Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 366

There-that was where Nathan and Vanessa were.

Sean gently set Claire down, and together, the three of them walked toward the cluster of run-down houses.

The closer they got, the faster Claire's heart pounded in her chest. Painful memories crashed over her like a relentless tide. She clenched her fists, trying to steady herself.

Sensing her anxiety, Sean squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Jeffry, who had personally brought Nathan and Vanessa here years ago, knew exactly where they lived. With him leading the way, Sean and Claire followed into the remote, backward village.

The villagers had dark, weathered skin and wore clothes patched so many times it was hard to tell the original fabric. Everything looked dirty and threadbare.

As Claire, Sean, and Jeffry made their way through, the villagers' eyes locked onto them, following their every step with the intensity of searchlights.

stopped in

Nathan had grown up in—a sagging, ramshackle cottage with crumbling walls and a roof missing more than a few

was a mess, with chickens and ducks running

they reached the door, they heard an old man's furious shouting

for the city almost thirty years ago and never looked back. Not a single letter, not a damn phone call! You lived it up out there and cut us off completely-didn't want to lift a finger for your own father. And now

a mother-worthless! I spent every dime I had to bring that tramp into this house, and she still turned up her nose

and look at you-a thankless, ungrateful wretch! If I'd known, I'd have

food? Eat dirt, you piece of

was shoved

with a heavy thud, dust billowing around

unable to get up, unable to speak, only

filthy rags that reeked, his body gaunt and wasted, cheeks hollow, cheekbones sharp. His exposed skin was a patchwork of scars,