Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 135

The man's deep, pleasant voice carried a teasing note, lazy yet edged with an unmistakable chill.

Sylas froze mid-step.

His whole posture went rigid, but the hand clamped around his arm refused to let him stay still. Without ceremony, it pulled him firmly back around.

Ruby's gaze flickered to Sylas's hand, then drifted to the faces of the onlookers nearby.

It was only a minor incident—just a few people close by turned their heads in curiosity.

Still, Ruby, determined to keep the peace and avoid unnecessary trouble, pressed her hand to Sylas's arm to calm him.

Sylas paused, then gently pried her hand away, offering her a reassuring look.

The portly man with the ruddy cheeks had been watching their exchange, quickly realizing Sylas was stepping in to shield Ruby.

Snapping back to his senses, the man discreetly sized Sylas up again.

The tailored suit Sylas wore was of such fine fabric that its luxury was obvious at a glance. At his chest, a tie pin gleamed, set with an enormous pink crystal.

Just those two details were enough to drain the color from the man's face. He knew immediately that he'd crossed the wrong person.

Before Sylas could even open his mouth, the man plastered on a sycophantic grin. "I think there's been a misunderstanding. I just noticed how stunning your wife looks and thought perhaps I could get my wife outfitted just as elegantly."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Sylas shot him a sidelong glance. Gone was the gentle, spring breeze he reserved for Ruby; his look was as cold and damp as a mountain ravine at midnight.

The man shivered, nodding so frantically his head seemed about to rattle off his neck.

Sylas's lips curled into a wintry smile, his eyes void of warmth. "Security—disqualify him."

With a lazy wave of his hand, he added, "Get him out of here."

The man's eyes widened in shock.

He was only from a minor old family in Quinborough, and the business his ancestors built had been dwindling for years. This auction was his one shot at connecting with the city's elite, maybe even landing an investor.

Throwing him out now would doom his company to bankruptcy—he'd be out on the street in no time!

Panic set in.

Around him, the crowd remained silent, with only a few whispering about the commotion.

Noticing Cassian's sidelong glance, Bennett hurried off to ask someone nearby what was happening.

He returned a moment later, leaning in to whisper, "Word is, someone's causing trouble inside—pretending to be somebody they're not."

Cassian didn't even blink, simply shifting his gaze away. "Let's go in."

"And tell Sylas to hurry up," he added with a furrowed brow.

Bennett nodded quickly, falling into step behind Cassian as he pulled out his phone to call Sylas.

The moment Cassian's tall figure disappeared into the grand hall, a phone chimed within the growing crowd.

Sylas glanced down at the screen.

He fired off a quick reply: "Ran into a little situation with my date, I'll be there soon."

The thought of finally seeing his uncle lifted his spirits, so he added, "By the way, I'm bringing someone I've been searching for a long time. Uncle has to meet her."

A perfect chance to officially announce it: this is the person I care about.