Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 152

Suddenly, Cassian's voice cut through the chaos, reaching Gennifer's ears like a lifeline tossed to a drowning woman.

Her eyes flew wide, tears springing to the surface in an instant. She looked so pitiable it was almost heartbreaking. "Cassian!"

She wailed his name, her gaze pleading for rescue.

Her eyes shone with terror—and a touch of wounded pride.

Cassian didn't move a single step. Standing exactly where he was, he turned his head and fixed his gaze not on Gennifer but on Ruby, who stood a short distance away.

His features were dark and inscrutable, the harsh midday sunlight only deepening the shadows in his eyes. Though the sun beat down overhead, there was an unmistakable chill radiating from him, as if a layer of frost clung to his very skin.

People nearby, recognizing who he was, fell silent. The idle gossip and whispers died away, and the crowd's attention sharpened.

But Ruby ignored the burning stare at her back. Her hand stayed clamped on Gennifer's cheek, nails digging in, until a teardrop splashed onto her knuckles.

Gennifer, eyes brimming, looked desperately to Cassian. "Cassian! Please, help me! All I did was ask about Grandma's will, and my sister just attacked me out of nowhere!"

Cassian's icy gaze flickered—just barely. At last, he moved, walking over until he stood before the two women.

"What's going on?"

His voice was low and rich, but there wasn't the faintest hint of sympathy for Gennifer. If anything, he sounded more like a husband ready to take his wife's side—right or wrong.

Ruby had been determined not to give Cassian a single glance. Yet the softness of his tone, so out of character it was almost gentle, made her skin prickle. She abruptly let go of Gennifer, stepping back to put space between herself and Cassian.

Noticing Ruby's discomfort, Sylas—who had been watching the exchange with sharp eyes—stepped forward, silently placing himself between her and Cassian.

Cassian's gaze slid to Sylas, eyes narrowing with a cold, assessing look.

Sylas addressed him, "Uncle, do you two know each other?"

His voice was polite enough, but his tall frame shielded Ruby completely, as if she were something rare and precious.

A looming shadow fell over Ruby. She blinked up at Sylas, her nerves slowly settling.

But the word "Uncle" made her freeze. Ruby's back went rigid, her eyes darting between the two men in shock.

Uncle?

Sylas was Cassian's nephew?!

Cassian caught Ruby's startled expression and realized she had no idea he and Sylas were family. For that matter, Sylas clearly didn't know he was protecting his uncle's wife.

A strange irritation flickered through Cassian. He pressed a hand to his brow, exasperated. "There are too many people here. Bennett, find us a café nearby where we can talk in private."

He stroked his chin as he said her name.

His tone betrayed little of his opinion, but his words made Gennifer's heart drop.

After all, he'd called Cassian his uncle, and Cassian hadn't denied it. They really were family. Cassian's nephew... Maybe this was her chance to make a good impression on the Veynes.

Ruby had spent a year in prison. Despite being the woman most closely associated with Cassian during that time, Gennifer had never met any of his family.

That thought made her stand up straighter, determined to show her best side to the Veynes.

She offered a demure, almost shy smile. "Yes, I'm Gennifer."

With practiced poise, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the gesture both modest and coquettish.

Sylas's gaze lingered on her, hard to read.

"And I've heard Miss Grayson is now one of Quinborough's top attorneys."

"Oh, I wouldn't go that far."

"In that case," Sylas continued, "if someone were to insult, attack, and spread lies about someone in public, and the victim insisted on pressing charges, what sort of sentence would you recommend for the perpetrator?"