Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 288

Her answer was, as always, unwavering.

“Please, just leave me alone!”

As expected, the brilliant warmth in his eyes faded.

Ruby turned and walked away.

This time, Sylas didn’t follow.

Her fingers tightened around her purse.

I’m sorry, Sylas.

…

Veyne & Co.

Cassian flipped through the documents Bennett had provided, his brow deeply furrowed.

“Ruby’s side won the case?”

His voice was cool, tinged with surprise.

“Yes,” Bennett replied. “Miss Gennifer’s client, Mr. Farrar, wasn’t happy with the outcome—or with Miss Gennifer’s performance. He stormed in here a little while ago, so I asked Miss Gennifer to take him back to her office and handle it.”

Cassian’s eyes darkened, his gaze drifting over the pile of files on his desk, his expression unreadable.

How could Gennifer lose to Ruby?

All of Ruby’s previous triumphs as a lawyer had been thanks to Gennifer’s efforts behind the scenes. This was the first time they’d faced off in court—how could Ruby have come out on top?

A heavy, puzzled silence hung in the air. Bennett could sense Cassian’s confusion.

“Bennett,” Cassian said abruptly, looking up and meeting Bennett’s eyes. “Do you really believe someone like Ruby, who’s built her reputation by taking credit for other people’s work, could actually beat Gennifer in practice?”

After losing her license, Ruby had spent an entire year in prison. There was no way she could have honed her legal skills in there. Meanwhile, Gennifer had become Veyne & Co.’s top attorney, with access to sensitive case files and high-profile clients thanks to the firm’s resources.

By any measure—experience or theory—Gennifer should have had the upper hand.

Bennett’s heart skipped a beat. Two faces flashed through his mind. Ruby—poised, independent, resilient; Gennifer—delicate, almost fragile, the sort of woman who’d clearly been cherished her whole life. If he judged purely by character, he’d be inclined to side with Ruby.

He glanced at Mr. Veyne’s tightly knit brow, pressed his lips together, and wisely kept his thoughts to himself.

“Start controlling the media buzz about this,” Cassian ordered with a wave of his hand, dismissing Bennett.

She’d lost her reputation with this one case, and Farrar had only made things worse by barging into Veyne & Co. Meanwhile, Ruby had won both public sympathy and professional acclaim—she’d even managed to make the entire internet feel guilty.

Why?

Would she always be one step behind Ruby?

Gennifer’s expression twisted with anger. Unable to restrain herself, she dialed Morgan Blackwood, her words spilling out harsh and fast, edged with fury. “Didn’t you say everything was taken care of? Why is someone still coming forward to defend Ruby?!”

Silence greeted her on the other end—then a low, irritated laugh. “Gennifer, your incompetence lost Farrar’s case. I’ve already done plenty for you, and now I’m your scapegoat?”

Morgan tapped his fingers against his desk, his voice icy. “It cost me a lot of favors and money to grease the wheels at court. I should be the one asking you to explain.”

The danger in his tone made Gennifer stiffen; only then did she realize just how much she’d come to depend on Morgan for everything.

“We’re supposed to be partners… You said the court contacts were handled, so I brought Veyne & Co.’s—” She forced herself to lower her voice, struggling to hide her frustration. “But now the judge has spoken publicly, and our plan to frame Ruby has completely failed…”

Morgan didn’t respond.

The silence on the other end made Gennifer’s heart pound.

Here in Quinborough, apart from Cassian, she didn’t have anyone else to rely on. Every trick she had left required Morgan’s help.