Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

"Sorry, sir, I got in the wrong car." Mandy's face was full of apology, yet she made no move to get out.

Liam raised an eyebrow.

If it weren't for the guest pass hanging from Mandy's neck, he might have thought this woman had climbed into his car on purpose, just to get his attention.

He curled his lips into Claire's signature smirk, his whole demeanor radiating casual mischief.

"Well, since you got in the wrong car, aren't you going to get out?"

Mandy clenched her jaw. "Sir, today's my friend's wedding, and I'm about to be late. Could you please drive me to The Celestial Aerie? Don't worry, I'll pay you for your trouble."

So he'd guessed right-she was Miss Tempest's friend.noveldrama

Liam didn't say a word. He just started the engine.

Mandy breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't seem like the friendly type, but she hadn't expected him to agree so easily.

"Thank you," she said softly.

As he drove, Liam suddenly asked, "So, how are you going to thank me?"

"Huh?" Mandy was caught off guard. She'd expected a polite "no need to thank me," not this.

"What would you like me to do?" she asked.

He grinned. "I haven't thought about it. Why don't you give me your number? I'II let you know when I figure it out."

Give him her number?

Mandy hesitated. She wasn't used to sharing her contact info with strangers. On her phone, there were only her mom, Claire, and a few professors and colleagues from the research center. No one else.

She paused, and Liam glanced over with a cool, indifferent look-the same look his boss wore most days.

"What, you don't want to?" he asked.

"No, it's fine," Mandy replied after a moment's thought.

If he hadn't agreed to give her a ride, she'd probably have missed Claire's wedding altogether.

Liam couldn't quite explain the

sudden happiness that bubbled up

inside him when she agreed. He wasn't usually the helpful type. If it had been any other woman, he would've told her to get out, rain or no rain.

But there was something about this girl, Mandy. The moment he saw her, he felt

an inexplicable pull, as if he'd known her forever.

Sure, she was pretty, but it was an ordinary kind of pretty—nothing extraordinary. Working for the CEO all these years, he'd seen every kind of beauty, even top actresses from the film industry at business events.

But never before had he felt such a strong urge to get someone's number, just so he could reach out anytime.

Was this what people called love at first sight?

He didn't know, and he didn't bother to figure it out. He just went with his instinct.

The black Maybach sliced through the rain, speeding toward The Celestial Aerie like an arrow loosed from a bow.

When they arrived, Mandy was about to open the door.

"Wait." Liam stopped her.

She looked back at him, puzzled. With her fair skin, white t-shirt, and ponytail, she looked fresh and full of youthful energy.

For a split second, Liam was stunned by her. But just for a moment he quickly snapped back to himself.

He reached for an umbrella. "It's pouring out there. You'll get soaked without this."

He handed the black umbrella to Mandy.

It was such a simple gesture, yet it left both of them momentarily speechless.

Outside, the rain poured down. Inside the car, the two locked eyes as he passed her the umbrella.

For a brief instant, a flicker of déjà vu flashed through both their minds.

Mandy's eyes widened.

What was that?

Just now, for

pra split second, she

could've sworn she'd lived this moment before. But as she tried to recall, her mind went completely blank No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember whenit

might have happened.