Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 426

The woman’s voice was laced with the unmistakable weariness of age, her raspy tone betraying exhaustion she could no longer conceal.

Ruby lifted a hand, signaling the press to back off, and brought the impromptu interview to a close.

She stood her ground, gaze calm but sharp, occasionally letting her eyes drift across the crowd—lingering just a little longer on Frieda.

These days, it was clear she hadn’t slept well. Her once radiant face had faded to a sallow, drawn pallor, as if she’d aged decades overnight. Even her spirit seemed to have withered away.

The room quieted, tension lingering in the air.

Hanley, though simmering with anger, hadn’t forgotten the real reason for this elaborate funeral.

He shot Ruby a venomous glare, preparing to turn away.

Yet in that final moment, a chill crept over him. Instinct made him glance toward the coldest corner of the room, where Cassian sat, his gaze icy and unblinking.

Those eyes—deep, glacial, and merciless—reminded Hanley of the world’s end, a frozen wasteland that made his blood run cold.

He shuddered involuntarily, ducked his head, and hurried his steps.

Ruby narrowed her eyes, not missing the way Hanley’s expression had changed so abruptly.

Among everyone present, she thought, only Cassian could frighten Hanley like that.

She replayed her earlier conversation with Cassian in her mind, unable to shake a sense of unease.

His recent behavior had grown stranger by the day. First, he’d bought up a large block of Hanley’s shares in The Grayson Group, delivering them to her personally at Southgarde Estate. Now he appeared at Hanley’s funeral in a navy suit she’d never seen him wear before.

None of it made sense.

But Ruby didn’t have time to ponder. The funeral was beginning.

Hanley climbed onto the makeshift stage, microphone in hand.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve organized this belated funeral, after more than a decade, to put to rest the rumors that have been spreading online.”

“I’ve brought in the staff from the crematorium who handled Violet’s remains, as well as the doctor who officially pronounced her dead and the nurse who wheeled her into the morgue.”

As soon as he finished, Gennifer led three people onto the stage, each displaying their professional credentials.

Cameras zoomed in, projecting crystal-clear images on the large screen behind them.

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