Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 487

The moment those two words were spoken, the boardroom fell into a puzzled silence. Most people looked on with mild confusion—but Sylas’s gaze sharpened in an instant.

A flicker of something unreadable flashed in his eyes, gone just as quickly.

He looked up with practiced indifference. “What about the Grayson family?”

Pearl didn’t answer right away. Instead, she slowly turned her head, her eyes sweeping over the assembled crowd.

Grace caught the hint immediately and clapped her hands. “Let’s give the room to our guests, everyone. Thank you.”

One by one, the staff filed out, but Sallie stayed rooted to her chair. Pearl’s gaze landed on her. “Miss Song, you’ll be leaving too?”

Her voice was all warmth and good manners, her lips curled in a gentle smile—but her words sliced with subtle precision.

Sallie’s fingers tightened around the edge of the table. She felt abruptly exposed, a flush creeping across her cheeks.

“Sallie, please step outside,” Grace said with a frown, her tone suddenly stern when Sallie didn’t move.

“Sorry, I got distracted,” Sallie replied quietly. She composed herself, stood, and left with brisk efficiency.

Pearl watched her retreat, a thoughtful look lingering on her face. Only after Grace closed the door behind them did Pearl turn her attention back to Sylas.

“What exactly do you want to know?” she asked.

“Twenty years ago, there was a daughter from the Steele family who married into the Graysons,” Sylas said steadily. “After that, she lost contact with her family. Recently, there have been some rumors—people say she might be in Quinborough. I heard you just came back from there, so I wanted to ask.”

Pearl’s tone was measured, her every movement polished and poised. She idly sipped her tea, appearing effortlessly composed.

Sylas studied her. If his calculations were right, the woman sitting across from him was probably Ruby’s aunt.

He’d never thought much of Frieda—found her flighty and self-indulgent, and by extension, held little regard for the rest of the Steele family. But family ties, however faint, prompted him to rein in his usual impatience.

“There is a Grayson family in Quinborough,” he confirmed.

Pearl’s hand paused midair, just for a second, before she regained her calm and wrapped her fingers around the teacup again.

“You’re too kind. If my son’s behavior was out of line, I hope you’ll forgive him,” Grace replied, trying to smooth things over.

“No, I’m more than satisfied.” Pearl patted Grace’s hand gently, then strode off without another word.

“The Steele family hasn’t shown their faces in years,” one of the board members murmured. “Who would’ve thought their first meeting would go so smoothly?”

“That’s Mr. Cunningham for you!” another chimed in.

From the corner of the room, Sallie clenched her fists, resentment smoldering in her eyes.

“I’m heading to Quinborough tomorrow,” Sylas said quietly to Grace. “Tell the housekeeper to pack my things.”

Grace’s brow furrowed. She started to protest, thinking he still hadn’t let the matter go, but her words were cut short.

“Yes, that was our condition for the deal,” Pearl’s secretary interjected, still clutching a stack of contracts and waiting to finalize the paperwork with the Cunningham Group’s staff. “Mr. Cunningham has already signed. We expect the agreement to be honored.”