Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 228

Ruby’s voice was rough, thick with emotion she could barely express.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Victor interrupted, a rare warmth flickering across his usually stern, older-brother face. “Let’s see if we missed anything else.”

Ruby nodded hard, swallowing back the lump in her throat.

Her fingertips brushed the glossy covers of the books on the shelf—each one thick as a brick, and every single title achingly familiar. These were her old legal volumes from her years at Veyne & Co.—the essential references she always kept on hand in her office.

She hadn’t expected Victor to be so thorough. He’d promised to set up her new office, but she never imagined he’d even remember details like this.

“It’s perfect,” Ruby said, her voice raspier than usual and her eyes shining with nostalgia.

She’d agreed to help Victor, but it was really only in name; at most, she’d expected to be a figurehead attorney. But he’d gone out of his way to show her respect.

A gentle warmth bloomed in her chest. “Honestly, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble…”

“Oh, but I did,” Victor shot her a mock-scolding look, cutting her off.

“Ruby, don’t forget—I just hired Quinborough’s youngest lead counsel.” He clapped her on the shoulder. On the surface, it was a reminder; underneath, it was a subtle infusion of strength, as if he were passing some of his own confidence to her.

A pang of uncertainty flashed through Ruby. Lead counsel? Was that really her?

Her mind drifted, conjuring up memories of those dazzling days in court when she’d sparred with opposing attorneys, sharp and unstoppable.

How long ago had those brilliant days faded?

Her lashes fluttered, betraying a flicker of emotion before she steadied herself.

“I’ll do my best,” she promised quietly. She’d give her all—to be Victor’s right hand, and to let herself shine again, just as she once had.

Victor watched her from a couple of steps away, seeing the transition in her eyes—from confusion, to nostalgia, to resolve. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride on her behalf.

He quickly outlined her new job responsibilities, then slid a file across the desk.

“Looks like you picked the perfect time to start,” Victor said, grinning. “There’s a case that needs your expertise.”

Ruby flipped through the file.

It was a textbook academic plagiarism dispute—nothing out of the ordinary. But there was a snag: Victor’s research institute had already provided evidence of originality, only for the opposing side to raise concerns about excessive and irregular use of raw materials in the project.

Not a major scandal, but for a fledgling institute like Veytura, it could be a serious blow.

She shot Cassian a suspicious glance.

His broad shoulders made Mira look even more delicate—like a porcelain figurine cradled in a giant’s arms. The contrast should have been jarring, but somehow, it was strangely harmonious.

Ruby’s heart skipped a beat. Was this what people meant by “blood ties”?

She blinked, quickly masking the fleeting emotion in her eyes.

“Sit,” Cassian said, arching an eyebrow and nodding to the spot across from him.

Ruby pressed her lips together, then promptly scooped Mira out of his arms. Only once the soft bundle was secure in her embrace did she finally take a seat.

The instant Mira’s warmth left him, Cassian’s entire demeanor grew noticeably colder. But when he looked up and met Ruby’s eyes, the chill seemed to ebb away.

“I don’t have time for games,” Ruby said, chin raised. “I hope you’ve found out who’s really behind all this.”

Cassian’s eyebrows shot up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face—but only for a second. He’d already suspected she knew his men were tailing her; after all, she’d managed to have them picked up and dumped in an alley. That alone spoke volumes.

A rare glint of respect and amusement flashed in Cassian’s eyes, but his voice remained cool as he spoke. “The psychological evaluation submitted for the driver who tried to kidnap you? It was a fake.”