Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 93

Chapter 93 

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If one had nothing to hide, they didn’t need to worry about being checked. 

Vivian’s quick actions could only mean one thing. 

55 vouchers 

She was panicking. She was scared of giving herself away, scared the whole thing would blow up in her face. 

Briana replied, “Yeah, the more Vivian tries to cover things up, the more suspicious it looks. But it’s fine. No secret stays hidden forever. If she’s done something, I’ll definitely get some dirt on her.” 

“We really spooked her this time,” Olivia said anxiously. “Digging up dirt on her won’t How did Vivian even realize I was investigating her? I thought I was being super discr 

is before. 

“You’ve done an amazing job, Olivia. Don’t blame yourself. I should be thanking you,” Briana said, trying to comfort her. 

She comforted Olivia while they discussed their next move. 

***** 

Carter Group. 

Vivian stepped out of her car, carrying an insulated food container with the soup she’d gotten up early to make for Shepard. 

She had just locked her car and taken a couple of steps when her phone rang. 

“Come here.” Eric’s voice came through the phone. “By the curb. The black BMW with the hazard lights on.” 

Vivian replied, “Okay.” 

She gritted her teeth, her face twisted with obvious hatred for Eric. 

But the moment she put her phone away and turned around, she plastered on a smile, masking all traces of her earlier anger. 

No matter how much she loathed Eric inside, she still had to put on a friendly front for him. 

She couldn’t afford to cross him. 

As she got into the car, Vivian said, “You’ve got some nerve, meeting me right outside the Carter Group’s front gate.” 

“Isn’t it way more exciting to do it right under Shepard’s nose?” Eric replied with a smirk. 

Vivian let out a couple of awkward chuckles. “Still, we should probably play it safe.” 

Eric eyed the insulated food container in her hand. “You made that for Shepard?” 

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“Yeah,” Vivian answered. 

“Hand it over,” Eric demanded. 

必零 

Vivian hesitated, biting her bottom lip. “If I go see Shepard with nothing in my hands, it wouldn’t look right… I need some excuse to talk to him.” 

Eric snorted. “Still not gonna hand it over? Shepard is always the only one in your heart, huh?” 

“If you want some, I can make you your own pot next time. But this one… it’s for Shepard,” Vivian replied. 

“You still have the energy to go see him?” Eric sneered. “Vivian, with that IQ of yours, you’d have been kicked out ages ago if it wasn’t for me.” 

Vivian blinked, puzzled. “What do you mean?” 

Without saying a word, Eric just flung a stack of papers right at Vivian, hitting her square on. 

Vivian was used to being pampered by Shepard, and no one had ever thrown things at her like this before. 

She gritted her teeth, held herself together, and bent down to pick up the papers for a look. 

As soon as she saw what was on them, her face went pale, and her hands shook. 

“Transfer records, prison visit logs…” Vivian muttered, her voice trembling. “Eric, why are you looking into all this?” 

“Me? Why would I need to check these things?” Eric scoffed. 

“Then… who did?” Vivian asked, her voice shaking. 

Eric spat out the name, “Olivia!” 

Vivian totally freaked out, her hands shaking so badly that the papers fluttered right out of her fingers. 

“Olivia found out… Why would she even dig into my business? Out of the blue?” Vivian stammered, barely able to get the words out. “If she knows, then… then Briana must know, too.” 

‘If Briana brings all this to Shepard… that would be a total disaster. I would be done for,‘ Vivian thought, her mind racing with fear. 

Vivian reached down to pick up the papers, wanting to rip them to shreds. 

Eric said casually, “It’s no use. Olivia’s already seen everything.” 

“Then what am I supposed to do? Should I just deny it all? Or… or say Olivia and Briana teamed up to set me up?” Vivian stammered, her voice shaking. 

“Vivian, do you really think Shepard’s that stupid?” Eric sneered. 

Vivian was so panicked she was on the verge of tears, her eyes brimming as she struggled to hold it together. 

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Eric, still acting like he didn’t have a care in the world, just said, “I haven’t had breakfast. Where’s the soup? Hand it over.” 

This time, Vivian didn’t dare refuse. 

She even took the initiative to lift the lid, grabbed a spoon, scooped up some soup, blew on it a few times to make sure it was just right, then held it up to Eric’s lips, practically serving him herself. 

“Go on. Try it,” she coaxed, trying her best to please him. “I promise it tastes great. You really shouldn’t skip breakfast. It’s bad for your stomach. Next time, I’ll make you more food and soup, okay?” 

Eric savored every moment of her doting service. 

After feeding him a few spoonfuls, Vivian asked gingerly, “So, what should we d always have a way out. Olivia barely made a move, and you caught her right aw 

Eric glanced at her. 

Her smile turned instantly charming and sycophantic, eager to win his favor. 

is mess? I know you 

“Glad you know your place,” Eric remarked, leaning back in his seat and folding his arms. “If those two things end up in Briana’s hands, you’ll be in for hell. 

“Even if you make it out alive, you’ll be torn apart. And trust me, things with Shepard will never be the same. There will be cracks, and he’ll start doubting you.” 

“Yeah. That’s totally true. So what should I do? I’ll follow your lead. We’re in this together,” Vivian said quickly, eager to please. 

As she spoke, Vivian scooped up another spoonful of soup and held it to his lips. 

Eric took a sip and replied, “Relax. I’ve already taken care of everything.” 

“For real?” Vivian’s eyes sparkled, a glimmer of hope flickering across her face. 

Eric drawled, “Last night, I scrubbed your account records. Nobody can trace a thing now. And for the prison, 

I pulled some strings and had your visit logs wiped from their system: 

“Go cancel that bank card ASAP, just to make sure nothing comes back to bite you.” 

Vivian nodded quickly. “Okay.” 

Vivian finally let out a sigh of relief, only to realize her back was completely soaked. 

She’d been sweating bullets the whole time. 

She scooted closer, piling on the flattery. “Thank goodness you were here, or Olivia would’ve totally busted 

1. me. 

“Without you, I’d be totally lost. Seriously, I can’t thank you enough. No wonder you’re the man I want to have kids with. 

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“I’m really going to need you from now on. Facing Shepard and Briana all by myself is just too much for me. to handle… You’re the only one I can really count on.” 

Vivian kept showering Eric with praise, feeding his macho pride and stroking his ego at every turn. 

Eric ate it up, clearly loving every second of it. “So, you finally see what I’m good for now, huh?” 

“Of course, I know.” Vivian nodded eagerly. “You’re the best. You’re incredible. From now on, whatever you say goes, I’ll do whatever you tell me.” 

After all that sweet talk to Eric, Vivian finally stepped out of the car. 

A wave of lingering fear washed over her. 

It had been such a close call, just a hair’s breadth away from losing everything, 

Vivian lowered her gaze, staring at her empty hands, feeling a wave of anxiety and loss. 

She’d left the food container behind in Eric’s car, and now she had nothing to bring with her. 

Still, she had to go see Shepard. 

It was because, deep down, Shepard was the only man she truly loved. 

Whenever she wasn’t with him, she couldn’t help but think about him. 

Vivian pulled herself together and headed for Shepard’s office at Carter Group. 

nearly wiped out. 

However, James stopped her at the door. “Sorry, Ms. Fletcher. Mr. Carter is in the middle of something very important right now. He’s not seeing anyone.” 

“Not even me?” Vivian asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. “Are you sure about that?” 

“Yes, Ms. Fletcher. Mr. Carter gave strict orders–no one is allowed in,” James replied, his tone firm. 

Vivian was clearly unwilling to give up, but James gave her a pointed look, silently warning her not to make a 

scene. 

Two security guards came over, polite but firm, gesturing for her to leave. “Ms. Fletcher, this way, please.” 

‘Weird… What’s Shepard up to in there?‘ she wondered, curiosity gnawing at her.