Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 171

After that, Victor settled overseas and disappeared from everyone's lives.

The only person with enough sway to move him was Ruby.

As soon as the call ended, the mood in the room shifted. Everyone wore a different expression, but Gennifer looked the most unsettled.

She kept her head lowered, platinum curls falling to shield most of her face.

Behind that curtain of hair, her jaw clenched and her cheeks tightened in frustration.

She'd endured so much humiliation here, only for everything to dissolve at the mere mention of Ruby's name.

The silence in the boardroom felt like a slap across her face.

Ruby. Always Ruby.

Just when Cassian had started treating her the way he used to before Ruby got out of prison, Ruby's name had to come up again and ruin everything.

Gennifer's eyes burned red, brimming with resentment.

"Bennett, call Northridge Manor," Cassian instructed, setting his phone aside. Bennett nodded immediately and hurried out.

Cassian's gaze swept across the conference room. His voice was calm but firm. "Victor will be back in a couple of days. He can prove the originality of the patent. From here, it's up to the Legal Division—prepare the lawsuit. We're not letting this slide."

Though some hesitation lingered in the room, everyone nodded and eventually turned their eyes to Gennifer.

After all, she was now head of Legal.

Gennifer raised her head, bloodshot eyes betraying her unrest.

Biting her lip, she spoke up, her voice tight. "Cassian... isn't this a bit hasty? I mean... will my sister really agree to meet Victor?"

She looked genuinely concerned, as if Veyne & Co. was her only priority.

Her words made the others waver.

Bennett hesitated, then shook his head. "Everyone's busy dealing with the patent issue. Everything else has been put on hold."

He continued, "There are even wild rumors online—fabricated ‘evidence' accusing us of stealing patents before. PR is handling it as best they can."

Cassian pressed his lips together, his expression dark and unreadable.

"Leave early today. Keep me updated on Legal's progress," he said abruptly, standing up and grabbing his navy suit jacket from the back of his chair.

Bennett couldn't hide his surprise.

Veyne & Co. owed much of its success to Mr. Veyne's relentless work ethic. Since he'd taken the helm, it was almost unheard of for him to leave before everyone else.

But Bennett knew his place and quietly arranged for the driver.

Cassian headed straight for Northridge Manor.

As he opened the door, the warm aroma of dinner drifted from the kitchen.