Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 251

The room was a tempest of murmurs and curses, voices rising to a fever pitch—until, all at once, the giant screen flickered and the footage changed.

A video began to play.

A camera focused on a pale, elegant hand sketching swiftly across a blank sheet of paper. The movements gained speed, and in a matter of moments, an exquisite design bloomed on the page.

The camera pulled back, revealing a striking, intent young woman.

The entire hall fell abruptly, almost violently, silent.

The video continued. Now it showed Ruby Grayson at work on the gown—draping and pinning the pattern herself, choosing fabrics, her own hands carefully sewing blood-red pearls along the hem.

Piece by piece, the dress took shape, growing more stunning with each detail.

The video ended there, abruptly.

Gennifer Grayson stood rooted to the spot, her whole body rigid, her face drained of color.

At last, Ruby looked up, her gaze sweeping over the frozen faces in the crowd. Her voice was soft, but there was no mistaking the razor edge of mockery beneath: “Well? Is this proof enough for you now?”

She pulled off her veil; the spotlight caught her features—flawless skin, vivid red lips—a vision almost surreal in its beauty.

Cassian Veyne’s cool composure faltered for a heartbeat, his eyes narrowing.

Garrison Cloud stood at her side, the faint, icy scent of her perfume making him feel unsteady.

“Gennifer,” Ruby’s tone turned frosty, “now it’s my turn to ask—how exactly did you get my design?”

Her face hardened; the cluster of crimson beads at her skirt seemed to freeze, like congealed blood.

“And since when did Selina ever know you?” she added with a cold, scornful laugh.

Her chin lifted, every line of her body radiating poise and pride.

From the balcony above, someone watched the scene unfold—eyes filled with admiration, longing, even obsession, only to turn to Gennifer’s stricken face with open contempt.

Every gaze in the room seemed to land on Gennifer now—some doubtful, some confused, others outright shocked.

No one could have guessed that the woman they’d trusted implicitly would be the liar, while Ruby, the one so harshly mocked, was Selina herself.

A sense of unreality rippled through the crowd; people blinked, as if the world itself had shifted.

“I... I...” Gennifer stammered, wringing her hands, voice dry and shaky. “The design was sent to me anonymously... I said I knew Selina because I was afraid no one would believe me. I just wanted to stop you from going down the wrong path, Ruby. I didn’t know you really were Selina. I’m glad, I really am...”

The news spread like wildfire through the crowd.

Ruby herself was stunned.

She’d imagined every possible scenario for Cassian’s approach—maybe he would side with Gennifer, maybe he’d humiliate her—but never this: a promise to seek justice for her.

Emotions tangled in her chest as she looked up at the tall man blocking her view, deliberately, almost possessively, wedged between her and Garrison.

“The party’s over,” Cassian declared. “As for the charity auction, Mr. Cloud, I expect you to remain until the end. Veyne & Co.’s donation will be handled by my assistant, Bennett.”

He set down the microphone and seized Ruby’s hand, his grip unyielding.

At that moment, Bennett returned, having just sent Gennifer off with the paramedics, and couldn’t help but grimace at the sight.

Cassian paid no heed to the shifting moods and murmurs in the crowd; without another word, he swept Ruby away.

The guests stared open-mouthed as the two of them departed, curiosity and gossip flickering in their eyes as they glanced at Garrison.

Garrison’s hand clenched at his side, knuckles white, though his face remained composed—a practiced mask, as if having his date stolen in public was of no consequence.

But those who truly knew him could see it: his jaw was so tight, he might just crack a tooth.