Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

"Dad, that's totally unfair," Orion protested, exasperated.

Mr. Tempest just snorted and swiped the bowl of soup from Orion's hands.

"Hey! Dad, what are you doing? I haven't even started yet!" Orion complained, his face falling.

Mr. Tempest raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just start dating someone? I hear she sends you lunch every day. Why don't you eat the food your girlfriend sends, and leave Claire's for me?"

Orion was speechless. "Come on, Dad! This is the first time Claire's brought me lunch. Of course I want to eat it—nothing compares to Claire's food."

He hurriedly snatched his bowl back before his father could try again, then dug in with his spoon, protective as a dragon over gold.

Not to be outdone, Mr. Tempest took a big mouthful. His eyes immediately lit up. "This soup is different from what the house staff usually makes. I have to say-it's delicious."

Orion turned to Claire. "Claire, did you make this?"

Claire shook her head. "No, it was May-she's the new housekeeper."

"Doesn't matter who made it. As long as Claire brought it, it's the best," Mr. Tempest declared.

"Absolutely. Anything from Claire is top-notch," Orion agreed.

The two men took turns praising Claire as they ate, making her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Just then, a knock sounded at the office door.

Orion frowned. There was nothing he hated more than someone interrupting their cozy family moments.

"Who is it?" he called out.

The door opened quietly, and a round-faced woman in her mid-twenties stepped in, clutching a thermal lunch container.

Claire froze, recognizing her not by face, but by circumstance. She recalled her father's words a moment ago: Orion had a girlfriend who brought him lunch every day.

Could this be his girlfriend?

To be honest, the woman at the door wasn't unattractive, but she wasn't striking either: short, a little plump, dressed plainly-just anoveldrama

regulangirl. It wasn't that Che

looked down on her, but she'd always imagined her brother would go for a different type.

Claire stared at the woman in disbelief, momentarily forgetting herself.

The woman noticed Claire as well. The moment she saw Claire's stunning face,

her heart skipped a beat.

Who is this woman?

What's she doing in the CEO's office?

It was obvious she got along well with Mr. Tempest and Orion. Did that mean...

she was another one of Mr. Tempest's admirers?

The thought made her grit her teeth. Swallowing her displeasure, she forced a smile and addressed Orion. "Mr.Tempest, here's the lunch Marina made for you with love..."

Before she could finish, Orion cut her off, impatient. "Take it back. I've already eaten."

The woman's eyes narrowed as she noticed the thermal container beside Orion, identical to hers.

Everyone at Tempest Group knew Marina was pursuing Orion. In fact, Marina was currently the hottest star in showbiz-the whole company shipped her and Orion together.

Knowing all that, and seeing another

woman in Orion's office, flirting

openly who did she think she was?

Just because she was pretty and young, did she think she could snag a wealthy man so easily?

She scowled but, after hesitating for a moment, turned and left the office, disgruntled.

In the break room, Marina was reapplying her lipstick when her assistant returned, much too quickly.

Back already? she thought, eyeing the lunch container in her assistant's hands. "Did Orion finish it that fast?"

Her assistant frowned, clearly unhappy.