Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 212

Sean felt a surge of heat under the intense gaze directed his way. He loosened his patterned tie, his Adam's apple moving dangerously beneath the black silk.

The elderly matriarch noticed the moment and was over the moon with joy.

This young rascal, she thought, finally seems to have understood how to keep Claire close. All her efforts hadn't been in vain.

Though his reasoning was shaky, Sean was never one for logic.

He turned to Claire, "Ms. Linwood, what do you think about this arrangement?"

To Claire, this so-called punishment wasn't one at all.

Living with the Foster family meant being well-fed and cared for, with her own spacious, sunlit bedroom and a private sewing room.

She was never disturbed while working, and everyone in the Foster family respected her.

This was the life she had always dreamed of.

"Alright," she replied softly, her voice slightly hoarse with a hint of barely concealed delight.

Sean's lips curled into a subtle smile, and a barely noticeable raise of his eyebrows revealed his own secret satisfaction.

This young lady was still as easy to convince as ever.

that could devour. The matriarch took it all in, clicking her tongue in

Sean's cunning presence, Claire was

by him, thinking Sean was

a few more pleasantries with the matriarch, Sean was whisked away by a group of suited men

full of tenderness. "Claire, you've been busy all day. Are you hungry? Help yourself to some food, chat with whoever you like, and ignore those you don't.

Her tone was gentle and full of affection, as if she were speaking to her most

glass of juice, and

sky was a deep, velvety black,

breeze carried a slight

become one with the tranquil night, her

her head buzzed, as if a swarm

was a constant ringing in her ears, a consequence of the brutal beating she endured from Yvonne

over a chair and sat

washed over her like a tide, and she slowly closed her

had passed when Sean finished his engagements and happened to glance back,

her slender form, and Sean's gaze softened as he

stood quietly by Claire's side, studying her face

were slightly flushed from resting her head for too long, and

if even in sleep, she found

and draped it over

he scooped

as