Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 353

The woman in the red dress beamed with smug satisfaction, as if this birthday cake were some crowning glory she'd always deserved. Trying her best to sound gracious, she said, "Then please thank your manager for me."

The server maintained her practiced, sweet smile and replied softly, "No need to thank me-it's our pleasure."

With that, she turned and wheeled the empty cart out of the private room with effortless poise.

As the door clicked shut behind her, every eye in the room turned toward the woman in red, radiating envy.

Once the flurry of compliments had died down, Mac Brown-still nursing the sting from the slap he'd received-let his chubby face contort with rage. Suddenly, he snatched a plate off the table and, scowling, swung it at Claire's head, cursing as he did:

"You arrogant little tramp! You dare hit me? Let's see if you can take what you dish out!"

Claire reacted instantly. She grabbed a fork from the table, ready to defend herself.

But before she could strike back, May pulled her protectively into her arms.

There was a sharp crack as the plate smashed down on May's head, shattering into pieces.

"May!" Claire cried out in alarm.

"I'm fine, Ms. Claire," May said through gritted teeth, fighting back the pain. "Go find Mr. Foster, quickly."

room erupted with raucous

know who he is? He's the wealthiest man in Cresthaven-barely half a year in the city and he's already spent billions to secure the whole Eastborough district. Do you really think someone like you could possibly know

desperate to meet Mr. Foster, it's not impossible. Once our class star arrives, you can grovel at his feet-maybe he'll be

star's not just anybody these days. Trust me, he

kind of person wouldn't I look twice

door swung open again. A man in a crisp white checkered

over-and even now, he was still noticeably more handsome than

all he had left from

school

he was a bit

glinted with calculation, and he radiated the smug energy of a man

an instant, the crowd swarmed around him as if they were

their compliments with fake humility-"You're all too kind, really"—but his face was lit up with pride, chin practically

you so long? We've been

grinned. "I was just having a

near Sean Foster a few minutes ago, but calling it a business meeting was

had heard Mr. Foster would be at the Grandeur Hotel today, so

about to discuss the Eastborough Project and had promptly

had intended to head to the private room he'd reserved-Suite 107-but halfway there, he'd run into a