Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 418

Hanley could hear the subtle reproach in Violet’s words, and he scratched his nose, a little embarrassed. “There’s nothing I can do. This was my only option.”

“The Grayson Group shares are nearly all sold off, but if we want you and the kids to have a truly comfortable life, we’re still a long way off.”

He softened his tone, trying to coax her.

Violet listened to the gentle lilt in Hanley’s voice. She’d only been feigning a bit of petulance to begin with, so her irritation quickly melted away. Still, she couldn’t help but huff and pout in mock annoyance.

Hanley, ever perceptive, caught onto her mood and spoke with careful gravity. “The Steeles casually gave you a wedding dress worth thirty million. You raised our child alone overseas, went through so much—don’t we deserve to get something back from Frieda?”

As he said this, Violet’s eyes lit up, and she turned to face him, suddenly animated. “You’re right.”

“Just remember, you can’t be seen in public right now. If you need anything at the apartment, let me know and I’ll have someone bring it over.”

He patted her hand reassuringly.

“I know,” Violet replied, pouting a little.

Though she was well past her youth, Violet lived a carefree life abroad on Hanley’s money, looking no older than her mid-thirties. Ten years ago, standing next to Frieda, she’d seemed like a pauper’s maid beside a princess. But if they met again now, one would be a hothouse flower, the other a wild bloom whose beauty was hidden beneath the dirt.

Hanley’s eyes darkened as his thoughts wandered.

“By the way, what about Gennifer?” Violet asked suddenly, the name coming to her mind.

Hadn’t he previously said he wouldn’t take Gennifer abroad? But after he changed his mind, the first thing he did was pay a fortune to bail Gennifer out of jail.

She’d agreed at the time to leave Gennifer behind, but it was still her own flesh and blood—she couldn’t help but ask.

“We can’t leave the country just yet. Don’t worry about Gennifer for now.”

Hanley narrowed his eyes, his tone guarded.

“Oh…”

Violet nodded, half-understanding, but her hand wandered restlessly along Hanley’s arm.

A tingling heat swept over Hanley. When he looked up, he met Violet’s gaze—her eyes shimmered with a thousand unspoken feelings, their allure impossible to ignore.

He swallowed hard.

But before he could say anything, Violet laughed softly and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Hanley…” she purred, her voice syrupy sweet, as intoxicating as a swirl of honey.

Hanley rubbed his temples and glanced at Ulysses, trying to refuse, “Violet, I really am busy lately…”

“Has Sylas been sticking close to Ruby lately?” Cassian’s brow furrowed as Bennett spoke. Every time he heard Sylas’s name, a fresh wave of irritation swept through him.

Bennett caught the glint of annoyance on his boss’s face. “Yes, sir.”

“So the Cunningham family’s just letting him do whatever he wants now?” Cassian asked, his tone icy as he tapped his fingers on the desk.

Bennett’s forced smile was starting to crack.

Why was he being interrogated about the Cunninghams’ affairs? He was just an assistant—how was he supposed to know?

Still, he managed a polite, toothy grin.

“Call the Cunninghams. Find something for Sylas to do,” Cassian ordered, his scowl deepening.

Bennett’s smile grew even more strained. He shot Cassian a wary look. “Mr. Veyne, last time we contacted the Cunninghams, Mr. Cunningham found out and sabotaged several of our major deals in retaliation.”

As a diligent employee, Bennett could only sigh at his own bad luck.

Cassian and Mr. Cunningham were family, technically, but they seemed to delight in making each other’s lives difficult. Cassian hated Sylas lingering in Quinborough—or worse, around Ruby—so he kept coming up with excuses for the Cunninghams to summon Sylas back to the capital. Mr. Cunningham, on the other hand, was wilder; the moment he caught wind of Cassian’s scheming, he’d retaliate with all the resources at his disposal.

Their back-and-forth never caused real harm, but the petty battles were relentless, each trying to get under the other’s skin.