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.

know who this guy was, hadn't done anything to provoke him, and

then lashed out with a kick aimed at

her daze. She took a few steps back until she was

moved with lightning speed. Before Normand's kick could land, Liam caught him by the ankle, yanked hard, and sent Normand crashing to the

sickening thud, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead from the

over him, Liam looked down, his gaze icy and unyielding, his voice eerily calm.

the

pulsed beneath his skin as he clenched his jaw in anger. That raw power, that intensity—it was, in a word,

frame-the broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. The gold-rimmed glasses gave him an air of quiet sophistication, but seeing him fight

know he was gay, she might have found

she

she was lost in thought, Liam suddenly turned, catching her gaze. He saw that cool, appraising look in her

Wait, what?

Mandy was just a sweet, soft-spoken college student-every time he'd seen her, she'd been the one getting pushed around, looking

must be