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.

a gaze that could devour. The matriarch took it

grandson well; in Sean's cunning presence, Claire

taken in by

by a group of suited men to discuss

turned to Claire, her eyes 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

tone was gentle and full of affection, as if she were speaking

glass of juice, and slowly

sky was a deep, velvety black, dotted with

slight chill, gently stirring

she seemed to become one with the tranquil night, her

a swarm of bees

beating

sat down, resting her head

a tide, and she slowly closed her eyes, drifting into a light

engagements

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

quietly by Claire's side, studying her face

resting her head for too long, and

was furrowed, as if even in sleep, she found

removed his jacket and draped it

down gently, he scooped her

tender, as if afraid of waking