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

Sean's cunning presence, Claire was like an innocent

by him, thinking Sean was all charm

with the matriarch, Sean was whisked away by a

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

and no drinking." Her tone was gentle and full of affection, as if she were speaking to her most

glass of juice, and slowly walked out onto the

velvety black, dotted with a few

carried a slight chill, gently stirring her

become one with the

a swarm of

a consequence of the brutal beating she endured

her juice, she pulled over a chair and sat down, resting her head on her

she slowly

when Sean finished his engagements and happened to glance back, spotting the curled-up figure on the

Sean's gaze softened as

quietly by Claire's side, studying

were slightly flushed from resting her head for

if even in

and draped it

leaning down gently, he scooped her up in

were tender, as if afraid