Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 159

Cassian pressed his lips together, shock driving him back a few steps.

Cameron Lockridge watched every flicker of Cassian's reaction, and to him, it looked like Cassian's disbelief came from suddenly realizing Gennifer had been coerced. The chill in Cameron's gaze lingered on the man standing before him, noting how Cassian's face had gone pale. Deep down, Cameron couldn't help but feel a surge of injustice on Ruby's behalf.

How could someone as good as her end up with such rotten luck? If it were him...

For a moment, hope flared in Cameron's chest—then reality doused it, and he lowered his head, regaining composure.

In the end, Cassian sent Bennett to fetch Gennifer.

Gennifer was still confused when she got called to the records room. After that ugly scene on the street, Cassian hadn't asked her to help him review files, which was unusual—he'd always brought her along before. Left alone in her office, Gennifer was so angry she started throwing things around in frustration.

How could a person change so suddenly?

No matter how she turned it over in her mind, she could only blame Ruby for everything.

When Bennett came in, Gennifer's face still bore the trace of jealousy.

She followed him down the hall in a daze, unsettled by a vague sense that something was very wrong.

Only when Bennett stopped in front of Cassian did reality snap into focus.

Cassian looked terrible, his lips pressed into a harsh, thin line. When he raised his eyes to her, the warmth she'd grown used to was gone.

Across from him, Cameron Lockridge sat with his head bowed, refusing to meet anyone's eyes.

The tension in the room made Gennifer's heart race. She shifted, uncomfortable.

He sounded reassuring, but the look in his eyes was calculating. After all, the mere mention of last year's case had sent her into a tailspin; it was hard to believe her reaction was innocent.

Gennifer realized, belatedly, how impulsive she'd been. She bit her tongue until the sting grounded her.

"Sit down," Bennett said, pulling out a chair.

Her legs felt weak, so she sank into the seat without protest.

Cameron Lockridge continued, "Miss Gennifer, you reported Ms. Grayson, and not long after, you produced evidence that Ruby had stolen confidential information and passed it to the Blackwood Group."

"Of course I had evidence!" Gennifer cut in, desperate, clinging to what she thought was a flaw in Cameron's words.

"Oh?" Cameron's laugh was icy. "Your evidence at the time was a security video of Ms. Grayson and Morgan. They seemed to be exchanging something. And then, the moment Veyne & Co.'s secrets were leaked, you just happened to have the so-called ‘proof' ready."