Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 417

“But…” Gennifer hesitated, a thought surfacing in her mind. She looked up at Hanley, her eyes filled with doubt. “Dad, if the Steele family has already cut ties with Frieda, how easy do you think it’s going to be to squeeze money out of them? The Steeles are practically royalty in the capital.”

Hanley’s lips curled into a mysterious smile. “That’s not something you need to worry about. Your dad always has his ways.”

Gennifer nodded, only half understanding, and decided not to press further.

Hanley patted her shoulder, still painting grand promises. “For now, you can’t let Frieda suspect a thing. I’ve arranged for us to live separately for the time being. But while you’re with her, keep your eyes open. If anything unusual happens, you let me know right away.”

Gennifer nodded again, quick to agree.

After all, she knew full well—thanks to endless news updates and the wild swings in Grayson Group shares—that their family was barely holding it together. Even if her father sold off every last share and whisked them away overseas, all they’d have left was a modest life. The days of luxury were over, and that wasn’t something she was willing to accept.

Her fists clenched at her sides.

Before her father’s arrest, if Hanley had suggested moving abroad as a family, she would’ve hesitated—maybe even refused outright.

Because… Cassian.

She had always believed Cassian saw her differently, that he was just waiting for the right moment to make her the richest woman in Quinborough, to put her at the very top.

Why else, out of all the senior staff, would he keep her—a legal affairs manager—by his side? When Ruby was still his wife, he’d had Gennifer thrown in jail with chilling efficiency. Yet, for her, this cold and heartless man once mobilized an entire hospital’s medical team over a trivial scrape.

All those little moments had made her heart race. But in the end, it was all just an illusion.

Gennifer bit her lip, pain crawling across her chest like a thousand needle pricks.

When Cassian had sent her to prison, he hadn’t shown an ounce of mercy.

He never had a heart to begin with.

But…

It was during those long, torturous days in prison that everything finally became clear.

She’d always been just a diversion for him and Ruby—never anything more. Even sending her to jail was just a desperate move to keep Ruby from leaving.

“The funeral’s coming up. You’ll need to help out. I’m going to see your mother.” Hanley’s voice was low and stern as he strode away.

Gennifer listened to his footsteps fading down the hall before she slowly lifted her head, dazed.

Her eyes—once bright with innocence and cunning—now seemed clouded, as if draped in a gray veil.

She stood frozen, like a scarecrow rooted to the spot.

Finally, she stirred, pins and needles prickling through her stiff limbs.

She hesitated, then turned and headed upstairs.

Meanwhile, Hanley sped toward the apartment where Gennifer had been staying. He needed to settle Violet there quickly, since Gennifer had already moved out to make room.

“What’s going on with Gennifer these days? Haven’t seen her at all.”

Before he could finish, it swung open.

Ulysses Grayson stood in the doorway, grinning, a limited-edition airplane model held high in one hand.

Hanley quickly stepped inside and closed the door, then scooped Ulysses into his arms and settled him on the couch. “Where’s your mom?”

“There!” Ulysses pointed toward the kitchen.

Violet stood a short distance away, looking at Hanley with a mixture of surprise and faint resentment.

He nodded at her hands, still gripping a bunch of vegetables, and patted the empty spot beside him on the sofa.

Violet hesitated, annoyed, but sat down as he asked.

“All these years, how would I know how to cook?” she muttered, lifting her well-manicured fingers to show him.

Trying to follow an online recipe, she’d burned her fingertips and scratched herself more than once with a kitchen knife.

Hanley’s brow furrowed as he took in the sight of her battered hands, but his voice was gentle. “We’re in a tough spot now. I need you to stay out of sight and avoid contact with anyone. For now, we can’t risk hiring help.”

Violet huffed, her expression sour.

Hanley didn’t press the matter. Instead, he turned to Ulysses. “By the way, when it’s just you and your mom here, you can’t open the door like you did today. Always check the peephole first.”

Violet folded her arms and turned away. “I know. I’m supposed to be dead, after all. Not exactly keen on rising from the grave.”