Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 341

He scowled, his voice thunderous with authority. “I never expected Ruby would go so far, not just hurting you but saying such vile things. Once she’s finished giving blood, I’ll take her back to the Grayson estate—she’ll answer to the family for this!”

There was no mistaking the anger in his tone—every word dripped with disappointment in Ruby.

A faint smile flickered at the corners of Gennifer’s eyes, but she wiped it away in a heartbeat and slipped back into the role of the frail, suffering daughter before Hanley could notice.

“Dad…”

Suddenly, the heavy silence of the father-daughter moment shattered as the hospital door swung open with a bang.

Frieda Steele had just returned from consulting the doctors, only to catch the tail end of Ruby’s “curse” against Gennifer, every poisonous word ringing through the room.

“Did Ruby really say that to Gennifer?!”

A nurse hurried in behind her, adding, “Miss Gennifer’s blood type is rare, and she’s shown rejection even with compatible donors. Mr. Grayson’s heart condition rules him out, so his match is on hold. We need to find a suitable donor as soon as possible.”

Hanley couldn’t help but ask, “Is her surgery that urgent?”

The nurse shot a quick glance at Gennifer, then nodded emphatically. “Miss Gennifer’s injuries are extremely severe. We have to operate before dawn—every hour we wait puts her in greater danger. If we delay, it could become a matter of life and death.”

The color drained from Hanley’s face. He exchanged a grim look with Frieda. Both their eyes burned with blame—for Ruby.

If not for her, none of this would have happened…

The sky outside was just beginning to pale, dawn breaking in cold white streaks.

Ruby appeared at the doorway, battered and worn, looking as if she’d just barely survived a street fight. Frieda glowered behind her, storm clouds in her eyes.

Ruby never imagined Hanley and Frieda would go so far as to have her dragged in from Southgarde Estate while she was out. The rope around her wrist bit painfully into her skin, leaving angry red marks.

Her disheveled state startled everyone in the room, especially Gennifer, who clutched her chest in exaggerated distress, feigning a faint.

Hanley sprang to his feet. “Ruby! You’re scaring your sister!”

Ruby’s eyes were hard and cold, fixed on Hanley. “I don’t have a sister.”

Her raspy voice sent chills through the room.

They’d bribed the hospital staff—they were all in on it.

Ruby struggled. “Let go of me! She doesn’t deserve my blood!”

Hanley’s face was livid. “Ruby, if you still think of me as your father, you’ll do as you’re told!”

Ruby ignored him, fighting to break free.

Hanley snapped at the nurse. “Hold her down and start the blood test!”

Ruby wasn’t about to make it easy. She struggled wildly, scratching and kicking, leaving both the nurse and Frieda disheveled and breathless amid their cries of pain.

“That’s enough! Forget the blood test, just start the transfusion!” Hanley barked in frustration.

Ruby stared at him in disbelief.

She and Gennifer weren’t even related by blood. How could Hanley be so sure this would work?