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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 24
24Principal Thompson cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of control over the crowd, but even he couldn’t hide the slight tremor in his voice. “I believe this matter is settled,” he announced, though his eyes flickered nervously to Dylan, silently seeking confirmation.Dylan gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod, his expression still unreadable.Mr. Thompson glanced down at Mrs. Carter, who was still crumpled on the ground, and then at the brat, who was now hiccuping between sobs. “I suggest you both leave the premises immediately.”Mrs. Carter didn’t move. She just stared blankly at the ground, her mind clearly struggling to process the ruin that had unfolded in mere minutes.Mrs. Carter, still collapsed on the ground, suddenly let out a guttural sob. She snatched up her phone, her fingers trembling so badly she could barely hold it.“I’ll fix this!” she wailed, more to herself than anyone else. “I’ll fix this, I swear!” But her husband’s furious voice still echoed in
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25Once they were gone, the tension in the room seemed to lift—though unease still lingered.The teacher, Ms. Parker, still on the ground, clutched her clipboard tightly as her face drained of color. She looked up at Principal Thompson, her lips trembling. “Sir, please! I—I wasn’t part of this. I just… I just—”“You laughed along,” Dylan said smoothly, his tone devoid of sympathy.Ms. Parker’s breathing hitched. “I—I was just caught up in the moment! I didn’t mean any harm! Please, Mr. Dylan, I need this job—”Principal Thompson pinched the bridge of his nose, his exhaustion evident. “Guards,” he sighed, “escort her out as well.”“No! Wait!” Ms. Parker shrieked, scrambling to her knees. She reached desperately for Principal Thompson’s pant leg, but he took a step back, looking disgusted. “Please, I’ll do anything! I’ll apologize—I’ll—”Her pleas fell on deaf ears. The guards stepped forward, towering over her. One reached down, gripping her by the arm.She kicked and struggled, her cl
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26 As Molly disappeared into the school building with Principal Thompson, the crowd that had gathered outside the kindergarten courtyard finally began to disperse. Parents whispered among themselves, teachers exchanged uneasy glances, and some of the onlookers hurried away, eager to put distance between themselves and the scene that had just unfolded. Helen let out a slow breath, glancing around before turning to Dylan. “Well,” she said, attempting to sound casual, though her voice wavered slightly. “I guess we should leave too.” Dylan didn’t respond immediately. He stood still, his sharp gaze sweeping over the remaining people, ensuring that none of them dared to linger unnecessarily. His presence alone was enough to make them uneasy—like an unspoken command for them to move along. Helen shifted on her feet, stealing a glance at him. She had never seen him like this before—so powerful, so untouchable. It was one thing to know that Dylan had influence, but it was another to wit
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27Afternoon at the KindergartenDylan arrived at the kindergarten right on time. The moment he stepped out of his car, his sharp gaze scanned the playground. The children were running around, playing in groups, but his eyes immediately locked onto Molly.She was standing near the swings, chatting animatedly with another little girl. But the second she saw him, her face lit up like the brightest star in the sky.“Daddy!” Molly squealed, abandoning her conversation and sprinting toward him with all the energy in her tiny body.Dylan crouched down just in time to catch her as she flung herself into his arms. He lifted her effortlessly, holding her close. “Hey, princess. Did you have a good day?”Molly nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Today was the best!”Dylan arched a brow, intrigued. “Oh? What made it so good?”Molly grinned widely. “Nobody asked about my mommy today. Nobody said I didn’t have one!”A strange mix of emotions stirred inside Dylan. Relief. Satisfaction. And an undeniable
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28Dylan grabbed a duffel bag from the small hallway closet and tossed in a few essentials—some of Molly’s clothes, her favorite stuffed bunny, and a couple of his own belongings. They hadn’t brought much when they moved here, and they were leaving with just as little.Molly, however, was bouncing excitedly around the apartment, gathering the things she deemed important. She hugged her bunny to her chest and ran back to Dylan.“Daddy! I got everything!”Dylan glanced at her tiny backpack, clearly overstuffed. He arched a brow. “You sure you don’t want to double-check?”Molly shook her head vigorously. “Nope! I got Mr. Hops, my drawing book, and the sparkly rock I found at the park!”Dylan smirked. “Well, as long as the sparkly rock made the cut.”Helen, who had been standing quietly near the door, cleared her throat. “The car’s waiting outside.”Dylan nodded, giving the apartment one last glance. The peeling wallpaper, the old couch, the tiny kitchen—it had served its purpose, but it
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29 Jane stormed into her office, slamming the door so hard that the glass panel rattled. The sharp sound echoed through the space, making Lisa flinch at her desk. Papers lay scattered across Jane’s desk—reports filled with nothing but bad news. Partnerships were crumbling, investors were withdrawing, and the Nelson family’s rejection was spreading like wildfire. Before Lisa could say a word, Jane’s phone rang, the harsh vibration making her stomach twist. She snatched it up, pressing it to her ear. “Jane Cooper speaking,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Ms. Cooper,” came a clipped male voice. “We’re officially withdrawing our investment from your company, effective immediately.” Jane’s breath hitched. “Wait, what? This—this is sudden. Let’s discuss this. I can assure you—” “There’s nothing to discuss,” the man cut in coldly. “Our board has made a unanimous decision. This is final.” Jane gripped the edge of her desk, her nails digging into the wood. “Please, ju
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30Jane scoffed immediately, crossing her arms. “Dylan? Are you kidding me? He’s a nobody. A broke loser. No one would even care enough to blame him.”Lisa leaned back, swirling the deep red liquid in her glass, the candlelight from the expensive chandelier casting a golden shimmer across the room. “That’s where you’re wrong,” she murmured, taking a slow sip. “He may be worthless, but you were married to him. That gives him just enough connection to your success to make the story believable. You say he sabotaged you out of jealousy, and boom—you go from failed businesswoman to victim of a bitter, spiteful ex-husband. People love a good betrayal story.”Jane hesitated, her fingers tapping impatiently against her arm. The idea was tempting, but it wasn’t foolproof. “It’s risky,” she muttered, her voice laced with doubt.Lisa’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Everything is risky,” she said breezily, placing her glass on the table with a soft clink. “But the rewards? They could be huge. Sy
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31Jane tapped her screen, opening her social media app. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, crafting the perfect post:Jane Cooper:"Betrayal cuts the deepest when it comes from someone you once trusted. After years of sacrifice, I was on the verge of securing the biggest deal of my career—until my ex-husband, Dylan, ruined everything out of petty jealousy. He couldn’t handle my success, so he made sure I lost it all. Some men just can’t stand to see a woman rise above them."She paused, rereading the words. They were strong, but they weren’t enough. She needed to twist the knife deeper. With a wicked gleam in her eyes, she continued:"And while I’ve been rebuilding from the damage he caused, he’s been doing just fine—thanks to Helen Nelson’s generosity. It’s funny, isn’t it? Some men will do anything to avoid earning their own way in life."Lisa let out a low whistle. “Savage. I love it.”Jane stared at the post for a moment longer, then, with a satisfied smirk, hit Post.The mome
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77 ContinuationThe silence in the room was unbearable, pressing down on Olivia like a physical weight. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt, but she refused to back down. Not this time.She turned sharply, her eyes burning as they landed on her family. Her hands trembled at her sides, but her voice was firm, unwavering.“Enough!” Olivia’s voice cut through the thick air like a whip. “I don’t care what any of you think anymore!”Lucas flinched slightly, but his expression quickly twisted into something bitter. “Oh, that much is obvious,” he muttered.Olivia ignored him. She turned to Dylan, her desperation laid bare for everyone to see. “Please, help me. Even if my parents won’t.”Dylan’s gaze remained unreadable, his sharp blue eyes studying her as if weighing something in his mind. He folded his arms, his expression carefully neutral.“And if I do?” His voice was low, deliberate.Olivia didn’t hesitate. She held his gaze, her throat tightening as she forced the words out. “Then I’ll o
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76The room was thick with silence, the kind that pressed against the walls and settled into every crevice like an oppressive fog. Dr. Everett turned sharply on his heel, his coat billowing as he made his way toward the door. The polished floorboards creaked under his measured steps, the sound a reminder of the finality of his departure.“No!”Olivia’s voice rang out, raw and desperate, cutting through the suffocating stillness. She lunged forward, her fingers grasping the stiff fabric of Everett’s sleeve before he could take another step.“Please, don’t leave,” she begged, her grip tightening as if holding onto him alone could change everything.Everett stilled, his body tense, but he didn’t turn back immediately. The weight of her plea lingered in the air.Olivia spun to face Dylan, her breath hitching. Her entire body trembled as she sank to her knees before him, clutching his hands with a desperation that made the moment unbearable to watch.“I’ll beg if I have to,” she whispered,
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75 A Matter of Pride and DesperationThe silence in the room was thick, nearly suffocating. Zara and Lewis exchanged conflicted glances, the weight of their pride battling the undeniable urgency of their daughter’s condition.Slowly, shame began to creep into their expressions.Zara’s nails dug into her palm as she swallowed hard, forcing herself to consider the unthinkable. Apologizing to Lord Grenville. To that insufferable man. It burned her pride, made her stomach churn with resentment, but—Before she could take the step, Lucas scoffed, cutting through the tense air like a blade.“Wait.” His voice was sharp, unwavering. “How do we know this isn’t all a setup?”Every head in the room snapped toward him.Dylan’s brows lifted in surprise before his expression darkened. “You think this is an act?”Lucas folded his arms, his gaze unwavering. “What proof do we have that Everett isn’t working with Grenville? For all we know, this was orchestrated from the start.”A sharp gasp broke the
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74Her voice was ice, her body rigid with fury. Caldwell recoiled, his lips twitching, but she wasn’t done.“We’re going to file a complaint against you,” she said, her voice sharp enough to cut. “You nearly killed my daughter. And we will make sure you never get to hurt anyone else again.”Caldwell let out a harsh, bitter laugh, his teeth bared in something almost animalistic. “You think you can ruin me?” he sneered. “I’ve worked too hard for this! I won’t let you destroy everything I’ve built!”Olivia let out a sharp breath, her hands trembling at her sides. “You destroyed yourself,” she said coldly. “No one else did that for you.”Caldwell opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Lucas—who had been eerily quiet until now—spoke.“This is annoying.”Everyone turned to him.Lucas leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But there was something unsettling in his gaze, something almost… disappointed.Caldwell noticed it, too. His eyes flickered with
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73 Lewis took another step closer, his expression dark. “If my daughter had died because of you…” His voice trailed off, but the threat in his tone was undeniable. Caldwell’s breathing turned shallow. He shook his head rapidly. “I didn’t—I didn’t want that. I swear, I was only trying to—” “Trying to what?” Olivia snapped. Her hands were shaking at her sides. “Play hero? Prove something?” She let out a choked sound, somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “You almost destroyed my family.” Caldwell’s mouth opened, but no words came. His hands trembled as he looked at each of them, realizing there was no way out of this. Dylan took a slow step closer, his expression unreadable. “I don’t think you understand the situation you’re in,” he said, his voice dangerously quiet. Caldwell stiffened. Dylan tilted his head slightly. “You should leave while you still can.”The air was thick with tension, every breath heavy, every movement charged. Lewis’s jaw clenched, his fists tight at his sid
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72 The silence that followed was suffocating. Everyone in the room was processing the gravity of what had been said, the weight of the betrayal hanging over them like a dark cloud. Zara’s breath came in short, shallow bursts, her anger building to a fever pitch. Her hands, still clenched, trembled with the force of it. How could this man—this so-called doctor—have put her sister’s life in such danger? And for what? Ego? Ambition? “This is what you’ve done?” Olivia’s voice broke through the silence, raw and shaking with fury. “You let him treat my daughter when you knew he wasn’t ready? You knew he wasn’t qualified!” She was shaking now, her anger spilling over, raw and unfiltered. She stood up, her movements jerky, her breath catching as the weight of it all came crashing down. “How could you do this?” she demanded, her eyes filled with both anguish and fury. “You said you were friends! You said you’d trained him. This is what you’ve done to us?” Everett’s expression softened for
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71 The truth had been spoken, and now there was no going back.Caldwell’s panic was growing more palpable with each passing second. His hands trembled, his grip tightening on the back of the chair as if it might hold him steady in the face of his own crumbling world. “No,” he insisted, his voice rising with desperation. “This isn’t true. I—I gave her the right treatment! Dylan, you’re just a bitter man, a vengeful man, trying to ruin me—trying to spread lies about me.”His eyes flicked around the room, searching for someone—anyone—who might stand with him, who might back his claim. But the faces of the people around him were hard and unmoving. Olivia’s face was a mask of fury, her hands still clenched tightly in her lap as though holding herself back from doing something reckless. Everett stood like a pillar, unwavering, his eyes cold but filled with an undeniable truth. Dylan, silent but resolute, remained a constant, a rock against Caldwell’s mounting hysteria.“You think you can
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70 Olivia shifted in her seat, her mind still spinning. “I—I never imagined…” She trailed off, the weight of the moment too heavy for her to complete the thought. She glanced at Lucas, whose jaw was still slack with disbelief. “I never thought he could be—” She cut herself off, shaking her head as if trying to wake herself from the fog that had settled over her thoughts. Zara, allowed her gaze to wander around the room. The air was thick with the aftermath of the explosion. Caldwell’s incredulity was palpable, but the others in the room were still trying to come to terms with the truth. Everyone had assumed the worst about Dylan—whether they had consciously acknowledged it or not. But now, with this new information, the foundation they had built for their judgments was crumbling. Dylan, still silent, finally broke his stillness. His voice was calm but cold, like ice cutting through the air. “You wanted proof,” he said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he addressed Caldwell. “I’ve j
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69 “You have no idea what you’re talking about, Caldwell,” he seethed. “You have no idea what this man has done. What he’s endured. What we have endured.” His fingers twitched at his sides, as though resisting the urge to strike Caldwell a third time. “And you dare to mock him? To question his name?” Caldwell swallowed, hard. The sheer intensity in Everett’s eyes was unnerving. “You—” He shook his head, as if trying to shake off his own confusion. “You’re actually serious. You actually believe all this.” He scoffed, but there was no real strength behind it.The room fell silent.Dr. Everett’s voice shattered the silence with a question that was both cutting and resolute. “Do you have any idea who he is?” His eyes drilled into Dr. Caldwell, his tone laden with a weight that seemed to carry years of unspoken words. The room, already thick with tension, seemed to tighten further with the intensity of his question.Caldwell blinked, momentarily taken aback. “What are you talking about?”