Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 265

Mandy froze, caught off guard by Liam's sudden appearance.

For a split second, her eyes widened in shock, but she quickly regained her usual calm, icy demeanor.

Before Normand could even process what was happening, Liam was already closing the distance. His fist sliced through the air, aiming straight for Normand's face.

With a dull thud, Liam's punch landed squarely on Normand's cheekbone. The sheer force of it knocked Normand sideways, a dark bruise already blooming beneath his eye, swelling up like an overripe plum.

Staggering back a few steps, Normand barely managed to keep his balance, nearly tumbling to the pavement in a heap.

He finally steadied himself, his face contorted in a mix of fury and disbelief as he shouted, voice cracking with anger, "Who the hell are you?!"

Liam said nothing. His lips pressed into a thin, determined line, eyes sharp with a cold, ruthless glint. Without warning, he swung again, this time driving his fist toward Normand's gut.

That was the last straw for Normand. He was the privileged son of one of Cresthaven's wealthiest families—he was used to getting his way, never having to swallow his pride for anyone except, perhaps, the reckless and unpredictable Mandy. Being beaten up by some stranger was completely beyond his experience.

didn't even know who this guy was, hadn't done anything to provoke him, and yet here he

managed to block Liam's punch, then

she was leaning against Liam's car, arms folded across her chest, watching the fight unfold with an almost amused

lightning speed. Before Normand's kick could land, Liam caught him by the ankle, yanked hard,

hit the pavement with a sickening thud, cold sweat

his gaze icy and unyielding, his voice eerily calm. "If you don't want your family to go bankrupt, you'd better stay away

night breeze tugged at the stray hair across

his neck tensed and a vein pulsed beneath his skin as he

her eyes traced the contours of Liam's lean, athletic frame-the broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs.

she might have found herself interested

her type, but she had no desire to get tangled up in

thought, Liam suddenly turned, catching her gaze. He saw that cool, appraising

Wait, what?

student-every time he'd seen her, she'd been the one getting pushed around, looking fragile and defenseless. When had she ever looked at anyone like

be