Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 114
Sham Marriage Quit, Real Heiress Strikes Back
Chapter 114 Smoke Over Westside
The implication hung in the air.
Elena did not argue. Even if she refused, Camille would likely follow on her own.
Forshed
They drove toward the west side of the city. Fire engines sped past them, sirens slicing through traffic. The tension built with every mile.
From the back seat, Elena scrolled rapidly through her phone, scanning early online reports. Independent bloggers had already posted distant footage of flames swallowing a factory structure, their videos layered with dramatic voiceovers and the faint echo of explosions.
“That’s massive,” she murmured. “I hope everyone got out.”
The footage showed thick smoke rising into the sky. Something about the layout tugged at her
memory.
Her screen lit up with a new message.
Alexander sent a message, “Field assignment?”
How does he know?
Elena replied, “Yes. Fire at West Garment Factory. Heading over for coverage.”
Alexander replied, “Be careful.”
The words lingered.
During the five years she had been with Nathan, she had always informed him before heading out on assignment. Reporting came with risks. If something happened, she wanted the last thing she said to matter.
He always responded.
Usually with a single word. “OK.”
This time, she had not reached out first. Alexander had.
Elena replied, “I will.”
They parked about a mile from the site, where the roads were already partially blocked. Thick black smoke rolled across the sky, and the air carried a sharp, chemical sting. Elena put on a mask and stepped out.
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Chapter 114 Smoke Over Westside
Sophia coughed as soon as she got out of the car. “That smell is awful.”
Camille lifted a hand to shield her eyes and looked toward the burning structure in the distance. Now she could see it clearly. The section fully engulfed in flames was no random facility. The glow from the fire reflected across her face, draining what little color she had left.
It was Hawthorne Group’s garment factory.
Victor’s factory.
Her fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone and called Nathan. The line rang and rang with no answer. After a long moment, she lowered the phone, her unease deepening.
Elena recognized it too. She knew exactly which property this was, but she kept her reaction to herself. Turning to Sophia, she said evenly, “Let’s move closer and see how far they’re letting media through.”
Sophia followed her. Camille trailed behind, still sending messages that went unanswered.
After nearly ten minutes on foot, they reached the barricade. Five fire trucks were already on scene, hoses arcing water toward the blaze. Other reporters had arrived, setting up equipment. Police officers moved between emergency vehicles and the factory entrance.
Victor and Nathan stood nearby, speaking with an officer.
“It’s strictly garments inside?” the officer asked.
Victor wiped sweat from his forehead. “Yes. Just apparel production.”
“How many employees were on shift?”
“Three hundred fifteen. Everyone evacuated after the fire started.”
His answer came quickly, though his eyes darted.
The officer checked a list. “Understood.”
If there were no casualties, the situation remained manageable. If there were, it would escalate
fast.
The officer stepped aside to speak with firefighters.
Victor leaned toward Nathan. “Handle the aftermath carefully. We can’t afford mistakes right
now.”
“I know.”
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Chapter 114 Smoke Over Westside
:D
After Victor walked off, Nathan reached for his phone, then spotted Elena. His eyes lit up.
He strode toward her. “Elena, what are you doing here?”
Sophia stepped between them. “Mr. Hawthorne, we’re about to go live. Please don’t interfere with our work.”
At the word live, Nathan’s expression tightened.
“Elena, this is a Hawthorne Group facility. It was an accident. Everyone’s out. There’s nothing t sensationalize.”
Seeing more reporters gather, he signaled to his staff to move them back.
Elena met his gaze with calm distance. “Mr. Hawthorne, this is my job. Accident or not, our responsibility is to report facts.”
He exhaled. “Do you really have to turn this into a standoff?”
His voice softened slightly. “Are you enjoying this? Watching Hawthorne Group take a hit?”
He looked at her as if she were the unreasonable one.
Before Elena could respond, Camille appeared at his side.
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.
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The readers' comments on the novel: Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back
both Elena and Alexander are stupid, they already knew and agreed to be open, honest and trust each other, but instead they repeated the same mistakes which made them suspicious of each other....