Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 202

But as soon as Sean imagined what Brian might have done to her in that room, the thought made those slightly flushed lips of hers hard to ignore.

He frowned slightly, but it was fleeting. The emotion that had slipped out was quickly reined back in.

"Come here," he commanded, his voice deeper than usual.

Claire felt a twinge of nervousness, but she couldn't bring herself to resist. So, obediently, she walked over and sat quietly on the bed.

Sean dipped a cotton swab into the ointment, ready to apply it. However, he was momentarily distracted by the delicate fragrance wafting from her.

For a moment, his fingertips hovered above Claire's swollen cheekbone, hesitating to touch down.

The steam from her recent shower still clung to her eyelashes, crystallizing into tiny droplets that shimmered with her uneasy tremble.

"Mr. Foster, is something wrong?" Claire asked, surprised.

"It might sting a little," he said, his voice rough and low, his Adam's apple moving

in the shadows. "Try to bear with it."

He leaned in closer to Claire's face.

The ointment was cool against her skin, not as painful as she had feared.

His expression was intensely focused, his handsome face so close that Claire could see every detail.

Her heart raced suddenly, and she nervously clutched the edge of her robe, her eyes fixed on Sean's prominent nose, afraid to move.

scent of his shampoo mixed with the smell of tobacco lingered at her nose, and his warm breath lightly brushed her neck, making her cheeks blush

an eyebrow ever so slightly and deliberately leaned in closer, his warm breath teasing her

ticklish sensation made her

and looked up,

doesn't," Claire replied, her gaze darting away, feeling like she might

just hang in

with the ointment, Claire thought

her surprise, he

twenty-three, Claire had never been

and Grandma had been so good to her; if she ever had the chance, she

thoughts, she was startled when Sean gently

eyes widened, "Mr. Foster... this isn't quite right, I—I'm

"Hmm? What do

turned crimson, and she quickly

"It's still early. Rest up,

Sean intended to do, but judging by his demeanor in the ballroom earlier, it was clear he wouldn't let

you, Mr. Foster," Claire

a large hand over her eyes,

Sean's comforting presence, Claire gradually drifted off to

side, watching her peaceful slumber, the

and in the ballroom, the guests spent

atmosphere inside was as oppressive as the calm

and fear, speculating about how Sean might handle

passed, fear turned into