Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 260

"Please. Don't flatter yourself. I could've hired any half-decent lawyer and still won that case. Anyone in my shoes would've become an overnight sensation in Cresthaven because of it. You really think you're something special? Even a pig could've soared if it caught the right tailwind. You just happened to ride the Linwood family's coattails. Don't kid yourself about your own abilities."

She clicked her tongue, shaking her head in mock pity. "Honestly, sometimes I almost feel sorry for Claire. Can you imagine being that unlucky? A hopelessly lovesick mother, a greedy father who'd take everything for himself, a useless brother, and you—the childhood friend who bites the hand that fed her."

"If Claire got bullied and ended up behind bars, that's not on me. It was you people—her so-called loved ones—who pushed her straight into the fire, step by step."

Vanessa had never believed she was in the wrong. In her world, survival was for the strongest, and she was simply fighting tooth and nail for her own share.

If those people had been clear-headed, if they'd really trusted Claire, would my words have swayed them so easily?

She and Claire weren't even related by blood. Why should she have to hand everything over just because Claire showed up one day?

If she was able to grind the real Linwood heiress into the dirt, that was her own skill.

If Claire had the guts, she was welcome to try doing the same to her.

Vanessa folded her arms, a spark of amusement in her eyes as she watched Vincent's face contort with emotion. Hatred burned there—hatred for her, regret for Claire—but not a trace of self-reflection for his own part in what had happened.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Vincent was shouting now, wild-eyed, veins bulging.

"Vanessa, you're a monster! You used me. All of this is your fault!"

"A monster?" Vanessa let out a cold laugh. "This world eats the weak alive. I was only looking out for myself. And don't pretend you weren't after my looks and the Linwood fortune. You wanted something out of me—otherwise, why turn a blind eye to Claire's feelings?"

"I did use you. But I never forced you to spend Claire's money on designer brands, or to play the rich kid at school."

She scoffed, her gaze sharp as a blade. "You knew what was happening to Claire in prison, didn't you? You knew she was slapped, forced to kneel, stabbed with needles, had her leg broken—and you did nothing to stop it."