Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 396

Mandy nodded. "She's not your mom. She's a trafficker."

The child's eyes lit up instantly, her fear melting away, replaced by a smile that bloomed across her small face.

"Aunt Mandy, can you help me find my real mom? I don't want to stay here anymore. Everyone here hates me. They don't give me anything to eat. I'm so hungry."

Hearing this, Mandy's tears fell even harder, streaming down her cheeks in an unstoppable torrent.

She gathered the little girl into her arms, holding her tight.

This poor child's fate was heartbreakingly similar to Claire's.

If Mandy hadn't found this place, this little one's future would have ended up just like Claire's trapped, abused, and forgotten.

The more Mandy thought about it, the more frightened she became. "It's okay, sweetheart. I'll take you away from here. I promise, I'm not leaving you behind."

She scooped the child up in her arms, ready to make her escape, when suddenly, a man burst into the room.

He caught sight of the lifeless woman on the floor and let out a horrified yell, "Did you kill my wife?"

His gaze snapped to the child in Mandy's arms, his face twisted with rage. "Where do you think you're taking that little brat?"

"You think you can kill someone and just walk away? No chance."

started yelling for help, his voice echoing through

man appeared, the child in Mandy's arms began to

a tiny, broken voice, she whispered,

this man had hurt Claire's daughter for years-there was no other reason for the child to be so terrified

step, determination in her every movement. Suddenly, a crowd of villagers rushed in, blocking

"Who is this stranger?

"Call the police! Hurry!"

his bravado. He strode up to Mandy, ready to snatch the child from

girl close with one arm. In the other, a knife flashed, ready

as the tension reached its breaking point, sirens wailed outside the police

There was no chance

the child gently on her feet, then lunged and

against his throat, using

said, her voice low and icy. "Or I won't

stiffened, trembling. "O-okay, I won't! Please, don't

your weapon!" The police officers' voices thundered from att sides. They quickly secured the crowd, weapons drawn, forming a tight perimeter

There's

knew it was

she'd killed the first monster who'd hurt Claire, she

day she would face the

the people who had tormented Claire were gone. Even if she died today,

now was Claire's