Chapter 659

Cedric could barely see anything around him—the smoke was thick, and visibility was almost zero. He shouted as loudly as he could, "Noelle! Where are you?" His heart was pounding as he searched through the haze, each second dragging on like forever. He had never known time could feel so agonizingly slow. "Noelle, where the hell are you?" "I'm over here." The voice was faint, barely audible through the noise, but Cedric immediately followed the sound. Then, he found Noelle curled up behind a large ceramic planter near a window, clutching the prototype tightly in her arms. Cedric rushed over, tore off his jacket, and wrapped it around her. His voice trembled with anger as he barked, "You were willing to risk your life over a prototype?" Noelle opened her mouth to speak but ended up coughing violently from the smoke. The air was harsh and acrid. "Don't talk," Cedric ordered. "I'm getting you out of here." He shielded her with his body and moved toward the exit, but the fire had gr