Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 183

The man in the suit was already furious, his grip on Ruby even harsher than when he'd dragged Gennifer. All the color drained from Ruby's face; her hand was turning pale, almost blue.

Victor's eyes darkened. He seized the man's wrist, his gaze icy. "Let go."

"Get Cassian out here!" The suited man spat the words, veins bulging on his forehead.

But instead of relenting, the man tightened his hold, throwing a defiant glare at Victor. "Go ahead! Let's see who breaks first—me, or this bitch—"

A fist came from nowhere, so fast no one even had time to react. The man crumpled to the floor, stars bursting behind his eyes as he clutched his face, dazed.

For a moment, the room froze, everyone's breath held as they turned in shock to see who had struck.

Sylas stood there, his face cold as stone, his body still coiled from the punch like a panther unleashed. The sharp lines of his muscles were hard to ignore, giving him a wild, dangerous energy that overshadowed his otherwise striking looks.

"So, Uncle can't even manage the company anymore?" His voice was icy, laced with threat. "Any thug can just barge in and throw his weight around?"

Ruby finally managed to wrench free, but as she looked at Sylas, she was momentarily stunned.

She had never seen him like this before.

This wasn't the smiling boy she remembered; now, there was a ruthless edge to him, something almost as sharp as Cassian's.

Gennifer's face fell. Him. Again.

The man on the floor blinked, trying to regain his senses as the room spun. He gritted his teeth, lifting his head to fire back, but when he met Sylas's ferocious glare, the words died in his throat.

Who the hell is this guy?

Suddenly, as his mind cleared, he remembered what Sylas had called Cassian: "Uncle." His eyes went wide.

Cassian's nephew!

But he'd never heard of Cassian having a nephew.

He shot a glance at Gennifer, but her expression confirmed his fears.

"Are you alright?" Sylas's voice softened as he looked at Ruby, the transformation from anger to concern so swift it was almost jarring.

Ruby stared at him, bewildered.

Victor watched the two of them, his eyes lingering on Sylas before turning away, a thoughtful look on his face.

Ruby shook her head, and Sylas visibly relaxed.

So this is the kind of woman Ruby is?

Ruby lifted her gaze, fixing Gennifer with a sharp stare.

"Even if I were, do you really think grabbing me would make Cassian come running? You've got it all wrong. In a city as big as Quinborough, I'm probably the least important person in Cassian's life."

She spoke, making no attempt to defend herself, only smiling at Gennifer with a biting sarcasm. "The real woman Cassian cares about is someone else. Gennifer, dear sister, I'm stepping aside for you—don't be ungrateful."

The words hung heavy in the air, and all eyes shifted to Gennifer.

People glanced between the two women as if watching the most riveting drama.

Gennifer's ears rang. For a moment, she couldn't find a retort.

She shot Ruby a strange look.

The Ruby she remembered was tough and decisive in business, but when it came to Cassian, she'd always been so gentle, even a little spineless. Since when had she become so sharp-tongued?

Gennifer bit back her frustration, the tension in the room closing in around her.

"Step aside!" Suddenly, Bennett's booming voice cut through the crowd.