Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 516

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't on their side that day-rain had started to fall over Northcrest City.

But with the wedding being held at The Celestial Aerie, a seven-star luxury hotel, the downpour barely made a difference.

Inside, the grand ballroom was already bustling with guests.

Almost everyone had arrived.

May paced back and forth anxiously, unable to resist calling Mandy.

"Mandy, Claire's wedding is about to start. Where are you? Why aren't you here yet?"

"Mom, I'm almost there," Mandy replied, her voice edged with urgency.

She stood at the bus stop, glancing between her phone and the gray sky, frustration clear on her face.

For ten years, Claire's encouragement had been her driving force. Mandy poured herself into her studies, graduated with honors, and, after relentless effort, finally secured a position at the research institute.

But the institute was huge, and their fields rarely overlapped. Catching even a glimpse of Claire was a rare event. Both women were always busy, so finding time to meet was nearly impossible.

Today, of all days, a critical project had come up at work, delaying her even further.

She'd rushed out as soon as she could, only to be met with pouring rain.

Taking shelter under the narrow awning of the bus stop, she pulled out her phone and tried to hail a ride.

about ten minutes, a sleek black car

over, yanked open the passenger

Celestial Aerie, please,"

down to retrieve his phone from the floor. As he straightened up, he was startled to

young woman wore a crisp white T-shirt and blue jeans, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. Rain had dampened her

ago, on a rainy day

was momentarily lost in thought, eyes

frowned, noticing the car wasn't moving, and turned

man beside her was dressed in a sharp

please drive

friend's

Celestial

I'll miss the

back to

Foster and

The Celestial

must be a

noticed

institute—she had to be Miss Tempest's

her name

name rang

mistake him