Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 429

They surged forward in a frenzy, shoving so hard that those at the front lost their balance and tumbled uncontrollably ahead.

In an instant, chaos erupted all around them.

Amid the confusion, a sharp-eyed, crazed tabloid writer spotted Ruby and lunged at her with reckless speed.

Hayley was knocked to the ground, breaking the circle of protection around Ruby and creating an opening.

The journalists closest to the breach lit up with excitement. Without hesitation, they dived toward Ruby through the gap.

“Miss Ruby! Please give us an explanation!”

Ruby was no longer just a person—she was now a precious prize, like a rare pearl displayed in a treasure chest.

Whoever could get a hold of that pearl would land the biggest scoop of the next few days—a story that promised not just fame, but fortune.

The lust for glory and profit sent the crowd into a frenzy; people’s eyes glinted with desperation and greed.

As the situation spiraled out of control, Sylas pulled Ruby into his arms and charged forward, carving a path through the crowd.

Ruby barely had time to react. All she could sense was the roar of voices, the press of bodies, the shoves and jostles as Sylas shielded her.

Holding her close, Sylas barked at the people blocking their way, “Move!”

“Don’t look—just come with me,” he said, his voice low but urgent, masking his anger with a determined gentleness.

But his movements didn’t go unnoticed; those on the outer edge of the crowd quickly closed in, blocking their escape.

Sylas stared at the wall of bodies in front of him and, seeing no way through, came to a halt, his jaw clenched in frustration.

Ruby was forced to stop as well.

That brief pause was all it took for the crowd they’d left behind to catch up, surging toward them once more.

“Miss Ruby, are you fleeing the scene because you have something to hide?”

“Miss Ruby, you were once the top attorney at Quinborough—you should know spreading rumors online is illegal. Why did you do it?”

“Miss Ruby, you’ve long claimed you would investigate last year’s alleged theft of Veyne & Co. secrets, yet your story hasn’t changed. Isn’t it true you’re not as innocent as you claim?”

One biting question after another was hurled at her.

Sylas held Ruby tightly, her face buried against his chest, shielding her from the cameras and the flashing lights.

His own face was set in stone, his gaze cold and fierce as he glared at anyone who dared approach.

Ruby, too, instinctively looked toward Cassian.

He stood at a distance.

Amid the turmoil, he looked immaculate in his tailored suit—cold, aloof, as if a barrier separated him from the chaos around him.

From where Ruby stood, she could see every emotion flickering in his eyes.

Bennett raised his voice, “Anyone who crosses the line will be held accountable by Veyne & Co. We will also contact the employers of any offenders to seek their dismissal. No company affiliated with Quinborough will work with them.”

It was a clear and unmistakable threat—like pressing a knife to someone’s throat.

In plain terms: anyone who went after Ruby could forget about having a future in Quinborough.

Such arrogance would have been laughable from anyone else.

But this was Cassian.

As his words hung in the air, the crowd fell silent, their attitudes shifting as caution replaced bravado.

“That’s right. The recent viral news about the Grayson family was my doing.”