Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 411

Pale, slender fingers capped with black gloves danced rapidly across the keyboard, the sight strangely mesmerizing.

Ruby studied the loan information for Frieda displayed on the screen, her gaze turning cold and sharp.

She glanced down at the live surveillance feed playing on her tablet, her face set in a stern, businesslike calm.

“No need,” she said quietly.

“If she’s that naive, let her stay that way. Let her get played until there’s nothing left.”

Ruby narrowed her eyes, her voice chilling and unsympathetic.

The three others in the lounge said nothing. The woman in black silently closed every open window on her laptop with a single keystroke.

“Hayley? How’s it going?” Fanny asked, handing her a glass of water at just the right moment.

Hayley downed it in one go and grinned. “Easy job. Just took a little finesse.”

Ruby looked at Hayley. Fanny had introduced her as a computer prodigy, and now that Hanley was using Frieda’s information to take out huge loans, it was only fitting to throw some trouble Hanley’s way, too.

Hayley set her glass on the table and leaned back with her arms behind her head, swinging her legs with a careless swagger. “I borrowed Hanley’s identity and took out a few hefty loans myself. He’ll have a hard time leaving the country anytime soon.”

She laughed, the sound wicked and gleeful.

Fanny just arched a brow, unfazed by Hayley’s tactics. She knew her friends all too well.

Ruby, though, found herself quietly impressed.

“Nicely done.” She patted Hayley’s shoulder, but couldn’t help voicing her concern. “But aren’t you worried about getting caught? This line of work isn’t exactly safe.”

Before Hayley could reply, Fanny stepped in, rising from her seat to explain. “This is just a hobby for her, honestly. Out in the world, she wears a dozen different hats, and her skills are top-notch. No one’s managed to crack any of her little misdeeds yet.”

She winked at Hayley, who only smirked, unashamed and a little smug.

Ruby nodded. “I see.”

“Oh, that’s right. Didn’t you get that sheet music from the Grayson family a while back?” Fanny interjected. “Maybe you should let her take a look.”

Ruby blinked in surprise. Hayley immediately perked up, her prior aloofness vanishing, replaced by an eager, almost childlike curiosity. “Sheet music?” she asked, eyes shining.

“Yeah, and it’s supposed to be a masterpiece,” Fanny teased, intentionally exaggerating to stoke Hayley’s interest.

She turned to Ruby as she explained, “Hayley is the most talented young pianist in Veytura right now. That old sheet music you’ve been holding onto—she might actually make sense of it.”

Ruby’s surprise deepened. So the hacker prodigy was Veytura’s top pianist, too? It sounded like something out of a novel.

“Oh, hardly,” Hayley waved a dismissive hand, but immediately leaned in toward Ruby, her excitement palpable. “Would you mind if I take a look?”

She’d been learning piano since childhood, displaying rare talent from the very start. By the time she was a teenager, she’d already won fame and awards. Now, the appearance of an unknown composition was a rare and irresistible opportunity.

Ruby couldn’t help but glance at Hayley, half-amused, but with Cassian standing right there, the urge to laugh faded quickly.

Cassian’s gaze flickered over Hayley, but he didn’t react at all to her outburst.

Ruby raised her eyebrows, surprised by his composure.

Cassian looked back at her, his eyes searching her face with a desperate, almost greedy intensity, as if he wanted to memorize her all at once.

Then he cleared his throat, forcing down whatever tangled emotions threatened to surface.

His voice was low, slightly rough, but still pleasant. “Hanley is dumping Grayson Group shares at rock-bottom prices. He’ll sell to anyone—anyone but you.”

Ruby pressed her lips together, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Is that what you came here to tell me?”

She was about to tell him to leave if there was nothing else, but Cassian shook his head, holding something out.

It was an envelope, with “Share Transfer Agreement” stamped boldly across the front.

Ruby paused, realization dawning as she looked up and met his deep, searching gaze.

“I bought them all,” Cassian said softly. “I came here today to give them to you.”

He stared at her, unblinking.