Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 328

"No worries, let's go," Mandy said, grabbing Normand by the arm and heading for the exit.

But behind them, Liam's cold voice cut through the din. "MANDY!"

Her heart skipped a beat. Guilt flickered across her face, but she pretended not to hear him and kept walking.

Suddenly, Liam's hand clamped around hers, stopping her in her tracks.

"You're one of Crestview Tech's brightest, and you're really going to hang around with someone like him?"

Normand bristled, stepping forward to retort. "What's wrong with someone like me? I'm Mandy's boyfriend. Our relationship is none of your business."

Liam shot Mandy a sharp look. "He's your boyfriend?"

She hesitated for just a moment before answering, "Yes, he is. Now let go of me."

Instead of releasing her, Liam's grip only tightened. His lips curled into a bitter smile. "If he's really your boyfriend, then why did you come crying to me for help when you were desperate? Why did you need me to bail you out?"

"This is my life, not yours," Mandy snapped, wrenching her hand free.

"Mandy!"

herself for something. "Don't believe me? I'll prove

she reached up, grabbed Normand by the collar, and pulled him close, standing on

frozen, completely caught off guard. From Liam's angle, it looked for all the world like Mandy was

hands clenched

straightened and glanced over her shoulder at Liam.

clenched so tight it looked painful. He shot daggers at her

hand,

together,

a loud bang, he slammed his fist

really outdone yourself

in silence, lips pressed into a thin line, his mood as stormy as the

could see it now-she'd used him as nothing

gnawed at him, like

to head back to campus.

they got off, he grabbed her by the wrist

of flashing lights and pounding music, bodies moving wild and loose

the corner, then leaned in,

reflexes were faster. In a flash, she raised her foot and pressed it firmly against

sharp

out a defeated sigh and flopped onto the sofa beside her, their

head coming to rest on her