Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 272

Chapter 272 

Chapter 272 

Charles nodded and reached out to take the 

Just then, Sophia moved to hand it to him. 

Their hands collided. 

cup. 

Instantly, coffee splashed out, landing 

on Charles and the sofa. 

For some reason, Charles let out a sigh of relief. 

‘Well, at least I don’t have to drink that coffee now, Charles thought to himself. 

“Oh no, I’m so sorry,” Sophia apologized immediately. “I wasn’t careful. You didn’t get burned, did you, Charles?” 

Sophia quickly pulled out some tissues and started blotting the coffee on Charles’s clothes. 

Then she turned to wipe the coffee off the sofa. 

The bug was hidden right beneath the sofa cushion. 

Watching Sophia’s hand sweep back and forth across the sofa, Charles’s heart was in his throat. 

‘Please don’t let Sophia find it… Charles thought anxiously. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Charles said, grabbing Sophia’s wrist and gently moving her aside. “It’s no big deal. Just go pour me another cup, alright?” 

“Sure thing, Charles,” Sophia replied. 

Sophia quickly went to get another cup. 

Edward asked with concern, “Are you alright? Sophia’s always a bit of a klutz.” 

“Charles,” Diana said, “come sit over here. That spot’s all wet. It can’t be comfortable.” 

“You’re right, you’re right,” Edward said immediately. “I’ll get someone to clean it up…” 

“No use,” Diana said with a smile. “That coffee will leave a mark once it dries. Let’s just have a new sofa delivered tomorrow. We can’t use this old one anymore.” 

Charles didn’t say a word, keeping his expression calm. 

But inside, he was already feeling a bit anxious and nervous. 

Charles wondered, ‘How am I supposed to get my hands on that bug without anyone noticing? 

‘I need to find a way to get Edward and Diana out of the room. 

After thinking it over, Charles said, “I’ll just stay put, can’t be bothered to move. Uncle Edward, I heard there’s a real estate project that Lane Group was working on, but now it’s been handed over to Dreamscape. Is that true?” 

“Yeah, yeah, that’s right,” Edward replied right away. “This project is basically in the bag. I’ve gotten pretty close with the person in charge over the past few months…” 

“Uncle Edward, could you pull together all the info and bring it to me? I want to figure out how to get the project back to Lane Group,” Charles said. 

IU.U 

Chapter 272 

Edward was thrilled. “Sure, sure. I’ll grab it right now. Everything’s in my study, all sorted and ready?” 

He rushed upstairs to his study. 

‘Alright, Edward’s out of the way, Charles thought. 

Charles turned to Diana. 

“Got anything to eat?” Charles asked. “I’m starving. I’ve been running around all day and only had a few snacks.” 

“Of course, of course,” Diana nodded and said eagerly. “Anything you want, we’ve got it. You name it, we have it 

“How about some pasta? I remember you used to make that for me when I was little. I really miss that,” Charles said. 

“Alright, I’ll go cook some for you right now,” Diana replied. 

Diana wouldn’t dare slack off. 

She hurried straight to the kitchen. 

Right now, Charles was their family’s lifeline. 

They had to make sure to keep him close. 

Watching Diana head off to the kitchen, and with Sophia and Edward still out of sight, Charles quickly and decisively slipped his hand into the seam of the sofa. 

After feeling around for a bit, he finally located the bug. 

He gripped it between two fingers and gave it a sharp pull. 

He pulled it free. 

Charles immediately tucked it into his pocket. 

Mission accomplished. 

The next time he crossed paths with Edward’s family, it would be time to make them pay, no more playing nice, no more fake smiles. 

Charles didn’t want to stick around for even a second longer. He stood up and strode out, not bothering to look back. 

The housekeeper watched him leave, looking confused and clueless. He asked, “Mr. Lane, where are you going?” 

“Is it your business where I go?” Charles asked. 

The housekeeper stammered, caught off guard. 

He could only stand there, speechless. 

Charles’s face was grim, not a hint of warmth left. 

He strode out of the Lane residence, down the steps, and headed straight for his car. 

The moment Charles got in the car, he saw Edward rushing out after him. 

Charles scoffed, a cold smirk on his lips. 

“Why are you leaving so suddenly?” Edward called out, a little out of breath as he hurried to the driver’s window and leaned 

10:07 Wea, red to 

Chapter 272 

1. in. “Charles, is there something urgent? You didn’t even say goodbye…” 

Charles gave him a cold, dismissive look. 

That single glance made Edward’s smile freeze instantly. 

It was clear. Charles had dropped the act completely. 

Every bit of hatred, disgust, and contempt was written all over his face. 

Edward was a seasoned old fox; he immediately sensed something was wrong. 

Still, he tentatively asked, “Do you still want to look at these files?” 

“Just keep them for yourself,” Charles replied coldly. 

Charles rolled up the window, hit the central lock, and floored the gas; the car shot down the driveway. 

He just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. 

Edward stood there, his face gradually hardening into a ruthless, indifferent mask. 

Edward thought, ‘Something’s off. 

‘Why did Charles suddenly turn into a whole different person out of nowhere?‘ 

Edward thought for a moment, then snorted coldly. 

Charles floored the gas, speeding straight toward the gates of the Lane residence. 

But the gates were shut tight, showing no sign of opening. 

Even when Charles’s car pulled up to the entrance, the gates stayed firmly closed. 

‘What the hell is happening?‘ Charles thought. 

He pressed the horn hard. 

But there was no response. 

He tried again, hitting the horn. 

Still nothing, just dead silence. 

That was when Charles realized it; he wasn’t getting out of here. 

He was stuck. 

The gates weren’t going to open for him. 

But getting out wasn’t an option for Charles. 

If he stepped out now, things would get a whole lot more dangerous; he couldn’t even guarantee his own safety. 

His car was trapped right at the gates of the Lane residence, with nowhere to go, forward or back. 

Edward walked over slowly, each step deliberate. 

Charles rolled down the window iust a crack. 

10:07 Wed, Feb 18 ! 

Chapter 272 

Their eyes met. 

“Charles,” Edward said, his voice dripping with mockery. “If you think you can play games with me, you’re still way too naive. You really think the Lane residence is a place you can just come and go as you please?” 

“What do you want?” Charles asked, his voice cold and sharp. 

“What do you want?” Edward shot back. “Why did you come to the Lane residence? What’s your real purpose here? 

Charles gritted his teeth, his voice icy. “I didn’t come here for anything. I’ve got urgent business. I need to go. 

“See, that’s your problem; you just can’t keep your cool,” Edward said, pointing at him with a mocking smile. “If you’re gonna pretend, at least finish the act. Why lose your temper and walk out halfway? All that work, down the drain.” 

Charles had to admit, Edward was right. 

He could’ve left the Lane residence without any trouble. 

But he was so disgusted, he just couldn’t stand to be around Edward and his family. 

Now, he had gone and spooked them. 

Charles sneered and said, “You really think you can lay a finger on me? Edward, if anything happens to me in this place, you’ll be the one they come after. You won’t get away with it.” 

“Our whole family’s already living on borrowed time,” Edward shrugged, sounding almost indifferent. “Dead or alive, it doesn’t make much difference to us anymore. But you, Charles, your good days have only just started. Are you really ready to throw all that away?” 

Charles locked eyes with him, unflinching. 

At that moment, regret started creeping in for Charles. 

But that was just the way he was; old habits die hard, and he couldn’t change himself in an instant.