Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 297

This time, Mira obediently opened her mouth, letting the warm, fragrant aroma of the porridge drift through the air.

She finished the small bowl in no time, licking her lips in contentment.

Seeing Mira was full, Ruby set the bowl aside and climbed onto the bed, settling beside her to tell a story.

At first, Mira echoed Ruby’s words with wide, confused eyes, but after a while, her eyelids fluttered closed and she drifted off into a deep sleep.

Cradling Mira’s soft, peaceful face, Ruby felt her heart melt.

She gently laid Mira down, tucking the blankets around her small body.

The room was utterly still. After a whole day of turmoil, Ruby’s restless heart finally calmed, her breathing slowing in the hush.

She didn’t feel sleepy yet. Taking out her phone, she started to scroll through messages, but after just a quick glance, she suddenly sat up straight.

Fanny had published evidence online—documents Victor had submitted to the court.

The comments section was soon flooded with legal professionals, all analyzing the evidence Fanny had provided.

The consensus was clear: Victor’s side had an airtight case.

Fanny, using her officially verified account, was bombarded with private messages, but she responded with a firm public statement.

“My relationship with Ruby is strictly professional. Our paths only crossed due to our work. Victor’s trial was the first time we met or contacted each other after her release.”

Still, many users refused to believe her, and the torrent of insults in the comments barely slowed.

Yet gradually, more and more respected lawyers spoke up, offering support. Many had worked cases in the District Court of Quinborough, some alongside Fanny herself.

Unlike the online mob, these attorneys understood the respect Fanny commanded as chief judge. Cases others had given up on had found justice in her courtroom.

“What? How could she have backup copies?!”

Meanwhile, night had fallen—thick and impenetrable. Gennifer was the first to call, demanding answers.

The man on the other end stammered, “I... I have no idea. That shouldn’t be possible...”

After Victor submitted the evidence, the court had kept it sealed—never leaked, never returned.

No one had anticipated that Fanny would keep a trump card.

The man gritted his teeth.

That lunatic—she was going to ruin them all!

“You’re all useless!”

Gennifer ended the call in a rage, immediately reaching out to hire trolls and use every connection she had to try to erase the lawyers’ statements from the web.

But for every voice she managed to silence, two more would spring up in its place.

It was endless. Gennifer was left sweating and frustrated, with nothing to show for her efforts.

In a fit of anger, she tossed her phone onto the bed.

Why did Ruby get all the luck?!

Ruby, unaware of Gennifer’s meltdown, kept a close eye on public opinion online. The narrative had shifted in real time: from “Ruby colluded with Fanny” to “The truth comes out—Ruby is the real victim.”

Sensing his cold tone, Bennett quickly found an excuse to end the call.

When the call disconnected, Cassian set his phone aside.

Earlier that day, he’d promised Gennifer he’d pressure Farrar, not realizing it would drag Ruby into an even bigger scandal. He’d had Bennett gathering evidence to try to make amends almost immediately.

This outcome was no surprise to him.

Still—

His brow furrowed, casting deep shadows over his sharp features.

Cassian’s mind was in turmoil, haunted by the image of Ruby’s furious, accusing glare.

He was used to power, accustomed to control.

But with her, he was powerless.

Cassian sighed, watching the smoke curl from his cigarette.

At the same time, Gennifer, now calling Morgan, was left frozen in disbelief.

Morgan’s voice came through the receiver, mocking and cold. “Honestly, Gennifer, you’re pathetic.”

Gennifer’s fingers trembled.

Only now did it dawn on her that Ruby’s sudden change in fortunes was no accident.

But what she hadn’t expected was that Cassian would be the one pulling the strings.