Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 154

The crowd watched the unfolding drama, and the truth quickly became clear to everyone nearby.

"I was just out shopping and happened to see it myself. Miss Grayson tried to slap Ruby, and it was Mr. Veyne's nephew who stepped in to stop her."

"I can't believe Miss Grayson would do something like that!"

A ripple of shocked whispers swept through the onlookers. Gennifer's face had gone ghostly pale.

"You all know I tried to hit her, but none of you know why!"

Suddenly, she screamed the words, her voice raw and desperate.

Her outburst silenced the crowd. People exchanged uneasy glances until someone finally spoke up, "That's true. From what I remember, Miss Grayson has always been a gentle woman, spoiled by Mr. Veyne. There must be a reason—maybe Ruby did something to push her over the edge?"

Others immediately chimed in.

"I bet that's it. Isn't Ruby an ex-con? She's been in prison before—how much can you really trust her?"

Speculation buzzed among them until, from somewhere in the back, someone shouted, "Miss Grayson, if there's more to this, if you have something you want to say, just tell us! We're willing to believe you!"

In an instant, the crowd that had been condemning Gennifer was now firmly in her corner.

Ruby narrowed her eyes, unsurprised by the sudden shift. After everything she'd endured, the judgmental stares around her barely registered; compared to what she'd survived, this was nothing.

People raised their hands and voices, eager to defend Gennifer and demand an explanation.

Even Sylas, who had looked lazily unconcerned, now straightened up and shot Ruby a worried glance. But Ruby didn't so much as blink, gazing coolly at the escalating chaos before her.

Sylas relaxed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. That's my girl, he thought. He slouched back against the wall, his posture sending a clear, silent message that he was on Ruby's side.

Seeing the crowd rallying to her defense, hope flickered in Gennifer's eyes for the first time. But the next moment, her brows knit together and her voice trembled, on the verge of tears. "Ruby, I never wanted to say this, but you've hurt me too much!"

Wait, isn't this the same man who claimed to be Mr. Veyne's nephew?

Did the nephew just steal his own uncle's wife?

The juicy gossip left them reeling, unable to decide whether to be scandalized or impressed by Sylas's audacity.

Ruby listened to Gennifer's tirade, her eyes narrowing as her expression grew inscrutable.

"Funny, I don't recall you being anything but a troublemaker and a liar," she said with a cold smile, utterly unfazed by the accusation.

Her calm, dismissive attitude made the crowd waver again. After all, Mr. Veyne was the wealthiest man in Quinborough—young, brilliant, and strikingly handsome. Why would anyone married to him risk an affair?

Their eyes drifted back to Sylas. But this so-called nephew—tall, striking, with an effortless air of privilege—was no ordinary rival.

People's gazes flickered between Ruby and the two men, and they could come to only one conclusion: Ruby was truly a woman blessed by fortune.