Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 515

The one being led away in handcuffs was a scrawny guy with bleached blond hair, dressed in cheap, ill-fitting clothes. From head to toe, he radiated that unmistakable air of a street punk-lazy, shiftless, and up to no good.

Claire froze the moment she saw him.

She knew this man far too well.

In her previous life, it was because of him that she refused to be adopted. Because she wasn't adopted, she ended up back with the Linwood family, where she suffered years of cruel abuse.

And it was because of him that, when she finally stood in court, her words fell on deaf ears. She was sentenced to five years in prison, unable to defend herself.

There was no mistaking it—this man was Vincent.

In her past life, Claire had worked herself to the bone, scrimping and saving, juggling multiple jobs, winning every competition she could just to earn enough money to pay for his college tuition. She put him through law school, hoping he'd have a better future.

But Vincent used her as a stepping stone, clawing his way up to the top at the expense of her blood, sweat, and tears.

The first thing he did on his climb was cut her loose he sent her to prison to clear his own path.

Back then, Vincent was riding high for years.

He lived in a penthouse in the heart of Cresthaven, worth millions. He drove a luxury car, wore tailored Italian suits—everything about him screamed elite, from his slicked-back hair to his polished shoes. He was a man built out of money and ambition.

sacrifices, had grown up to be nothing but

officers marched Vincent toward the

spoke up. "Officer, what's he being charged

recognized talent-one of the country's brightest young minds. The

Claire paused, startled.

was it. Without her, Vincent really was nothing but a piece

his fate.

into her car, but Vincent's

I know

locking eyes

your status? I

Their roles were reversed.

lawyer of Cresthaven, the shining star he'd once been. He was just a

She was no longer the overlooked, bullied daughter of the Linwoods. She was the cherished princess of the Tempest family, Sean's fiancée, a brilliant prodigy,

renowned scientist.

that

climbed into

if something vital had slipped through his fingers. He stared after the car, longing to chase her, but with. handcuffs pinning his

would be spent behind