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?"

stomach. "Look! Claire didn't just hit my nose with a basketball-she kicked me, too.

his eyes narrowing in obvious displeasure. His voice grew stern. "Vincent, you're always causing trouble around here. I have no doubt you were picking on Claire

his tone gentle and full of concern. "Claire, tell me the truth. Did Vincent start this? Did

Claire lifted her chubby little face, round

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

headmaster couldn't help but

you, just tell me.

pudgy cheeks quivering adorably with the

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

useless nerd, said that studying is pointless and that it

up her innocence. "Headmaster, is that true? Is studying really useless? Maybe I shouldn't bother with books anymore-maybe

was deliberately setting Vincent

a thankless brat. She'd worked herself to

vel

her money on designer clothes, wasted it on frivolities, and even helped Vanessa frame her-sending her to prison with his own

she'd let him see what it felt like to