Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 265

Some time ago, with Gennifer’s assistance, Veyne & Co. had managed to resolve a major crisis, and thanks to that, she’d been promoted and given a raise by the academy. Only then did she realize that this so-called unremarkable student of hers had become the very reason for her own meteoric rise.

“Does Cassian know about this?” someone asked.

Ruby gave a dry, dismissive laugh, barely pausing as she took another bite of her dessert.

Victor’s indifference and Ruby’s open scorn left the two newcomers thoroughly deflated. The older man, undeterred, shifted his attention to Ramsey. “Your reputation in the legal world is already in tatters. I imagine all your old friends have abandoned you by now. I never thought you’d stoop so low as to associate with people even more disgraceful than yourself!”

With that single sentence, the old man managed to insult both Ruby and Victor.

Ruby and Victor exchanged a glance, the corners of their mouths twitching in disbelief.

Was this guy really treating them like fools? Saying something so brazen to their faces?

Ruby massaged her temples, her patience wearing dangerously thin.

“If you don’t leave right now,” she said coldly, “let’s see whose name carries more weight in this city—Cassian’s wife, or you, his little side project.”

She slapped her fork down on the table. Every trace of warmth vanished from her face, replaced by a tense, icy glare.

She hadn’t wanted to bring up Cassian, but sometimes necessity won out.

Not that it wasn’t effective.

Gennifer’s expression shifted several times in the space of a heartbeat, the words “side project” hitting her like a slap.

The commotion had already drawn the attention of nearby diners, who kept glancing over to see what was happening.

Gennifer could only hurry her professor back to their seats, forcing down a few more mouthfuls before beating a hasty retreat. But not before shooting Ruby a venomous glare on her way out.

Ruby, unbothered, ignored it.

What did trouble her, though, was that she’d just used Cassian’s name. She hated relying on him, but she couldn’t deny how effective it was. And lately, his odd behavior had started to make her question whether his feelings for Gennifer were as deep and unwavering as she’d always assumed.

Conflicting thoughts passed through Ruby’s eyes, but then she let out a quiet sigh. So what if she’d invoked Cassian’s name? Reputation was just that—reputation. In the end, it was external, not essential. They weren’t even divorced yet; she had every right to use his name without guilt.

Looking up, she realized an awkward tension had settled over the table.

“What’s wrong?” she finally asked.

Ramsey’s hand trembled slightly as he set his fork down. He lowered his head. “Miss Grayson, you’re all smart people. You heard what that old man said just now. Isn’t there something you want to ask me?”

Only now did Ruby truly look at him, and in that moment, she saw the defeat, the inner struggle, and a kind of desperate resignation in his eyes.

“Afterwards, I found myself unwelcome in most legal circles. My family’s well-off, so I often took on pro bono cases for the poor. Pretty soon, the profession shunned me for ‘undercutting’ the market. They came together to find any excuse to tarnish my name. I love this work, but by the end, my reputation was so ruined that even when I still offered help for free, people assumed I had some ulterior motive.”

Ramsey’s shoulders slumped.

Ruby’s gaze lingered on him.

She remembered the first day she met Ramsey—he hadn’t exuded charisma, but he was upright and full of quiet energy, shoulders squared. Now, they seemed to droop under an invisible weight.

She couldn’t help but think of herself.

Being forced away from something you love—nothing feels more powerless.

“Victor’s case still needs you, Mr. Blake,” Ruby said gently, offering him a piece of cake. “Let’s just take this first step as the beginning. From here on, it’s up and up. Someone with your heart should be leading the profession, setting a better example.”

Ramsey looked up, startled, a rush of warmth softening his weathered, wrinkled face.

For a fleeting moment, it was as if hope had broken through the gloom.

Victor smiled, watching the exchange. This was the Ms. Grayson he knew—someone who respected the law, and even more so, respected integrity.

“Thank you, Miss Grayson,” Ramsey said, voice steady with sincerity.