Edward was at a loss for words.
Besides, now was definitely not the moment for him to say anything.
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Whatever he said would just make things worse, so he figured it was better to keep his mouth shut and let Sophia play the fool and cause a scene to throw the whole situation into chaos.
After a few seconds of silence, Diana stood up, trying to pull Sophia back while putting on an act. She said, Sophia, what are you doing? You’re being so out of line. How could you just tear up the contract like that?
“Come on, say sorry to Shepard and Briana.”
Then Diana forced a laugh and said, “Sorry about this, Mr. Carter, Briana. Sophia’s my only daughter, and she’s been spoiled since she was a kid. Her attitude isn’t something that’ll change in a day or two.
“Guess I didn’t do a great job as a mom. When we get home, I’ll have her grounded so she can think long and hard about what she did.”
Edward finally chimed in, echoing Diana. He said, “Yeah, Sophia’s temper really needs to be kept in check. Look, the contract’s already torn up. Guess there’s no way to sign it now.”
With that, he didn’t let Briana get a word in. He grabbed Sophia and rushed straight for the door.
He was afraid that if he hesitated even a second, Briana would call him back, print out a fresh contract, and make him sign it all over again.
Diana followed behind, glancing back every so often.
Those three were working together like clockwork.
Shepard asked, “Just gonna let them leave? Not even gonna try to stop them?”
Briana said, “Keeping them here wouldn’t change a thing. Getting Lane Group back isn’t something you can do in a snap. This is just the beginning.”
She was already prepared for a war of attrition.
She had all the time in the world to outlast Edward.
Shepard said, “As long as I’m here, you’ll get Lane Group back. Trust me.”
That was her chance just now.
But she let it slip.
Briana said, “I know how powerful you are, but you really have no idea what Edward is like. Unless he’s got absolutely no other choice, he’ll never sign.”
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“Are you overestimating Edward, or just underestimating me?” Shepard shot back.
Briana looked at him, then leaned forward, closing the distance between them.
Shepard’s heart started beating a little faster.
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Briana said, “Even if we forced Edward to sign today, he’d just find a way to mess things up tomorrow. What’s the hurry? Rushing things never works out. Edward’s always got some new scheme up his sleeve.
“Thanks for coming just in time today. But honestly, I would’ve been fine on my own.”
She was about to sit back down.
But Shepard reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her right into his arms.
Their bodies pressed together, not a single inch of space between them.
Shepard thought, ‘Think she can flirt and just walk away?‘
Briana squirmed in his arms. She protested, “What are you doing? If you wanna talk, just talk. Hands off.”
“Hey, you’re the one who leaned in first,” Shepard teased.
“I just wanted to talk, okay? Thought you might not hear me, so I got a bit closer,” Briana replied.
Shepard said, “Well, I want to talk to you, too, so I guess we should get even closer.”
He was totally turning her own words against her.
Briana frowned and asked, “What do you want to say?”
“Lane Group? Consider it done,” Shepard said, his voice steady and full of confidence.
Briana paused, her eyes dropping as she pulled a half–smile. She said, “If I got Lane Group back because of you, Edward would totally look down on me. He’d trash–talk me everywhere, and I’d end up owing you big time.”
Honestly, deep down, she wanted to take the company back with her own hands.
She wanted to do it openly, with her own strength, not leaning on anyone.
And she believed in herself; she knew she could make it happen.
“So you let Edward walk out on purpose. You really don’t want to depend on me, do you?” Shepard said, reading her like a book.
“At the end of the day, you can’t really count on anyone but yourself. I’m my own best backup,” Briana replied, her voice steady.
“I’ll always be the one you can count on,” Shepard said, his voice steady and full of promise.
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Briana slowly looked up, her lashes fluttering. She said, “Shepard, you said something like that back at my parents‘ funeral, too.”
But guys‘ big promises? They vanished like smoke: here one second, gone the next.
When Shepard said it, he really meant it. In that moment, he was totally sincere.
But feelings? They could flip in an instant.
It was because Briana put too much faith in Shepard’s promises that her marriage crashed and burned. She’d let it turn into a complete mess.
Once burned, twice shy. She wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.
Seventeen years later, Shepard was saying those same words to Briana again.
But Briana wasn’t that naive ten–year–old girl anymore.
She’d grown up, seen through it all, felt the pain, and learned to move on.
Briana strode out and said, “I’m heading to the studio. Just go on your own. I won’t be seeing you out.”
She didn’t even look back.
She knew full well Shepard’s eyes were on her the whole time.
She thought, ‘So what?‘
When Briana got back to the studio, her assistant had already framed Divine Muse, now splattered with every color of paint, and set it in the corner.
Briana gazed at it quietly, lost in her own thoughts.
Not long after, her assistant knocked on the door. She said, “Ms. Lane, Mr. Carter just left.”
“Got it,” Briana replied.
Shepard walked out of the gallery.
The Rolls–Royce was already waiting by the curb. As soon as Ben spotted Shepard, he strode over and opened the door with practiced ease.
Shepard slid inside.
Rubbing his brow, Shepard said, “Take me to Vivian’s place.”
“Yes, Mr. Carter,” Ben replied.
Ben wondered if maybe Shepard had gotten into it with his wife and was heading over to see Vivian to blow off some steam.
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Ben thought, ‘After all, Vivian is gentle and considerate. She always knows just what to say.
‘But Briana? She is just too strong–willed and never really shows him any tenderness.
Shepard kept his eyes closed the whole ride.
He didn’t open them until they arrived, then stepped out of the car.
His eyes were calm and clear.
When Vivian opened the door, she looked tired and out of it.
She instinctively thought it was Eric again.
Hardly anyone ever came by her place.
The Fletcher family was all fair–weather relatives, always ready to jump ship when the tide turned. Now that Vivian had fallen out of grace and hit a rough patch, they kept their distance, just watching from the sidelines.
Not a single one would risk getting close.
The moment Vivian saw Shepard, it was as if she had come back to life.
Vivian called out, “Shep?” Her voice was tentative, a little unsure.
Her confusion melted into delight, and she rushed over to hug Shepard.
He was still the one she couldn’t help but fall for.
Her thing with Eric was just business: nothing but a deal she had no choice but to make.
But Shepard brushed Vivian off, pushing her away and striding straight into the living room without a second glance.
He leaned forward, sat down, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a slow, deliberate drag.
The ashes quietly tumbled down to the floor.
Vivian snuggled up close to him, barely leaving any space between them. She said, “What’s wrong? Did something happen? Figures. You only ever think of coming to me when you’re feeling down.”
Her voice carried a touch of resentment and hurt.
Shepard really had been ignoring her these past few days.
She couldn’t keep up the act of being understanding anymore.
Back then, she could be so gracious because she knew Shepard was all hers: body and soul.
But now she wasn’t so sure about it.
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Shepard took a slow drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke drift out as he said, “Vivian”
Vivian jumped a little. She replied, “I’m here.”
She thought, ‘Why is he suddenly so serious?‘
“Tell me, Vivian. Have I ever treated you badly all these years?” Shepard asked, his tone firm and direct.
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