Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 368

One offhand remark was all it took—Hanley was instantly on edge.

He dropped his phone and shoved the mess into Frieda’s lap. “I need to get back to the office, right now. You handle things here with Gennifer.”

Without another word, he strode out and climbed into his car, slamming the door behind him. The engine roared to life, exhaust swirling in the air as he sped away, leaving behind a stunned crowd—and a bewildered, lost-looking Frieda.

If Hanley and Gennifer hadn’t warned her, she might have actually believed Ruby’s explanation online.

But now she was supposed to take charge?

Gennifer shot a glance at Frieda, who stood frozen in place, and barely suppressed a frustrated sigh.

Useless.

Still, it was up to her to put on a brave face. With a strained smile, she apologized to the gathering crowd that had hurried over.

“I’m terribly sorry, everyone. There’s been an emergency at Grayson Group, and my father had to leave right away.”

As she explained Hanley’s sudden departure, she kept one eye on Cassian, gauging his reaction. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “I’m sure you’ve all heard some rumors. It’s about my sister…”

She bit her lip, looking aggrieved. “Since Ruby refuses to come back, all we can do is accept our misfortune. I’m so sorry you all came out here for nothing.”

Gennifer bowed deeply, her sincerity softening the crowd’s complaints.

“We stood up for Ruby, but after what we just saw, I think we backed the wrong person!” someone grumbled, their voice cutting through the murmurs like a stone tossed into a still pond, stirring up a chorus of agreement.

“Exactly! Did you see how she treated her elders? Clearly, she’s not the victim here—Miss Gennifer is the real lady of the house!”

One by one, voices joined in, and soon the tide had turned—nearly everyone had switched sides.

Watching how deftly she’d steered the crowd’s emotions, Gennifer stayed outwardly humble and polite, though inside she was nearly giddy with triumph.

“For everyone’s trouble today, Grayson Group will be covering all your travel expenses,” she announced firmly.

The crowd’s mood brightened at her promise. They gradually dispersed, leaving Cassian standing apart from the rest.

He hesitated, his eyes lingering on Gennifer, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. He’d always thought he understood her, but there was something subtly manipulative in her words just now.

Cassian rubbed his brow, wondering if he was just imagining things.

“Cassian, aren’t you going to wait for my sister?” Gennifer looked up, studying him.

Her voice was gentle but resolute, as if she was determined to stand her ground no matter what.

Cassian studied her, a heaviness settling over him. Things had gotten so tangled, he could barely tell truth from lies anymore.

He knew how the Graysons had treated Ruby—he’d always thought they were just a bit too strict. But he’d never imagined Ruby would go so far, dragging Gennifer’s late mother into it, even taking aim at the Grayson Group itself.

“Alright,” he replied curtly, rubbing his temple in frustration.

Gennifer’s eyes flitted up to his, then dropped again, her whole posture radiating hurt and dejection.

Frieda stepped forward protectively beside her and couldn’t help snapping at Cassian. “Mr. Veyne, I don’t know what Ruby’s told you since she got out, but she grew up with me and her grandmother. Lying was always second nature to her. Why else would I have left my own daughter in her grandmother’s care? I never expected she’d grow up to slander the woman who saved my life!”

Frieda’s voice shook with outrage as she thrust her phone at Cassian, displaying a death certificate.

After Hanley returned to Grayson Group, he had his assistant send the document to Frieda.

Cassian had heard the stories—the Graysons, the car accident over a decade ago. He vaguely remembered: Violet had fallen off a cliff while shielding Frieda, her body never recovered, and after two days in the city morgue, she’d been cremated.

As a daughter, even if Ruby wanted to take down the Graysons, dragging Violet’s name into it was a step too far.