Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 36

Claire always knew how to strike at the most vulnerable corners of his heart, leaving him in pain. It was an art she had mastered.

Without pausing, Claire walked out of the Linwood estate in no time. At the gate, she ran into Victor.

Victor had that laid-back, privileged air about him, his eyes brazenly scanning Claire from head to toe.

"Well, well, look at you. Face all bruised, limping like that. You look pathetic," he sneered.

No matter how pitiful she appeared, no one showed her any pity.

Ignoring him, Claire brushed past Victor with an icy indifference.

Victor frowned. As Ethan's friend, he was used to Claire bustling around whenever

he visited the Linwoods, offering tea and hospitality with eager enthusiasm. This stark change was unsettling.

"Hey, where are you going? I can give you a ride."

continued to

Victor's competitive spirit. Catching up to her, he grabbed

think of me as deaf or even mute. Whatever makes you happy. I have just one request:

to you,

lunatic." Claire yanked her hand back and

"You're insane!"

stood there, stunned, watching her limping figure disappear. The thought of her injured leg made him

At Cresthaven General Hospital.

open the door to Irene's VIP room

cry from the

Irene had been sweet-faced and fashionably dressed,

now, she resembled a leaf withering in the autumn wind. Her once vibrant muscles had atrophied, leaving her skin stretched tightly over her

limbs were as thin as brittle twigs, the muscles all but

Claire couldn't help but feel

truth, Claire and Irene had never gotten along well; it was Irene who harbored