Chapter 151

The crowd quieted, all eyes turning toward her.

“We need to evacuate this building immediately. This is not a drill. Please move quickly to the nearest exit. Parents, carry your children. If you see someone struggling, help them. Leave all belongings behind.”

The urgency in her voice cut through the confusion. People began moving more purposefully toward the exits, staff stepped up to assist elderly guests, the crowd’s pace visibly accelerated.

Victoria appeared at the edge of the stage. “Time’s up,” she said. “We need to go.”

Camille looked out across the ballroom, still half-full despite the increased pace of evacuation. The bitter knowledge that not everyone would make it out in time twisted in her stomach.

“Camille,” Victoria’s voice grew sharper. “Now.”

From somewhere in the building, a muffled boom sounded—the first device detonating early. Screams erupted as the lights flickered, panic threatening to overtake the ordered evacuation.