Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 427

She had no intention of hiding her brilliance.

In fact, she went out of her way to showcase her remarkable intellect-she was determined to leave the orphanage before her fifteenth birthday.

In her previous life, she'd dreamed of becoming a teacher, shaping young minds and nurturing generations to come.

But this time around, that dream no longer appealed to her.

Brian had been right-wasting her talent by not going into research would be a real shame.

If she wanted the people at the very top to notice her, she had to prove she was leagues ahead of everyone else.

Only by becoming someone utterly out of reach for the Linwood family could she ever hope to protect herself.

After all, with the Linwood family's reach, she'd never be able to escape their grasp no matter where she ran.

But if she joined a research institute and became a top-tier scientist invaluable to the country, even the Linwood family would have to think twice before trying anything.

A cold, determined smile played at Claire's lips.

In this life, she wouldn't let anyone hurt her again.

As long as she stayed away from the Linwoods, Mandy wouldn't be warped by her presence-she could spare them both.

Claire was resolute: she'd save herself, and she'd save Mandy, too.

With her mind made up, she attacked her studies with even greater determination.

academic prodigy,

time she was two, she'd finished the entire elementary

caregivers, and even the teachers could

if they'd

the real surprises were

just one more year, Claire mastered everything taught in junior high-at only three

she'd devoured the entire high school

in science

talent stunned not just the orphanage, but people higher up

school material at an age when most children were learning the alphabet-couldn't possibly

competitions were the perfect

the youngest competitor, which ensured she stood out and

her previous life, Claire had taken her college entrance exams at eighteen and gotten into

five years old, she sat for the exam again-but now she'd

she waited for her acceptance letter, she

allowed herself a single day of

a gifted student before, she'd never stopped working

and she found herself with

through the

it was

been so mature for her

the other children

distance. Not that Claire

wasn't eager

close to anyone.