Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 265

Mandy froze, caught off guard by Liam's sudden appearance.

For a split second, her eyes widened in shock, but she quickly regained her usual calm, icy demeanor.

Before Normand could even process what was happening, Liam was already closing the distance. His fist sliced through the air, aiming straight for Normand's face.

With a dull thud, Liam's punch landed squarely on Normand's cheekbone. The sheer force of it knocked Normand sideways, a dark bruise already blooming beneath his eye, swelling up like an overripe plum.

Staggering back a few steps, Normand barely managed to keep his balance, nearly tumbling to the pavement in a heap.

He finally steadied himself, his face contorted in a mix of fury and disbelief as he shouted, voice cracking with anger, "Who the hell are you?!"

Liam said nothing. His lips pressed into a thin, determined line, eyes sharp with a cold, ruthless glint. Without warning, he swung again, this time driving his fist toward Normand's gut.

That was the last straw for Normand. He was the privileged son of one of Cresthaven's wealthiest families—he was used to getting his way, never having to swallow his pride for anyone except, perhaps, the reckless and unpredictable Mandy. Being beaten up by some stranger was completely beyond his experience.

He didn't even know who this guy was, hadn't done anything to provoke him, and yet here he was, getting the beating of his life.

Gritting his teeth, Normand managed to block Liam's punch, then lashed out with a kick aimed at Liam's knee.

By now, Mandy had snapped out of her daze. She took a few steps back until she was leaning against Liam's car, arms folded across her chest, watching the fight unfold with an almost amused curiosity.

Liam moved with lightning speed. Before Normand's kick could land, Liam caught him by the ankle, yanked hard, and sent Normand crashing to the ground.

Normand hit the pavement with a sickening thud, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead from the pain.

Standing over him, Liam looked down, his gaze icy and unyielding, his voice eerily calm. "If you don't want your family to go bankrupt, you'd better stay away from Mandy."

A night breeze tugged at the stray hair across Mandy's forehead.

Her whole body tensed, hands twisting in the hem of her shirt, lips pressed together, wide eyes brimming with fear—she looked utterly pitiful.

Liam let out a relieved breath. He'd been right; he'd just imagined it.

Without another word, he ushered Mandy into the car, practically shoving her into the passenger seat. He slid behind the wheel, started the engine, and the tires screeched as they pulled away.

Left sprawled alone on the ground, Normand watched the car disappear down the street, his chest tight with indignation and hurt.

"Mandy, I'm supposed to be your friend! I get beat up, and you just stand there and then leave with the guy who hit me? That's cold… Really, really cold…"

As the car sped down the road, Liam gripped the steering wheel tightly. Mandy sat quietly beside him, neither of them speaking.

The silence crackled with tension. Frowning, Liam took a deep breath and finally broke it. "What were you thinking, wandering around alone at this hour?"