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.

to provoke him, and yet here he was,

teeth, Normand managed to block Liam's punch, then lashed out with a kick aimed at

she was leaning against Liam's car, arms folded across her chest, watching the

caught him by the ankle, yanked

cold sweat breaking out across his forehead from

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

night breeze tugged at the

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

around her finger, her eyes traced the contours of Liam's lean, athletic frame-the broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. The gold-rimmed glasses gave him an air of quiet sophistication, but seeing him fight like this... There was

she didn't already know he was gay, she might have found herself interested

inwardly. He was exactly her type, but she had no desire to get

lost in thought, Liam suddenly turned, catching her

Wait, what?

the one getting pushed around, looking fragile and defenseless. When

must be imagining