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 and

and Adah sighed in

were half as sensible as

...

...

have you

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

release from prison, she hadn't

grades, coming last in class, and you still have the

this, Claire's gaze grew colder. Confronted by such an unfeeling stare, Ethan felt a pang of guilt. He snapped, "I can't even say a few words without

consistently first in my year. How did that turn into last place in Mr.

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

if struck by lightning, unable to

felt like he had heard something beyond belief, his voice barely a whisper, "You're not attending

of Vanessa. Every family with wealth and status in

simply assumed Claire