Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 311

The scene inside was so gruesome that even the toughest men with Bennett had their faces twisted in shock, shrinking away from the ring of bodyguards surrounding them as if they’d just seen a ghost.

Bennett took control of the abandoned auto shop with ruthless efficiency. Just from the number of people they’d dug out, he knew something was off.

After a brief investigation, it became clear: this was the hideout of a notorious crime syndicate—one that had always danced on the edge of arrest but somehow managed to stay untouchable.

“Bennett…”

A bodyguard leaned in to whisper something. Bennett’s brow furrowed. “Show me.”

They quickly made their way to a room that, compared to the rest of the dilapidated building, was surprisingly tidy. A couple of overturned bottles of skincare products sat on the dresser.

Bennett scowled and tore the place apart, turning up some makeup and a few black hairpins.

No doubt about it—this was a woman’s room.

And judging by the treatment, she must be someone important.

“Who lives here?” he demanded.

Back outside, Bennett joined the group crouched near the warehouse entrance, passing around photos he’d just snapped of the room.

One glance, and the men looked as if they’d seen a monster.

Only a young man in the corner, too inexperienced to hide his reaction, caved under questioning. “She only takes orders from the boss,” he blurted.

The boss…

Bennett’s frown deepened. This ran even deeper than he’d feared.

As the words “the boss” hung in the air, Bennett scanned the faces in front of him. All he saw was a mix of fear and confusion.

He straightened up, cutting the conversation short.

“Take them downstairs and hand them over to the Quinborough police.”

…

News of Ruby’s rescue hadn’t yet broken, but the District Court of Quinborough had already erupted into chaos.

Ramsey stood, every word sharp as a blade, leaving Gennifer pale as a sheet.

She clutched her pen, fingers white-knuckled, trying desperately to hide her nerves. But the strain was obvious.

Victor pinched the bridge of his nose, his head throbbing.

He should never have brought him here. He never expected this outcome, but the choice had been made.

Farrar, watching the proceedings tilt almost entirely in Ramsey’s favor, shook his head to clear the lingering haze of last night’s drinks. He exploded: “Gennifer, didn’t you say we couldn’t possibly—”

“Mm—”

Gennifer’s eyes snapped wide, but her mentor reacted first, clapping a hand over Farrar’s mouth and shoving him roughly back into his seat.

At the bench sat a new, unfamiliar male judge, glancing at a small note clipped to the stack of files.

It was from his superior, slipped to him just minutes ago, urging him to do whatever he could to help Gennifer.

But…

He looked up at the courtroom.

Ramsey was practically glowing with confidence, while Victor’s face had gone dark.

On Farrar’s side, every face was gray with defeat.

The thought made his heart skip a beat.

Just then, he noticed Ruby’s absence.

Was she missing for a good reason, or would she never return?

Gennifer shot him a warning look.

Elated, Farrar straightened his jacket and cleared his throat, sitting up with feigned arrogance.

He stood. “Well, since Starseek Research Institute has admitted to plagiarizing our patent, what’s left for the court to decide?”

Ramsey, drained, slumped back in his chair.

Victor’s expression remained unchanged, as if he’d rehearsed this scene a thousand times.

“In light of the fact that Starseek Research Institute’s technology hasn’t yet been released to the public,” the judge read, “the court orders Starseek to compensate the plaintiff for emotional distress and to publish a formal clarification on all public platforms, restoring the reputation of Blake Tech Solutions.”

The verdict was final. The case was closed.

Ramsey’s earlier thrill at being in court had evaporated; he looked defeated, like a rooster with no fight left.

Farrar, on the other hand, strutted over to Victor, positively gloating.

Gennifer came to stand nearby.

“Victor, I told you, you can’t beat me. Did you really think working for Mr. Veyne, then jumping ship to another country, would get you anywhere?”

Farrar looked Victor up and down with open disdain.

Gennifer, feigning curiosity, deliberately glanced behind Victor. “So, is your sister missing today because she knew there was no way to win this trial?”