Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 158

Chapter 158 

The only sound in the CEO’s office was the rustling of papers. 

Briana looked at the spot for her signature. Just one signature, and all the 

Wealth meant freedom, a life without worries, but at the same time, it v Carter Group for good. 

“Go ahead and sign,” Evelyn urged. “Once you do, I can finally stop worrying.” 

Briana began to write her name, each stroke deliberate. 

Shepard’s lips curled into a faint smile. 

Evelyn beamed with happiness. 

But no matter what, Eric just couldn’t muster a smile. 

F55 vouchert 

s would belong to her. 

hackle. She’d be tied to the 

What he’d wanted all his life was just handed over to Briana, and she looked like she couldn’t care less. 

If it were him, he’d be bowing to Evelyn in gratitude after signing. 

He was her grandson, but in the end, his status was lower than Briana’s. 

“I’ve signed it, Grandma Evelyn,” Briana said and set the pen down. 

“Alright, that’s good,” Evelyn nodded. “Let the lawyers take care of the rest. Just cooperate when they need you.” 

“Okay, Grandma Evelyn,” Briana replied. 

“I’m feeling tired,” Evelyn said. “I’ve been out and about since early this morning. It’s time to go back for a nap.” 

She got up, and Briana hurried to stand and gently supported her. 

Once Evelyn had left, Briana bit her lip, feeling a little anxious. “Shepard, are you really giving me these shares?” 

“Does it look fake to you?” Shepard said with a faint smile. 

“I’ll give them back to you,” Briana promised. “Just for now, I’ll keep them under my name so Grandma Evelyn won’t worry too much. When the time’s right, I’ll hand them back to you.” 

Shepard asked, his tone casual, “And when exactly is that ‘right moment“?” 

“When we get divorced and finally draw the line between us.” 

“You can forget about it,” Shepard said flatly. “That moment’s never coming.” He had no intention of letting 

Chapter 158 

her go. 

Briana turned to face him, enunciating each word. “I’m pregnant with Henry’s child.” 

Shepard swallowed hard. “Get rid of it.” 

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65 vouchers 

“I’m not getting rid of it,” Briana said firmly, standing her ground. “An could just pretend none of this ever happened?” 

id, do you really think we 

“I can,” Shepard replied. “Can you?” 

He was determined to slowly wash away all the pain and shadows that had stained their marriage. 

“I can’t do it,” Briana said. “I hate you.” 

Shepard’s body gave a slight tremble before stiffening completely. 

It was the first time she’d ever said it out loud, finally letting all her anger and resentment spill out. 

After a long pause, Shepard said, “You should hate me.” Because he’d started to hate himself, too. 

When he tracked down Sam and unmasked Vivian’s true face, he did not just hate himself. He downright despised himself. 

Briana turned and walked away without a second glance. 

Shepard just stood there, watching her until she was out of sight. Only then did he finally head back into the CEO’s office. 

James stood at the office door. Spotting Shepard, he stepped forward quickly. “Mr. Carter.” 

“What is it?” Shepard asked. 

“We’ve found the person you were looking for.” 

Shepard’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Sam?” 

“Yes.” 

“Where is he?” Shepard demanded. “I need to see him right now!” 

“He’s on his way back to Belaris,” James said, checking the time. “Should be at the Carter Group in about an hour.” 

Shepard didn’t hesitate. He spun around and strode straight for the elevator. 

As he walked, he ordered, “Text me Sam’s location. I’m heading out now. Put everything on hold at the office. Nothing gets handled until I’m back.” 

James nodded. “Yes, Mr. Carter. Are you driving yourself?” 

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Chapter 158 

“Yeah.” 

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165 Vouchers 

Shepard was done waiting. He couldn’t stand to wait another second. He had to see him now. There were a million things he needed to ask Sam. 

Shepard jumped into the driver’s seat, floored the gas pedal, and the c bow. 

7 

like an arrow loosed from a 

He weaved through traffic, overtaking cars left and right, his grip on the steering wheel so tight that the veins on the back of his hand bulged, snaking all the way up his arm. 

Now and then, Shepard glanced at the navigation screen. 

He and the bodyguards escorting Sam were sharing their locations in real time. 

The two red dots on the map kept inching closer, the distance between them shrinking with every second. 

As he was speeding all the way, the two red dots finally met on the map. 

Screeching brakes echoed through the air as tires skidded across the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. 

They were out in the Belaris suburbs, with hardly a soul in sight on the road. 

Shepard swung out of his car, leaving the door wide open, and stormed straight over to the other vehicle. 

The bodyguards climbed out and greeted him with respect. 

Shepard, expressionless, asked, “Where is he?” 

“In the back seat,” one of the bodyguards replied as he pulled open the back door. 

Sam was sweating bullets, his face pale with terror. When he saw Shepard, he froze, eyes wide in shock. 

Sam stammered, pointing at Shepard with a trembling hand, and just couldn’t get a full sentence out. 

“Don’t recognize me?” Shepard raised an eyebrow. 

“N–No…” Sam stammered. 

“What?” 

“No, that’s not it,” Sam blurted out, almost choking on his words. “I… I recognize you.” 

“Yeah,” Shepard said coldly. “You almost got me burned to a crisp by you. How could you not recognize me?” 

Sam’s face went even paler. “That fire, Sam thought. 

“I… I already did my time. I’m out now. I paid for everything I did, I swear! You… You’re not still gonna use your power to get back at me, are you?” Sam shrank back, swallowing nervously, scared out of his wits. 

Shepard fixed him with a cold stare. “Get out of the car.” 

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Chapter 1581 

“W–What do you want with me?” 

“Get out of the cart” 

Sam was so terrified by Shepard’s shout that he practically tumbled out of the car, stumbling and crawling, and dropped to his knees with a heavy thud. 

After retiring, Sam landed an easy gig at Aetherton University, just loo 

e gym equipment. 

But after spending a few years in prison, he looked even more worn out than before. His hair was all his face was covered in wrinkles. 

gray, and 

Shepard looked down at him, his voice cold. “How did that fire start?” 

Sam blurted out without thinking, “I was smoking, dropped the cigarette on the floor, and didn’t put it out. Then the place just went up in flames. 

“The equipment room was cluttered with all kinds of stuff, and it was dry as a bone, so the fire spread like crazy. Didn’t you already know all that?” 

“That’s just the official version,” Shepard said. 

“Huh?” 

“The real story,” Shepard leaned in, eyes narrowed, gaze sharp and menacing, “Spill it.” 

“The truth… It’s just like I told you. That’s all.” Sam was shifty–eyed, too terrified to look Shepard in the face. But he still wouldn’t come clean. 

Shepard let out a cold laugh. “You’ve got one minute to think it over. Either spill the truth, or I’ll make you talk.” 

Sam was sprawled out on the ground, trembling all over. 

He knew exactly what he did. He just never expected Shepard to come hunting him down after all these years. 

“I… I… Please, I…” Sam stammered. 

“Forty–seven seconds left,” Shepard warned coldly.