Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 257

Jeffry: (´థ౪థ)

Ms. Linwood, that's not fair.

I've never even had a girlfriend, you can't just ruin my reputation like this.

All the strength seemed to drain from Vincent in an instant. It was as if he'd been dropped naked into a frozen wasteland, the cold seeping from his heart and spreading through every inch of his body.

His lips parted, but not a single coherent word escaped. He just stared at Claire, bloodshot eyes wild, as though he could burn a hole through her with sheer fury.

"You... you... you shameless woman!" The words finally forced their way out from between clenched teeth, heavy with resentment and disbelief.

He spiraled into a fit of hysterical accusations.

"Don't you know a woman's best asset is her virtue? You're not even married, and you're carrying some bastard's child—aren't you afraid his family will use that kid to control you? You'll never know a moment's peace!"

"Claire, you've disappointed me beyond words. You're so reckless— even if you get rid of the baby, I'd never take you back. Your womb once carried another man's child. You're not good enough for me, and you'll never be worthy to be the mother of my children!"

"You disgust me—make me sick to my stomach!" he spat, his face twisting into a mask of revulsion.

Claire met his gaze with a chilling calm, her eyes cool and unreadable.

"Vincent, I never realized you were so backward. If I didn't know you had a college degree, I'd swear you'd never set foot in a classroom."

"If I'd known you'd parade around as an educated man yet have no sense of right and wrong, I never would've anonymously sponsored you. Turns out all I did was raise a thankless ingrate."

Her words hit Vincent like a slap, his eyes going wide with disbelief.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean you sponsored me?" His voice climbed in panic, the desperate volume failing to hide the tremor that betrayed his fear.

Claire's expression was icy, her stare unflinching as she spoke, each word deliberate:

"I paid your college tuition. Anonymously."

The simple confession landed like a bomb, setting off a storm inside Vincent's mind.

How foolish she'd been, giving every hard-earned cent to him without hesitation.

A wave of sorrow washed over Claire. She spoke coldly, "You never entered a single competition—you'd have no idea that winning first place in a physics contest comes with a hefty prize."

"I regret giving you every penny of my winnings. If I'd kept that money for myself, my life would have been a lot easier. No one knows that better than Attorney Lewis, who strutted around campus in head-to-toe designer gear."

Her words were soft but sharp as a blade, cutting straight to Vincent's pride.

"No, I don't believe you, you're lying..." Vincent was still clinging to denial, fighting a hopeless battle.

Claire didn't waste another moment on him. Her face smoothed into indifference. "Fine, whatever you say—I'm lying."

With that, she turned away without a second glance, taking Jeffry by the hand and walking out. She had no intention of arguing with Vincent any longer.

Her utter lack of concern was like salt in Vincent's wounds, and his humiliation burned all the hotter.