Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 54

They could not leave. They needed at least a general sense of what had happened, and bystanders were usually the quickest source of early information.

"I heard it was a couple fighting. The husband lost his temper and set the curtains on fire. Their kid was still inside. That's sick."

"Are you sure? I heard they actually had a pretty solid marriage. Don't start rumors."

"Why would I make that up? That's what people are saying."

The crowd buzzed with speculation.

Sophia bristled. "If that's true, that guy's unbelievable. Risking his wife and kid like that?"

Elena covered her mouth gently, her tone firm. "We don't run with street gossip."

As reporters, they could listen, but they could not take everything at face value. Their job was to verify, not amplify.

Sophia nodded, half convinced, though the anger still lingered in her eyes.

"Isn't that Elena?"

A familiar voice cut through the noise.

Elena turned and saw Camille walking toward them from the other side of the crowd, her assistant trailing behind.

"Oh, Sophia, you're here too? This place isn't exactly safe. Elena, you shouldn't be bringing her somewhere like this."

Sophia rolled her eyes openly. "Since when do reporters get to pick and choose what's safe? Isn't this kind of the job?"

Camille's smile stiffened, but she kept her tone light as she addressed Elena.

"You're covering this too? We've already confirmed the details. The husband had been drinking, got into a fight with his wife, and set the curtains on fire in a rage. Looks like our outlet might break the story first."

In the age of instant updates, being first meant everything.

Elena glanced at Camille's self satisfied expression.

"Then congratulations," she said evenly. "Sophia, let's check the other side."

She had work to do and no interest in trading barbs.

She led Sophia away.

Camille bit her lower lip, shooting Elena a sharp look. Then her gaze shifted, and something calculating flickered across her face.

"You head back over there," she told her assistant. "I've got something to handle."

Elena and Sophia moved to the right side of the building, where the crowd was thinner and the view clearer.

Occasionally, small burning fragments fell from above.

Sophia leaned forward, trying to get a better look.

"Watch it," Elena warned.

On site reporting always carried risks. Plenty of journalists had been injured chasing footage.

Elena stopped her, grabbed a couple more tissues, and applied pressure. After a moment, the bleeding began to slow.

"See? It's under control. Let's stay focused. They haven't brought everyone out yet."

Ignoring the sting in her hand, she guided Sophia a little farther back and kept watching the building.

Sophia glanced over her shoulder, replaying what had just happened. Her eyes landed on Camille standing a short distance away, watching them coldly.

Sophia marched over.

"Did you push me?"

She had been standing perfectly steady. Someone had shoved her, and now Elena was hurt.

Camille let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Push you? I've been standing right here. If you're going to accuse someone, you might want proof, Sophia."

She smiled, but there was nothing warm about it.

Sophia's temper flared and she lunged forward, but Elena caught her wrist.

"Don't."

"Move, move!"

A shout erupted from inside the building. Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Three firefighters emerged in quick succession. Two were carrying adults over their shoulders, and the third held a small child tightly against his chest.