Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 211

Claire lifted her gaze, her eyes calm and steady, yet they carried a sharp, icy edge. To her, Brian was nothing but an arrogant narcissist.

Where did he get the absurd notion that she would care about his forgiveness? To threaten her with something she couldn't care less about was truly laughable.

"Brian," Claire said, her voice as cold and fragile as glass dipped in ice water, "has anyone ever told you that you're like a wilted rose?"

She traced her fingertip over the wine stain spreading across the golden tablecloth. "The petals still try to flaunt their grandeur, but the core is already rotten."

Over the past five years, Claire had fought through darkness, her body bearing countless scars, yet her spirit had only grown stronger. Brian, on the other hand, seemed blinded by time, his foolishness almost comical.

Claire turned her head away, as if swatting aside an annoying fly, not wanting to look at him for another second. Brian's throat worked as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

suit, perfectly fitting her slender shoulders. Sean stood tall and stoic, his presence commanding, while Claire, despite her fragility, exuded a rare elegance. The sight of

her side. All

with a wary respect, an instinctual deference to strength, while the women looked at Claire with envy, admiring her ability to

birthday gifts to the matriarch. Each gift was of immeasurable

at the head of the table, her face

Claire's turn. She took a deep breath and walked forward, her steps as heavy as if they were weighed down with lead. With her head bowed, her voice was thick

matriarch's kindness had been a comforting fire

and in just a month, Claire had

praised for her beauty; though she had once lashed out at her parents in anger, her fiery nature was called gentle and kind by the matriarch; though