The Thorns on My Velvet Petals

I was known as the most delicate rose of the Upper East Side, and no one dared to touch me.

That was because behind me stood the three most powerful dynasties in New York: the Vances, the Sterlings, and the Brookses.

My fiancé, Julian Sterling, was a brilliant law professor who had never lost a case. He was the golden boy of the legal elite.

Yet, whenever he looked at me, he would blush like a schoolboy. My childhood best friend, Christian Brooks, was a rising star in the medical world.

When I had a lifethreatening fever as a child, he stayed by my bed all night, his eyes bloodshot. He swore he’d become a doctor just to keep me safe and healthy forever.

My older sister, Victoria Vance, was ten years older than me.

She carried the entire weight of the Vance empire on her shoulders just so she could shower me, her little sister, with absolute love. I thought I would be happy forever.

Until the night of my engagement party, when I found my sister’s brutally murdered body.

I grabbed the killer’s sister by the throat, screaming and vowing to make him pay with his life. But my childhood friend slammed me to the ground.

And my fiancé shielded the killer’s sister behind his back, looking down at me with cold threat in his eyes. "Chloe, just sign the waiver of prosecution.

Be good." "Your sister is dead, but Julian and I will still protect you for the rest of your life." "But Mia... she can't lose her brother." I grabbed the waiver without hesitation and ripped it to shreds right in front of their faces. "You are monsters!

Both of you!" "My sister’s body is covered in horrific wounds! And you want me to drop the charges? You want me to sign this piece of garbage and forgive him?

Are you insane?!" "Julian! Christian! What is wrong with you? Victoria watched us grow up together! She treated you like family!

Now you’re protecting a coldblooded killer for some stranger?!" Faced with my sobbing breakdown, Julian let out a frustrated sigh.

He pulled me up from the floor. "Mia isn't a stranger, Chloe. She’s our savior. She saved Christian and me years ago, and she never asked for anything in return.

The only thing she’s ever begged us for is to help her brother." "Chloe, stop throwing a tantrum. I’ll have my assistant print another waiver.

You will sign it." "We’ll go ahead with the engagement party. Once the celebration is over, we will throw Victoria the grandest funeral.

She loved you so much, she would want you to move on." Julian’s calm, gentle voice made him look like a heartless monster.

My white bridal gown was still stained with my sister’s blood. How could this man stand there and say such things with a smile? I was shaking with rage. Slap!

I swung my hand and slapped Julian hard across the face.

I tore off my veil and threw it at his feet. "In your dreams!" "Julian, we are over!" Before he could speak, Mia rushed forward, tears streaming down her face.

She reached out to touch Julian's bruised cheek, then turned to me, sobbing. "Miss Vance, please, don't do this!" "It’s all my fault! Please don't blame the others.

I know you're rich and powerful, and crushing my brother is as easy as killing an ant to you." "I beg you, even if you want my life, I’ll give it to you.

Just please, spare my brother!" Mia went down to her knees. But before her knees could touch the floor, Christian caught her and pulled her up.

He glared at me, his brow furrowed in anger. "Chloe, don't cross the line!" "Julian and I could have covered this up and made it look like an accident.

You wouldn't have known a thing. But we respected you enough to tell you the truth." "The dead are already dead.

Why do you have to drive Mia to suicide?" I bit my lower lip so hard it bled. I stared at Christian, my eyes filled with hatred. "I crossed the line?

My sister was brutally murdered on my engagement day, and my fiancé and my best friend are shielding her killer!

Who is the one crossing the line here?!" "Even if neither of you helps me, I will get justice for Victoria!" I turned and lifted my gown, rushing toward the door.

Julian yelled at my retreating back: "Don't be stubborn, Chloe! Otherwise, you won't even be able to keep the Vance Group—the company your sister left behind!"

That very night, Julian used fabricated evidence to report Vance Group for tax evasion. He was a legendary lawyer.

The fake evidence was so perfectly crafted that it would take a massive amount of time to disprove.

As the sole heir after my sister's death, I was immediately put under house arrest, supposedly to "cooperate with the investigation." I didn't even have the freedom to go to the police station to report my sister's murder.

All my communication devices were confiscated. Every exit of my villa was heavily guarded by security guards.

Every time I tried to run away or scream for help, the guards would catch me.

They would brutally tie me up with ropes and throw me back into the room to "calm down." Once I freed myself from the ropes, I, the oncespoiled princess of the Vance family, could only scream like a madwoman, begging the guards outside the door to let me go. "I want to call the police!

This is illegal kidnapping!" "Let me out!" "I will put that killer behind bars!" The guards remained unmoved.

When I tried to force my way out again, they tied me up once more, stuffed a cloth into my mouth, and threw me onto the cold living room floor like a bag of trash.

I struggled desperately, making muffled noises. Finally, familiar footsteps approached.

Someone lifted me from the cold tiles, brushed the sweaty, tearstained hair from my face, and untied the ropes. I looked up. It was Julian.

Behind him stood Mia, her hand resting intimately on his shoulder. Julian took the gag out of my mouth and asked coldly: "Chloe, it’s been two days.

You should have calmed down by now." "You have only two choices. Either you stay locked up here, lose the Vance Group, and lose your freedom.

Or, you sign the waiver and drop the charges against Mia's brother." "Have you made up your mind?" I remained silent for a long time.

Finally, I raised my head. "I choose..." "I choose to watch that beast Arthur Gibbs rot in hell!" The moment the words left my mouth, I sprang to my feet and ran with all my might toward the open window.

The bright daylight outside was so close. It was only the first floor. If I jumped, I could clear the low fence in the backyard and be free.

I stepped onto the window sill, half of my body already hanging outside. Suddenly, a powerful grip clamped onto my ankle. I was violently dragged backward.

My body slammed hard onto the floor, the impact so painful I broke into a cold sweat.

Christian rushed in, panting, and glared at me. "Chloe, when will you stop!" "There’s a wild rose garden down there, and the thorns haven't been trimmed! You dare to jump?

Do you want to die?!" "Let me tell you, even if you escape, it’s useless! I’ve taken care of everything outside. Look at the latest news yourself!" He threw a newspaper at me.

I grabbed it and scanned the front page.

I looked at Christian in utter disbelief. "You... you made your hospital falsify the autopsy report!" "My sister had so many wounds on her body. It was not a suicide!

You liar!" I threw the newspaper right into Christian’s face.

He let out a cold laugh. "Chloe, you have no choices left." "Vance Group is on the verge of bankruptcy, and this case has already been ruled as an accidental death. Just accept it.

Say that Arthur was trying to save her, but failed. Your sister committed suicide." "Don't worry.

Once we pay back our debt to Mia, Julian and I will protect you for the rest of your life. You will still be the pampered heiress of the Upper East Side.

No one will ever bully you again." I let out a bitter laugh, looking completely defeated. "Fine."

"But I want to see my sister one last time at the morgue." I finally agreed to their terms. I agreed to go to the police station to clear the killer’s name as a family member.

Not because I was giving up. But because I was completely done with Julian and Christian. In the morgue, the body was covered with a white sheet.

Before I even lifted it, my tears were already pouring down. "Go out.

I want to be alone with Victoria for a moment." Julian and Christian hesitated, but seeing my bloodshot eyes, they finally stepped out. I pulled back the sheet.

My sister’s cold body came into view. She, who used to be so warm, was now icecold. Her body was covered in deep cuts and bruises.

Even her beautiful face had been brutally slashed by Arthur. He tried to kidnap her for money, and when it failed, he took her life.

With trembling hands, I unbuttoned her bloodstained shirt. On her waist, there was a small tattoo of a string of numbers. The Vance family was wealthy.

It was inevitable that bad people would target us.

Years ago, Victoria had guided my hand to trace this tattoo. "Chloe, if one day our rivals take me away, or if an accident happens and I can't protect you anymore..." "Remember these numbers.

If anyone bullies you, call this number.

Someone will protect our little Chloe!" Back then, I was too innocent, only knowing how to snuggle in her arms. "I won't remember it," I had giggled. "You promised to stay with me forever!" But now, I carved every single digit into my heart.

I finally pushed the door open.

Looking at Julian and Christian, who had been waiting for a long time, I said: "Let's go." The news of a famous female billionaire committing suicide had drawn a massive crowd.

Even inside the police station, journalists with cameras and microphones packed the hallway. "Why are there so many reporters?" I asked.

Julian explained, "Mia said since her brother is a hero who tried to save a life, he deserves some good press." I clenched my fists and forced myself to endure it.

In the conference room, the big screen even displayed the words "Honoring Our Hero" in bold letters. It was an eyesore. Mia saw me and flashed a smug, victorious smile.

And Arthur, standing before the microphones, was giving a long, dramatic speech about his "heroic deeds." I frowned. I thought I could hold it in.

But Arthur’s words became more and more disgusting.

He wasn't satisfied with just being a "hero"—he wanted to vent his anger over the failed robbery by painting my sister as a loose woman. "When I rushed in to save her, the lady's shirt was already unbuttoned!" "A boyfriend?

Who knows. Rich women like her are usually dirty. Probably just a hookup!" "Hahaha, it’s a pity she died. Otherwise, maybe she would have fallen for me.

I’ve always wanted to know what it feels like to sleep with a rich, older woman.

Even heroes want to have some fun, right?" The male reporters in the crowd burst into dirty, greasy laughter, their fingers flying across their keyboards to write filthy articles about my sister.

Arthur got more excited as he spoke. But as he opened his mouth to say more, I couldn't hold back anymore.

I clenched my fists, rushed onto the stage, and slammed him to the ground. "Shut up, you disgusting killer!"

The press conference erupted into chaos. Reporters scrambled to capture the drama. Arthur and I were tearing at each other, trying to kill one another.

Julian, Christian, and a few police officers rushed up to pull us apart.

But before my hand could even touch Mia, she threw herself backward onto the floor, clutching her head and crying in pain.

Julian and Christian immediately stopped pulling Arthur and rushed to Mia’s side. Julian was furious.

He grabbed my arm and violently threw me away. "Chloe, you've gone too far!" "Have Christian and I spoiled you too much? There are so many media outlets here!

Not only did you ruin the event, but you also put your hands on Mia!

You are completely out of control!" My body flew backward, and I crashed hard into the sharp corner of a heavy wooden desk. A sharp, agonizing pain shot through my abdomen.

I clutched my stomach, my strength instantly draining as I slid to the floor.

But Julian, who used to panic whenever I so much as frowned, only looked at my pale face with a cold, mocking sneer. "Are you done acting?" "Christian and I already told you, once we pay Mia back, we will treat you just like before.

What are you throwing a fit for? You keep causing trouble, and now we owe Mia even more." I gasped for air, a heavy, dull pain dragging my lower abdomen down.

With what little strength I had left, I reached out to Julian. "It hurts... Julian, it hurts so much..." Julian thought I was still faking.

He didn't even look at me, keeping his arms wrapped tightly around Mia. I had to turn to Christian. He was a doctor. He could save me.

But Christian only looked at me with a cold, disgusted face, pulling his coat away from my bloody fingers. "The ambulance will be here soon.

Don't block the way." "Quick, lift Mia onto the stretcher!" "Mia, does it hurt? Don't worry, I’m a doctor.

With me here, you’ll be fine." Christian held Mia’s hand as they walked away. Beneath me, a warm, thick pool of blood began to spread across the floor.

Remembering how Christian once promised to "keep me safe and healthy forever," I felt a wave of sickening irony. In my weakest moment, Arthur sneaked over. Slap!

He slapped me hard across the face, cursing with a smug grin. "Stupid bitch. Just like your sister. You don't know what's good for you!" "With Mr. Sterling and Dr.

Brooks backing my sister, what can you do to me?

Even though I killed your sister, you still have to bow down and call me a hero." "Now that no one’s looking, I’ll beat you to death!" He raised his hand to strike again, but thankfully, a couple of police officers rushed over and dragged him away.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd pointed at me and screamed: "Blood!" "She's bleeding so much!" When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed.

The nurse told me I had suffered a miscarriage. It was Julian’s baby. I stared at the medical report, my mind completely blank.

Mia walked into my ward, strutting like a peacock. "Tsk, tsk. Look at the great Chloe Vance, the princess of the Upper East Side. Look at you now, like a dying dog.

How pathetic." "This is what you get for targeting my brother.

Don't blame me for ruining your life!" I turned my back to her and pressed the call button for the nurse to kick her out.

Before she left, Mia hissed: "I’m telling you, this is just the beginning. The Vance Group, your fiancé, your childhood friend—I will take every single thing that belonged to you!

You bitch, soon you'll be the one begging for my scraps." I kept my head down, silent. My fragile appearance made the nurse feel incredibly sympathetic.

As she was about to comfort me, I spoke up first. "My phone is gone." "Can I borrow yours to make a call?" Without suspicion, the nurse handed me her phone.

I dialed the number Victoria had tattooed on her waist. Ring... ring... The call was picked up after two rings.

A deep, gentle male voice answered. "Victoria?" Hearing someone call my sister's name so tenderly, my tears broke through. The pain washed over me, and I couldn't even speak.

I could only sob into the receiver. The man on the other end seemed to realize something was wrong. His voice grew tense. "Chloe? Is that you? Why are you calling me?

Where is Victoria?" "Why are you crying? Your sister always told me you were the sweetest rose of the Upper East Side, a little princess.

Who dared to make our Chloe cry?" "Tell me, and I promise I will make them pay a thousand times over!"