Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 170

He couldn't help but glance at Gennifer a couple more times, but in the end, he could only chalk up her lack of enthusiasm to the fact that perhaps she hadn't truly let go of the past.

Suddenly, Bennett shot up from his chair, clutching the phone with excitement. "Mr. Veyne! I've got him on the line!"

At once, half the people in the conference room stood up, eyes shining with anticipation as they turned to Bennett and the speakerphone in his hand.

"Mr. Veyne?" came the voice from the other end.

The moment everyone heard that familiar tone, they exchanged hopeful looks.

It was this very technician who had been solely responsible for their original patent design. Thanks to his remarkable creative ability and sharp mind, he single-handedly completed the first draft that started it all.

There was no doubt he'd kept extra copies.

Getting in touch with him meant they could finally refute the accusations circulating online—the rumors that their company had stolen someone else's design.

Cassian took the phone. "Victor Hargrove, I need your help."

A beat of silence, then a distant, almost amused chuckle. "Mr. Veyne, you're joking. I haven't worked for your company in ages. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for you."

Cassian skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, briefly explaining the predicament Veyne & Co. was facing.

Victor sounded surprised, but he still shook his head, his answer firm. "I've already left."

His tone was gentle, but there was a steeliness beneath it.

Once again, the conference room fell into an uneasy hush.

Without Victor stepping forward with the original draft, there was almost no way out of this mess.

Cassian's eyes narrowed, his tone icy. "Veyne & Co. treated you well during your years here. When you wanted to move abroad, we took care of every arrangement for you. We're not asking for much—just that you come forward with your copy of the first draft and confirm the facts."

Victor was unmoved. "Mr. Veyne, I earned those things. I gave your company years of my life and created significant value for you. Is there really any need for this?"

Victor's words were always accompanied by a polite smile, but there was a subtle edge to his voice, a hint of mockery beneath the surface.

Bennett shot a cautious glance at Cassian, and sure enough, found his boss's face clouded with frustration.

"Mr. Veyne, I suggest you look elsewhere for help. If there's nothing else, I'll be ending the call."

He sighed and repeated, "She's out now. She has a child. She's doing well."

This time, the mirth was gone from Victor's voice. Only a chill remained. "Mr. Veyne, did you ever consider this day would come?"

"I'll be back in the country soon. If you want the original draft, have Ruby come find me."

With that, he hung up without a trace of hesitation.

Yet, in that brief exchange, hope flickered to life once more.

Cassian set the phone down. Even with a glimmer of a solution in sight, his head throbbed.

The past felt like smoke—hazy, but impossible to forget.

He remembered the last time he'd seen Victor, just before the resignation letter arrived.

Victor had confronted him, unable to understand why Cassian had been so ruthlessly impartial toward Ruby. The two had argued bitterly, and that was the last time their paths ever crossed.