Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 260

"Please. Don't flatter yourself. I could've hired any half-decent lawyer and still won that case. Anyone in my shoes would've become an overnight sensation in Cresthaven because of it. You really think you're something special? Even a pig could've soared if it caught the right tailwind. You just happened to ride the Linwood family's coattails. Don't kid yourself about your own abilities."

She clicked her tongue, shaking her head in mock pity. "Honestly, sometimes I almost feel sorry for Claire. Can you imagine being that unlucky? A hopelessly lovesick mother, a greedy father who'd take everything for himself, a useless brother, and you—the childhood friend who bites the hand that fed her."

"If Claire got bullied and ended up behind bars, that's not on me. It was you people-her so-called loved ones who pushed her straight into the fire, step by step."

Vanessa had never believed she was in the wrong. In her world, survival was for the strongest, and she was simply fighting tooth and nail for her own share.

If those people had been clear-headed, if they'd really trusted Claire, would my words have swayed them so easily?

She and Claire weren't even related by blood. Why should she have to hand everything over just because Claire showed up one day?

If she was able to grind the real Linwood heiress into the dirt, that was her own skill.

was welcome to try

emotion. Hatred burned there-hatred for her, regret for Claire-but not a trace of self-reflection for his own part in what had happened. "Shut up! Just shut up!" Vincent

don't pretend you weren't after

But I never forced you to spend Claire's money on designer brands, or to play the rich kid at

to Claire in prison, didn't you? You knew she was slapped, forced to kneel, stabbed with needles, had her leg

hit Vincent with

back then, he'd been blinded by vanity, and made choices he could

school-too brilliant. Her light eclipsed everyone

to dim her shine a little, remind her she was only a girl. So what if she had

make money; he'd take care of her

buried those thoughts deep, knowing they'd

once they'd worn her down enough, he could swoop in, offer her comfort, and she'd have

her, but to save her from hardship. He'd be her safe harbor, providing for her, loving her. Wasn't