Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2281

The man was as dead as dead could be, and Marlon wasted no time jumping into the car parked nearby. He turned to the handful of people with him and said, "Take care of this. I'm heading back."

His men were stationed at the hotel, so theoretically, nothing should go wrong. But the man's words had left him uneasy. He had to check things out himself to be sure.

Marlon was aware that his concern for Athena was unusual. It was as though this was no longer just a game to him.

He couldn't bear the thought of something happening to Athena in this place. He couldn't even imagine what he would do.

He floored the gas pedal, turning a trip that should have taken thirty minutes into a ten-minute race against time.

But as he arrived at the hotel, it was engulfed in thick, billowing smoke.

His face fell instantly, and he rushed forward, grabbing one of his men. "Where's Athena?!"

"Boss, Ms. Zade hasn’t come out yet. We didn’t find her in the room."

Marlon's eyes filled with icy determination. He was ready to charge inside, but the fire was raging out of control, and the island's fire services were too slow to respond. The flames had already climbed from the first floor to the top, and entering would be nothing short of a death wish.

His rational mind told him to wait outside for news. Maybe Athena was lucky enough to escape on her own.

But reason was a luxury he couldn't afford. He shoved the person next to him aside and dashed into the inferno.

He barreled into the room where he had been sleeping.

"Athena! Athena!"

He shouted, straining to hear a faint response from a corner of the room.

"Marlon..."

The smoke stung his eyes, forcing them shut as he crouched low and made his way toward the voice.

Athena was huddled in the corner, her face a mask of fear.

"Marlon, what took you so long?"

He scooped her into his arms, his heart aching.

"It's okay now. I'm getting you out of here."

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