Chapter 15 - WHISPERS OF DOUBTS
With a roar of pure physical strength, Dominic threw his shoulder against the falling beam, taking the impact of the burning timber across his back. Pain seared through his left shoulder, but he didn't stop. Shielding the boy with his own body, Dominic burst through the flaming front entrance of the building, tumbling out onto the wet grass outside.
"Dominic!" Emma rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside him as firefighters took the uninjured boy into their arms.
Dominic lay on his side, gasping for fresh air, his coat scorched and blood trickling from a cut on his temple.
"Dominic! Oh God, Dominic!" Emma sobbed, her hands trembling as she gently cradled his face, wiping the soot from his forehead.
Dominic forced a weak smile, looking up into her tear-filled eyes. "The boy... is he alright?"
"He's safe! He's unhurt because of you!" she cried, pressing her forehead against his, kissing his cheek, his lips, her tears washing away the ash on his skin. "You crazy, wonderful man..."
Medical staff rushed over, but Dominic waved them off, pushing himself up to sit on the grass with Emma supporting his weight.
As the fire was brought under control, Sebastian Vance’s true plan became clear. A news crew from a national network pulled up to the scene, their cameras rolling immediately.
A sleek reporter approached the perimeter, speaking directly into the microphone: "We are live at the Carter-Vale Community Center, where a devastating fire has just destroyed a multi-million-dollar renovation project. Sources within the arson investigation department hint that the fire may have been intentionally set—raising sharp questions about whether the Vale family's shadowy past has brought violence back into these neighborhoods..."
Emma heard the broadcast and stood up, her jaw set in an iron line. She walked straight up to the news camera, her emerald eyes flashing with unyielding authority.
"Turn that camera off," Emma commanded, her voice ringing clear over the noise of the emergency sirens.
The reporter paused, surprised. "Mrs. Vale, the public has a right to know—"
"The public has a right to know the truth!" Emma declared fiercely, standing tall in front of the burning building. "My husband just risked his life to carry a child out of those flames! This foundation was built on love, sacrifice, and community! Whoever tried to burn this building down didn't do it to target the Vales—they did it to terrorize innocent children! And we will not be intimidated!"
May you like
Dominic stood up slowly from the grass, walking over to stand right beside her, his arm wrapping around her waist. Covered in soot, blood, and ash, he looked not like a fallen mobster, but like a titan standing guard over his queen.
The camera operator lowered his lens in awe. The smear campaign had failed before it even started.
