Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 274

Brian's face went pale, memories of that chaotic day at the hospital flooding his mind.

Back then, Claire had been desperate to prove her innocence, her emotions spiraling out of control, eyes brimming with despair and helplessness.

But Brian had looked the other way, stubbornly blocking Irene from naming Vanessa as the culprit.

Now, recalling how it all unfolded, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt-the ache for Claire only deepened inside him.

He spoke at last, voice heavy with remorse, every word weighted with regret. "No... it wasn't Claire."

"Then who was it?" Karin demanded, eyes locked on Brian, her voice trembling with fury. "Who could be so cruel? Who pushed Irene down the stairs? If she hadn't been lucky, she'd be dead."

Brian fell silent once more.

He and Karin had grown up with Vanessa; if anyone knew what Vanessa was really like, it was him.

Even if Claire hadn't done it five years ago, Brian was certain Vanessa would never have hurt Irene on purpose. Maybe Vanessa had accidentally bumped into Irene, who'd lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs.

Besides, Irene was Vanessa's closest friend. Vanessa had no reason to harm her.

the careless type-never sitting or standing properly. It was no wonder she ended up

why did she confess? If she'd kept quiet, she wouldn't have spent five

simple as that, conveniently forgetting

Adah had wiped the security footage. Vincent, the defense attorney, twisted the truth, and Brian himself never gave Claire a chance

found himself blaming Claire for not proving her innocence, ignoring the fact that she never

voice shook with emotion as

the name on the tip of his tongue. His stubborn silence-protecting the

of their eye. She'd been doted on since birth, the darling of the entire Cole family. As the heiress to Cole Enterprises, she'd had everything she

shadow of herself. Five years in a coma, and even with the best care,

of punishment for Claire could erase the pain the Coles felt. That's why they'd

were being told they'd

was protecting the real

He shoved his hand through the bars, grabbed Brian by the collar, his eyes wild with rage. "Tell me who's

clamped his mouth

he pictured his daughter, bedridden for five years, wasting away despite the

Have you ever cared about your

much your mother and I have

just to get you out