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."

utterly wronged, Claire turned

Adah sighed

half as sensible

...

...

have

tearing at his heart. He was her brother, her own brother, not some

release from prison, she hadn't called

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

gaze grew colder. Confronted by such an unfeeling stare, Ethan felt a pang of guilt. He snapped, "I can't

first in my year. How

"Well, Mr. Ethan doesn't even know which school

if struck by lightning,

like he had heard something beyond belief, his voice barely

in Cresthaven, the alma mater of Vanessa. Every family with wealth and status in Cresthaven sent

assumed Claire attended Crest