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110For a moment, Jane just stared. Then, as if recovering quickly, she plastered on a polite smile and leaned in to say something to Bobby. He followed her gaze, his broad features twisting into a smirk the second he spotted Dylan.Dylan exhaled through his nose, already regretting ever stepping foot in this restaurant.“Well, that was dramatic,” Olivia muttered, swirling her wine. “Think she saw a ghost, too?”Dylan clenched his jaw. “She’ll pretend it doesn’t bother her, but trust me—it does.”Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Sounds like you’re still in her head.”“Not interested in being there,” he shot back.Across the restaurant, Jane murmured something to the maitre d’, and within seconds, he was leading them toward a table—directly in Dylan’s line of sight. Perfect.“Great,” Dylan muttered. “Of all the tables in this place—”Olivia smirked. “Maybe she picked it on purpose.”Dylan frowned but said nothing. He refused to give her the satisfaction of knowing she got under his skin.
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111Olivia raised an eyebrow, sipping her wine with unbothered ease. “I’m waiting,” she said lightly, her tone carrying an edge of amusement.Jane’s red lips curled into a sharp smirk, but there was no real humor in her eyes—just something dark, something brittle. She turned her attention back to Dylan, her voice dripping with mockery.“Ooh,” she drawled, tilting her head, “so this is the second pathetic woman you cheated on me with.”Olivia almost choked on her wine. “Excuse me?”Dylan let out a slow, exasperated sigh. “Jane—”“Oh, don’t ‘Jane’ me,” she snapped, flipping her hair over one shoulder. Her eyes flickered to Olivia again, this time with open disdain. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. You always did have a taste for strays.”Olivia set down her glass with a soft clink, her lips parting slightly in disbelief. Then, ever so slowly, she leaned forward, propping her chin on her palm, wicked amusement dancing in her eyes.“Strays?” she echoed, her voice silkily smooth. “Yo
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112“You think you’ve won something, don’t you?” Jane sneered, her eyes flashing with venom. “Well, let me clue you in, sweetheart. After playing gigolo for Helen Nelson, Dylan finally showed his true colors. And guess what? She kicked his sorry ass to the curb. And now he’s stuck with you?” She let out a short, bitter laugh. “That’s just pathetic.”Bobby let out another humorless laugh, shaking his head. “So let me get this straight. First, you get Jane—who, for some reason, actually gave a damn about you.” He shot Jane a sideways glance, ignoring her glare. “Then you scam your way into Helen’s life, thinking you hit the jackpot—only for her to wise up and kick you out like the trash you are. And now,” he gestured toward Olivia, eyes narrowing, “you’ve somehow landed this one?”His bitterness was impossible to hide now. It gnawed at him, an ugly, festering thing. What does Dylan have that I don’t? He was a loser, a liar, a womanizer, and yet, somehow, he always ended up with women w
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113Jane smirked, shaking her head as she crossed her arms. “Oh, my dear, you poor thing. You really think you’re different? That Dylan won’t do to you what he did to me and Helen?”Bobby let out a dry chuckle, nodding in agreement. “Jane’s right. You might think you’ve got some fairytale romance going on, but trust me, it’s only a matter of time before he finds his next target.” He shot Dylan a look full of disdain. “That’s just what he does.”Instead of looking offended or hurt, Olivia suddenly threw her head back and laughed—a genuine, amused laugh that caught them both off guard.Jane’s smirk faltered. “What the hell is so funny?”Olivia wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still grinning. “It’s just—” she exhaled, shaking her head, “—the way you two are so invested in my relationship. It’s almost sweet.”Bobby’s eyes narrowed. “We’re trying to help you before it’s too late.”“Oh, I appreciate the concern,” Olivia said, her tone teasing. “Really, I do. But here’s the thing—” s
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114Before Jane could retort, a well-dressed waiter appeared at their table, clearing his throat. His expression was carefully neutral, but the tension in his stance was unmistakable. He had clearly been sent to intervene before things escalated any further.“Sir, madam,” he said, his voice smooth but firm, “I must ask you to keep your voices down. We strive to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for all our guests.”Jane scoffed, her eyes narrowing at the man as if he had personally offended her. “A peaceful atmosphere?” she sneered. “You should be more concerned about the kind of people you’re letting in here.”Bobby leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Exactly. How did you even let a pauper like him into this place?” His gaze flicked toward Dylan with open disdain. “You should be kicking them out immediately, not lecturing us about volume.”The waiter, to his credit, didn’t react to the blatant insult. His expression remained composed, but there was a slight tightening of his j
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115Dylan exhaled sharply, his smirk vanishing as he leaned back, crossing his arms. “So let me get this straight,” he drawled. “You’re asking us to leave because he flashed a fancy card?”The waiter hesitated. “I understand this may seem unfair—”“Oh, it doesn’t seem unfair,” Olivia interrupted, her voice light but laced with venom. “It is unfair. You’re basically saying money talks, and we should just… what? Bow and scrape because Bobby here wants to feel important?”Bobby smirked, twirling the card between his fingers. “I mean, it’s common sense. People like you don’t belong in places like this.”Dylan let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “People like me?” he echoed, his tone deceptively mild. “You mean people who don’t have to rely on a piece of plastic to feel superior?”Jane scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please. You’re just bitter because you can’t afford this kind of status.”Olivia feigned a gasp, placing a hand over her chest. “Wow, Jane. You almost sounded smart for a
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116Dylan smirked, leaning back in his chair with an easy confidence that only irritated Bobby further. “You know, Bobby, I’d almost feel bad for you,” he mused. “Imagine thinking a piece of plastic makes you important. That’s like a pigeon bragging about owning breadcrumbs.”Bobby’s face darkened, but Jane rolled her eyes. “Spare us the cheap analogies, Dylan. Olivia made a claim she can’t back up. That means you two need to leave.”Olivia merely hummed, tapping her nails against the table as if she had all the time in the world. “Oh, honey, you’re so eager to get rid of us,” she said sweetly. “Could it be because you know that if I did have my card, you’d look like a couple of clowns right now?”Jane scoffed. “You don’t have it, though.”Dylan let out a low chuckle. “You sound nervous, Jane. Almost like you’re afraid she’s telling the truth.”Bobby sneered. “She’s bluffing. If she really had it, she’d have shown it by now.”Olivia exhaled, rolling her shoulders back. “I’m not bluffi
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117Jane leaned back in her chair, unfazed by the fury burning in Dylan’s eyes. She tilted her head, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “Oh, relax, Dylan,” she said mockingly. “I was just stating the obvious. Molly is a burden, and deep down, you know it.”Dylan’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His chest rose and fell with barely contained rage. “You’re talking about your own daughter, Jane,” he spat. “Do you even hear yourself?”Jane rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t get all self-righteous with me,” she sneered. “You act like I abandoned her in the streets. She’s alive, isn’t she? Fed, clothed? That’s your job, isn’t it?”Olivia, who had been silent for the past few moments, let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Wow,” she mused, her tone dripping with disgust. “I knew you were selfish, Jane, but I didn’t think you were this heartless.”Jane turned her gaze to Olivia, her expression bored. “Oh, spare me the lecture,” she said flatly. “You don’t know the first thing about
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Chapter 181: Ashes Don’t ForgetThe air in The Broken Compass turned thick with tension as Lilith lifted her goblet once more, her calm demeanor a fragile mask. The flickering lantern above her cast shadows along her jawline, emphasizing the cold steel in her gaze.That’s when a sleazy-looking man swaggered up to her table. Gold rings on every finger, a filthy toothpick dancing between his lips, and the unmistakable stench of rum and arrogance clinging to him.He slapped a few crumpled bills onto the table and grinned. “You look expensive, sweetheart. But I’m feeling generous tonight.”Lilith didn’t even flinch. “Pick those up before I shove them down your throat.”The man laughed like she’d told a joke. “Oh, come on, don’t play hard to get. I heard about you. Night Order, right? Bet you’ve done worse for less.”Her hand twitched near the dagger strapped to her thigh, hidden beneath her coat. “Last warning.”He leaned closer, his breath hot and disgusting. “You’ll change your mind aft
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Chapter 181: Ashes Don’t Forget The air in The Broken Compass turned thick with tension as Lilith lifted her goblet once more, her calm demeanor a fragile mask. The flickering lantern above her cast shadows along her jawline, emphasizing the cold steel in her gaze. That’s when a sleazy-looking man swaggered up to her table. Gold rings on every finger, a filthy toothpick dancing between his lips, and the unmistakable stench of rum and arrogance clinging to him. He slapped a few crumpled bills onto the table and grinned. “You look expensive, sweetheart. But I’m feeling generous tonight.” Lilith didn’t even flinch. “Pick those up before I shove them down your throat.” The man laughed like she’d told a joke. “Oh, come on, don’t play hard to get. I heard about you. Night Order, right? Bet you’ve done worse for less.” Her hand twitched near the dagger strapped to her thigh, hidden beneath her coat. “Last warning.” He leaned closer, his breath hot and disgusting. “You’ll change your m
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Chapter 181: Ashes Don’t ForgetThe air in The Broken Compass turned thick with tension as Lilith lifted her goblet once more, her calm demeanor a fragile mask. The flickering lantern above her cast shadows along her jawline, emphasizing the cold steel in her gaze.That’s when a sleazy-looking man swaggered up to her table. Gold rings on every finger, a filthy toothpick dancing between his lips, and the unmistakable stench of rum and arrogance clinging to him.He slapped a few crumpled bills onto the table and grinned. “You look expensive, sweetheart. But I’m feeling generous tonight.”Lilith didn’t even flinch. “Pick those up before I shove them down your throat.”The man laughed like she’d told a joke. “Oh, come on, don’t play hard to get. I heard about you. Night Order, right? Bet you’ve done worse for less.”Her hand twitched near the dagger strapped to her thigh, hidden beneath her coat. “Last warning.”He leaned closer, his breath hot and disgusting. “You’ll change your mind aft
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Chapter 180: Embers of VengeanceThe fire in the hearth snapped as Dylan returned to the drawing room. The old wood panels whispered with every step he took. Gregory sat in a leather armchair near the flames, polishing a pair of vintage spectacles. He looked up as Dylan entered.“All settled?” Gregory asked.Dylan nodded, running a hand through his hair. “She’s asleep. Curled around that fox like it’s armor.”“She’s been through more than most grown men could survive,” Gregory murmured. “Just like her mother.”Dylan’s jaw tightened. He walked over and poured himself a glass of aged whiskey from the crystal decanter. He drained the glass and set it down, then leaned against the mantel. “What do you know about the Night Order?”Gregory paused. “Only what Helen told me. That they used to be a myth… until they weren’t. Secret society. Rituals. Power plays. Blood pacts.”A silence stretched between them until Gregory said, “There’s a woman. Used to be one of them. She turned her back on t
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Chapter 179: Through the AshesThe ride was silent at first—except for the soft crinkle of Dolly’s lollipop wrapper and the distant hum of the engine. Dylan stared out the tinted window, his jaw clenched, one hand resting protectively on Dolly’s knee.She leaned against him, but her eyes were wide open, darting around the interior of the luxurious car.“Is this a magic carriage?” she asked, voice soft.Dylan chuckled faintly. “Something like that.”She held up the lollipop. “It’s cherry. That’s my favorite.”“I remembered,” he said.Her brows rose. “You remembered? But you said you didn’t know about me.”He hesitated, then smiled. “I didn’t. But your mother used to say, ‘If I ever have a daughter, she’s going to love cherry more than anything else.’”Dolly’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “Mama said that?”“All the time.”They fell into silence again, but this time it was less heavy.After a while, Dolly turned her head and whispered, “Do you miss her?”Dylan’s throat tightene
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Chapter 178: A Father’s OathThe mansion’s heavy front door creaked open, letting in the morning light—and a gust of wind that smelled of ash and distant bloodshed. Dylan held Dolly close, her small arms still wrapped around his neck, her cheek pressed to his shoulder.But as they reached the edge of the stone steps, she stiffened in his arms.“Wait,” she whispered, pulling back slightly. “Where are we going?”“Somewhere safe,” Dylan replied softly, adjusting her weight in his arms.“Safe?” Her eyes narrowed. “But who are you?”Dylan froze.“I told you,” he said gently, “I’m your father.”She looked at him long and hard. Her tiny brows furrowed, lips pursed with doubt. “You… you don’t feel like Papa.”His heart cracked a little. “I didn’t know about you, Dolly. Not until tonight. If I had… I would’ve come for you sooner. I swear on your mother’s life.”Dolly blinked, silent for a moment, then asked, “Did Mama really tell you to come?”“Yes.” He crouched down, setting her gently on the
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177Chapter 177: The Search BeginsDylan’s boots thudded against the stairs as he stormed up them two at a time, Seraphina’s blood still drying on his chest like a second heart. His throat burned, but he swallowed the pain. There was no time to mourn. Not now.“Dolly!” he shouted, voice rough and hoarse. “Dolly, if you’re here—please answer me!”The hallway stretched before him, quiet and cloaked in shadows. The scent of old wood and lavender clung to the air—Seraphina’s favorite oil. His hand brushed the wall as he passed a set of closed doors, his mind racing.He threw open the first room.Empty.Just dusty blankets, a cracked mirror, and toys that hadn’t been played with in years.“Dolly!” he yelled again, more desperately this time. “It’s Papa. I’m here. Please—baby, answer me.”His heart thundered. He moved to the next room, nearly ripping the door off its hinges.“Dolly—”Nothing but silence.Then—A faint thump.He froze.It came again.He turned sharply toward the third door.
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176“I forgave you,” she said suddenly, her voice clear for a brief second. “For everything. For the things you did… for what we became. I forgave you a long time ago, Dylan. I just wish you could forgive yourself.” His chest tightened so sharply he could hardly breathe. “You don’t get to say goodbye. Not like this. No. No—stay awake. Don’t close your eyes. I need you. We need you.” “I’m tired,” she whispered. “But listen… the Alliance… it’s burning. They’re tearing it apart because of you.” He flinched, guilt sweeping over him. “I never wanted this war. I built Dragonia to unite our lands, to end bloodshed…” “But you left,” she said, blinking slowly. “You left it behind… and it turned into a battlefield.” He pressed his forehead to hers, eyes wet with grief. “Because I couldn’t face what I lost. Because I was a coward.” “You’re not,” she murmured. “You were always brave. Stubborn… cruel, sometimes. But brave.” “I don’t want to be brave anymore,” he whispered. “I just want you
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175“Please…” he whispered. “Don’t leave me.”A long silence stretched between them. The forest around them was too quiet—no birds, no wind, just the rising smoke and the smell of iron and earth.Then—suddenly—her hand caught his wrist.His heart leapt.Her grip, weak but deliberate, made his breath hitch.“…It’s too late,” she whispered, a faint smile pulling at her cracked lips.“No. No, it’s not.” His voice was thick with tears as he shook his head. “I’ve got you, I can—”“You can’t.” Her voice was softer than a breeze, fragile and final. “Not this time. Dylan…”His jaw clenched. “Don’t talk like that. You’re not dying, do you hear me? You’re not—!”She squeezed his hand, surprising him with a flicker of strength. “Listen to me. There’s something I never told you…”His heart pounded violently against his ribs. “What?”“Our daughter.”She coughed, blood spilling from the corner of her lips, staining the side of her chin.“Her name… is Dolly.”Dylan froze.“What…?” His voice cracked.
