Chapter 305

Chapter 305:

The service door appeared through the smoke, its outline barely visible. Camille reached it first, pulling it open to reveal a relatively clear corridor beyond.

“Go!” she urged the women. “Straight ahead. You’ll reach an exit in thirty seconds.”

As the last woman stumbled through, Camille turned back to the ballroom. Were there others still trapped? Anyone she had missed?

A third explosion rocked the building, this one closer than the others. The force of it sent Camille flying backward into the wall. Pain exploded across her back and shoulder. Her vision blurred.

When it cleared, she saw the ceiling directly above her beginning to crack. In seconds, it would collapse.

Camille tried to move, but her body refused to respond. The smoke was too thick now. Each breath brought more pain than air.

So, this was how it would end. Not in victory over Rose, but buried beneath the rubble of her triumph.

As consciousness began to fade, Camille thought she heard someone calling her name. A familiar voice, desperate and determined.

“Alexander?” she whispered, the word lost in the roar of the flames.

Then strong arms were around her, lifting her from the floor. A voice close to her ear said, “I’ve got you. Stay with me.”

Alexander had found her. Even through the smoke, flames, and chaos, he had found her.

As he carried her toward safety, Camille’s last thought before darkness claimed her was that Rose had failed again. Failed to destroy what mattered most. Because even in this moment of destruction, she was not alone.

Victoria watched from her car as flames engulfed the west wing of the Grand Plaza Hotel. Emergency vehicles surrounded the building, their lights painting the night in flashes of red and blue. Paramedics treated injured guests on the plaza. Police officers established a perimeter. Firefighters battled the blaze with seemingly little effect.

And still, no sign of Camille or Alexander.

Victoria’s hand gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She had called Alexander seventeen times. No answer.

Your next adventure is at g al n ovels . con

“Curtis,” she said, her voice dangerously calm, “if you don’t let me out of this car right now, I will ensure you never work in security again. Anywhere. Ever.”

Before Curtis could respond, Victoria’s driver pointed toward the hotel’s side entrance. “Look!”

Through the smoke emerged a figure carrying what appeared to be a body. As they moved closer, Victoria recognized Alexander, his face blackened with soot, his clothing torn and burned. In his arms lay Camille, motionless.

Victoria’s heart stopped.

“Move!” she ordered, pushing past Curtis to open the car door herself. She stumbled onto the plaza, her legs weaker than she would ever admit, and hurried toward Alexander. As she approached, she saw Camille’s eyes flutter open. Relief flooded through her with such force that she nearly collapsed.

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