Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 142

"Of course I do! It was my grandmother's, after all. I absolutely adore it."

Gennifer exclaimed with deliberate flair, her tone dramatic as she slipped her arm around Cassian's. She tried to nestle closer, but Cassian smoothly sidestepped her touch, his expression unreadable. Gennifer paused, momentarily thrown, but then adjusted her pose, intentionally leaning in so their bodies almost overlapped.

From a distance, the two looked inseparably close, as if entwined in an intimate embrace—though there was still a sliver of space between them.

Their interaction caught the attention of everyone nearby. A flurry of envious whispers and admiring remarks rippled through the crowd.

"Mr. Veyne really spoils Miss Gennifer. He just dropped ten million dollars on a freshwater pearl necklace, all because she said she liked it."

"You don't get it. Love is priceless! Haven't you heard the saying, ‘A fortune spent for a lady's smile'?"

"Haha, Miss Gennifer truly is lucky. Mr. Veyne dotes on her so much!"

All these compliments drifted over to Gennifer. She covered her face, feigning shyness as she giggled, then shot a smitten glance at Cassian, the very picture of bashful charm.

Together, she was radiant and coquettish, while he remained cool and aloof—a contrast that drew every eye in the room.

Gennifer soaked up the attention, her whole being blooming with satisfaction. Even at her happiest, she still found time to cast a mocking sideways glance at Ruby.

So what if Ruby and Cassian weren't divorced yet? Wasn't it obvious now who mattered most to Cassian?

If Ruby had a shred of common sense, she'd see the writing on the wall, bow out gracefully, and stop fighting a losing battle.

Ruby didn't miss Gennifer's provocative look. She lifted her chin, pretending not to care, as if resting her head on Cassian's broad shoulder. In moments like these, Cassian's imposing frame became Gennifer's greatest asset—a shield and a weapon that made Ruby feel utterly insignificant, all but suffocated by the weight of his presence.

Ruby bit down on her lip until she tasted blood, her eyes stinging with tears she refused to shed. Her grandmother had never liked Gennifer, and Gennifer had never shown her grandmother an ounce of respect, let alone affection. Who was she kidding, pretending to cherish her grandmother's keepsake now?

A jolt of cold clarity cut through Ruby's haze. Her palms grew clammy, the delicate pink fabric of her dress clinging uncomfortably, as if reflecting how her heart was slowly sinking into the mud.

She couldn't help but feel powerless, humiliated—as if she'd just been slapped by reality.

She managed a bitter, self-deprecating smile.

Watching her, Sylas's heart twisted painfully. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and comfort her with gentle words.

From across the room, Cassian glanced over at them.

Ruby, will you regret this?

He clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles cracked, trying to quell the turmoil inside him sparked by the sight of Ruby's crushed expression.

The four of them remained locked in their own thoughts as the auction drew to a close.

Other than that pearl necklace, neither Ruby nor Sylas participated in any more bidding. Gone was Ruby's earlier lightheartedness—her face now set, withdrawn, heavy with worry.

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