Chapter 221

"Ladies and gentlemen, your dessert platter has arrived."

A server moved swiftly between them, placing the elaborate fruit arrangement on the table. No one noticed when she discreetly turned the lock on the private dining room's door as she exited.

Outside, Victoria Sinclair clutched the stolen key, her expression darkening with resolve.

"Evelyn," she whispered to herself, "if I can't have happiness, neither will you."

Somehow she'd obtained a canister of gasoline. With violent motions, she doused the entire doorway and surrounding hallway before pulling out a silver lighter. The flame caught instantly when she tossed it onto the slick surface.

Fire exploded outward in hungry tendrils.

Victoria's laughter echoed through the smoke-filled corridor. "Burn, Evelyn! Burn with all your precious friends!"

"Fire! The building's on fire!" A passing waiter screamed, triggering the emergency alarms.

Panic erupted as staff and patrons stampeded toward exits. "Help! Someone call the fire department!"

Inside the locked room, Harrison Whitmore reacted first. "Smoke!" He immediately reached for Evelyn, pulling her toward the sealed exit.

The others scrambled up in confusion, chairs scraping violently against the floor.

"Why won't this door open?" Harrison demanded, rattling the handle.

Julian rushed forward to help, throwing his weight against the unyielding barrier. "It's jammed!"

Thick smoke began curling under the doorframe. "Use napkins to cover your faces!" Olivia coughed out.

Chaos overtook the group. With only one exit blocked by flames, they were effectively trapped.

"Call for help!" Natalie gasped, already dialing emergency services.

Evelyn simultaneously contacted Maxwell. "We're trapped in a fire at the restaurant. Send rescue immediately."

On the other end, Maxwell nearly dropped his phone before mobilizing every available resource.

Meanwhile, the truth game continued despite the danger. Olivia spun the bottle again, and it landed pointed directly at Harrison.

Natalie whooped with nervous excitement. "Harrison! Truth or dare?"

His gaze never left Evelyn's smoke-stung eyes. "Dare."

The women exchanged knowing looks before declaring in unison, "Then share a romantic cocktail with Evelyn!"

Julian immediately protested. "Wait, that's not fair! Harrison lost, why should Evelyn—"

Sophia stomped on his foot sharply. When he turned in confusion, she deliberately avoided his gaze and joined the cheering. "Perfect choice! Let's see that love shot!"

Understanding dawned on Julian as he studied Harrison and Evelyn's charged expressions. Something deeper clearly existed between them.

Evelyn didn't hesitate. She lifted her glass and met Harrison's eyes. "Ready?"

Their arms intertwined as the group cheered. The alcohol burned going down, but not as much as the heat between them.

"Now that's chemistry!" Olivia exclaimed, momentarily forgetting their dire circumstances.

Evelyn's cheeks flamed hotter than the encroaching fire. Even after breaking contact, her pulse continued racing.

"Your turn to spin, Harrison," Natalie reminded.

Just then, the door shuddered violently under Julian and Harrison's combined kicks.

Smoke poured thicker into the room, triggering violent coughing fits.

"What now? We're trapped!" Olivia gasped between spasms, tears streaming from irritated eyes.

"We'll make it," Evelyn assured, though her voice wavered.

The men redoubled their efforts against the door. With a final thunderous crash, it gave way—only to reveal a wall of raging flames blocking escape.

"Fall back!" Harrison ordered as heat blasted inward.

Sophia trembled against Julian. "Are we...are we going to die here?"

"No!" Evelyn scanned the room desperately before grabbing decorative pillows. "Soak these in water! We can use them as shields!"

Everyone followed her lead, but conditions deteriorated rapidly. The smoke grew suffocating, flames licking closer.

Sophia suddenly clung to Julian. "If this is really the end, I need to tell you—"

He pressed a hand over her mouth. "Don't. We're getting out. All of us."

Through the roaring flames and thickening black smoke, the group huddled together, their fate hanging in the balance as the fire closed in from all sides.