Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 412

Claire's eyes were red and brimming with tears as she shook her head desperately. "No, I didn't... I swear, I didn't..."

But he cut her off without the slightest hint of compassion. “Don't call me your brother. I don't have a sister as twisted as you. To me, Vanessa's my only sister now."

He didn't even seem to notice Claire's blood-streaked hands. Instead, he gathered up the allergic, barely conscious Vanessa and, with their parents in tow, rushed her to the hospital. They didn't return until late that evening.

By the time they came back, the dining room had already been cleaned, and Claire was waiting for them, curled up on the living room sofa.

As soon as they walked in, she stood up to greet them, her concern for Vanessa genuine. "How is Vanessa? Did the doctor say she's alright?"

But her brother only accused her of putting on an act.

Their father's face was cold and unforgiving. "If you really feel sorry for Vanessa, then prove it-kneel here all night. Anyone can mouth empty apologies, but actions show sincerity. If you can't bring yourself to kneel, then leave. Go back to the orphanage. The Linwood family won't keep someone so cruel they'd even hurt their own sister."

Claire's eyes, but she bit back

a whisper. "Dad, Mom, I know I was wrong. I'll reflect on what I

brother looked down at her kneeling on the floor and felt not a shred of pity. He just said coldly, "You're just

he turned and

assumed that after everyone went to bed, Claire would

Claire collapsed on the living room floor. Her face was deathly pale, and she was burning

making yourself look pitiful will win our sympathy? You learned plenty of manipulative tricks in the orphanage, didn't you? I'm the

go all the way. Someone, toss her outside. Let's see

It rained that day.

left in the downpour for over an hour. Only when May, unable to bear it any longer, pleaded on her behalf did they finally let her bring

pneumonia from that night in the rain. She'd always been frail; kneeling all night had weakened her even more. The pneumonia go worse, turning into a dangerous lung infection, and the

then, bringing in the best