Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 316

The man’s tone was harsh.

Ruby, meanwhile, was completely at a loss.

Victor’s lawsuit against Farrar was going to court tomorrow; of course she was worried about whether her situation would affect Starseek Research Institute.

After all, this was Victor’s first major project in Veytura—one with enormous significance.

Cassian felt his irritation deepen as he met Ruby’s confused gaze.

“So you’re that concerned about Victor?” His voice was cold, tinged with something darker.

Ruby stared at him, baffled by his reaction, and reached for her phone. “Forget it. I won’t ask you.”

In a flash, Cassian snatched the phone right out of her hand.

“There’s nothing for you to see.”

He gave a derisive snort. “Victor and Farrar have already settled the case. It happened while I was on my way to find you.”

Ruby froze.

“Victor lost.”

Cassian glanced at her sidelong, the hint of satisfaction unmistakable in his eyes.

Ruby’s eyes flew wide in disbelief. “That’s impossible.”

The first trial had been a landslide in Victor’s favor, and she’d reviewed the appeal arguments herself—there hadn’t been any issues. How could he have lost?

Unless…

Her lips parted in shock.

Could it be that she really had dragged Victor down with her?

“What’s done is done. You’d better focus on getting better and ask him yourself,” Cassian said flatly, pocketing her phone.

Ruby was still reeling, too stunned to notice his little maneuver.

“Wait.”

She suddenly called out to him.

Cassian raised an eyebrow, turning back as he shoved her phone deeper into his pocket.

“Do you know why Mira was hospitalized?”

She stared him down, her gaze icy.

Cassian felt something twist in his chest, a sense of unease creeping in.

He frowned. “I’ve already sent someone to look into it.”

“Really?” Ruby laughed, the sound sharp and humorless. The laughter vanished as quickly as it came. “Don’t bother. It was Gennifer.”

She locked eyes with him, seemingly waiting for his reaction.

As she’d expected, the moment the name “Gennifer” left her lips, Cassian’s frown deepened. “Gennifer?”

Ruby didn’t miss the confusion and hesitation in his voice.

She laughed inwardly. Of course.

The sharp crack of the slap mingled with the sound of glass shattering on the floor.

For a moment, the room was utterly still.

Cassian’s head snapped to the side, a vivid red handprint blooming on his cheek.

A nurse, late to the scene, stood frozen in the doorway, wide-eyed and trembling. She’d walked in just in time to witness Miss Grayson slapping Mr. Veyne.

Her mind reeled with disbelief, but with both sets of eyes on her, she forced herself to act as if nothing had happened.

“I’ll—uh—I’ll clean this up right away!”

She quickly crouched down, gathered the broken glass into her tray, and hurried out, abandoning the water on the floor in her rush.

The door closed.

Cassian finally lifted his head.

Ruby’s eyes were icy, like frost on autumn leaves.

“Get out,” she said coldly.

Cassian’s anger flared to match hers, though he kept his silence. The veins on his forehead stood out as his jaw clenched. He turned on his heel and strode out.

In an instant, Ruby and a terrified, silent Mira were the only ones left in the room.

Seeing the fear in Mira’s face, Ruby pulled her close. “It’s all right,” she murmured, her voice and touch gentle—even as her eyes remained as cold and deep as a winter lake.

Outside in the hall, Cassian pulled Ruby’s phone from his pocket, only to realize she’d set a password on the lock screen.