Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Vincent's eyes turned red as the headmaster scolded him. Shaking his head, he tried desperately to defend himself, "Headmaster, I didn't do it. She's making it up!"

"You made a mistake and you're still not sorry? And now you're trying to blame Claire?"

"Please, you have to believe me. I swear I didn't do anything. Claire's just telling lies!"

"Enough!" The headmaster pointed at Vincent, disappointment written all over her face. "Claire has always been well-behaved and sensible. She's never caused trouble, and she certainly doesn't lie."

Vincent, still just a kid, felt a flood of injustice wash over him. Wrongfully accused and now scolded in front of everyone, he couldn't hold back his tears any longer.

"Sob... Headmaster, you have to believe me! I'm telling the truth. It's Claire who's lying. I never said she couldn't study. I never said that at all! Sob..."

No matter how much Vincent cried, the headmaster simply refused to believe him.

Seeing him in tears, the headmaster only frowned harder. "You've got some nerve, crying like this. Look at Claire-she's the one who got hurt, and yet she's not making a fuss. And now you want to play the victim?"

Vincent bit his lip, his face full of frustration, tears streaming down his cheeks in big drops.

His look of pure, wounded indignation only made Claire feel more triumphant. So, Vincent, it hurts to be falsely accused, doesn't it?

Just then, a woman who'd been quietly observing from the side finally stepped forward. Dressed in a tailored dress, she leaned down so her eyes met Claire's and spoke in a gentle voice, "Sweetheart, you must be Claire?"noveldrama

Claire looked up at her. The woman was so close she could catch a trace of expensive perfume.

This family of three was impeccably dressed-everything was clearly custom- made. It was obvious they were people of means.

Claire put on her most innocent expression. "Ma'am, do you know who I am?"

The compliment made the woman's smile even warmer. She reached out and gently patted Claire's head. "Oh, you little prodigy. Not only do I know you, but I think everyone in Vesperia does, too."

Claire's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

She was so young, and apart from reading a few books, she had no way to go online or keep up with the news. She hadn't realized her name had already spread so far.

If the Linwoods discovered she was their daughter, they'd probably whisk her away before she had a chance to prepare.

The woman's tone was full of kindness. "Claire, I would like to adopt you. Would you like that?"

In her previous life, she hadn't

known as a genius, yet this couple had set their sights on her and

wanted to take her in. Co

She hadn't expected that, this time around, their determination to adopt her would be just as strong.

Last time, she'd refused them. This time, she wasn't about to let the opportunity slip away.

Claire reached out with her chubby little hand and grabbed the woman's. "Ma'am, I____"

Before she could finish, Vincent suddenly cut in, his voice sharp. "You can't adopt her! She's a liar!"

"Vincent, that's enough!" The headmaster was furious now.

The couple had promised a huge donation to the orphanage a million dollars They absolutely couldn't afford to offend them. Everything had been going smoothly until Vincent ruined it.

"I'm not making it up! Claire is a liar. I never said she couldn't study, but she accused me anyway. She's only five and already lies like this—just imagine what she'll be like when she's older! She'll probably end up in jail for something terrible."

"Vincent, that's enough! Not another word!" The headmaster's patience snapped, and she shouted at him.

Out of sight of the others, Claire pinched herself hard, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"It's wrong to hurt people or break the law. I would never do that. I'm not some criminal... sob..."

The word "criminal" stung deeply-it was the shame of her previous life.

This time, she wouldn't let anyone slander her again.

Right now, she was just a five-year-old-her greatest protection.

Besides, good students were always favored-especially when they had a reputation as a prodigy.

Sure enough, the moment Claire started crying, the headmaster's heart nearly broke.