Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 199

Yvonne Smith's face turned ashen in an instant.

Moments ago, she had been consumed with a burning desire to humiliate Claire. But now, seeing Sean was like having a bucket of ice-cold water poured over her head. Her fevered mind cleared, and her previously arrogant demeanor

evaporated.

Her mind raced, desperately searching for a way to explain herself, but it was as if an invisible hand choked her throat, stopping any words from escaping.

Her eyes met Sean's, which were cold and sharp as knives. A chill ran from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, as if his gaze alone could slice her to pieces.

"M-Mr. Foster..." Yvonne managed to force out a weak smile, but her voice was dry and trembling, as if squeezed out through clenched teeth. "Today is all about Mrs. Foster, I... I was just trying to lighten the mood."

The women who had helped Yvonne torment Claire suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. They plastered on nervous smiles.

"Mr. Foster, we... we were just joking."

"Yes, just joking..."

passed over them and settled on the

nearly shredded to pieces, her exposed skin covered with bruises, her face swollen beyond recognition. Her hair was a

so, Sean recognized

and the shock on his face swiftly transformed into a blazing fury, as if his

tailored jacket, and with urgent yet tender movements, he draped it over

scooped Claire into his arms, instinctively

exclaimed,

dirt and distance from strangers, using his own clothing

glinted with a cold sheen. As he slightly bent his long legs,

collective gasps in the banquet hall, Claire suddenly twitched in his

eyelashes, stuck together with blood, struggled to open, her unfocused pupils reflecting his grim face. She forced a

words pierced Sean's chest like an ice

instantly tensed, his Adam's apple bobbing twice with emotion, and he drew her

he replied softly, as if

he could feel the sharpness of

highlighting her frailty