Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 357

Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose and took the glass, downing it in one gulp before handing the empty cup back.

The whole room seemed to shift, a strange tension filling the air.

The group exchanged glances. Moments ago, these privileged sons of wealthy families had been all jokes and bravado, but now, one of them sobered up fast, scooting over to sit by Cassian’s side. “Cassian, what’s going on with you?”

It was well-known that Cassian valued keeping a clear head; he barely touched alcohol, especially in public, and the ritual of offering him a drink was usually just for show. No one expected him to actually accept, let alone drink so readily.

The guys shot each other looks, each seeing the same surprise mirrored in the others’ eyes.

“I’m fine.”

Cassian’s response was curt, his face stone-cold. He reached over, snatched the glass back, and gave it a little shake.

A young waitress, picking up on his cue, stepped forward and refilled his glass.

Cassian knocked it back, just as quickly.

The oddness of it all left everyone unsettled.

“Is it Gennifer? She getting to you?”

The ringleader of the group ventured the question, careful with his words.

After all, with Veyne & Co. dominating Quinborough, what could possibly bother Cassian at work? If it wasn’t business, it had to be something personal.

No one thought it was his ex-convict wife, Ruby—she was old news. That left only his mistress, Gennifer.

And Gennifer had been caught up in plenty lately.

She’d finally unseated his sister Ruby to become the top attorney in Quinborough, only to take on a nearly impossible case and end up squaring off against Ruby, who’d just been released from prison. She lost, and now everyone was questioning her credentials.

At the mention of Ruby, Cassian’s irritation was obvious.

“Shut up. Enough.”

His voice was cold as he dismissed them.

Cassian had chosen a shadowed corner of the booth, where the dim violet glow from the ceiling barely reached. His sharp features, half-obscured by darkness, made him look like some silent Greek statue.

With Cassian’s clear refusal, the group was quick to drop the subject and revert to their own chatter—louder, rowdier, anything to fill the tension.

This was the ringleader’s birthday party. He’d invited Cassian countless times, only to be turned down with the usual excuse of being too busy. Still, as friends, they kept waiting. Cassian was about to leave the country, and tonight was their last chance to see him.

Cassian rubbed his temples, the noise around him suddenly grating.

“Come in!” someone shouted.

“I don’t want to!”

Her heel landed squarely, and the guy’s face twisted with rage.

“You dare?” he snapped, his hand pulling back, ready to strike.

But before he could swing, a firm hand caught his wrist.

Cassian had risen at some point, stepping between them.

“Enough. You’re all too loud,” he said coldly, his gaze icy.

The would-be assailant flinched, dropping his hand immediately.

“Mr. Veyne—” the birthday boy scrambled to smooth things over as soon as he saw what was happening.

“You’re drunk. Get out.” He shoved the guy aside with his foot and helped the shaken waitress to her feet. “Are you alright?”

As he spoke, he shot a quick glance at Cassian, trying to gauge his mood.

Cassian just stood there, his eyes fixed on the waitress, as if she reminded him of someone he couldn’t quite forget.