Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 21

Nathan stormed into the room, demanding answers. "Ethan, get up right now! Why did you go and-"

His words trailed off abruptly when he noticed Claire lying in the bed. He stood there, dumbfounded, his mind unable to process the scene before him.

Claire, awakened by his shouting, blinked her eyes open. She too was momentarily disoriented, unsure of her surroundings.

Adah, who had just entered the room, gasped, "Claire, why are you in your brother's bed?"

Claire froze, her mind racing. Brother? Ethan? He had always avoided her, so why would he bring her to his room now?

During her three years with the Linwood family, Vanessa had the freedom to enter Ethan's room at will, but Claire had never been allowed to set foot inside.

Nathan and Adah exchanged concerned glances as they searched the room for Ethan, but he was nowhere to be found.

Nathan, his expression stern, asked Claire, "Where is your brother?"

Claire met his gaze with a calm look and said nothing. She rose from the bed slowly, limping as she made her way toward the door.

in her path, blocking her

Claire frowned slightly. "Please step

was already fuming over the recent fallout between Cole Corporation and The Linwood Group.

and that's how you speak to your elders? Where did you learn such

to calm him down. "Nathan, there's no need to be so

she wasn't sleeping in her own room. What was she doing in her

and she's already causing trouble. It doesn't matter if it's her brother; she shouldn't be sneaking into

never had to reprimand Vanessa like this. Who knows what Claire's

enough," Adah

was clear what Nathan was implying. Claire felt a sharp pain in her chest. She knew the Linwood family

What ulterior motives could she

could voice such suspicions was

Claire looked up, her expression now composed

so, please move. I'd like

colder. Adah's worry deepened. "Claire, please, just tell your

don't know," Claire replied, trying