Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 289

Claire had long since learned just how foolish Brian could be.

In fact, foolish people were often more infuriating than cruel ones.

She'd tried to explain things to him before, but Brian never listened. Even when Irene stepped in to testify, his suspicion never wavered.

His self-righteous attitude—convinced that everyone else was blind to the truth but him—struck Claire as utterly ridiculous. She couldn't help but let out a laugh, sharp with mockery.

"Well, since you're so sure the hospital would never help Vanessa and Nathan do something so awful, let me show you some proof. You'll see exactly why the hospital would go along with them."

As she spoke, Claire pulled open the coffee table drawer and took out a folder.

She rose slowly to her feet, dragging her injured leg as she made her way toward Brian.

The closer Claire got, the harder Brian's heart pounded in his chest.

There was a certainty in her gaze, a calmness in her manner that sent a chill creeping up his spine. Even as he kept blustering that he didn't believe her, deep down, Brian already knew the truth.

Claire stopped right in front of him, meeting his eyes without a hint of fear. She held the folder out to him and said in an even voice, "Take a look. Once you've read it, you'll understand exactly why the hospital played along."

Brian instinctively looked away, trying to mask his anxiety with a scoff. "Fine. Let's see what game you're playing now," he said, snatching the documents from Claire's hand and rifling through the pages.

But as he read, his hands began to tremble, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gulps.

It turned out the director of Cresthaven General Hospital was Nathan's lover—and Vanessa's biological mother.

No wonder Vanessa and Nathan had been so confident the hospital would cooperate.

Vanessa was standing right next to Brian, and as he read, she saw every word for herself.

All at once, her eyes widened in terror. She had never imagined that someone could dig up the secrets of her parentage—buried for more than twenty years.

For the first time, Vanessa was truly afraid. She finally realized just how dangerous Sean could be, if even something buried that deep could be unearthed.

Only one thought filled her mind: She couldn't stay here another second. She had to get out. Now.