Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 582

Ruby then went to Hanley's desk, turned on the computer, and found the villa's security camera software. She inserted a flash drive containing a Trojan virus, allowing Hayley to remotely access the system and replace the footage of her in the study with a clean loop of the empty room.

With everything done, she tiptoed out of the study. But just as she closed the door, she heard a noise behind her—the sound of footsteps and the rustle of fabric drawing closer.

Meanwhile, at the furniture store, Hanley kept glancing toward the exit, his brow furrowed with impatience. Sylas was still talking, a rare sight. "This project is one of the Cunningham family's most significant undertakings this year, consuming an immense amount of manpower, resources, and capital…"

"Excuse me, Mr. Cunningham," Hanley finally interrupted, unable to wait any longer. "Hasn't Rue been gone for quite a while?" His eyes, though still bright with interest from Sylas's pitch, now held a strange, anxious look.

Sylas frowned, clearly annoyed at being cut off. Gennifer sensed his mood and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Maybe she's not feeling well. I'll give my sister a call."

Sylas's expression tightened. "Ruby's not a child," he said, trying to stop her. "If something was wrong, she would have messaged us. She's probably just in the restroom, don't call."

Gennifer looked up, her face a picture of innocent concern. "But Mr. Cunningham, it's been nearly an hour since she left. That's a long time, even for the restroom. If something really has happened, we'll be in trouble if we wait too long to contact her."

Hanley's chest grew tight, his heart thumping with unease. "She's right, Mr. Cunningham," Frieda chimed in. "Gennifer has a point. It's just one phone call. It won't hurt anything, and it's better than having us all worry."

Sylas clenched his fists, feeling cornered. If he kept objecting, he would only arouse more suspicion.

At that moment, back at the manor, Ruby's back was rigid as she felt the shadow of the person behind her creeping over her feet. "Mr. Hanley? Are you back already? I thought you and your wife were out picking furniture." The maid Flora's voice was questioning.

Ruby pressed her lips together, a fine sheen of sweat covering her forehead. "Huh? No one's here?" Flora's gaze swept down the long, empty hallway. The noise had seemed so real. Confused, she scratched her head and turned to leave.

Pressed flat against the wall, Ruby gasped for breath, waiting until Flora's footsteps had faded completely before peeking out and slipping away down a different staircase. That was too close. She clutched her vibrating phone; thank God she'd set it to silent before going in.

"She'll be here soon," Sylas said, his gaze cool, his chin held high with an air of unassailable confidence.

"I was feeling a little unwell, so I went to a nearby pharmacy to get some medicine," a cool female voice said from behind them.

Frieda's expression soured, but Hanley quickly recovered. "Gennifer called you several times, but you didn't answer. We were all so worried about you."