Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

May's eyes were rimmed with red, yet she nodded with a sense of relief. "Alright, I'll go right away."

Ethan finished giving his instructions and left without looking back.

May was about to leave with the thermos when Adah called out to her, "May, I'l come with you."

With that, she gently removed Vanessa's hand from her waist.

Vanessa's pupils narrowed. Ethan's earlier threat had been directed at her, and if she'd known he was watching from the second floor, she wouldn't have tried to grab the rare herbal tonic. What a waste of effort.

Though seething inside, Vanessa maintained a pitiful expression. "Mom, I want to go to the hospital to see my sister too."

Adah looked troubled but remained firm. "Claire misunderstands you. It's better if you stay home."

With that, Adah and May headed out together.

Once it was just Vanessa and Nathan left, Vanessa could no longer keep up her facade. She stomped her foot in frustration. "Ever since that wretched Claire returned, my brother's attitude towards her has changed. He even scolded me for her! Dad, you have to teach Claire a lesson before she steals Mom's and Ethan's hearts and stands above me."

Her voice was sharp and grating, a far cry from her usual sweet demeanor. In that moment, she was like a peacock stripped of its feathers—furious and utterly exposed.

Nathan sat on the sofa, his arms crossed, his expression dark and menacing.

After some thought, his face gradually relaxed. He comforted her, "Don't worry, that little troublemaker won't cause any waves."

Vanessa's eyes lit up. "Dad, have you thought of a way to deal with her?"

Nathan smirked. "In a few days, the Fosters from Northcrest will come to Cresthaven to bid on the Eastborough project. If the Foster family is determined to secure the land, even if our Linwood family teams up with the Coles, we might not be able to compete. The best strategy would be a marriage alliance."

Vanessa frowned. "Dad, you can't be thinking of marrying Claire into the Foster family, can you? Letting her marry into such a prestigious family isn't a punishment; it's a reward. I won't agree to it."

Nathan laughed heartily. "Silly girl, I would never let that little troublemaker rise above you. Rumor has it that the heir of the Foster family is impotent, has a violent temperament, and takes pleasure in breaking women to satisfy his twisted desires..."noveldrama

Vanessa grew more excited as she listened. If this were true, it would be perfect.

Given Claire's fragile condition, she'd likely be broken by the Foster heir's cruelty in no time, sparing Vanessa from getting her own hands dirty.

With a malicious gleam in her eyes, Vanessa leaned closer to Nathan and eagerly asked, "Dad, when do you plan to act? Make sure Ethan doesn't find out. He's all about protecting Claire these days. If he knew, he'd definitely cause a huge scene."

Nathan snorted dismissively. "I have my own plans. Just pretend you know nothing for now. Don't give anything away."

Vanessa nodded quickly. "Got it. I'll just wait to see that wretch Claire beg for mercy, tormented by Heir Foster, wishing for death."

...

At the hospital, Claire stared blankly out of the window.

Adah and May entered the room together.

Hearing the sound, Claire turned her head, her eyes cold as they fell on Adah.

Adah approached the bed, sat down, and looked at Claire's frail, pale face with concern. "Claire, you must be hungry. I brought you something..."

"You're not my mother," Claire interrupted firmly.

Adah was taken aback, her heart aching, but she forced herself to remain composed. "Whether you acknowledge it or not, I am your mother, and that will never change."