Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 198

Bang!

A deafening crash echoed from somewhere nearby, snapping the frozen crowd out of their daze. Instinctively, everyone turned toward the source of the noise, but all they found was an empty hallway—no sign of anyone or anything that could have caused the commotion.

"What the…?"

People exchanged confused glances but, finding nothing, reluctantly turned their attention back to the party.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the banquet will now be held in the first-floor ballroom of the west wing. Please make your way there on time!" Renee called out, stepping in front of Gennifer to shield her from the growing unrest.

Murmurs rippled through the guests. They forced polite laughs, pretending the change of plans made perfect sense, and began to disperse, eager to avoid any further awkwardness.

It was obvious—Mr. Veyne's expression was icy enough to freeze the atmosphere. Anyone who couldn't read the room by now had clearly learned nothing in all their years of social climbing.

As the crowd scattered like startled birds, Sylas was already striding purposefully down the corridor toward the ballroom.

His dress shoes echoed against the marble as he approached the entrance, where he stopped abruptly.

Where was he supposed to find Ruby?

Sylas worked to steady his pounding heart, pulling out his phone to send her a message: Where are you? I need to talk to you.

The moment he set the phone down, an unexpected calm washed over him, quelling his earlier frustration.

What was he even trying to do?

The question surfaced from nowhere, catching him off guard as he stared blankly at the phone in his hand.

What right did he have to tell her anything?

Another question, sharper than the first, left him speechless.

But almost at the same moment, a memory flashed through his mind—a young, bright face, eyes shining with laughter and a kind of innocent brilliance that seemed to hold a galaxy of stars. He'd carried that memory for years.

Snapping back to the present, Sylas's gaze hardened with determination.

No matter what—even if it meant going against his own uncle—he couldn't stand by and watch Ruby suffer, betrayed and alone.

"You were looking for me?"

A cool, quiet voice drifted across the room.

Sylas blinked, startled, and looked up.

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