CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 369

Chapter 369: Chapter 369 Accident

Author’s POV

The stage lights shimmered across Serena’s triumphant smile as she basked in the audience’s rapturous reaction to her jewelry collection. The excited whispers humming through the crowd were everything she’d dreamed of. With a satisfied gleam in her eyes, she took the microphone.

"his series draws its inspiration from London’s recent typhoon," she announced, gesturing elegantly toward the model who wore the showcase piece. "And this final masterpiece is called Eye of the Storm."

As Serena spoke with passion about her designs, the crowd’s attention locked onto her completely. Every gasp and murmur confirmed the obvious: Elegant Realm’s presentation had exceeded all expectations. Cameras flashed, lenses focusing on Serena, on her partner Aifei, and on the stunning necklace resting against the model’s neck.

Meanwhile, across the city, Sophie’s face contorted with rage as she watched the livestream. Seeing Serena command the spotlight was a visceral blow.

"It’s time," she snapped, whirling away from the screen. "Begin the operation."

Her assistant slipped out of the car and made a brief, hushed call to their contact inside the venue. Sophie had bribed multiple staff members to orchestrate a fire—a disaster meant to ruin the show completely. If ART couldn’t participate, then no one would enjoy a successful event.

Minutes later, the first acrid whiffs of smoke reached the air. Sophie’s expression darkened with grim satisfaction. "Let’s go," she ordered, sliding her sunglasses into place. A fire in a venue this size would be nearly impossible to control quickly. Staying nearby would only raise suspicion. She’d watch the fallout on the news later.

Inside the hall, everyone remained too engrossed in Serena’s presentation to notice the danger—until the smoke triggered the alarm system. Harsh, blaring sirens sliced through her speech.

Serena froze mid-sentence, turning to see flames already licking their way toward the stage.

"Fire!" Aifei screamed beside her, panic flooding her features.

"Ms. Aifei, get out now!" Serena shouted, shoving her partner toward safety. The priceless stone necklace Aifei wore had cost a fortune—Serena couldn’t let anything happen to her, or to it.

But in helping Aifei escape, Serena trapped herself. The decorative fabric draping the runway—chosen for aesthetics, not safety—erupted into a wall of flames around her. Within seconds, she was surrounded.

Acrid smoke clawed its way into her lungs. Serena coughed violently, waving a hand helplessly, but each gasp drew more poisonous air into her throat. Her eyes and trachea burned as if scraped raw.

"Serena!" A voice cut through the chaos just as her consciousness began to slip.

Strong arms suddenly swept her up against a firm, unfamiliar chest. Struggling to focus through watering eyes, Serena glimpsed a blurry face that looked eerily like the man from her dreams.

"Who are you?" she croaked, but her whisper vanished into the commotion. Her rescuer only held her tighter, pressing her face against him as he carried her swiftly away. Then, everything went black.

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