Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 39

Looking at Claire's bloodstained face, Brian felt nothing but a growing irritation. There was no satisfaction from revenge, only an overwhelming sense of

frustration.

His gaze was cold as ice, and his lips barely moved as he said, "Get out."

Yet Claire seemed oblivious, continuing to bow her head in desperation. The rhythmic thumping of her forehead hitting the floor echoed like a heavy drum, pounding directly on Brian's heart.

His temples throbbed with anger as he repeated, "I said, get out! Can't you hear me?"

Claire's mind was blank, her ears buzzing. She couldn't hear anything around her, only the instinctive act of bowing and pleading remained.

With a stern expression, Brian strode forward, reaching out to lift the woman off the floor who was desperately begging.

Unexpectedly, as Brian's hand reached towards her, Claire recoiled like a frightened bird, curling into a ball and covering her head with her arms. Through her tears, she pleaded, "Please, don't hit me."

being beaten in prison, the endless darkness and pain,

widened in shock, his hand suspended in mid-air, frozen for what felt like

mix of emotions washed over him, leaving

brief moment, he saw the Claire of the past, the one who was innocent and full

he heard about her was from their

reservation, saying, "Brian, your strongest competitor in this year's physics competition is Claire, a freshman from Cresthaven Academy. That

sixteen, Brian was full of youthful defiance, thinking, "My

seriously until he lost

somehow, he found himself drawn to every competition she

whether it was to prove

place,

remembered their teacher's words of admiration, "A genius like Claire is what

to admit, he agreed

her if she was so

had replied, "Not at all. The prize money for winning is my motivation. My dream is to become a teacher, to educate and watch students grow