Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 384

Sylas arched an eyebrow at her, his gaze sweeping over her with a wicked, untamed charm.

Ruby felt as though something slammed against her chest.

She lowered her lashes, and when she looked up again, her eyes were glinting with ice.

“Ms. Steele, I haven’t been part of the Graysons for a long time. If you have something to say, save it for the press.”

She clapped her hands, the sharp sound echoing through the empty lobby. Instantly, a group of security guards hurried in, visibly sweating.

They’d tried to keep Hanley and the flood of reporters out but had failed; it was all they could do to force their way in after the fact.

“Our offices aren’t open to the public,” Ruby said, lifting her chin with a warning in her eyes. “Trespassing is a criminal offense. We could press charges.”

Sylas, lounging nearby, pointed lazily to several corners. “There are high-definition cameras everywhere.”

The commotion died in an instant. All eyes shifted to Hanley, waiting for his cue.

Ruby swept her gaze over the crowd before her. She didn’t know when they’d all gone silent, but now they seemed restless, some even itching to slip away.

Hanley’s face stiffened. He’d only meant to stir up public outrage against Ruby; if this escalated into a legal mess, it would ruin any chance he had of regaining control of the company.

He coughed into his fist and cleared his throat. “Ruby, the Grayson family is my life’s work. Even if you think we’ve treated you unfairly, why take it out on the Grayson Group? Are you trying to kill your own father?”

He slipped back into his polished, upper-class persona, furrowing his brow as though genuinely worrying for his daughter.

He cast a long, meaningful look around the room. “You’re the only daughter of the Graysons. Sooner or later, the company will be yours anyway. Why go through all this trouble?”

Ruby crossed her arms, watching Hanley’s performance with cold amusement.

Sometimes you had to admit, shamelessness could be a talent. He’d stormed in, ready to condemn her, but the moment she struck back, he donned the mask of a concerned parent acting for her own good.

Gennifer stood off to the side. Though the words made her uncomfortable, she knew this was their only chance to stall and bit back her protest in silence.

“Alright, then.”

Ruby’s lips curled into a sudden smile.

Everyone in the room froze.

Hanley’s eyes lit up. “You agree, Ruby?”

Hanley’s eyes rolled in anger, and it was only Frieda’s steadying hand that kept him upright.

“Ruby, even if you’re upset, how can you curse your own father like that?” Gennifer seized the moment, her face a picture of wounded indignation.

Ruby’s gaze slid right past her, treating Gennifer as if she didn’t exist.

The silent contempt cut deeper than any retort, leaving Gennifer fuming.

Frieda stepped in, squaring off with Ruby. “Your father’s already humbled himself this much, and you still put on airs? Fine! Pretend you’re not my daughter, but you’ll never take the Grayson Group from us!”

She tried to haul Hanley away, but he resisted, shooting her a desperate look.

Ruby now held forty percent of the shares—Hanley, the largest single shareholder, had forty-three. If Ruby surpassed him, the company and chairmanship would be hers. He couldn’t let that happen.

“Mom, don’t overreact,” Gennifer urged, fanning the flames. “Ruby’s just upset right now. Once she cools off, she’ll see how much you both care for her. Even if she buys out the Grayson Group, she’ll come around and give it back.”

Ruby couldn’t help but laugh at the absurd scene before her, making no effort to hide the scorn in her eyes.

Frieda, knowing full well Ruby wasn’t just throwing a tantrum, grew even more incensed at the cold, mocking curve of Ruby’s lips.