treated you like this ages ago. It’s a little late, but hey, at least you finally got it.” 

Suddenly, Charles leaned in and asked, “So, what trick did you use to get Shepard to go all out for you like this?” 

Briana shrugged and said, “I didn’t pull any tricks. I’ve got nothing left. I just stood my ground about the divorce, and that’s when he started acting like this.” 

Charles said, “Shows he doesn’t really want to break up. Everything he used to give Vivian and her family: now you’re getting all of it.” 

Briana thought, ‘Is that really true?‘ 

“But don’t you think love that shows up too late is basically worthless?” she said. 

Charles replied, “Hey, better late than never. Seriously, I owe Shepard big time for this. Briana, where is he? Let me thank him face to face.” 

Briana replied, “I have no idea where he is. Just let it go, okay? I already thanked him for you. Charles, can you please just chill for once and stop getting yourself into trouble?” 

“I…” Charles had just started to say something when he suddenly blurted out, “Holy crap!” and stared straight at the elevator doors. 

Briana followed his gaze. 

Vivian stepped out of the elevator. 

Charles said, “Look at that, Vivian can’t sit still anymore. She’s here to pick a fight.” 

“She actually dares to show up?” Briana said, disbelief in her voice. 

“Whoa,” Charles turned to her, surprised. He said, “Briana, you’re pretty bold today.” 

Briana let out a mocking laugh. She sneered, “Honestly, I’m already being nice by not starting something with her myself.” 

Vivian spotted Briana and Charles, then strode right over. 

Vivian stopped right in front of Briana and said, “Heard that after Dreamscape Gallery, you went and launched Dreamscape Corporation, even snatched up a classic local brand and gave it a total makeover. 

“Look at you, living the high life. Had to come and check it out myself. 

“So, Briana, should I start calling you Ms. Lane now?” 

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Chapter 141 

One could feel the jealousy rolling off Vivian, even from a mile ray. 

Vivian thought, ‘Shepard threw down 300 million to buy up that brand, just like that. And this is all while they are in the middle of a messy divorce. 

If they were actually close, what wouldn’t he do for her?” 

Vivian didn’t even dare let herself imagine it. 

Briana replied, “Anyone can come and take a look, except you. I don’t need you messing with my vibe or throwing everything off balance.” 

“You are saying I’m a jinx?” Vivian demanded. 

Briana fired back, “Aren’t you? What kind of company welcomes a nobody with no status or reputation to their grand opening?” 

Vivian snapped, “Briana, don’t get cocky. Why do you think Shep’s suddenly so nice to you? It’s just because you two aren’t divorced yet, and I’m the one who’s pregnant. He feels guilty, so he’s tossing you a bone to make himself feel better? 

Charles exclaimed, “What did you just say? Pregnant? Wait, Vivian, you’re telling me you’re having Shepard’s baby?” 

“That’s right!” Vivian said, chin held high. 

Briana took two steps forward, staring Vivian down. She said, “So you came here to flaunt it? Think just because you’re having his kid, you suddenly matter now?” 

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