Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 501

Being praised by her idol left Mandy so exhilarated she could barely string a sentence together.

She clung tightly to Claire’s arm, her gaze fixed on her with growing admiration. The more she looked at Claire, the more she liked her—though even Mandy herself couldn’t explain exactly why.

It felt as if, somehow, she’d been destined to like Claire from the very beginning. It wasn’t just because Claire was a genius; it was something deeper, a natural affinity that drew her in.

Mandy had grown up without a father—her mother had raised her alone. Because of this, kids at school used to mock her, calling her a “fatherless stray.” It had left its mark on her, giving her a prickly side. Yet, whenever she was around Claire, she found herself unconsciously hiding away all those rough edges and negative emotions.

With hopeful eyes, Mandy asked, “Claire, could I take a picture with you?”

Claire didn’t hesitate. Not only did she agree, but after they snapped the photo together, she even set it as the wallpaper on her own phone.

“Come find me at the lab, Mandy. I’ll be waiting for you,” Claire said with a smile.

Everyone nearby stared in disbelief at Claire’s obvious favoritism.

“My God, how lucky is Mandy? She actually caught the genius’s eye!”

“Seriously, that’s the dream. Is this what they mean by ‘great minds think alike’?”

“We can only watch and be jealous, huh?”

Surrounded by these awed whispers, Mandy felt a warm glow in her chest. She nodded firmly and declared, “Don’t worry, Claire. I’ll work as hard as I can and make sure I join you at the lab one day.”

The event ended on a high note.

Inspired by Claire, Mandy threw herself into her studies with even more determination. Even at the National Defense Polytechnic, where prodigies were everywhere, she stood out despite her young age.

Adah seemed crushed, staggering as if she might fall. With tears streaming down her face, she looked every bit the picture of heartbreak—a sight that would easily win the sympathy of any onlooker.

But Claire only found her theatrics repulsive. In her previous life, every time the Linwoods hurt her, Adah would put on this act, as if she were the real victim. Yet it was Claire who’d been left scarred and shattered.

“Enough!” Claire snapped, her patience worn thin.

“Adah, save your tears. They only make you look insincere.”

“This is the last warning I’ll give you: I don’t want to see you, and I don’t want you bothering my parents. This is your last chance. If you come around again, don’t blame me for what happens next.”

Her parents were her one unbreakable boundary.

Adah’s constant appearances at the Tempest family home only upset her parents—something Claire would never tolerate. She wanted her mom and dad to be happy, free from the Linwoods’ interference, now and always.