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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 120
120The slap hung in the air, its sting echoing through the restaurant like a thunderclap. Olivia’s hand slowly lowered, her fingers trembling from the force of her action, as she stood there, chest heaving. Jane, stunned, pressed a hand to her reddened cheek, her eyes wide with shock and fury.The entire restaurant had gone silent, the clinking of cutlery and murmurs dying as every gaze in the room shifted to the scene unfolding at the table. A few patrons whispered in disbelief, while others exchanged shocked glances, unsure if they’d just witnessed the kind of moment that would become a whispered story for years to come.“Did you just…?” Jane’s voice was a dangerous hiss, her anger building like a storm. Her gaze burned into Olivia, her lips curled in a snarl. “You slapped me?”Olivia didn’t flinch. She stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Jane’s. “I won’t let you insult Dylan anymore,” she said, her voice cold but steady. “And I sure as hell won’t let you insult Molly. You’ve d
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 121
121The tension in the restaurant was thick, the air heavy with judgmental murmurs and scandalized whispers. Jane, still clutching her burning cheek, let out a sharp laugh, though there was nothing humorous about it. Her eyes, gleaming with fury, locked onto Olivia’s with an almost predatory glare.“You really think you’ve won something here, Olivia?” she hissed, voice dripping with venom. “You’re pathetic. A desperate little fool playing the hero in a story where no one even asked for you.”Olivia’s expression didn’t waver. If anything, she looked even more determined. “I’d rather be a fool than a coward who hides behind insults and manipulation.”Jane’s nostrils flared. “You don’t know anything about me.”“I know enough,” Olivia shot back. “I know you’ve spent years treating people like toys, like they’re disposable. You push and push until they break, just so you can feel powerful. But you’re done, Jane. People see through you now.”Bobby, who had been standing off to the side, vis
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 122
122The weight of Bobby’s declaration settled over the restaurant, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Jane, still fuming, tilted her chin up, her expression a mixture of smug satisfaction and brewing vengeance.Dylan exhaled slowly, his patience wearing thin. He wasn’t one for pointless drama, but this? This was spiraling.“Bobby,” he said evenly, “you’re making a fool of yourself.”Bobby’s head snapped toward him, eyes burning. “Excuse me?”“You heard me.” Dylan leaned back slightly, as if unfazed by Bobby’s outburst. “You’re standing here, throwing threats like you have the power to actually do something. What exactly are you going to file a complaint about? That Jane got called out for her behavior?”Jane scoffed. “Oh, please. You think you’re so above it all, don’t you?” She stepped forward, closing the space between them. “Dylan, you sit there acting all high and mighty, but don’t pretend like you’re not part of this circus. You’ve been quiet all this time—why? Because
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 123
123Olivia’s jaw clenched as Jane suddenly let out a shaky sob, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The entire restaurant seemed to hold its breath as Jane’s voice quivered, a perfect mixture of heartbreak and outrage.“I can’t believe this,” Jane whispered, her fingers brushing over her reddened cheek as if the pain was unbearable. “I gave everything to this man. I clothed him, I fed him, I built him up when he was nothing! And now—now he has his girlfriend slap me?” Her voice cracked dramatically, and a gasp rippled through the crowd.A woman at a nearby table placed a hand over her chest, shaking her head in dismay. “Oh my God. He cheated on her?”Another patron, a man in a crisp business suit, turned toward his companion, his voice dripping with disdain. “Absolutely despicable. The woman devoted her life to him, and this is how he repays her?”Dylan’s brows furrowed. “What the hell are you talking about, Jane?” he demanded, his voice edged with frustration. “You and I both know
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 124
Just as the murmurs reached a fever pitch, the restaurant manager, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a crisp suit, stormed toward their table. Bobby’s eyes widened the moment he spotted him, and a sly grin spread across his face.“Tony!” Bobby called out, waving him over.Tony’s expression softened as he recognized Bobby, a friendly smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Bobby! I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said warmly, clasping Bobby’s shoulder in a brief, friendly greeting.“Yeah, well, just came to enjoy a nice dinner,” Bobby replied, his voice dripping with feigned casualness. “But looks like we have a bit of a situation here, don’t we?”Tony’s gaze flickered around the room, taking in the tense atmosphere, the eyes of every patron glued to the unfolding drama. He raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on? It’s a bit… lively in here.”Bobby didn’t hesitate, stepping forward with an exaggerated sigh. “Tony, you won’t believe this. These two,” he said, pointing at Dylan a
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125Olivia let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head as she crossed her arms. “This is ridiculous. You’re just going to take his word for it? Without even asking us what happened?”Tony scoffed. “I don’t need to. I trust Bobby.”Dylan’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. “That’s convenient,” he muttered. “You’re siding with the guy whose father practically owns this place. Real fair, Tony.”Bobby smirked, stepping forward with an air of triumph. “Oh, come on, Dylan. It’s not my fault you’re out of your league here. Maybe next time, pick a place that actually welcomes people like you.”Olivia’s eyes blazed with fury. “People like us?” she repeated, incredulous. “What does that even mean?”Bobby feigned innocence, shrugging dramatically. “Oh, you know. People who don’t belong in places like this. People who can’t even afford a decent meal without scrounging for change.”A murmur ran through the watching crowd, and Olivia could feel the weight of their judgment pressing d
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 126
126Bobby let out a bark of laughter, nudging Jane as if Dylan’s words were the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “Oh, this is rich. You really expect us to believe you have that kind of power?”Tony scoffed, arms still crossed over his chest. “Yeah, sure, Dylan. Let me guess—you’ve got a billionaire uncle who just happens to own half the city?”Dylan didn’t respond. He simply slipped his phone back into his pocket and leaned against the nearest chair, unbothered. Olivia, who had been seething moments ago, now studied him with cautious curiosity.The room filled with murmurs, the onlookers exchanging amused glances.“Man, this guy is delusional,” one patron muttered.Another chuckled. “Probably just bluffing to save face.”Even Jane, who had been playing the victim flawlessly a moment ago, relaxed, letting out a small, breathy laugh. “Dylan, sweetie, it’s okay to admit you lost. No need to embarrass yourself further.” She gave him a condescending smile, as if pitying his supposed desper
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 127
127Silence.Then—Bobby stiffened, his face burning with humiliation. “You—You can’t do that! My father—”“I don’t care,” Mr. Langford stated coldly. “You’re done here.”Gasps rippled through the crowd.“Did he just—?”“He actually kicked Bobby out?”“But Bobby’s dad practically owns half the city!”“I thought Dylan was the liar. What’s going on?”Bobby’s face turned red with disbelief. “You can’t do that!”Mr. Langford’s gaze was unyielding. “I can, and I just did. You’re banned. If I see you in here again, I’ll have you dragged out.”The restaurant buzzed with murmurs.Jane clung to Bobby’s arm, desperation creeping into her voice. “Wait, Mr. Langford, please! I—I didn’t know—”He didn’t even spare her a glance. “You can leave with him. I don’t tolerate liars.”Jane’s face twisted in horror as the whispers grew louder.“She was so smug a minute ago…”“Guess her crocodile tears didn’t work this time.”“I’d be mortified.”Bobby turned to Jane, expecting her to protest, but her hand s
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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.
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Chapter 174 Dylan’s hands trembled violently as he knelt beside Seraphina’s broken body. Panic surged through him like wildfire, fast and merciless, as he stared at the blood soaking her clothes. It pooled beneath her like a cruel mockery of life, staining everything it touched a deep, damning red. Her lips were pale. Her breath was shallow. But he wasn’t giving up. Not now. Not like this. “I know what to do,” he muttered under his breath, barely hearing himself over the roar of his heartbeat. “I can save you. I can fix this, Seraphina.” Her lashes fluttered. A small, pained groan escaped her lips. Dylan yanked the pouch off his belt—the one he hadn’t touched in years, the one covered in old leather and tied with fraying string. His fingers shook as he undid the knot, revealing a weathered collection of dried herbs, crushed roots, and dusty vials—everything he had once learned from the old masters in the Eastern Mountains. He swallowed hard. Manwa medicine. Ancestral craft. No
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173The brick came down hard.Once.Twice.The thug’s skull cracked under the force, blood spraying with each blow. His body spasmed, twitched violently, then stilled.Silence.Dylan stood over the body, chest heaving, blood smeared down his arms and soaking into his jeans. His fingers, still clenched around the brick, trembled uncontrollably. The weight of what he’d done—what he had to do—settled like a stone in his stomach.He staggered back a step.And then he heard it.A soft, broken whimper behind him.“Dylan…”His heart seized. The brick dropped from his hand with a dull, wet thud. He turned.Seraphina lay crumpled against the wall, her face bruised and streaked with blood. Her hand trembled in the air, reaching for him. Her eyes, barely open, shimmered with unshed tears.He dropped to his knees beside her. “I’m here,” he breathed, wiping at his face with a shaking hand. “I’m here, baby. I’ve got you.”Her voice was a rasp. “You’re bleeding…”Dylan looked down. His forearms were
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172 Her body jerked in the air like a puppet cut from its strings. Her mouth opened in a silent cry, and then she fell—crumpling into Dylan’s arms, dead weight, blood already soaking through his shirt. “Seraphina—Seraphina! No, no, stay with me!” Dylan’s voice cracked as he lowered her to the ground, cupping her face, her bloodied hair clinging to his fingers. She gasped, just once. Her lips trembled. “Told… you not… to be a hero…” “Shut up,” Dylan choked, blinking rapidly. “Don’t talk like that. You’re not leaving me. You hear me? I won’t let you.” Behind them, the man snarled in frustration. “You stupid bitch! You ruined it! You ruined everything!” He raised the gun again, eyes wild. But Dylan wasn’t finished. He laid Seraphina down gently, the look in his eyes shifting—no longer just pain. Now, fury burned through him like fire through dry grass. He lifted his rifle with one hand, the other still clenched around Seraphina’s, and aimed. This time, he didn’t hesitate. Bang.
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171 Dylan’s mind spun, thoughts crashing like waves in a storm. His back pressed against the cold concrete wall, breath coming in shallow bursts as adrenaline surged through his veins. His eyes flicked desperately between the grimy floor, the cracked ceiling, the flickering lights—anywhere, anywhere he could find an advantage. But all he saw was Seraphina, trembling and cornered, with a pistol pressed against her temple. The bastard holding her hostage—tall, grimy, scarred from a hundred bad choices—grinned like a wolf that had cornered a lamb. The barrel of his gun gleamed under the flickering light, and his finger never left the trigger. “Aww, look at you,” the man sneered, voice slick with mockery. “All that muscle, all that training—decorated hero, aren’t you?” He clicked his tongue. “But none of that means jack now, does it?” “Let her go,” Dylan said through clenched teeth. “You want someone to use as leverage? Use me. Just let her go.” The man laughed—low, condescending. “Oh
