Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 363

With that, he rose and strode back to his study, leaving Frieda alone on the sofa, Hanley’s footsteps fading down the hallway. Her face clouded over, but her chest was tight with frustration.

All she could do was grab a napkin from the coffee table and shred it in her hands, tearing and twisting until she finally tossed the crumpled pieces into the trash can in a fit of anger.

If it weren’t for that ungrateful daughter Ruby, she wouldn’t have lost all standing in the Grayson family. Thank goodness for Gennifer…

As soon as Ruby’s bedroom door clicked shut, Gennifer turned and dialed Morgan Blackwood.

“I saw the divorce papers on Cassian’s desk. He’s already signed them. The split between him and Ruby is a done deal.”

She lifted her chin in triumph.

He’d doubted her before, even refused to help, convinced she couldn’t pull it off without him.

But she’d proven him wrong—Morgan’s help or not, she’d made it happen.

There was a pause on the other end before Morgan finally spoke, his tone measured. He said someone named Mickey was up to something, and added, “All the rumors swirling online lately—they’re tied to your family, aren’t they?”

The sudden accusation put Gennifer instantly on guard.

“Morgan, don’t kid yourself. Just because Ruby’s divorcing Cassian doesn’t mean she’ll suddenly fall for you. There are plenty of high-profile men circling her now. Childhood sweethearts? Please, she’s long forgotten you.”

Her words were laced with mockery, but Morgan didn’t rise to the bait.

Ruby was a traditional, gentle soul. She’d been to prison, she was raising a child—no one but him could really suit her.

“Gennifer, just because Ruby and Cassian are over doesn’t mean you’re the next Mrs. Grayson. Maybe instead of throwing jabs at me, you should worry about how to win Cassian over. I’ve heard he’s been hung over lately, turning down project after project—and The Blackwood Group has been scooping them up one by one. You might want to worry that by the time you finally marry him, the title of Quinborough’s richest might have changed hands.”

Morgan flicked his lighter absentmindedly, his voice lazy with a sharp edge.

Gennifer’s expression twisted in anger. “Don’t flatter yourself. Cassian will always be Quinborough’s richest, and I’m the only one fit to be his wife.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Beeps sounded as the call cut off—harsh and grating.

Gennifer pressed a hand to her chest, unsettled. After a moment’s thought, she made another call. “Things have gotten out of hand. There’s no need for you to steer the conversation anymore—get out as cleanly as you can.”

She’d barely finished speaking when someone knocked sharply at her door.

“Gennifer, come out—now!”

In her memory, her father Hanley had always been the composed patriarch, unflappable and authoritative. She’d never seen him this flustered.

Ruby’s hardline stance silenced the rumors in a heartbeat. Popular posts vanished at lightning speed, deleted before anyone could blink.

“My God, what kind of people are these? Sleeping with your best friend’s husband, sneaking your illegitimate child into the family, living in luxury for over a decade? If I were Ruby, I’d be sick to my stomach.”

“Am I the only one who thinks these rumors are just a cover to drag Ruby down? This reeks of a Grayson scheme. No wonder she finally decided to speak out.”

“Neglected by her parents, but still managed to become Quinborough’s top attorney and a brilliant designer? If it were me, I’d have fallen apart already.”

…

The internet was ablaze. The Graysons’ latest post was bombarded with insults, and their stock price was surging out of control.

By the time Gennifer finished reading, she nearly fainted with rage.

“How did she find out about all that?” she ground out through clenched teeth.

Hanley’s nerves were on edge too. “That was all years ago—we covered our tracks. I have no idea how Ruby managed to dig it all up!”

Suddenly, Ruby’s eyes widened, signaling Hanley to keep quiet.

Urgent footsteps thundered toward them.