Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 303

Brian's words were so absurd, they were almost laughable.

Sure, Claire was the true daughter of the Linwood family, but from the very beginning, it had always been Vanessa who was engaged to him.

Back when the engagement was first arranged, the Cole family had known full well that Vanessa wasn't the biological daughter of the Linwoods. But even so, they'd still insisted on the match-after all, Vanessa was the darling of the household, the star everyone adored.

No one in the Cole family could have predicted how vicious Vanessa would turn out to be.

But as far as Brian was concerned, only the true Linwood heiress was worthy of him.

The moment he learned that Claire was the real Linwood daughter, he'd

convinced himself that she was his fiancée. Yet, for all his supposed devotion, he'd never once stood by Claire's side. Not once had he given her the support or trust she deserved-only suspicion and blame.

Now, seeing Claire wrap her arms around Sean's waist, leaning into him for comfort and support, her face alight with trust, Brian was consumed with jealousy. Blinded by envy, he blurted out those ridiculous words without thinking.

Jarrod, Karin, and Irene Cole all cringed in embarrassment, wishing they could melt into the floor.

Sean, who had been speaking softly to comfort Claire, slowly lifted his gaze. His eyes, sharp as steel, locked onto Brian.

tugged at the corner

a strong, steady hand and gently cradled the back of Claire's

front of everyone, and without a hint of

Foster could never truly be together. The sudden kiss left her stunned, her mind utterly blank—she couldn't react

didn't care in the slightest that there were people watching. His lips moved over hers with an unyielding intensity, but his eyes never left Brian's, holding his gaze with

"Claire is mine. You're not even

his heart pounding so hard he thought it might

not to touch Claire!" he

finally snapped-he slapped Brian hard across the face. "Enough! Have you not embarrassed yourself enough already?" Jarrod barked. Brian clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with tears. He shouted, voice thick with hurt, “Dad,

gritted his teeth. "Claire agreed to marry Mr. Foster. She's his fiancée

facts were plain enough—Brian was engaged to Vanessa, the very woman who'd caused so much

is Vanessa. Stop making a

Brian like a bucket of cold water. He wilted, all the

Sean, hate and

the blushing Claire firmly into his embrace, then bent down and swept her up

carried her upstairs with

once looked back at