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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
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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
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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
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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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 128
128The air outside the restaurant was thick with tension, but Dylan barely seemed to notice. He and Olivia strolled down the pavement, the streetlights casting a warm glow on the sidewalk.Olivia glanced over her shoulder, her brows slightly furrowed as she took in Bobby and Jane’s expressions—shock, confusion, maybe even fear.“You really have a way of making enemies,” she murmured, though this time, her tone held something new. Uncertainty. Because she had thought she knew Dylan—rich, sure, but not this. Not the kind of power that left people like Bobby and Jane speechless.Dylan smirked. “It’s a gift.”Behind them, Bobby finally seemed to snap out of his stunned silence. His face was still burning with humiliation, but now, beneath the rage, there was something else—doubt.“You think this is over?” he hissed, but his voice wasn’t as strong as before.Dylan didn’t even bother turning around. “You keep saying that, Bobby, but the funny thing is… it kinda feels over.”Olivia let out
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170Dylan’s heart thundered in his chest as he rounded the next corner, his breath ragged from the adrenaline coursing through him. He was close, so close. But the sight before him stopped him cold.Seraphina.She was backed into a corner of the hallway, her small frame pressed up against the cold, crumbling wall. A large, imposing man stood in front of her, gripping her arm with a twisted smile on his face. His eyes gleamed with malice. He didn’t look like one of the ordinary goons. This was the leader. The one who was calling the shots.Dylan’s blood boiled as he saw Seraphina’s terrified eyes flick to him, pleading silently for help. His hand tightened around the rifle. He needed to move, but the thug’s words rang out like a shot in the dark.“One step closer, and she dies,” the man sneered, his gun aimed directly at Seraphina’s head.Dylan froze, his grip on the rifle tightening as he weighed his options. Every instinct told him to charge, to take the bastard down without thinking
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Chapter 169: The First Attack Seraphina jolted awake. A deafening explosion shattered the night. The ground trembled beneath her, the walls quivering as the force of the blast rattled the windows. Glass cracked, and outside, the dark sky flickered with bursts of fire. A thick, acrid scent of smoke and burning metal invaded her senses. Then—a terrified cry. “Mommy!” Seraphina’s instincts took over. She turned, her heart pounding, and found her daughter clutching her arm, her small body trembling. Without hesitation, Seraphina grabbed her and pulled her close, shielding her from the falling debris just as another explosion rocked the compound. The blast sent tremors through the floor, and a fine layer of dust rained from the ceiling. Gunfire erupted outside, sharp and relentless. Shouts followed—orders being barked, men scrambling. The attack had begun. Seraphina’s mind raced. Who? She had made enemies over the years, but this wasn’t just some petty retaliation. This was calculat
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Chapter 168 – The Calm Before the StormSeraphina sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the wall but seeing nothing. Her hands trembled in her lap, betraying the storm raging inside her. No matter how hard she tried to steady them, they wouldn’t stop shaking. The weight of her confrontation with Dylan lingered in her chest like a dull ache, refusing to fade. She hadn’t meant to react so violently, but the sight of him standing there, demanding answers—demanding the truth she had tried so hard to bury—had ignited a fury she thought she had buried long ago.She had thought she was prepared for this moment—that she could handle it if Dylan ever returned. But now that he was back, now that he had looked at her with those desperate, broken eyes, she felt everything unravel.She had told herself for years that she didn’t need him. That their daughter didn’t need him. And yet… why did it still hurt?A small, warm hand touched hers.“Mommy?” a soft voice murmured.Seraphina flinched, snapp
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167Dylan stood there in the empty room, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps. His hands still gripped the armrests as if he could hold onto something—anything—to keep himself grounded. But nothing made sense anymore. He had seen the truth in Seraphina’s eyes, even though she denied it. The girl was his. He could feel it deep in his gut.But Seraphina, with all her bitterness and anger, had left him in that cage of his own making. She walked out with the child, leaving him here, imprisoned not just physically but mentally, too.He wanted to follow her. He wanted to run after her, grab her by the arm, and demand she tell him the truth. But deep down, he knew she wouldn’t. Not like this. She had already said too much—he had hurt her too deeply, and nothing he said would ever be enough to fix that.The walls felt closer now. It wasn’t the literal ones of the room, but the ones he had built around himself, the walls he had put up all those years ago. He had walked away from Seraphin
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166Dylan’s mind raced as he stood there, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn’t shake the thought—that girl, the one Seraphina kept talking about, had to be his daughter. There was no other explanation. He had to know for sure.“Seraphina…” His voice came out hoarse, uncertain. He took a cautious step forward. “How old is she?”Seraphina’s gaze hardened, her jaw tightening at the question. “Five,” she snapped, her eyes flashing with an anger that almost made Dylan step back. “Why does it matter?”Five. Five years old. Dylan’s breath hitched, his heart doing an unsettling flip in his chest. Five years…He swallowed hard, trying to steady his thoughts. It couldn’t be a coincidence. He hadn’t seen Seraphina in five years. That was right around the time he had walked away from her—left them both. Molly was four, and this girl—this child—was five.His legs shook, but he forced himself to keep his composure. “Five… so that means…” He trailed off, eyes wide, trying to piece everything
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165Seraphina’s gaze softened just for a second before she turned away, her face hardening once more. “I don’t know,” she muttered, almost to herself. “But it doesn’t matter, does it? You had a chance to be part of her life, and you threw it all away. Just like you threw me away.”Dylan’s heart twisted in his chest, guilt flooding his veins. His legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the floor, his hands gripping the armrests as though he might fall apart if he didn’t hold on. “I never meant to hurt you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “I never meant to leave you. I thought I was doing the right thing… but I was wrong. I was wrong about everything.”Seraphina didn’t respond right away. She stood there, her arms crossed, her eyes staring out the window as though she were seeing something far away. Her silence stretched on, thick and uncomfortable, until finally, she spoke, her voice quiet but cutting.“Don’t you dare try to make this about you,” she said, her tone icy. “You don’
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164 But his cries fell on deaf ears. The guards, clearly intimidated by Seraphina’s wrath, ignored him as they forcibly pulled the little girl away. Her protests grew louder, her tiny body wriggling in their grip.“Mommy, please! Don’t let them take me!” she cried, her voice breaking with fear.Seraphina stood there, her gaze unwavering as the child was dragged from the room. She didn’t flinch, didn’t move a muscle. Her expression was cold, emotionless, as if the scene unfolding before her didn’t affect her at all.Dylan’s heart twisted in his chest as he watched the child disappear down the hallway, her cries echoing in the silence. The sound of her desperation was like a dagger, cutting through his soul, leaving him with a hollow ache that he couldn’t shake.The guards left the room, their footsteps fading as they carried the girl away. Seraphina didn’t follow, didn’t make a move to stop them. She stood there, her back straight and her gaze fixed on the floor.Dylan, however, could
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163 Dylan was still reeling from Seraphina’s words when the unexpected sound of small footsteps echoed in the hallway. His thoughts were a whirlwind, tangled in the confusion and betrayal that Seraphina had hurled at him. He had thought he understood her—once. But now, all he was left with was the sharp sting of her accusations, and the painful realization that everything he had believed in was a lie.He stared at Seraphina, his chest tight with frustration. She stood there, her gaze cold and unwavering, as if she were the one who had been wronged. His heart ached, but there was no time to dwell on the past. The footsteps grew louder, drawing his attention away from her and toward the hallway.And then, in the doorway, a small figure appeared.“Mommy! Mommy!” The voice was high-pitched and innocent, filled with desperation. Dylan froze, his heart skipping a beat as the little girl ran into the room. Her face was familiar—strikingly so. She had the same dark hair, the same wide eyes,
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162 Dylan stood in the dimly lit cage, still reeling from the weight of Seraphina’s words. His mind raced as he tried to piece together the truth from the lies, the half-truths, and the manipulations. The anger, the betrayal—it all swirled in his chest like a storm that threatened to tear him apart. But despite the chaos, he knew he had to keep pressing, had to make her reveal everything.“You turned rogue, Sera,” Dylan said, his voice hoarse but determined. He lifted his chin, trying to hold her gaze, but her eyes were like steel, impenetrable. “I heard you wanted to take the lead of Dragonia. That’s what Victor told me.” He paused, a heavy silence falling between them. “He said you were making moves behind the scenes. That you wanted to reshape everything.”Seraphina’s eyes flickered with something—amusement? Frustration? It was hard to tell, but whatever it was, it made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. She chuckled, a low, bitter laugh that sent a chill down his spine. H
