Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 38

"Mr. Anderson..."

Brian's brow furrowed ever so slightly, his deep, cold voice carrying an oppressive weight. "Are you afraid of me?"

Claire lowered her gaze, hardly daring to breathe.

Afraid?

How could she not be?

His methods, she had experienced them all during her time in prison. He had stripped away her dignity, left her in agony, yet kept her alive, forcing her to endure each grueling day.

When facing the Linwood family, she could muster some courage to resist.

But in front of him, all her courage vanished, replaced by a fear that seeped into her very bones.

wide with panic, her hands clutched the hem of her shirt so tightly that her knuckles

to Miss Anderson. Can I... can I leave now?" Her voice was rushed

she could feel the icy indifference emanating from

his head slightly, as if he were a king gazing down at an

curled into a frosty smirk. "Your father promised me you would kneel and apologize to my sister until I

face drained of color. She looked up sharply at the man, only to drop

flashed through her mind like a haunting slideshow, those days of torment making her instinctively want to prostrate herself before him,

forward, the oppressive air around him growing more intense, like an avalanche poised to bury

do you think five years behind bars repays what

body trembled like a leaf in

but her legs felt anchored to the ground, refusing

but she knew he wouldn't listen. She had tried five years ago, and he hadn't believed a

him, a fear that

slowly buckled, and she sank to the

Mr. Anderson's forgiveness." As she spoke, her forehead hit the ground with a heavy thud, over and over,