Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 155

Chapter 155 

Chapter 155 

55 vouchers 

Night had fallen. In the Carter Estate, the study on the second floor remained illuminated. A shadowy figure stood by the window. 

Shepard stood by the window, a cigarette pinched between his fingers. 

He’d been chain–smoking these past few days, and his throat was feeling dry 

do noarse. 

But other than smoking, he really had no idea how to deal with the restless gloom weighing on his heart. 

“Mr. Carter, we still haven’t found any trace of Sam. It’s like he’s vanished into thin air,” one of his men reported. 

“Then use some special tactics,” Shepard said, flicking the ash from his cigarette. “Put some pressure on his family. He won’t be able to stay hidden for long.” 

“Yes, Mr. Carter.” 

“Anything else?” Shepard asked. 

“Just as you predicted. After you left Ms. Fletcher’s place, she went straight to see Eric. But what they talked about was anyone’s guess.” 

Shepard let out a cold snort. 

‘Vivian must’ve gone to Eric for advice, Shepard thought. “Those two really are suspiciously close. 

Now, all Shepard needed was that last piece of evidence. 

Sam wasn’t just holding the evidence. He was a witness, too. 

Once he tracked Sam down, the truth would finally come to light. 

For now, he’d let Vivian roam free a little longer. Maybe she’d come clean herself. 

Deep down, Shepard still held onto that last bit of hope for Vivian. 

He just couldn’t accept that the woman he’d trusted for five years could be so two–faced, so cold, so scheming, so damn ugly on the inside. 

Shepard waved his hand, saying, “You can go.” 

The subordinate slipped out quietly, barely making a sound. 

Shepard stood there alone, quietly finishing his cigarette. 

Outside the door, there were faint footsteps, along with the sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor. 

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Chapter 155 

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He frowned slightly. “That’s gotta be Briana, Shepard thought. ‘Only she would make that much noise upstairs. 

Shepard stepped into the hallway, just in time to see Briana dragging a large painting into the guest room. He followed after her. 

Briana was completely absorbed in what she was doing, not noticing him 

She’d brought the ruined Divine Muse back to Carter Estate and stashed it away in the guest room. 

She picked a corner, set the frame down, and just stood there, quietly admiring it. 

Then, out of nowhere, a voice cut through the silence. “Why’d you bring it home?” 

Briana jumped, clutching her chest as she spun around. 

“Shepard,” Briana said, “do you have to keep popping up out of nowhere?” 

“You were just too caught up in what you were doing to hear me,” Shepard replied. His gaze lingered on the painting as he murmured, “Such a pity.” 

‘It’s her labor of love, he thought. 

“Yeah, it’s a pity.” Briana nodded. “But honestly, life’s full of regrets. It doesn’t matter, though. Adjust your mindset, and you can always start over.” 

‘Is she talking about the painting, or about our marriage?‘ Shepard wondered. 

To Shepard, starting over meant giving their marriage another shot. 

But for Briana, she meant leaving the past behind and starting a new life. 

Everyone had their own idea of what it meant to start over. 

Shepard looked at Briana. He wanted so badly to run his fingers through her hair, but he knew she wouldn’t like it, so his hand hovered in the air for a moment before he finally pulled it back. 

A dull ache tugged at his heart. He was painfully aware of just how much he’d failed her. 

“What can I do,” Shepard asked, “to make you happy?” 

Without even looking at him, Briana replied, “You know. I’ve told you so many times.” 

He understood instantly. “Other than divorce.” 

“There’s no other way. Only by leaving you and drawing a clear line between us can I finally be truly free,” 

Briana said. 

With that, she turned and walked away with such ease. 

Shepard was left standing there alone, staring at the painting, his gaze deep and distant, lost in his own 

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Chapter 155 

thoughts. 

: 

Back in the master bedroom, Briana was just about to take a shower when her phone buzzed. 

[Briana, major discovery!] Olivia messaged, her excitement practically jumping off the screen. 

[Yes?] Briana replied instantly. 

[Henry has got a recording of Eric talking about the fire and the kid. Viva is Eric’s,] Olivia texted. 

Briana stared at the message, her heart thumping wildly in her chest. 

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fire set, and the kid really 

She’d waited so long for this, hoped for so long, and now, finally, finally, a breakthrough! 

Briana: [How did Henry get the recording? Did he actually go and fish for info from Eric?] 

She’d tried every trick in the book to get Vivian to talk, but nothing worked. 

She thought, ‘So how did Henry manage to get Eric to open up so easily? Eric can’t be that gullible, can he?” 

Olivia: [Don’t worry about it. Henry has got his own way. The recording is already saved. He wants to get a few more, and once the evidence is rock solid, he’ll hand it over to you.] 

Briana: [Alright.] 

Just as she was about to keep texting Olivia, she caught sight of Shepard pushing the door open out of the corner of her eye. 

She quickly turned off her screen and headed for the bathroom, acting as if nothing had happened. 

“Grandma’s dropping by tomorrow morning,” Shepard said. “Daniel just called from the Carter residence.” 

Briana paused. “What’s she coming for?” 

“Just to check on us, I guess.” 

“So, do I have to put on an act with you?” 

“No need,” Shepard said, meeting her clear gaze. “Just be yourself.” 

Briana laughed. “So, if I give you attitude in front of her, you’re really fine with that?” 

“I brought this on myself.” 

Shepard had stopped fighting with her altogether. No matter what she said, he just let her have her way. Briana couldn’t help but feel it was getting dull. 

‘Where’s his temper gone?‘ she wondered. ‘And that cold look on his face, as well as his sharp tongue? Where did it all go?‘ 

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She didn’t respond and simply headed into the bathroom. 

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Briana was up at the crack of dawn the next morning. She took extra care of her appearance, wanting to look lively and put–together. 

She stood at the front door of the villa, watching as the gates slowly swung rolled in. Without hesitation, she hurried down the steps to greet Evelyn 

Briana called out, “Grandma Evelyn.” 

! a sleek black town car 

As soon as Evelyn got out of the car, the first thing she saw was Briana’s bright, cheerful smile. 

Evelyn was in a great mood. “Briana, how have you been lately? You look fantastic. Guess all that good food is paying off. Shepard hasn’t been annoying you, has he? Still mad at him?” 

“Well…” Briana blinked, not really knowing what to say. 

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Evelyn chuckled. “If you’re still mad, that just means he hasn’t done enough to earn your forgiveness. Relax, I’m not here to blame you. 

“I’m on your side. He made you suffer for five years, and you’ve only iced him out for a few days. That’s barely a start, honestly!” 

Shepard, standing nearby, said dryly, “Grandma, are you here just to pour fuel on the fire?” 

“You little rascal,” Evelyn said, giving him a playful smack. “I’m here to inspect your progress. You need to try harder. What you’ve done so far is nowhere near enough, got it?” 

“I’m working on it,” Shepard replied. 

As he spoke, Shepard slipped his arm around Briana’s waist and drew her to his side. 

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