Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 450

“If you’re worried, we can meet in person. You pick the place. I’ll bring two hundred thousand as a down payment.”

“...Alright. I’ll be in touch.”

The recording ended there.

Bennett slipped the phone back into his pocket, then turned to Cassian Veyne with a careful question. “Mr. Veyne, do you think this will work?”

Cassian narrowed his eyes, his fingertips tapping softly on the desk. “I’ll go with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Night was falling and heavy clouds pressed against the horizon, but Cassian felt a strange, hollow chill inside.

“What about her? Has she left?”

It took Bennett a moment to realize who Cassian meant. He chose his words with care, glancing at Cassian’s expression. “Miss Grayson should be at the train station by now.”

Cassian lowered his gaze, a tangle of emotions flickering in his eyes.

The office fell utterly silent.

Suddenly, he stood up and reached for his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair, his movements crisp and decisive.

Bennett was caught off guard by the abruptness. “Mr. Veyne, you’re not planning to…”

…follow Mrs. Veyne to Stormhaven too, are you?

He never finished the sentence. Cassian’s next move spoke for itself.

“Book me the earliest train ticket you can find.”

Bennett’s mouth twitched. “But didn’t you just say you’d meet with the caller in person—”

He cut himself off when he caught Cassian’s sharp look, clamping his mouth shut. “Understood, sir.”

With that, Bennett hurried out, breaking into a jog as he crossed the threshold.

Cassian followed close behind.

Downstairs, Cassian was already in the back seat of his car.

He rolled down the window, revealing just half his face, the sharp lines of his nose giving him an air of stern authority. “Once you’ve confirmed her intel is accurate, have someone stake out the location she gave. And keep me updated on Hanley and Gennifer Grayson’s paternity results.”

His voice was cool and commanding.

Bennett bent slightly, nodding rapidly. “Yes, sir.”

Once everything was settled, Cassian raised the window, and the car pulled away without a backward glance, leaving a faint trail of exhaust in its wake.

Bennett straightened only after the car had disappeared down the street. He let out a long sigh and stared up at the darkening sky, trying to console himself.

Sometimes, this is just how work goes.

He gave a helpless smile, shaking his head, and turned to head back inside. But just then, his phone lit up with an incoming call: Veyne Private Medical Center.

He answered at once.

Cassian: Not long ago.

Then, silence.

Cassian stared at his phone, so absorbed he didn’t notice the night closing in outside.

When Ruby didn’t respond further, he grew restless, picking up his phone only to set it down again. Unable to resist, he finally messaged her one more time.

“When you get back to Quinborough, I’ll have Bennett bring you the report.”

“Thank you.”

It was only two words—polite, distant—but Cassian’s fingers tightened around his phone, unable to hide the flicker of hope that surged in his chest.

He coughed softly, covering his mouth to conceal the smile tugging at his lips. Even a simple ‘thank you’ was enough. At least she wasn’t rejecting his gesture outright.

Meanwhile, at that very moment, Ruby was nearly to Stormhaven, sitting side by side with Fanny on the train.

Fanny caught sight of the messages on Ruby’s phone, narrowing her eyes. “What’s this? He suddenly grows a conscience? You get divorced and now he wants to make amends?”

Ruby could hear the note of sarcasm in her tone and felt a twinge of awkwardness.

Fanny, ever perceptive, didn’t miss a beat.

She leaned in, studying Ruby’s face carefully.

Under the soft, warm lights of the train, Fanny’s gaze lingered on the faint flush on Ruby’s cheeks.