Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 429

Claire glanced at the headmaster, only to see his expression darken. “Nonsense. Claire has always been a well-behaved, sensible girl—there's no way she would hit you. And even if she did, I'm sure you were the one who started it."

His tone brooked no argument. "Well? Aren't you going to apologize to Claire?"

The words left Claire stunned for a moment.

She'd heard these exact lines countless times in her previous life.

Back then, though, it was the Linwoods who said them. But they weren't defending their real daughter-they were standing up for Vanessa.

Nathan, Adah, and Ethan would never bother to hear her side of the story. They'd scold her without mercy, then force her-the victim to apologize to Vanessa, the one who'd actually hurt her.

She'd suffered so many injustices in the Linwood household, and never imagined that, in this life, someone would finally use those same words to defend her.

No wonder Vanessa was always so smug. So this is what it feels like to have someone protect you without question. It feels... pretty good.

"But Headmaster, my nose is bleeding! How can you take Claire's side?"

pulled up the hem of his shirt, revealing a bruise on his stomach. "Look! Claire didn't just hit my nose with a basketball-she kicked me, too. You can't just favor her because she

voice grew stern. "Vincent, you're

of concern. "Claire, tell me the truth. Did Vincent start this? Did

Claire lifted her chubby little face,

were clear as glass, full of innocence-so pure that even without a word,

help but soften further under

Vincent was picking on you, just

nodded, her pudgy cheeks quivering

basketball and ordered me to fetch it for him. He said if I didn't do what

even called me a useless nerd, said that studying is pointless

the headmaster, her eyes wide, playing up her innocence. "Headmaster, is that true? Is studying really useless? Maybe I shouldn't bother with books anymore-maybe I should just goof

deliberately

but a thankless brat. She'd worked herself to

vel

and even helped Vanessa frame her-sending her to prison with his own

time, she'd let him see what it felt