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.

been the careless type-never sitting or standing

she didn't do it, why did she confess? If she'd kept quiet, she wouldn't

it was as simple as that, conveniently forgetting

had lied on the stand. Adah had wiped the security footage. Vincent, the defense attorney, twisted the truth, and Brian

to shove her into the abyss. Now, Brian found himself blaming

Karin's voice shook with emotion as she shouted

kept his lips firmly shut, refusing to say the name on the tip of his tongue. His stubborn silence-protecting the real culprit-finally

entire Cole family. As the heiress to Cole

Five years in a coma, and even with the best care, her body was frail-skin

for Claire could erase the pain the Coles felt. That's why they'd paid people

were being told they'd taken revenge

son was protecting the

livid shade of red. He shoved his hand through the bars, grabbed Brian by the collar, his eyes wild with rage. "Tell

his mouth shut, refusing

five years, wasting away despite the

selfish fool! Have you ever cared about your sister

have any idea how much your mother and I

you