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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 26
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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32 On the Other Side of the City… Mr. Nelson leaned back in his grand leather chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the mahogany desk. The city skyline stretched behind him, the lights twinkling in the night like scattered stars. He had barely hung up with Helen when he pressed a button on the intercom. “Charles,” he said, his voice cool but commanding. Within seconds, the heavy double doors swung open, and Charles Emerson, his sharp-eyed young butler, stepped inside. Dressed in a crisp black suit, the man in his early thirties carried himself with effortless precision. His neatly styled dark hair and piercing gaze gave him an air of quiet competence. He inclined his head slightly. “Yes, sir?” Mr. Nelson turned the phone screen toward him, showing Jane’s post and the firestorm it had ignited. “Get this post off the internet. Now.” Charles adjusted his cufflinks, scanning the words swiftly. “I’ll have my contacts work on it immediately, sir.” Mr. Nelson’s eyes darken
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33Lisa slammed her glass down on the table, ice clinking violently against the sides. “No way,” she hissed, snatching her phone back and refreshing the page over and over again.Jane leaned in, her expression darkening. “Try searching it up. Maybe it’s just a glitch.”Lisa’s fingers moved fast, typing keywords into the search bar. Nothing. It was as if their entire post—and the storm it had created—had never existed.Her jaw tightened. “This isn’t a glitch, Jane. Someone took it down.”Jane’s lips curled into a sneer. “Took it down? Who the hell has that kind of power?”Lisa exhaled sharply, setting her phone aside as she reached for her drink again. “I don’t know, but if Dylan had anything to do with this, then he’s got some serious connections.”Jane scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please, Lisa. Don’t be foolish. Dylan? Powerful connections? The guy’s a joke. You really think he’s capable of pulling something like this off?”Lisa hesitated, the memory of that night at Jane’s place
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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?”
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68 Zara watched as Dr. Caldwell’s words hung in the air, but neither man moved. Dr. Everett remained on his knees, his face pale, tears still staining his cheeks, while Dylan stood tall, unmoved by Caldwell’s outburst.Dr. Caldwell’s frustration boiled over, his lips curling into a sneer as he pointed an accusatory finger at Dylan. “This is absurd,” he spat, his voice thick with disdain. “You’re all being played! Don’t you see it?” His eyes flicked to Dr. Everett, who remained on his knees. “Especially you, Dr. Everett. You of all people should know better. You’re the person with the big mind I know.”Dr. Everett exhaled sharply, his hands clenching at his sides. “You don’t understand,” he murmured, shaking his head.“No, you don’t understand,” Caldwell shot back, his voice rising. “This man is a fraud! An imposter! He’s spinning some elaborate tale, and you’re swallowing every word like a fool.” His gaze swept across the room, his expression a mixture of incredulity and disgust. “A
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67 Dylan, still unbothered by the chaos he’d just caused, simply sighed. “Dr. Caldwell,” he said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. “It seems you still don’t understand the situation here.” He took a slow step forward, towering over Caldwell as if to remind him of the power he once wielded, the weight of his name now clear to everyone. “You can insult me all you want. Call me a pauper, a nobody—anything you like. But it won’t change the fact that I’m not someone you can afford to antagonize.” Caldwell scoffed, but there was less confidence in the sound this time. “You’re bluffing,” he said, but the words lacked conviction. Dr. Everett’s eyes stayed on Dylan, his gaze still wide with shock. He shook his head as if to clear away the disbelief, his voice cracking again. “You don’t understand, Dylan—no, Lord Grenville. I—” He stopped, the words caught in his throat. His hands were trembling now, the professional composure he had so carefully crafted slipping away. “I di
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66 Dr. Caldwell’s grin widened as he looked at Dylan, the satisfaction clear in his eyes. “See?” he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. “I warned you, didn’t I? Now, you’ll pay the consequences.” Dylan’s lips twitched into an almost imperceptible smile, unfazed by the threats. He stood tall, arms crossed, his gaze never leaving Dr. Caldwell. The tension in the room grew heavier, thick with unspoken challenges and veiled anger. Dr. Caldwell couldn’t hide the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. His finger remained pointed at Dylan as he took a step forward. “You think you can insult me, undermine my work, and face no repercussions? You’ll regret it.” But before he could continue, a voice erupted with fury. Dr. Everett, now clearly incensed, spun around, his eyes locking onto Dylan. “How dare you—” His words were sharp, full of righteous anger. But as his gaze fell on Dylan, something shifted. The fire in his eyes dimmed, and his entire demeanor changed. He froze, his lips pres
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65Lucas scoffed, clearly irritated with the tension in the room. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he took a step forward, crossing his arms over his chest. “This is getting ridiculous,” he said, his eyes narrowing at Dylan. “You seriously expect us to buy into this nonsense about poisoning? You’re making a fool of yourself.”Dylan’s gaze shifted toward Lucas, his expression unwavering. “I’m not here to entertain your delusions, Lucas. You should start thinking about who’s actually telling the truth here.” He gestured to Bernard, who was still standing rigid, refusing to speak.Lucas scoffed again. “So now you’re the expert? What, you’ve got a PhD in medical deception too?” His smirk was obnoxious, clearly mocking Dylan’s words.“I don’t need a PhD to see a damn lie when it’s staring me in the face,” Dylan snapped back, stepping closer to Bernard, his eyes never leaving him. “It’s about time you stop lying, Bernard. It’s time to face the truth.”Zara, who had been quietly observing t
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64Lucas scoffed, clearly irritated with the tension in the room. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he took a step forward, crossing his arms over his chest. “This is getting ridiculous,” he said, his eyes narrowing at Dylan. “You seriously expect us to buy into this nonsense about poisoning? You’re making a fool of yourself.”Dylan’s gaze shifted toward Lucas, his expression unwavering. “I’m not here to entertain your delusions, Lucas. You should start thinking about who’s actually telling the truth here.” He gestured to Bernard, who was still standing rigid, refusing to speak.Lucas scoffed again. “So now you’re the expert? What, you’ve got a PhD in medical deception too?” His smirk was obnoxious, clearly mocking Dylan’s words.“I don’t need a PhD to see a damn lie when it’s staring me in the face,” Dylan snapped back, stepping closer to Bernard, his eyes never leaving him. “It’s about time you stop lying, Bernard. It’s time to face the truth.”Zara, who had been quietly observing t
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63 Lucas scoffed, clearly irritated with the tension in the room. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he took a step forward, crossing his arms over his chest. “This is getting ridiculous,” he said, his eyes narrowing at Dylan. “You seriously expect us to buy into this nonsense about poisoning? You’re making a fool of yourself.”Dylan’s gaze shifted toward Lucas, his expression unwavering. “I’m not here to entertain your delusions, Lucas. You should start thinking about who’s actually telling the truth here.” He gestured to Bernard, who was still standing rigid, refusing to speak.Lucas scoffed again. “So now you’re the expert? What, you’ve got a PhD in medical deception too?” His smirk was obnoxious, clearly mocking Dylan’s words.“I don’t need a PhD to see a damn lie when it’s staring me in the face,” Dylan snapped back, stepping closer to Bernard, his eyes never leaving him. “It’s about time you stop lying, Bernard. It’s time to face the truth.”Zara, who had been quietly observing
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62 Dylan exhaled sharply, his eyes never leaving Bernard’s. He could feel the weight of the silence pressing down on him, but his voice cut through it like a blade. “What’s her blood pressure?” he asked, his tone cold and deliberate.Bernard faltered for a moment, his eyes darting to Olivia, to the syringe in his hand, and then back to Dylan. “It’s… it’s—”Dylan didn’t wait for him to finish. “Wrong. You didn’t even check.” He took a step forward, his presence closing in like a storm. “Tell me, doctor. How do you treat poisoning?”Bernard’s face twisted with frustration, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he clenched his jaw, gripping the syringe tighter as if it would somehow anchor him in this increasingly tense situation.Olivia’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide as she turned to Dylan, her voice trembling. “Wait… poisoning? Dylan, you said—”Dylan didn’t look at her. His eyes were locked on Bernard, and his voice was unwavering. “Yes. Poisoning. And you don’t even know how
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61Bernard scoffed, a dismissive sneer twisting his lips. “You really think you know better than me, kid?” He waved a hand in the air, as if brushing aside Dylan’s concerns like they were nothing. “You’re clearly just an ignorant fool who thinks he’s got the answers. Stick to whatever it is you’re good at, and leave the medical stuff to professionals.”Dylan’s nostrils flared, but before he could retort, Lewis stepped forward, his jaw tight and eyes narrowing into a glare. “This is a doctor, boy,” he spat, voice laced with authority. “You don’t get to question him. He’s here to help, not play some game with you.”Lucas, leaning casually against the wall, let out a dry chuckle, folding his arms smugly. “See? You’re nothing but a know-it-all idiot,” he added, voice oozing with condescension. “Stay in your lane, Dylan. You have no clue what you’re talking about.” His grin widened, and Dylan couldn’t shake the feeling that the guy was enjoying this—like he was egging Bernard on.That alon
