Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 290

Gennifer allowed herself a sly smile.

It wasn’t just Quinborough—across Veytura, and really, the entire world—power was the only thing that truly mattered.

Ruby, did you really think a bit of personal history could change the way things are?

Satisfied, she was about to hang up when the man’s nervous voice cut in, almost pleading, “Miss Gennifer, I did exactly as you asked. You promised me—”

Gennifer gave a cold, dismissive laugh. “We’re not finished yet,” she said, her tone dripping with arrogance. “Once the next hearing goes my way, you’ll get your reward. You have my word.”

At that, the man’s face broke into a wide, sycophantic smile. He hurried to assure her that nobody would dare cross her again.

Gennifer ended the call and, after a moment’s thought, dialed Frieda.

“Gennifer? What’s gotten into you, calling your mother out of the blue?”

Frieda sounded surprised—delighted, even—when she picked up.

Ever since Frieda’s last outburst at Northridge Manor, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Gennifer seemed colder, more distant than before. They were living in the same apartment building for now, but Gennifer never sought her out, always refusing her offers to deliver homemade soup with the same line: “Work is for business, not for eating.”

Frieda had started to worry that her own daughter was growing estranged from her. So when Gennifer’s call finally came, she could hardly believe it.

“Mom…”

The word trembled out of the receiver, thick with tears.

Frieda’s heart leapt to her throat. She clutched the phone tighter. “What’s wrong, Gennifer? Has someone hurt you? Tell me who it is—your mother will take care of it!”

Gennifer’s voice was choked with grievance. “Mom, Auntie, I didn’t want to burden you, but what my sister did this time was just… unforgivable!”

She spun the whole story on its head, painting herself as the victim: Ruby had supposedly colluded with Fanny to sabotage Farrar, driving him to storm into the company and cause a scene.

Sniffling, Gennifer continued, “I tried to let it go—it’s Ruby, after all—but Farrar’s outburst at the office has everyone talking. If my sister doesn’t come forward and clarify, I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to keep working at Veyne & Co. with any peace of mind.”

She sounded downright pitiable. Frieda’s voice immediately climbed an octave, shrill with outrage. “Is Ruby trying to start a rebellion? How could she stoop to such dirty tricks against her own sister? When she’s not around, it’s you who’s there for me—she should be grateful, not doing this to you!”

Frieda was so worked up that her chest heaved, and Elin rushed over to calm her down.

Elin pressed close to the phone, her words sharp and fast. “That Ruby—she’s lost her mind. Always jealous of you, I said so from the beginning. Who knew she could be so vicious? It’s just a shame Gennifer isn’t her real daughter…”

Though Elin tried to soothe Frieda, her words only fanned the flames.

Frieda slammed her hand on the table. “Don’t worry, Gennifer. Your mother will stand up for you. I’m going to confront her right now and see what she’s playing at!”

Gennifer exchanged a few more perfunctory words with Frieda before hanging up, the satisfaction in her eyes flickering like a candle flame.

She curled her lips in triumph.

Before she could react, Frieda barged forward, wedging her arm between the door and the frame to keep Ruby from closing it.

“Ruby! Must you always go against your sister?!”

With Ruby unable to shut the door, Frieda shot her a glare, all stern matriarch, ready to put the rebellious child in her place.

Ruby took one look and understood exactly what was happening. But she had no time for their theatrics today.

“Move,” she snapped, her voice ice-cold.

Frieda and Elin both flinched, but quickly recovered, their anger flaring. “Are you rebelling, Ruby? Is this how you speak to your elders?” Frieda barked.

Elin jumped in, piling on, “I told you—an outsider raised God knows where could never compare to Gennifer, who’s been cared for and watched over all her life. Just look at that attitude!”

She swept her gaze over Ruby, her eyes filled with contempt and challenge.

Ruby’s frustration nearly twisted her brow into a knot, but her concern for Fanny kept her focused. She clenched her fists, refusing to be baited.

With a determined shove, she tried to push past Frieda.

But the second her hand brushed Frieda’s arm, Frieda let out a theatrical wail and dropped to the floor, clutching her leg and sobbing, “Ruby, you think you’re all grown up now, huh? You dare lay a hand on me!”

Ruby stared at her, momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected Frieda to drop her society-lady act so easily, just for the sake of making trouble.