Chapter 304

Chapter 304:

Without hesitation, he turned and ran back toward the burning building, his security team shouting after him. He ignored them, focused only on reaching the private entrance he had used moments before.

Smoke billowed from the doorway as he approached. He pulled his jacket over his mouth and pushed inside.

The corridor that had been clear minutes ago was now filled with smoke. Emergency lights cast an eerie red glow through the haze. Alexander moved quickly, staying low where the air was clearer.

“Camille!” he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. “Camille, where are you?!”

No answer came.

He pushed deeper into the building, toward the main ballroom. The smoke grew thicker, making his eyes burn and his lungs ache with each breath. Somewhere ahead, he could hear voices—people still trying to escape.

The second explosion hit as he reached the ballroom entrance. The force of it threw him against the wall, pain shooting through his shoulder. Debris rained down from the ceiling. Fire alarms screeched, adding to the chaos.

When his vision cleared, Alexander saw the ballroom was now a scene from hell. Tables overturned. Decorations burning. Smoke so thick he could barely see ten feet ahead.

But still, he moved forward, ignoring the pain, ignoring his body’s desperate demand for clean air.

“Camille!” he shouted again, desperation making his voice crack. “Camille, answer me!”

Through the smoke, he caught glimpses of movement—people crawling toward exits, security personnel helping the injured. But no sign of Camille.

Another section of the ceiling collapsed with a deafening crash. Alexander barely jumped clear as chunks of plaster and metal struck the floor where he had just stood. The heat was becoming unbearable, flames spreading rapidly across what remained of the elegant decorations.

And still, he searched. Because somewhere in this inferno was the woman he loved. And he would not leave without her.

Camille crouched beneath a table with three young women in evening gowns, all sobbing in terror. The second explosion had blocked their path to the main exit with burning debris.

“Listen to me,” Camille said firmly, her voice cutting through their panic. “There’s another way out. Through the service corridor. But we need to move fast.”

The women nodded, their faces streaked with tears and soot.

“Follow me,” Camille ordered. “Stay close. Cover your mouth with your dress if you can.”

They crawled from under the table into the thickening smoke. Camille led them along the perimeter of the room, away from the worst of the flames. Her eyes burned. Her lungs screamed for clean air. But she pushed forward, guiding the terrified women toward safety.

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