Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 88

"Mr. Veyne."

The man shot up from his seat, apology written all over his face.

Cassian's brows drew together as he cast a cool, sidelong glance at him, his eyes dark and deep as a midnight lake.

"Mr. Wallace asked me to wait for you here. I'm terribly sorry—he was in a car accident on his way over. He'll have to reschedule."

Cassian pressed his lips together, silent for a moment, annoyance flickering across his features.

"A broken bone takes months to heal, let alone a car accident. If your CEO's idea of ‘rescheduling' is three months from now, then I'm afraid Mr. Veyne will have to decline."

Bennett stepped forward, his tone crisp and authoritative as he spoke for Cassian.

The Wallace Group's secretary rushed to reply, shaking his head desperately. "No, no! Our CEO swore it would only be three days! Even if he has to show up in a wheelchair, he'll be here in three days as promised! He already feels terrible about missing today. As long as he can draw breath, he'll come in person to apologize to Mr. Veyne. Please, just give us another chance."

He bowed his head, shoulders hunched, as if bracing for disappointment.

After all, Mr. Wallace had poured so much effort into securing this rare opportunity to work with Veyne & Co.

But fate had other plans.

"Three days," Bennett said, glancing at Cassian and holding up three fingers, his voice leaving no room for negotiation. "After that, the deal's off."

"Yes, absolutely!" The secretary's face brightened with relief.

Cassian rose, tall and composed, with his assistant and bodyguards falling into step behind him.

The group moved toward the door—then suddenly stopped.

Cassian halted, his gaze fixed on a spot on the empty floor just outside.

There, a small pill bottle lay abandoned.

Without thinking, he paused.

His polished shoes stilled as he bent down, picking up the bottle and closing his long fingers around it.

It was a children's medicine—something for an upset stomach.

He couldn't help but think of the woman he'd seen earlier, rushing anxiously through the crowd.

He handed Cassian the tablet. Cassian only needed a glance; his eyes narrowed, freezing on Ruby's anxious face.

It really is her. Is she hiding from me?

He looked further down—the baby in her arms was bundled up tight, and in the dim light, he could just make out the child's pinched, unhappy expression.

The footage ended abruptly, leaving only the image of Ruby's retreating back.

Cassian looked up from the screen, voice cold and resolute. "Find out which hotel she's staying at."

He'd already frozen her cards and knew she'd moved out of the Lockridge estate. She must be getting by on whatever cash she had left, lying low in some hotel.

Cassian rubbed his forehead, frustration gnawing at him.

The child must be sick.

How could she possibly manage—alone, hauling a sick baby from place to place?

Bennett, remembering the crumpled little face from the security footage, realized how serious things were. He didn't dare waste another second.