Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 431

Fanny’s eyes were locked on the device. “What’s this?”

Ruby gave a brief explanation and then slipped the USB drive into Hayley’s hand. “Do me a favor with this, and I’ll consider taking you to search for the other missing volumes of *Flourish Symphony*.”

The moment those words left her mouth, Hayley’s eyes lit up. She snatched the flash drive eagerly. “Piece of cake.”

With the pushy reporters finally gone, everyone visibly relaxed.

But just as the tension melted away, Ruby suddenly lifted her gaze.

Cassian was still standing exactly where he’d been.

And at that moment, their eyes met.

She looked stunning as always, her cheeks still flushed from the excitement just moments before. The rosy color lit up her face, making her look like a marble statue veined with red, radiant and breathtaking. The magenta evening gown she wore only enhanced the effect, blooming like a flower against her pale skin.

Cassian found himself staring, almost forgetting himself.

But Ruby’s gaze had already drifted away.

Bennett felt his heart, which had leapt with hope just a moment ago, sink back down.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He’d been hoping Mrs. Veyne and the boss might find their way back to each other.

Ruby walked over to him. “Please tell your boss, thank you for everything this time.”

With that, she smoothed her hair, gathered her things, and prepared to leave with her companions.

She didn’t look back.

Ruby was starting to understand Cassian’s recent odd behavior toward her. But they were divorced now, and reconciliation simply wasn’t an option.

She’d accept Cassian’s help as a form of compensation for herself and for Mira. Anything beyond that, she refused to take.

She walked away.

A year ago, that gentle spring rain had finally bloomed into a wild, brilliant flower.

Cassian remained motionless, frozen in place.

Bennett crept up behind him. “Mr. Veyne, Mrs. Veyne wanted me to thank you on her behalf.”

At those words, Cassian lowered his gaze, long lashes shadowing his dark eyes.

She thanked him.

Cold, distant, polite words.

He pressed his lips together, a tangle of complicated and dismal feelings filling his chest.

Bennett looked at the air of gloom surrounding his boss and couldn’t help but sigh again. Just fate, he thought. They’d missed their moment.

When Mrs. Veyne had loved him deeply, Cassian had been cold, distant, and never imagined that one day he’d be left with nothing but regret.

The sight dragged her back to those humiliating days and nights in prison.

Her anger only grew.

Hanley’s expression was grim, but as the older one, he managed to keep his composure better than Gennifer.

“Bennett, why did you order your men to treat us like this? What is the meaning of this?” he demanded, glaring.

Bennett was nothing like the deferential assistant he was around Mr. Veyne. He smiled coolly. “Just making sure you two didn’t cause any trouble.”

“Release them,” he instructed the guards with a glance.

They obeyed at once.

As soon as Gennifer was free, she rounded on Bennett, practically jabbing a finger at his nose. “You’re nothing but Cassian’s lapdog! Who do you think you are, treating me like this?”

Bennett’s smile never wavered, but his eyes narrowed, a flash of coldness glinting in them.

He looked at Gennifer with the same calm amusement as always.

Ever since Gennifer had joined Veyne & Co., she’d seemed to have it out for Cassian’s personal assistant.

“My apologies if I gave you the wrong impression, Miss Gennifer,” Bennett said, his tone softening.

Only then did Gennifer lift her chin, satisfied.