Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 257

Jeffry: (000)

Ms. Linwood, that's not fair.

I've never even had a girlfriend, you can't just ruin my reputation like this.

All the strength seemed to drain from Vincent in an instant. It was as if he'd been dropped naked into a frozen wasteland, the cold seeping from his heart and spreading through every inch of his body.

His lips parted, but not a single coherent word escaped. He just stared at Claire, bloodshot eyes wild, as though he could burn a hole through her with sheer fury.

"You... you... you shameless woman!" The words finally forced their way out from between clenched teeth, heavy with resentment and disbelief.

He spiraled into a fit of hysterical accusations.

"Don't you know a woman's best asset is her virtue? You're not even married, and you're carrying some bastard's child—aren't you afraid his family will use that kid to control you? You'll never know a moment's peace!"

"Claire, you've disappointed me beyond words. You're so reckless- even if you get rid of the baby, I'd never take you back. Your womb once carried another man's child. You're not good enough for me, and you'll never be worthy to be the mother of my children!"

"You disgust me-make me sick to my stomach!" he spat, his face twisting into a mask of revulsion.

with a chilling calm, her eyes

were so backward. If I didn't know you had a college degree, I'd

parade around as an educated man yet have no sense of right and wrong, I never would've anonymously sponsored you. Turns

words hit Vincent like a slap,

sponsored me?" His voice climbed

stare unflinching as

paid your college

like a bomb, setting off a storm inside Vincent's

clung to his pride, refusing to accept

those designer clothes, all the luxury stuff you flaunted in college-every bit of it was bought with the money I earned. I juggled jobs, won every competition, stacked up scholarships-all so you could

you do? You used that money to dress yourself up, pretended to be some trust fund kid, fooled everyone-including

reeling with flashbacks-those days wrapped in expensive labels, basking in admiration and envy. He'd always thought he'd earned it with his own

it's not true, you're lying, you're making

back then! How could you possibly send me that much money

care about a few hundred dollars. You were nothing in the Linwood family—they never gave you

always known how hard things were for her in the

brushed