Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 428

In this life, Claire had always gone out of her way to avoid him, but today was the first time she and Vincent faced off head-to-head.

"I'm talking to you! What, cat got your tongue? Hurry up and bring me my basketball, now." Vincent barked the order at Claire, bossy and scowling.

Staring at his smug, unpleasant face, Claire was suddenly struck by how blind she'd been in her last life. How had she ever ended up friends with Vincent during those fifteen long years in the orphanage?

Now that the rose-tinted glasses were off, it was clear-there was nothing likable about him.

Claire picked herself up off the ground, grabbed the basketball, and walked toward Vincent, step by steady step.

Vincent tilted up his chin, gloating. "See? I told you. She's nothing but a

bookworm. Useless outside of class."

"What's the point of being smart if you still have to listen to me?"

"See how obedient she is?"

Claire stopped in front of him—and with zero hesitation, hurled the basketball straight into Vincent's face.

his nose as he crumpled to the ground,

Claire stood over him, her face utterly

a word, she kicked him over, then landed two solid blows to

to do this

her previous life, she'd dreamed of knocking Vincent down a peg or two. But back then she'd been crippled, half-deaf, missing a kidney-her body was

five, Claire was strong and healthy. She was obedient, studious, and the matron doted on her, making sure she had better food and clothes than any of

plump like little dinner rolls, and her arms and legs chubby but sturdy-perfect for dishing out a beating. Taking

was just a child himself. Now he was sprawled on the ground, nose bleeding, wailing at the top of his

stood there,

ten. The man wore a crisp blacksuit, handsome and refined; the woman, dressed in an elegant dress, carried herself with gentle grace. The

already a

good-looking kid.

chatted with them, but

on the ground, her

happened here?

over at the sound, and when she saw the two adults, she

They looked strangely familiar.

memory-and suddenly it clicked. These three had come to the orphanage at exactly this

husband and wife, visiting to adopt a little girl to be their son's