Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 190

Chapter 190 

Chapter 190 

Briana glared at Charles. 

He was a complete fence–sitter. 

He kept flip–flopping. 

First, he wanted her to divorce Shepard ASAP, then he was begging her to forgive him. 

Charles, feeling awkward, rubbed his nose and scooted closer to Briana. “I’ve hit a major snag, and only Shepard can bail me out. Can you just hang in there for a bit? Once this mess is sorted, you can dump him for good.” 

‘Seriously?‘ Briana thought, completely speechless. ‘I can’t even with this guy!’ 

“Alright,” Charles coughed, dropping his voice even lower. “If you really have to call it quits, I’ll make sure you get everything you deserve. No way you’re leaving empty–handed.” 

Before Briana could even respond, he straightened up. 

“I wasn’t around when you two were talking,” Charles said, putting on a serious face. “I don’t know what kind of deal you made, but Briana definitely deserves some financial compensation. 

“Plus, there’s one more thing you need to help her with.” 

Shepard raised an eyebrow. “What is it? Let’s hear it.” 

“Simple, help Briana take back Lane Group,” Charles said. 

Going up against Edward and his crew with just Briana and Charles, their odds were slim to none. 

It’d be a real uphill battle. 

But with Shepard on their side, everything would change. 

Wrenley’s expression shifted. 

Lane Group rightfully belongs to Charles and Briana. 

But in reality, Edward was the one calling the shots. 

It was obvious Edward had no intention of giving it back. 

Even if he did, he’d only hand over a fraction of the shares. 

It was an open secret in the Lane family; everyone knew, but nobody ever said it out loud. 

But now, Charles finally put it on the table. 

Charles continued, “Back then, Briana was your wife. Once a daughter gets married, she’s basically out of the picture when it comes to family business. 

“And I didn’t have much experience or standing, so Uncle Edward just kept running the company.” 

He continued, “But now it’s a whole new story. Briana’s divorced, and she opened her own gallery and started Dreamscape Corporation, and I’ve got some projects going, too. 

“We’ve finally got the ability and time to manage Lane Group ourselves. But Uncle Edward just won’t hand over the reins. 

Chapter 190 

Shepard, you were married to Briana. You owe it to her to help us take back what belongs to our family. Don’t you think? 

Shepard idly drummed his fingers on the sofa’s armrest, an amused smirk playing at his lips. 

When Charles finished, Shepard replied, “Yeah.” 

Charles’s eyes lit up. 

‘Shepard actually agreed!‘ Charles thought, barely able to contain his excitement. 

“So when are you going to make a move?” Charles blurted out, practically bouncing in his seat. “How long will it take? Is a week enough? 

“Shepard, with your skills, dealing with Uncle Edward would be a piece of cake, like crushing an ant.” 

Shepard’s grin grew even wider. “So, do you want to just take back Lane Group, or do you want to go all out and take it over completely?” 

Wait, we actually get to choose?‘ Charles blinked in surprise. ‘Honestly, I’d be fine with either, or both!‘ 

But now that he considered it, taking over Lane Group sounded way more badass and impressive! 

“So how would that takeover even work?” Charles asked, his eyes practically sparkling. “Shepard, I always knew you were unstoppable!” 

“Briana’s got her own company, Dreamscape Corporation, right?” Shepard said. 

“Yeah, but it’s just getting started,” Charles replied. 

Dreamscape Corporation was nothing compared to Lane Group. It was like a kid going up against a giant. 

Shepard paused, tapping the armrest with a confident tone. “Dreamscape Corporation can go after all of Lane Group’s clients and contracts. Every last one.” 

Without business or projects, Lane Group would lose all its profits, the employees would have nothing left to do, and the company would be doomed to go under sooner or later. 

Charles couldn’t help but smack his leg in excitement. 

“Exactly,” he blurted out. “That’s brilliant! Why didn’t I think of it? Man, I knew you were a legend. Genius, absolute business mastermind.” 

With Dreamscape Corporation having Carter Group in its corner and undercutting Lane Group with better deals and lower commissions, their clients would jump ship one by one and sign up with Dreamscape Corporation instead. 

Give it a little time, and Lane Group would be left as nothing but a hollow shell. 

“Brilliant!” Charles couldn’t stop grinning. “Briana, did you hear that? We’re finally going to make Mom and Dad proud; they can finally rest easy.” 

And Briana couldn’t help but frown. 

Shepard had pitched this idea way back when Dreamscape Corporation was first founded. 

Now, he was really about to make it happen. 

‘So if he really does this, I’ll owe him big time,‘ Briana thought, feeling the weight of it. ‘Wait, that’s not true, either. Honestly, Shepard owed her way more than she ever owed him. 

14:57 Fri, Jan 9 

Chapter 190 

‘Maybe this was just him trying to make up for everything he’s done. 

Still, Briana couldn’t help but feel uneasy. 

35 voushare 

Even if the marriage ended and the paperwork said they were done, with everything so tangled between them, she knew she’d still have to deal with Shepard in her everyday life. 

‘Cutting Shepard out of my life for good? Who am I kidding? There’s just no way with all this mess between us,‘ Briana thought. 

Wrenley opened her mouth, but didn’t say a word. 

This was something she couldn’t get involved in. 

By rights, the company should belong to Charles and Briana. 

But Edward had been running things for so many years, and honestly, Wrenley got it; he didn’t want to let go. 

They were all her flesh and blood; how could she possibly choose between them? 

She’d just have to turn a blind eye and let them fight it out. 

Whoever came out on top, that was up to them. 

“It’s getting late, I should get going,” Wrenley said as she stood up. “Briana, I’m getting old. There are so many things I can’t decide or help with anymore. This is as far as I can go for you. I’ve done all I can.” 

Briana whispered, “Grandma?” 

“It’s fine, no need to walk me out,” Wrenley said, giving her a gentle look. “Just be happy and safe, and I’ll be at peace.” 

Wrenley had always showered Briana with the most love out of all her grandchildren. 

But when she looked over at Charles, she couldn’t help but feel a fresh wave of irritation. 

“Can you just behave and quit making things harder for Briana?” Wrenley scolded. “Did you hear me?” 

Charles nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely, Grandma. I’m done with my old ways, totally retired from troublemaking. I’m all set to go legit and crush it in business.” 

Grinning, he shamelessly scooted up to Wrenley, offering his arm and escorting her out with exaggerated care. 

The Carter family began to get up as well. 

Shepard gazed at Briana, unable to hide the lingering attachment in his eyes. 

After hesitating for a moment, he eventually walked right up to her. 

Briana almost reflexively stepped back. 

‘What does he want now?‘ Briana thought, a little on edge. 

Shepard raised his hand, hesitated, then lifted it again. 

In the end, he just gave her hair a gentle tousle. “I’m leaving.” 

Briana just nodded. 

‘Did he really have to announce he was leaving?‘ Briana thought, a little exasperated. 

Chapter 190 

The others quickly made their way out of Evergreen Estate, leaving Shepard and Briana alone in the living room. 

Guess everyone knew to give the couple a little privacy. 

Shepard lingered, not making a move to leave. 

“Weren’t you leaving?” Briana asked, a bit impatient. “Why are you still here?” 

“Just wanted to look at you a little longer,” Shepard replied, his voice tinged with longing. 

“What’s there to see?” Briana retorted. 

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