Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Marina fumed inwardly. Of all the times for Orion's sister to get kidnapped, it just had to be now-right when she was on the verge of signing the contract.

She was itching to get this deal done, but she didn't dare rush things. After all, she knew just how important Claire was to the Tempest family.

Even though Mr. Tempest and Orion had received word that Claire was unharmed, they were still visibly on edge, pacing restlessly around the office.

About half an hour later, the door finally swung open.

Sean stepped in, escorting Claire. Together, they appeared at the doorway.

The moment Claire walked in, Marina's assistant's eyes went wide with shock.

"What are you doing here?!"

Marina frowned in confusion. "What's the matter?"

Her assistant spat out, voice quivering with anger, "Marina, this is the woman who tried to seduce Mr. Tempest!"

"It's her?" Marina looked Claire up and down, sourness twisting in her gut. Claire was taller, prettier, and carried herself with a confidence Marina could never fake. The comparison stung.

Before either Mr. Tempest or Orion could say a word, Marina couldn't hold back her scorn. "This is the executive office. Not just any random woman off the street can waltz in here."

She sneered, "Women like you who only know how to throw themselves at men don't belong here. Get out."

Marina struck a pose like she owned the place. She had no idea that, as she spoke, Mr. Tempest and Orion both shot her a look of pure disgust.

Claire's face remained unreadable. She strode forward, step by step, stopping right in front of Marina.

Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped Marina across the face-hard.

The blow landed with a sharp crack, sending Marina staggering back, barely managing to keep her balance.

Outraged, the assistant charged toward Claire. "Who do you think you are, laying a hand on Marina? You've just made a huge mistake, you little tramp!"

She raised her own hand, ready to strike Claire.

Claire was more than prepared to put her in her place.

But before Claire could react, Orion snapped. He lashed out with a swift kick, sending the assistant sprawling across the floor.

"And who the hell do you think you are, raising a hand to my sister?" he growled.

For a moment, the office fell into absolute, stunned silence.

Marina and her assistant stared at Claire, utterly dumbfounded.

Marina's voice nearly failed her. "Orion-you're saying she's your sister? You mean she's Claire?!"

Orion's face was cold as stone. "Who else would she be?"noveldrama

At that, Marina stumbled back a few

steps, barely able to process whate she was hearing. "No... No, the Pal

impossible. How could this happen?"

She whirled on her assistant, shrieking, "Didn't you say she was just some little tramp after Orion?"

The assistant was speechless, color draining from her face.

No one could have guessed it-the Tempest family's princess, who had vanished into her research work after college and never returned, was suddenly standing herein the flesh.

The assistant's face was ashen. She looked at Claire with terror in her eyes, stammering out apologies: "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were Miss Tempest. I swear, I didnt mean it. Please, forgive me."

Claire let out a cold, disdainful laugh. "So you mean, if you hadn't known who I

was, you'd have no problem bullying me?"

The assistant shook her head frantically. "Miss Tempest, please, let me explain—"

"Explain what?” Claire cut her off. "How you and Marina hired those thugs to kidnap me?"

Orion's eyes darkened with fury. "So you're the ones who kidnapped my sister?" He glared at Marina, murder in his gaze.

He lunged, grabbing Marina by the throat. "You tried to hurt my family. You have a death wish."

Marina gasped, face turning red as she struggled to breathe.

"Orion, don't kill her," Claire said calmly.

Orion loosened his grip, his voice ice-cold. "Talk. Why did you arrange to have my sister kidnapped?"