Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 9

Her life had been shattered before he finally remembered to care about her education.

How ironic.

She had devoted ten years of relentless study, hoping to change her fate. Just as her hard work was about to bear fruit, the oppressive forces proved insurmountable.

With a dismissive remark, the Linwood family had sealed her fate, effortlessly casting her into the depths of despair.

She could have had a bright future.

From a young age, her family's background couldn't compete with others. The only weapon she had was her extraordinary dedication to her studies.

Her dream was to get into an Ivy League university, pursue a master's, and then a doctorate. She wanted to become a professor, to stand on the podium and change the destinies of others like her through education.

But reality dealt her a harsh slap.

of becoming who she aspired to be, she became a convict scorned

that would

into fists, her nails digging

voice was soft, almost

heavy as a thousand- pound boulder, nearly

known for its rigorous academic standards. Unlike

was consistently at the top of her class, a testament to her brilliance. With her grades, getting into an Ivy League

agitation. "Cresthaven Academy is over twenty miles away in the suburbs. You used to ride that old bike every

voice trailed off as

turn increasingly pale, Claire's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "I preferred cycling to school rather than attending with Vanessa, because we were never

because Cresthaven Academy's morning classes started at six. I had to get up at four to bike for two hours

so I survived on water until dinner. By the time I got home, you'd all already eaten. I was left with the leftovers, and you called me ungrateful, saying I preferred cold scraps, wolfing them down like a

tears flowed freely, her sorrow palpable. "I didn't know you suffered so much. It's all