Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 215

The streetlights cast a dim, yellow glow, elongating and then shortening Ethan's disheveled shadow. He stared at Claire with eyes full of despair, as if all hope had crumbled at that very moment.

Once, Claire's gaze was filled with reliance and expectation, like a young deer yearning for approval-innocent and eager. Every time he returned home, Claire would rush over to hand him his slippers, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she said, "Brother, you're back! You must be tired from a long day at work. Come sit on the couch, and I'll massage your shoulders!"

Those cherished memories played like a carousel in his mind, starkly contrasting with the cold, frost-like gaze Claire now directed at him. He struggled fiercely, but Liam held him firmly to the ground, leaving him to look up at Claire and Sean in a humiliating position.

"Claire, I'm your brother. Are you really going to stand by while a stranger treats me like this?" His voice was laced with resentment.

slight yet resilient. Her eyes were as calm as a deep lake, without a ripple, as if she hadn't even heard Ethan's plea. This silence was more damaging than any words could be, shattering his heart into

tide, crashing through his chest with no outlet for release. His face flushed, his features contorted as

though he knew deep down she hadn't been truly wicked. Claire listened without

it must be," she replied softly, yet with a

cushion. He couldn't believe Claire wouldn't even defend herself. He gritted his teeth, madness gleaming in his eyes, "Don't be smug. I'll rescue Vanessa soon enough. She's used to the finer things. She

you purposely ruined that tapestry to

now her heart was cold. She

endless gentleness. "Get in the car first," he said. Claire nodded slightly and, under Sean's tender watch, gracefully got into the