Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 250

Ruby’s fingers clenched tightly, the custom-crafted nails digging into her soft palm, sending a scatter of sharp pain through her nerves.

That ugly label—“convict”—hung in the air, grating on everyone’s ears and even making Cassian, watching from afar, furrow his brow.

His piercing gaze locked instantly onto the inconspicuous figure amidst the crowd.

The accused man swallowed hard, whatever speech he’d rehearsed now caught in his throat, unable to come out.

“I’ve seen the original sketch for this gown!” Gennifer suddenly stood up, eyes blazing as she stared at Ruby, disappointment written all over her face. “How could you lie to everyone and claim this was your own design, Ruby?”

The sudden accusation blindsided everyone.

All eyes darted between Ruby and Gennifer, but in the end, the crowd’s loyalties fell squarely with Gennifer.

After all, compared to Ruby’s controversial reputation, Gennifer was a darling of the design world. Besides, she was Ruby’s sister—what reason would she have to lie?

Moments ago, onlookers from the design community had gazed at Ruby with admiration. Now, their faces twisted with outrage.

An elderly gentleman, known in the country as a “master of design,” shot up from his seat and slammed his palm down on the nearest coffee table, sending the cups rattling in fright. “Ruby! To brazenly claim someone else’s work as your own is a grave offense in our field. You owe Selina an apology right now!”

Ruby’s face was hidden beneath the wide brim of her hat, with only her flawless chin and crimson lips visible beneath the dangling beaded fringe.

Cassian’s expression shifted. He shot Gennifer a cold look, then frowned at Ruby.

He was certain—no one knew Ruby better than he did. He had never seen her design anything, let alone the gown she was wearing now.

His fists tightened at his sides.

While the guests boiled with anger, Ruby remained unfazed.

Her cool gaze swept over the furious old man before fixing on Gennifer. “You say you’ve seen the design sketch for this dress?”

“Where did you see it? Do you have proof?” Ruby’s voice was steely, her presence commanding. “If you’re making baseless accusations, don’t expect me to let family ties get in the way. The law doesn’t play favorites.”

Gennifer faltered, her face clouding with embarrassment. “I…”

Ruby’s stare was icy, sharp as a blade. “You claim to care about sisterhood, yet you’re willing to ruin me with nothing but your words. What exactly are you after, Gennifer?”

Gennifer bit her lip, her eyes already brimming with tears.

The sudden reversal left the crowd bewildered.

“Ruby, I was only trying to spare you further humiliation,” Gennifer choked out, her voice trembling with grievance. “But you’re leaving me no choice.” She abruptly stood and thrust her phone forward, displaying a photo on the screen.

Those closest craned their necks to look. When they recognized the design sketch, their eyes widened in shock before turning on Ruby with collective disgust. “It really is the original drawing! What do you have to say for yourself, Ruby?”

Her performance only stirred the crowd further.

“They’re both Graysons—how can two sisters be so different?”

“Don’t cry, Miss Gennifer. People like Ruby deserve to be cast out. She brought this on herself!”

A wave of condemnation swept through the room, but Ruby stood her ground, unshaken.

Cassian’s hand tightened and then relaxed, but his gaze was locked on her half-hidden face.

Meanwhile, in a shadowy corner, a pair of anxious eyes watched the scene unfold, trying to vanish into the background.

The Brown family’s daughter didn’t dare say a word. She knew exactly who commanded the most power here: Cassian Quinborough, the wealthiest man in the city, lounged on the sofa, and Garrison, the host of the evening, stood at Ruby’s side.

Cassian might appear indifferent to Ruby, but she’d heard the barrage of phone calls from his family earlier, all demanding to know what Ruby had done.

He was protecting her.

With those two backing Ruby, what did rumors matter?

The Brown girl shrank back even further, her face going pale at the thought of the storm that would await her at home.