Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 158

The deep crimson doors, polished to an understated gleam, swung open to reveal Cameron Lockridge's face.

Bennett's expression shifted the moment he saw him.

It had only been a month since they'd last met, but Cameron looked like a changed man. His gaze was perpetually cast downward now, the once-bright eyes dulled and unreadable, his whole presence reminiscent of a blade left to blunt in the drawer.

"Come with me," Bennett said in a low voice.

Cameron's lips parted slightly, but he said nothing; he simply fell into step behind Bennett.

Cassian settled into the nearest wooden chair, drumming his fingers on the table as Cameron entered, signaling for him to sit. Without hesitation, Cameron dropped into the seat Bennett pulled out.

"What exactly do you know about what happened a year ago?" Cassian cut straight to the point, his knuckles still tapping a slow, steady rhythm. Each tap echoed in the quiet room, like the gentle patter of rain on slate a year ago.

Cameron lowered his gaze, a flicker of irony in his heart. His eyes drifted, almost unconsciously, to the battered folder on the table—the same one he'd brought.

A year ago, he'd thrown himself into Ruby's case, using every resource at his disposal, even bending the rules for any scrap of evidence that might overturn her conviction. He knew Ruby—knew her feelings for Cassian—and couldn't reconcile the idea that she would ever betray Veyne & Co.

Veyne & Co. was the largest conglomerate in Quinborough; its reputation alone meant that the legal department was mostly for show. The title of Lead Counsel sounded grand, but for Ruby, it was little more than a burden for Cassian's sake.

There was no way she'd stolen trade secrets. He hadn't believed it for a second, but Mr. Veyne had.

"Mr. Veyne, are you trying to clear Ruby's name, or do you just want someone to blame for the leak?" Cameron's eyes were cool, as cold and steady as fresh snow in winter.

Cassian's tapping stopped. His gaze flickered, then hardened on Cameron. "Just tell me what you know."

"I don't owe you that," Cameron replied, shaking his head.

He slid a document across the table.

Cassian glanced at it, then opened it with a flick of his wrist. Bold letters on the first page: Letter of Resignation.

"I'm resigning from Veyne & Co.," Cameron said quietly, his voice steady.

He remembered how, after Ruby had knelt in the center of the firm's grand lobby and Mr. Veyne's pressure for damages had evaporated, he'd been allowed to stay. The firm's reputation remained untouched, its ascent undisturbed. He'd even managed to buy back the old house that had been auctioned off, walking past the rooms Ruby and Mira once lived in, as if he'd been living in a beautiful dream that never quite faded.

Cassian's face darkened.

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