Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 97

Vanessa mouthed silently, "The juice you just drank was spiked by me. Prepare to see your reputation crumble."

She assumed Claire couldn't understand, but unbeknownst to her, Claire could read lips and understood everything.

Claire's pupils contracted in shock.

Almost simultaneously, a feverish heat surged through her body, intense and relentless, crashing against the remaining bastions of her sanity like tidal waves.

Her cheeks flushed an unnatural shade of red.

Meeting Vanessa's malicious gaze, Claire was furious and lunged at her, only to have Vanessa deftly dodge. Vanessa folded her arms, smirking as she watched.

"You little brat, haven't you been riding high lately? Planning to marry Heir Sean Foster, are you? Let's see if Sean will still want to wed you after you strip bare in front of everyone. I'll make sure you're disgraced in front of Cresthaven's elite, showing them your true colors. Ha-ha-ha!"

Claire's vision blurred as the once-glittering ballroom lights flickered like grotesque phantoms.

made her want to strip off her

nails nearly dug into her skin, she

frantically, but the guests were engrossed in their conversations and paid her

control in front of everyone; she had to escape the ballroom

teeth, Claire turned

and loudly

spoke, she

Nathan, Adah, and Ethan all turned to

beckoned, "Claire, come over here. I want you to meet

was in a panic; staying any longer meant

begun to tremble slightly due to the drug's effects, her forehead

her teeth on her tongue, Claire mustered all her strength to wrench free from Vanessa, sending Vanessa staggering and crashing into a nearby table. Drinks and cakes toppled to the floor, causing a commotion that drew curious glances from the

murmurs, Claire limped away as

and Adah's shouts,

watched the slender figure in a black suit, feeling a vague sense of familiarity, but he couldn't recall