Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 277

Unlike the tense anxiety she felt around Ruby and Garrison, she faced Cassian with calm composure, meeting his gaze without a trace of hesitation or emotion.

Cassian’s brow furrowed so deeply it was as if a knot had formed between his eyes.

But the girl simply turned and walked away, unconcerned.

Gennifer watched Cassian’s displeased expression with careful interest. Though she felt a twinge of frustration, there was also an undeniable sense of satisfaction.

Ruby was an absolute fool—trying to get Cassian’s attention with a stunt like that had only managed to irritate him.

A calculating glint flickered in Gennifer’s eyes as she decided to stoke the fire. “Cassian, my sister is really too impulsive sometimes.”

Cassian let out a bitter laugh. “And who could ever hope to rein her in?”

His words were laced with biting sarcasm.

Sensing his growing annoyance toward Ruby, Gennifer felt even more pleased with herself, oblivious to the touch of resentment and jealousy that lingered beneath his tone.

Meanwhile, Ruby and Garrison had already gotten into the car.

Garrison glanced at Ruby. “What made you suddenly decide to adopt Sarah?”

Ruby rested her head on her hand, a smile touching her eyes. “You didn’t hand over your donation, either, did you?”

She glanced pointedly at the check in his hand.

It was a sizable sum—enough to renovate the entire orphanage and provide the children with better meals if given to the director.

They exchanged a knowing smile.

The children’s meals were meager, leaving most of them thin and frail, while the director was conspicuously well-fed. It was hard not to suspect that funds were being siphoned off at the top.

“I’ll have my assistant convert the donation into supplies and deliver them directly to the rural school,” Garrison said with a faint smile.

Ruby nodded in agreement.

“Take me to this research institute,” she told the driver, handing over an address.

She’d originally planned to stop by her studio in the morning and meet Victor in the afternoon, but Garrison’s arrangements at the orphanage had thrown off her schedule.

Ruby glanced at her watch. The timing for her appointment with Victor was just about right.

“Starseek Research Institute?” Garrison repeated the address, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“You’ve heard of it?” Ruby asked.

“Of course.” Garrison nodded. “I heard they’ve been expanding in Veytura lately. The institute used to be a top facility overseas, but apparently, they’ve run into some trouble.”

He looked at Ruby with curiosity. “But how do you know about them?”

There was no obvious connection between a designer and a research institute.

Ruby shrugged, keeping her cards close. “Let’s just say it probably has something to do with the trouble you mentioned.”

“Oh?” Garrison raised an eyebrow.

Ramsey, unfazed, started laying out the files for her to review with the pride of a schoolboy showing off a project. “These are everything Mr. Hargrove’s assistant and I pulled together for you. Take a look.”

Ruby nodded. “I’ve seen them—they’re thorough.”

Ramsey beamed with delight.

Just then, Victor’s assistant entered, carefully carrying a tray with a cup of tea.

Her gaze fell on Ruby first, the same uncomfortable, probing look as before.

Ruby frowned slightly and looked away. Since the assistant didn’t work for her, she had no reason to say anything.

Ramsey, oblivious to the tension, eagerly grabbed the cup. “Ms. Grayson, this is a special blend I picked out myself. You have to try it!”

“Mr. Blake!” the assistant suddenly cried out, rushing to stop him.

Ramsey jumped, startled. “What’s wrong now?”

Under the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes, the assistant shrank back and muttered, “There was only enough tea brewed for one person.”

If Ruby drank it, there wouldn’t be any left.

Ramsey just laughed. “Is that all? I’ll just make some more!”

Without hesitation, he poured a cup and handed it to Ruby.

Ruby had been about to refuse, but after the assistant’s outburst, she accepted the tea with a smile, throwing a meaningful look in the assistant’s direction—saying everything without a word.