Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 8

"If you don't have anything better to do, why don't you read more? Vanessa scored tenth in the entire school for her first high school exam. What about you?"

"I... I was first..."

"Yeah, right, first from the bottom, and you're still bragging about it."

He had already arranged for fifty thousand dollars to be deposited into her account each month, yet she had the audacity to demand five million.

Vanessa never asked for that much money, so who did she think she was? Tears welled up in Claire's eyes, as if she had suffered the greatest injustice. He felt a wave of irritation, losing even the mood to read his financial newspaper. Thankfully, Vanessa was considerate. She clung to his arm playfully, "Brother, I came tenth this time. Do I get a reward?"

How could he resist the sweet charm of his little sister? Instantly, he forgot about the discomfort Claire had caused. Pinching Vanessa's cheek affectionately, he asked, "What does Vanessa want as a reward?"

"I've had my eye on a purse that costs a thousand dollars. Can you get it for me?"

"Of course, as long as Vanessa likes it. Even if it costs ten thousand, I'll get it for you."

After pacifying Vanessa, he turned his displeasure back on Claire. "What are you still standing here for? Go to your room and study."

wronged, Claire turned

Adah sighed in

were half as

...

...

Ethan, have you

reality, each utterance of "Mr. Ethan" tearing at his heart. He was her brother, her own brother, not some "Mr.

release from prison, she

he vented his frustration, "It's still about your poor grades, coming last in class, and you still

such an unfeeling stare, Ethan felt a pang

years in high school, my grades were consistently first in my year. How did that turn into last place in Mr.

over her. "Well, Mr. Ethan doesn't even

struck by lightning, unable to

his voice barely a whisper, "You're not

of Vanessa. Every family with

had simply assumed Claire attended Crest High