Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 334

After downing an entire bottle of liquor, heat bloomed across Mandy’s cheeks, her eyes turning glassy and unfocused.

She set the empty bottle on the table with little care, staring at Liam. Her voice came out rough and scratchy. “Is there any more?”

“We’re out,” Liam replied, shaking his head.

Mandy didn’t believe him. “You’re lying.”

Liam fell silent.

Without another word, Mandy spun on her heel and headed for the kitchen. She rummaged through the wine cabinet until she found a bottle of clear spirits. Twisting off the cap, she lifted it to her lips.

“What are you doing?” Liam hurried over, stepping in front of her to block her path.

Mandy glared at him, frustration etched across her face. “I need a drink, Liam. Just let me.”

He caught a flicker of pain in her eyes and softened his tone. “Drinking like this will only hurt you.”

“Hurt me? I’m already hurting, so what does it matter?” Her voice trembled on the edge of tears, her eyes turning red.

“Do you know who I just hit?” Mandy’s words tumbled out, ragged and raw. “It was the woman who ruined Claire’s life in prison—she beat her so badly, Claire lost her hearing and her leg was shattered. Claire’s life is over. Why does someone like that get to walk free? Why does she get a second chance?”

Mandy’s anger intensified, her emotions spiraling out of control.

“She even demanded a million dollars from Brian’s parents—said she wanted to enjoy her ‘new life.’ Can you believe that? Isn’t it just sickening? Tell me, Liam, isn’t it absurd?”

“I swear, anyone who hurts my Claire—I’ll make them suffer just as she did. Deaf, crippled—I’ll make them taste it all.”

She looked at him, wild-eyed, almost feverish. “You know what? I didn’t stop there. I made her blind, mute, broke her arms and legs. Even if she survives, she’ll never see, never speak, never hear—a total wreck, just like she made Claire. Ha, ha, ha—”

Her laugh grew louder, more unhinged, until tears spilled down her cheeks.

She raised the bottle and took a long, burning swallow. The alcohol flushed her face a deeper red and clouded her mind further; her body swayed, barely able to hold itself upright.

Liam frowned. Mandy was crossing a line that could land her in prison if she wasn’t careful.

“Mandy, you’ve had enough. Don’t drink anymore.” He tried to take the bottle from her.

“Give it back!” Mandy snapped, pulling away. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

Liam kept his patience. “Come on, let’s get you to bed. You need to sleep this off.”

But Mandy was too far gone, lost in her drunken haze. She grabbed his shirt, breath hot with liquor as she glared up at him. “Who do you think you are, anyway? I don’t even know your full name—why should you care what I do?”

Liam met her gaze, his expression serious. He enunciated each word: “My name is Liam Monteith. Remember that.”

“Monkey…?” The word slurred on Mandy’s lips, confusion flickering across her face.

“Why are you called monkey? That sounds weird. I don’t like it.”