Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Vanessa mouthed silently, "The juice you just drank was spiked by me. Prepare to see your reputation crumble."

She assumed Claire couldn't understand, but unbeknownst to her, Claire could read lips and understood everything.

Claire's pupils contracted in shock.

Almost simultaneously, a feverish heat surged through her body, intense and relentless, crashing against the remaining bastions of her sanity like tidal waves.

Her cheeks flushed an unnatural shade of red.

Meeting Vanessa's malicious gaze, Claire was furious and lunged at her, only to have Vanessa deftly dodge. Vanessa folded her arms, smirking as she watched.

"You little brat, haven't you been riding high lately? Planning to marry Heir Sean Foster, are you? Let's see if Sean will still want to wed you after you strip bare in front of everyone. I'll make sure you're disgraced in front of Cresthaven's elite, showing them your true colors. Ha-ha-ha!"

Claire's vision blurred as the once-glittering ballroom lights flickered like grotesque phantoms.

The burning heat made her want to strip off her clothes entirely.

Clutching her arms tightly, her nails nearly dug into her skin, she tried to awaken some clarity through the pain.

Her eyes darted around the room frantically, but the guests were engrossed in their conversations and paid her no mind.noveldrama

She couldn't lose control in front of everyone; she had to escape the ballroom immediately.

Gritting her teeth, Claire turned and rushed toward the exit.

But Vanessa was relentless, quickly seizing Claire's arm and loudly calling, "Sister, our parents are over there. Let's go together."

As she spoke, she yanked Claire forcefully.

Hearing Vanessa's voice, Nathan, Adah, and Ethan all turned to look.

Seeing Claire, Adah quickly beckoned, "Claire, come over here. I want you to meet Mr. Foster."

Claire was in a panic; staying any longer meant she would lose control.

Her body had already begun to tremble slightly due to the drug's effects, her forehead beaded with sweat.

Clamping her teeth on her tongue, Claire mustered all her strength to wrench free from Vanessa, sending Vanessa staggering and crashing into a nearby table. Drinks and cakes toppled to the floor, causing a commotion that drew curious glances from the surrounding guests.

Amid gasps and murmurs, Claire limped away as fast as she could.

Ignoring Nathan and Adah's shouts, she pressed on.

Sean watched the slender figure in a black suit, feeling a vague sense of familiarity, but he couldn't recall where he'd seen her before.

He shrugged it off, deciding she was of no importance.

Claire stumbled out of the ballroom.

Her legs felt like lead, her body swaying uncontrollably as she knocked over several decorative flower arrangements, leaving chaos in her wake. But she couldn't care less.

Breathing heavily, she was desperate to find a secluded spot to ride out the drug's effects, only to have her path blocked by a towering figure.

"Claire, have you been drinking?" Vincent's familiar voice, tinged with surprise, reached her ears.

He frowned slightly, his hand reaching out to touch her fevered forehead.

The moment his cool fingers made contact with her skin, Claire's mind went blank with a resounding buzz.

The drug surged through her like a wild beast, compelling her arms to cling to his broad, strong shoulders.

Her cheeks burned hotter, her gaze unfocused and dreamy. The icy demeanor she usually maintained melted away, leaving her to act purely on instinct.