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!"

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

grabbed Normand by the collar, and pulled him close, standing on tiptoe until

stood frozen, completely caught off guard. From Liam's angle, it looked for

hands clenched

over her shoulder at Liam. "Now do you

it looked painful. He

took Normand's hand, and strode away without

their hands, entwined together, fury simmering in

slammed

outdone yourself

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

been nothing but an act; their lips hadn't even touched. He could see it now-she'd used him as nothing more than a prop,

he thought about it, the more it gnawed at him, like

didn't bother asking Mandy if she wanted to head back to campus. Instead, he pulled up in front of the bar and killed

her by the wrist and, without a word, dragged

and pounding

shoved Mandy onto a sofa in the corner, then leaned in,

it firmly against his chest, stopping him cold. Her eyes were icy as she warned, "Wanna

threw her features into sharp relief, danger radiating from every

evaporated under her glare. He let out a defeated

to rest