Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 621

Caught in their collective gaze, Hanley's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively took a few steps back and said sheepishly, "You're all up early, I see?"

"But... I'm sure I just heard a man's voice..."

Hanley's eyes darted around the room, feigning a search.

Ruby Grayson set down her fork and slowly approached, holding Mira. Her indifferent gaze swept over Hanley's face.

He had dark circles under his eyes, looking haggard from a sleepless night.

"What man? Hey, old man, are you trying to slander our lady's reputation?"

Before Ruby could speak, Pamela slammed her fork on the table, shot to her feet, and glared at him.

Startled by her sudden outburst, Hanley realized how flustered he looked and immediately put on a stern face. "Ruby, I know I've wronged you, but that's no reason to let your housekeeper run wild! You really need to discipline your staff!"

Hanley straightened his back, adopting the familiar, overbearing fatherly posture Ruby knew so well.

She let the corners of her lips curl into a slight, mocking smile.

"Pamela is not a housekeeper, nor is she a servant. What she does is her own choice."

she said flatly, making it clear she had no intention of interfering.

Instantly, Hanley's face darkened again.

"Ruby, now that you're back in the Grayson family, you need to remember your position. You can't be so petty, and you certainly can't let your staff act so outrageously and disrespect their elders!"

He put on his elderly airs, but Ruby just lifted her chin slightly, clearly not listening to a word.

"I didn't realize the Grayson family was such a prestigious house with such strict rules. In that case, maybe I'm not suited to stay." Ruby thoughtfully stroked her chin, her eyes glancing sideways at him. "After all, I don't think Pamela was wrong. What kind of father shows up at his daughter's house unannounced and immediately asks if there's a strange man around?"

Hanley met her cool gaze, and the impatience that had been building from his rushed trip here strangely subsided.

He belatedly replayed his own words in his mind, and a fresh layer of sweat broke out on his forehead.

He had just been too angry to think straight.

This Ruby was the one he and Gennifer Grayson had gone to great lengths to bring back to the family. He was pinning his hopes on her, planning to use her to get a foothold with the Steele family.

She was no longer the insignificant girl from over a decade ago who had to live by his whims.

"Ruby, what are you saying? You've misunderstood me."

Hanley took a deep breath, swallowing the pride he held so dear.

He forced a smile. "You've only just gotten divorced. If you're thinking about dating again, I'd support you, of course. But this is a critical time, and it's best to avoid any rumors. I was just worried, so I spoke too hastily."

He explained, but Ruby looked completely uninterested.

Ruby didn't hesitate, pushing the door wide open for him to enter.

She needed to maintain a superficial peace with the Grayson family for now. Refusing him at every turn would only make Hanley more suspicious.

Hearing this, delight spread across Hanley's face. He even put on a pair of shoe covers himself at the entrance.

"For just a few women, you've certainly prepared a lot of food."

Hanley glanced at the table, then looked up.

"I'm a mother now. Being too thin isn't a good thing."

Ruby said flatly, returning to her seat at the head of the table with Mira.

Hanley found an empty seat, but his eyes were scanning the surroundings.

He must have taken the Domingos for Ruby's sake. That's why Hanley had rushed to Southgarde Estate at the crack of dawn, hoping to catch them.

"There are only a few of you, so why are there four extra sets of tableware?"

Hanley scanned the room again but found nothing out of place. His gaze finally settled on the table, then shot up to lock onto Ruby, sharp and piercing.