Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 352

Claire's phone crashed to the floor with a sickening crack, splintering into pieces that scattered across the carpet.

"See? I told you it was junk. I barely even touched it and it just fell apart! Did you pick this thing up from a dumpster or something?"

The taunt sent another wave of laughter rippling through the group.

To them, Claire was nothing more than an easy target someone to mock for their own amusement.

But the moment Claire saw her phone-Sean's gift to her-shattered beyond repair, something inside her snapped.

She couldn't even say what brand it was; all she knew was that it was from Sean, and she cherished it.

Now, watching it broken at her feet, anger surged through her like wildfire.

Without thinking, she lashed out, her hand swinging hard across Mac Brown's face. The sharp sound of the slap echoed around the private room.

"And who do you think you are? Maybe take a look in the mirror before you insult someone. You look like a bloated pig-who'd ever want your garbage phone?"

The words poured out in fury, and before anyone could react, Claire landed slap after slap, the smacks ringing out in quick succession. Mac Brown's greasy face turned bright red, raw and stinging.

of all Mac

stunned silence, jaws

been the quiet one, the girl who rarely spoke, who spent every spare minute buried in her books. Even during school

kept to herself. If she'd been plain- looking or just an average student, she might have faded into the background

was beautiful and smart, and her refusal to make friends or join in made her stand

their shock, Claire

back, his surprise

You dare

his hand, ready to

door to the private room

is there a Miss Mandy here?" A gentle female voice

A smiling young waitress stood in the doorway, pushing a

Miss Mandy here?" she repeated, her tone polite as her eyes

room.

woman in a red dress stepped forward, her expression puzzled.

dressed to impress in a chic red dress, makeup flawless,

I help you?" she asked,