Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 370

He grabbed hold of the iron chain without a hint of gentleness, yanking hard. Vanessa, helpless as a lamb led to slaughter, was dragged out of the filthy animal pen, her feet scraping through the muck.

Sensing the danger, Vanessa struggled desperately, but she was little more than skin and bones now-far too weak to fight Jeffry's grip. He hauled her along by the chain like she was a stray dog, forcing her to crawl forward through the mud. Meanwhile, Sean knelt in front of Claire again, his voice soft and reassuring. "Climb on, Claire. I'll carry you."

This time, Claire didn't hesitate. She slowly climbed onto his back, clinging to him as he stood up.

The group pressed on, following a winding, treacherous path that twisted through the mountain, every step sinking into thick, sucking mud.

Nathan's eyes stayed locked on Claire, his face streaked with tears and snot that blended with the grime on his cheeks. He babbled incoherently, desperate and broken, but no matter how he wailed, Claire never looked back.

Nathan's father, irritated by the noise, snatched a broom from the yard and swung it at his son. "Quit your bawling! I'm not even dead yet what are you crying for, you miserable brat?" he snapped.

the mud. Only then did the old man toss

a sudden, furious downpour. The storm arrived without warning, and in the blink of an eye,

the muddy water, his battered body washed clean by the torrent-yet no one spared

along, both of them struggling to keep their footing. Vanessa stumbled through the mud, her fingernails torn and palms

back. Each step sent splashes flying, his boots sinking deep into the muck. He frowned, not for himself, but because he worried Claire would catch a chill from the relentless rain. Of all times for a storm,

take shelter, they had no choice but to keep moving forward. The rain blurred the world

as lightning struck a massive tree not far ahead. In an instant, the trunk split and blackened, smoke curling

surge of dread twisting

need to get moving-fast! With all these trees around, it's not

too narrow and rough for vehicles; their car was parked far beyond