Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 474

"Your mother was so heartbroken she couldn't eat or sleep. To comfort her, I adopted Vanessa-only then did your mother's spirits finally settle down."

"But Claire, your father never stopped searching for you. For five years, I've been looking for you everywhere, and now that I've finally found you, I couldn't be happier."

As Nathan spoke, he inched closer to Claire.

"Claire, darling, will you let your father give you a hug?"

Nathan was a master performer-his teary eyes and trembling voice easily fooled those who didn't know the real story.

Everyone present only knew that Claire had been adopted from Cresthaven Orphanage by the Tempest family. Most assumed her birth parents had abandoned her simply because they'd wanted a son instead.

No one expected the truth to be so different.

"So Miss Tempest wasn't abandoned by her real parents-she was kidnapped as a baby."

"That's right. Poor child, suffering so much from the moment she was born."

"I actually think her birth parents are the ones who suffered the most. Imagine waiting ten months for your baby girl, only for her to be stolen away by some heartless criminal. Any parent would be devastated."

"If you ask me, the Tempests should return Claire to her real family."

had her for a

before they get too

they should do the right thing and give the

room was hanging on his

guests began to speak up

out their

the crowd's reaction, Nathan

family is powerful? Even

fools believed him, Nathan was sure the Tempests wouldn't dare keep

sake of reviving the Linwood family, Nathan was

and Mrs. Tempest and suddenly dropped to his

Tempest, I'm begging you—please, give me back

and always longed for a little girl. I'm utterly devoted

haven't even needed my Just give her back

was worthy of an Oscar. If acting were a crime, he'd be

to sympathy, but Claire-who knew all

he could be just watched him with

looked at Nathan with faint,

a cold smirk.