Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 133

Ruby arched an eyebrow, pressing her fingers lightly to her temple to smooth away the throbbing vein pulsing beneath her skin. After a moment's thought, she spoke up, taking the initiative. "No need, I'll just grab a cab over."

Sylas seemed to understand what was on her mind and didn't insist. He simply nodded, his voice gentle. "Alright. I'll wait for you at the entrance."

"Okay."

And just like that, the matter was settled.

By the time the call ended, dusk had fallen. Ruby didn't have time to dawdle. She prepared Mira's evening bottle ahead of schedule and set her gently in the cradle with a few toys.

Then she turned to the vanity to do her makeup.

There were less than four hours until the auction started, and she needed to leave before Cassian returned home. After all, she'd just turned down his invitation to the same event; it wouldn't do for him to find out she was going with someone else instead.

If they happened to run into each other at the auction—well, she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.

With that thought, Ruby picked up the pace.

An hour later, a stunning, elegant face stared back at her from the mirror. The scars on her skin were expertly concealed, and the makeup was airy and refined, like a delicate, powdery cloud.

Satisfied, she slipped into her evening dress, dressed Mira in a matching outfit, and headed for the car she'd arranged in advance.

The auction was being held somewhere unusual this year: inside the largest indoor flower exhibition in Quinborough.

When Ruby arrived, she spotted Sylas standing outside the entrance, his posture rigid, his handsome features as icy as ever. He looked thoroughly uninterested in the flock of women trying to catch his eye, his chill demeanor enough to make even the boldest socialites retreat.

Still, even after they stopped approaching him, more than a few bashful glances lingered in his direction.

But the moment Sylas saw Ruby, his severe expression softened, his eyes lighting up as if a thaw had swept across an icy lake. He closed the distance between them in a few long strides, unable to hide the surprise and admiration in his gaze.

"You look beautiful."

"Oh my god! Mr. Veyne is finally here! But where's Miss Gennifer?"

The question rippled through the crowd, sparking a new wave of curiosity.

"Yeah, isn't he always with Miss Gennifer at these things? Why isn't she here tonight?"

A few gossipmongers exchanged glances, their confusion clear.

Meanwhile, in a car parked at the edge of the lot, Morgan's driver brought the vehicle to a stop. He didn't immediately get out. The rear window rolled down, and Gennifer's face appeared, her expression thunderous as she listened to the excited chatter outside.

She clenched her fists until her knuckles whitened. If someone hadn't come over to offer forced congratulations, she wouldn't even have known Cassian was attending the auction—and hadn't told her a thing. He'd always invited her before!

Outside, the rumors were spreading fast, quickly turning into talk of "Ruby's return means Gennifer's been replaced."

Gennifer's expression soured even further.