Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 260

As soon as Gennifer finished speaking, Fitch’s movements halted, his expression troubled as he looked to Ruby for direction.

Ruby’s brows knit together. She gave a cold, mocking laugh, ready to retort—

“Then please leave.”

The lazy, arrogant voice came from the doorway.

Irritated at being interrupted, Gennifer and her companions turned toward the sound—only for the two older women to fall silent, momentarily stunned. Even Gennifer’s annoyance flickered into a dazed blankness before she regained her composure.

Sylas Cunningham lounged against the doorframe, his gaze restless and unreadable as sunlight filtered in, casting soft highlights over Ruby. He seemed in unusually good spirits; otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered to echo Ruby’s demand for them to get out. With his temperament, he’d likely have had the three women physically thrown out already.

Fitch wasted no time. After all, he couldn’t argue against the lady of the house, but Sylas—her husband’s nephew—outranked everyone here.

He stepped forward without hesitation. “Ladies, please. Let’s not make a scene.”

Frieda and Elin, for all their arrogance, exchanged a wary glance. They came from powerful families and knew when not to push their luck. Instead, they shot Gennifer a look that was equal parts blame and plea for help.

Gennifer, however, was less composed. Her face clouded over, dark with anger.

“Make a scene?”

She repeated the words with a scowl, her hands never pausing as she set her phone down. She fixed Fitch with a glare. “If you dare lay a finger on my family, don’t think I’ll let you off easily!”

It was a naked threat. The sweet, gentle persona Gennifer usually maintained had vanished.

Ruby gave a cold laugh, raising an eyebrow at Fitch.

Fitch didn’t bother with further warnings. He reached out—

Smack!

Elin was quick; she lashed out, slapping his arm away before he could get close. Fitch winced, snatching his hand back, a long red scratch from her sharp nails glaring on his exposed forearm.

“This is Northridge Manor, Gennifer,” Ruby’s voice rang out, strong and sharp. “I don’t care what role you play in Cassian’s life or how much he favors you, but hear me now: if you try anything else, I promise you—even Cassian himself might not be able to protect you.”

Her tone cut through the room, leaving no room for argument.

Sylas didn’t intervene right away. Instead, he watched Ruby with a small, approving smile, clearly impressed by her composure and resolve.

Ruby, by contrast, was the picture of cold composure, though the rise and fall of her chest betrayed her fury.

“Take Miss Mira inside!” Ruby ordered, her voice sharp as steel. Even the housekeeper flinched at her tone, a cold sweat breaking out down her back as she hurried away with the baby.

Sylas straightened up from the wall, his relaxed posture gone.

The living room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the distant patter of the housekeeper’s steps and Mira’s indignant babbling: “Bad! Bad!”

Her childish voice echoed, repeating the word over and over.

Elin’s face was turning an ugly shade of purple.

Gennifer rushed to her side, checking her cheek. After only a few minutes, a swollen welt had already risen, hot and angry to the touch. Elin rolled her eyes, nearly fainting from the pain.

“Sis, you’ve gone too far!” Gennifer cried, her voice full of outrage as she turned on Ruby.

But while the three women’s faces twisted with anger and pain, Ruby stood calm and unyielding, a chill in her gaze that made the whole room feel colder.