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

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

From Liam's angle, it looked for all the world like Mandy

hands clenched

shoulder at

it looked

hand, and strode away without

watched their hands, entwined together, fury

loud bang, he slammed his fist into the

outdone yourself

silence, lips pressed into a thin line, his

hadn't even touched. He could see it now-she'd used him as nothing more than a prop, just to get under that guy's

it gnawed at him, like a stone lodged

head back to campus. Instead, he pulled up in front of the bar and killed the

got off, he grabbed her by the wrist

pounding music, bodies moving wild and

shoved Mandy onto a sofa in the corner, then

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

threw her features into sharp relief, danger radiating from every

Normand had mustered evaporated under her glare. He let out a defeated sigh and flopped

to rest