Chapter 87

Around 2:00 AM, when most people were deep in slumber, thick smoke suddenly filled the hotel, and a piercing siren shattered the stillness.

The hotel's soundproofing was poor. Footfalls thudded along the corridors, joined by frantic voices yelling,"There's a blaze! Move now!"

Evelina hadn't been sleeping deeply-something had kept her half-awake. She snapped to attention before most.

Throwing off the covers, she slid into the footwear she'd smartly left beside her and decided to find Jasper.

But as soon as she pulled open the door, she ran directly into his chest.

He'd just stirred from sleep as well. Driven by instinct, he had come to check on her barefoot, urgency overriding preparation.

"There's something off about this," Evelina said sharply. "This was orchestrated."

Before she could elaborate, heavy banging erupted from the door.

A stranger shouted from the hallway, "Fire emergency-open up! We'll escort you to safety!"

Without missing a beat, Evelina pushed Jasper back into his room, voice low but commanding. "Get your shoes."

Then, adopting a drowsy tone, she called out, "Wait, we're changing! A fire? In Eastmere's damp chill?Where's the source?"

The voice outside faltered, struggling to answer.

They knew then: there was no inferno-only a ploy to flush out occupants.

"Come on already!" the man snapped, irritated. "Forget your belongings-we're talking survival here!" r had already pulled on his footwear and retrieved the emergency rope he'd hidden earlier.

d memorized their exit options in advance. Their balcony offered a direct path to the lot below.

cured one end of the cord and gave the other to Evelina. "You first."

nts like these left no room for indecision. Every heartbeat mattered.

st as Evelina stepped toward the ledge, Aurora emerged from the main bedroom in her luxury othes.

r! What's going on? What are you doing? Where are you taking her?" she gasped, her gaze locked on as she reached out and grabbed the latter's wrist.

s.heart seethed with bitter resentment. In this life-and-death moment, Jasper only thought to take away, completely disregarding Aurora's presence in the very same room! Did her survival truly mean ?

faint beep sounded at the door-an electronic keycard.

r was outside had access-and they were coming in.

anked her arm free and shoved Jasper toward the opening. "Climb down. I'll handle this." a painful yelp as her face struck the tiles.

Seconds later, the door burst open and a group of masked intruders flooded into the room.

Evelina reacted instantly-she swept the legs of the first two attackers, sending them crashing down and throwing the others off balance.

It bought Jasper just enough time to land below. Evelina heard the soft thump of his descent and allowed herself a moment of relief.

But the men were enraged. "Damn it, one slipped past us!" one shouted.

Thinking quickly, Evelina gestured toward Aurora and said with icy calm, "She's the one who helped him escape. Don't blame me."

Had Aurora not barged in at the worst possible moment, they both might have escaped unnoticed.

And who's to say the woman hadn't sabotaged it deliberately?

Before Evelina could utter another word, the barrel of a gun was pressed against her forehead."Shut your mouth," the man snarled. "Take both of them."