Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 275

Brian slumped in the cold metal chair, his arms hanging limply at his sides, eyes clouded with confusion.

He didn't even know how things had spiraled this far.

All along, he'd tried to keep the peace, smoothing over Claire's resentment toward Vanessa. Yet his efforts had backfired spectacularly-now, not only did Claire despise him, but Sean, that lunatic, had singled him out as a target.

He was supposed to be the rightful heir to the Cole Corporation empire, and yet here he was, sitting in a police holding cell like a common criminal.

Brian's frown deepened. If Claire hadn't insisted on making a scene at Mrs. Aberdeen's birthday dinner, neither he nor Vanessa would be in this mess.

How had Claire changed so much after five years behind bars? The gentle, considerate woman he once knew had vanished, replaced by someone reckless and impossible to reason with.

But no matter how hard he tried, Brian couldn't begin to imagine the shame he would feel when Irene returned from abroad and the truth finally came to light. One day, he'd look back at the way he'd so blindly defended Vanessa and realize each word, each action, was like a razor-sharp blade, cutting straight into his own heart-leaving him bleeding, wracked with regret.

That guilt would haunt him for the rest of his life, a chain he'd never be able to break. And by then, even if he fell to his knees and begged for Claire's forgiveness, she wouldn't spare him a single glance.

being despised, made him

was, stubbornly clinging to his own sense of righteousness, unable— or unwilling to see the fault in anything he'd

The Foster household.

eyes was fixed on Claire, their

see.

on her wrist

Aberdeen gently lifted Claire's reddened wrist, her expression anxious and

warmth wrapped around her, making her wish she could stay in this moment forever, surrounded by her

doused those hopes as quickly as they'd

body was broken, fragile-a house on

her tone earnest. "Grandma, I've already put ointment on it. I promise, I'm fine.

brow furrowed deeper. "Burns aren't a small matter, Claire. If it scars, you'll regret it. Besides, you've been unwell-this is a

always meaning to take her for a thorough

she wasn't about to let the