Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 289

She quickly spoke up, “Weren’t you the one who wanted Ruby to be condemned by everyone and come crawling back to you in the end? Now that your plan’s failed, not only is no one blaming her, but everyone’s actually apologizing! If Ruby isn’t completely backed into a corner, why would she ever think of you?”

Her words had the desired effect.

Morgan let out a cold laugh. “I’ve sent you the files by email. If you can’t handle it this time, maybe I should reconsider whether working with you is worth it.”

With that, the call ended abruptly, the flat “beep-beep” of a disconnected line ringing in Gennifer’s ear.

Gennifer’s face burned from the scolding, but she forced herself to swallow the anger and focus on what Morgan had sent her.

She opened her inbox to find an anonymous email.

As soon as she saw the contents, a slow, triumphant smile curled across her lips, the stormy mood from earlier vanishing in an instant.

Ruby, there’s no way you’ll recover from this.

Meanwhile, Ruby had no idea that someone was plotting against her again. She headed home to Northridge Manor earlier than usual.

With Mira cradled in her arms, the tension in her nerves finally began to ease.

She rocked Mira gently, scrolling through messages on her phone. Suddenly, a bold headline caught her eye: #EveryoneOwesRubyAnApology!

Ruby frowned in confusion, thinking it might be yet another hashtag mocking her. But when she tapped on it, her gaze grew sharp and serious.

Fanny was standing up for her.

A surge of emotion welled up in Ruby’s chest. She immediately dialed Fanny’s number.

The moment the call connected, Ruby blurted out, “Fanny, isn’t this going to get you in trouble at work?”

There was some noise in the background on the other end; Ruby couldn’t quite make out what was happening.

“Hold on.”

Fanny’s voice was cool and clipped. There was a brief pause, the line going almost eerily quiet. After a moment, faint rustling sounds came through.

“I didn’t do this for you.”

Fanny lifted her gaze, staring up at the rows of bright yellow lights overhead, her eyes unfocused as they rested on the familiar corridors of her workplace.

“I’m the presiding judge. If I stay silent in the face of injustice, I have no right to hold this position—no right to call myself an agent of the law.”

Even though her tone was calm, it carried a steely resolve, cold and sharp as the first frost of autumn.

Ruby felt a wave of respect for her, and yet a gentle warmth spread through her heart.

Whether Fanny was simply honoring her profession or genuinely wanted to help her—or maybe both—Ruby was undeniably the one who benefited.

“If there’s nothing else, I have to go.”

Fanny stood frozen, her body trembling.

She braced herself against the wall, only just managing to steady her breath.

Looking around at the familiar surroundings, a deep ache swept through her chest.

She loved her work. She didn’t want to see it corrupted, and she certainly didn’t want to walk away.

Being dismissed from the District Court of Quinborough would be a permanent stain on her record, a mark that would make it nearly impossible to serve in the role she loved ever again.

Her eyes dimmed, but when she looked up once more, they burned with determination.

She had chosen this path to uphold justice, and if this place was already tainted by power and corruption, staying would only betray her principles.

Fanny straightened her spine and held her head high.

A long time later, a slender, upright figure walked out through the courthouse’s grand doors, while a pair of cold, watchful eyes tracked her every step from the upper floors.

“Is it done?”

The woman’s voice was sharp and imperious.

The man who had just been so self-righteous now replied with obsequious eagerness, “Of course. She’s gone, just as you wanted!”