Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 234

Gennifer’s whole body jolted violently.

She sucked in a shaky breath and, hand trembling, clicked open the comments section.

“Told you this dress screamed C Collective. You all think you know fashion just because you read a label?”

“This looks exactly like something Selina, their top designer, would create…”

As soon as someone dropped the name “Selina,” the comments exploded with self-proclaimed experts eager to set the record straight.

“You’re absolutely right. Selina is a guest designer for C Collective, not on their permanent staff. Rumor has it she only submitted a handful of sketches, but even those were enough to help C Collective outshine AP and secure its spot as the world’s top luxury brand these past couple of years. See that subtle embroidery on the skirt? That’s classic Selina—her signature style, no doubt about it.”

Selina…

The more Gennifer read, the more her expression darkened.

Suddenly, she grabbed Scales by the collar, her voice a furious hiss. “Why would C Collective vouch for Ruby themselves? And who the hell is Selina? How could Ruby possibly afford anything designed by Selina?!”

Gennifer’s eyes blazed red with rage.

Scales stared, startled by the fierce look on her face.

He swallowed hard, looking as if he might cry. “I—I have no idea! Ruby’s a nobody, a washed-up ex-con. How could she possibly get C Collective’s official endorsement?”

Gennifer’s chest heaved with anger as she scrolled further.

Sure enough, others in the comments were echoing her doubts.

“Sure, Ruby comes from a decent family, but she’s an ex-con living alone in Quinborough now. The only person she could rely on, Mr. Veyne, never cared for her. And let’s not forget—she went and had a kid out of wedlock. How could she possibly afford a custom piece by Selina? Even Gennifer, who’s always been Mr. Veyne’s favorite, only wore a moderately unique commissioned gown to her own celebration.”

The moment that comment appeared, the tide of public opinion shifted yet again. Alliances blurred, and people began to question everything.

“Is this some PR stunt from Veyne & Co.? Are they really so desperate to save Ruby’s reputation they’d rope in C Collective to cover for her?”

A new, cutting comment shot to the top of the thread almost instantly.

Relieved to be released, Scales nodded gratefully.

Gennifer strode out, head high, logging into her own blog as she went.

Her most recent post—just a casual update—already had over ten thousand comments.

The moment she tapped in, her phone lagged from the flood of notifications.

She scrolled through, smile threatening at the corners of her lips—all the messages were from supporters, rushing to defend her.

Carefully suppressing her satisfaction, Gennifer typed out a statement: “I’m deeply sorry to take up public space, but given everything that’s happened, I feel it’s time to say a few words as someone personally involved. Though my sister and I aren’t related by blood, I’ve always seen her as family. The party everyone’s talking about was held for me, but I was truly happy to share my success with her. I hope we can all discuss this calmly.”

A gentle, seemingly conciliatory message—one meant to look like peacemaking but sharpened to cut at Ruby.

The internet erupted.

Unlike before, when they watched for the drama, now they praised Gennifer’s grace and composure—while tearing into Ruby with renewed fury, hunting for her contact info and unleashing the cruelest words they could find.