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."

eyes, but she bit back her tears and slowly

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

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

that, he turned

to bed, Claire would get up and go

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

of manipulative tricks in the orphanage, didn't you?

way. Someone, toss her outside. Let's see how long she can keep up this

It rained that day.

the yard, 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 Claire

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

had been frantic then, bringing in the best doctors and buying