Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Adah was so furious she felt her blood boiling-she nearly choked with rage. Without another word, she grabbed Ethan and Vanessa and stormed out.

This trip to Northcrest City wasn't just for leisure. Her husband also intended to expand their family's business here.

Northcrest City was home to four powerful old-money families. At the top stood the Fosters, an aristocratic dynasty with a century of history. Getting close to them would be almost impossible.

Still, even if befriending the Fosters was out of reach, there were three other prominent families: the Tempests, the Pierces, and the Quinns.

If the Linwood family could build a good relationship with any of these three, they'd have a real shot at establishing their business in Northcrest City.

Her husband was already working on ways to get close to members of those families.

If they succeeded this time, the Linwoods would finally have a foothold in Northcrest City.

When that happened, tracking down that arrogant family of three from earlier would be a breeze. They were nobodies-one word from the Linwoods, and those people would be finished in this city.

Hmph. That's what happens when you cross the Linwoods.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Tempest paid no mind to the tantrums behind her. After putting those people in their place, she felt a rush of satisfaction-although in the next instant, she slipped right back into her composed, elegant persona.

She knelt down and checked Claire over carefully, taking her daughter's little handnoveldrama

in hers. Seeing Claire's reddened fingers, her eyes filled with concern.

"Look at this! Your hand's all red. Did it hurt when you hit them?”

Claire: "..."

Mom, do you even hear yourself right now?

I was the one doing the hitting, not getting hit.

Though she was speechless, Claire felt a wave of warmth in her heart.

She shook her head sweetly. "I'm fine, Mom. It doesn't hurt."

Mrs. Tempest pretended to sob, "But seeing your little hand all red, it breaks my heart! Only a kiss from my darling can make it better."

Orion joined in, leaning closer. "Hitting people is exhausting. I need a kiss from my baby sister to recover, too."

Once again, Claire was left at a loss for words by the two of them. Still, she dutifully gave each of them a big kiss.

Mrs. Tempest and Orion were instantly satisfied, beaming with joy.

Mrs. Tempest pulled out her credit card and handed it to the clerk.

"Please pack up everything we picked out and have it delivered to the Tempest estate."

The clerk's eyes lit up at the name.

The Tempests? Did she really just say the Tempests?

The Tempests were one of the four great families of Northcrest City.

ty. No

evshe'd bought over a hundred

outfits without a second thought-a few million was nothing to them.

Thank goodness she'd been smart enough earlier to take the Tempests' side, or

this store might not have survived the day.

The clerk hurried off to ring up the sale, her hands trembling slightly as she handed Mrs. Tempest's card back.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Tempest. We'll make sure everything is delivered as soon as possible."

With the shopping done and the day growing fate, the family of three headed home in high spirits to start

preparing for Claire's birthday party the next day.

This would be Claire's first birthday celebration with the Tempests, and Mr. and

Mrs. Tempest agreed-it had to be grand.

They planned to invite all the elites

of Cresthaven, celebrating their

daughter's birthday and official

g her as Miss Tempest.

Adah returned to the hotel with Ethan and Vanessa in tow.

When Nathan saw them, he barely recognized his own wife and kids. Once he realized who they were, he was utterly shocked.

"What happened to you all?"

Adah, grinding her teeth in anger, recounted everything that had happened at the children's boutique.

Ethan jumped in, "Dad, you have to get revenge for us! You wouldn't believe how arrogant they were."

Vanessa flung herself into Nathan's arms, sobbing as if her heart would break.