Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 471

Abriella didn’t even think—she grabbed Emmy and yanked her back, fast and hard, putting a good distance between them and the chaos.

Brett moved just as quickly, scooping up the laptop and safe in his arms, carrying everything to a spot that felt a little less dangerous.

Emmy stared upward, her heart thudding so loud she could barely hear anything else.

The guys who’d been laughing and goofing off just moments ago had completely transformed. Now, they were all business, moving with this fierce intensity, like soldiers headed straight into battle. They set up the fire hoses with absolute precision.

James stood right at the front, backlit by the glow of the fire, tall and steady, looking like some kind of hero straight out of a movie. He gripped the nozzle with one hand, steadying the hose with the other, muscles corded and braced for action.

“Team One, three o’clock! Stop the fire from spreading!”

“Team Two, with me! Seven o’clock, hit the main blaze!”

The high-pressure stream shot out like a wild white serpent, slamming into the burning building and forcing the flames down.

Up on the higher floors, the fire was getting tricky, licking dangerously close to the support beams. One firefighter hopped onto a teammate’s shoulders, pushed off, and climbed up to the second-floor windowsill like it was nothing. He aimed the hose right into the most stubborn corner.

Between pure strength and smart teamwork, they brought the fire under control in no time.

When the last flames finally died out, the building was pitch black, the air thick with that sharp, burnt smell.

James walked over, peeling off his helmet. His face was a mess of sweat and soot, but it only made him look more rugged—and honestly, even more attractive.

His voice was rough. “Don’t worry. This place is coming down and they’ll rebuild.”

Emmy nodded, about to say something, when James’s phone started ringing loud from his pocket.

He stepped away to answer. In just a few seconds, Emmy watched the ease on his face turn serious, shadows settling in his eyes.

He came back, voice low and tense. “Babe, we’ve got an emergency. I have to go. Right now.”

“Stay at the hospital, okay? Don’t wander off. Wait for me.”

He turned to his team. “Everyone, pack up. Let’s move!”

Brett stepped forward, desperate. “James, what about me?”

James just shot him a cold look. “You’re staying here.”

Brett’s shoulders dropped, all the energy draining out of him. He looked completely defeated.

Abriella went quiet, looking down at Brett with a new kind of admiration.

Night settled in.

James and the others didn’t come back.

There was still no word, but Brett kept repeating the same thing, trying to reassure them. “Don’t worry, Emmy. James and the team will be fine. I swear.”

It didn’t help much. Emmy barely slept, jolting awake from nightmares, heart pounding and drenched in sweat.

Three days went by without a single update.

And now, the AI International Competition was just one day away.

Emmy clutched her phone, nerves frayed. With only Brett to turn to, she didn’t know who else to ask.

She kept hovering over James’s chat, opening the window, closing it, opening it again, over and over.

Right then, a new message popped up from Isabel.