Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 190

The two of them walked deeper into the glowing, cobalt-blue corridor, awash in the soft hum of futuristic technology. The crowd thinned as they moved forward, their footsteps echoing off polished walls.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of shadowed eyes watched their retreating figures from behind. Only when they turned the corner and disappeared from sight did the watcher finally look away, lips pressed together until they lost all color.

"Was that Cassian you were talking about?"

Victor waited until the hallway was empty before speaking in a low voice.

The mention of that name erased the gentle smile from Ruby's lips. The expression lingered, but now it was distant, almost cold. "Yes," she answered quietly, gently brushing Mira's fingertips as if to anchor herself.

Victor held Ruby's gaze for a long moment, then shifted his attention to Mira. He sighed, eyes drifting upward, lost in memories.

"When I found out you'd been sent to prison, I went straight to see Cassian. He was as heartless as ever."

Victor gave a short, bitter laugh and continued, "After that, I resigned from Veyne & Co. and moved overseas."

Ruby's fingers trembled.

So that's how it was—she'd never known the details of the past.

"But I don't regret it. With the reputation I'd earned at Veyne & Co., I soon received offers from leading researchers around the world."

He offered the explanation instinctively, not wanting Ruby to feel responsible for his choices.

"So what brought you back?" Ruby's voice was soft, almost fragile.

"There's a compound being developed in Veytura," Victor replied simply. "The board wants to establish a research center in Quinborough, and I volunteered to lead the project."

Ruby couldn't help but recall the reverent way people greeted Victor as they passed—he'd grown even more impressive over the past year.

As his friend, she was genuinely happy for him, yet she lowered her gaze, hiding the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. After all, they had once been equals—each leading a top department at Veyne & Co.

Time had pulled them apart, two stars drifting along separate orbits. The feeling was bittersweet, a mix of pride and melancholy that she couldn't quite untangle.

Victor, ever perceptive, noticed the subtle shift in her mood. "Do you still want to be a lawyer?"

The sudden question caught Ruby off guard. She glanced at him, uncertain, trying to gauge his intent.

"My license was revoked," she said after a pause. "The truth about what happened last year never came out, so I can't return to that calling."

A determined light flared in Ruby's eyes.

Victor met her gaze. Her eyes shone with a brilliance that outmatched any diamond he'd ever seen.

He looked away quickly, hiding the emotion that flickered across his face.

Victor led Ruby on a tour of the lab, explaining the equipment and research in calm, measured tones. Ruby felt like a grandmother at a world-class museum—awestruck and delighted by everything she saw.

At the end of the corridor, sunlight spilled through a doorway, beckoning them outside.

As they stepped into the day, a young woman waited by the door, arms full of thick folders. She looked barely out of college, with a softness to her face and round cheeks, though the sharp angle at the corner of her eyes lent her a hint of steel.

"Mr. Hargrove, who's this?" she asked, her gaze landing on Ruby, then flicking nervously to the child in Victor's arms.

"This is my junior associate, Romaine," Victor said, turning to Ruby instead of answering the question.

Ruby nodded politely to the young woman. "Nice to meet you. I'm Victor's friend—Ruby."