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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 55
55Olivia’s breath hitched. “Dad—”“This is for your own good, Olivia,” Lewis interrupted, his tone final. “I won’t have you putting your faith in a man who can’t even explain what he did.”Dylan’s jaw tightened. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”“You do if you want to stay,” Lewis shot back.Dylan let out a bitter chuckle. “Right. Because I’m supposed to prove myself to you?” He shook his head, stepping back. “I don’t need your approval. I don’t need you to believe me.” He turned to Olivia, his gaze softening. “I only cared about saving your life.”Olivia’s lips parted, uncertainty flickering across her face.But Lewis had heard enough. “If you won’t leave on your own, I’ll make sure you do.”The threat hung heavy in the air.Olivia’s breath quickened, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Dad, you’re making a mistake.”Lewis didn’t even blink. “No, Olivia. You’re the one making a mistake by trusting this fraud.”Dylan scoffed, his patience hanging by a thread. “You’re so damn sure
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56A heavy silence blanketed the room, thick with tension and unspoken accusations. Dylan’s pulse roared in his ears as his gaze remained locked on Odile’s lifeless form. Something was terribly wrong—he could feel it in his bones.Before he could utter a word, the door burst open. The sudden noise startled Olivia, making her flinch. A tall, broad-shouldered man strode inside, his dark brown hair slightly tousled as if he had rushed here. His piercing hazel eyes scanned the room like a predator sizing up its prey.And when his gaze landed on Dylan, they hardened like stone.“Who the hell is this?” the man demanded, his voice sharp and laced with hostility.Olivia swallowed hard. “Lucas,” she breathed, tension creeping into her tone.Dylan’s jaw tightened. He didn’t need an introduction to know exactly who Lucas was—Olivia’s cousin or brother, the golden boy of the family. The way he carried himself, the effortless arrogance in his stance, told Dylan everything he needed to know. Lucas
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57 Dylan’s muscles tensed, a storm brewing inside him. He had no doubt Lucas would follow through on his threat. The guy reeked of privilege and unchecked confidence—the kind of person who always got his way, no matter the cost. But Dylan wasn’t about to back down. Olivia’s breathing was ragged, her head snapping between the two men, panic flashing across her face. “Lucas, stop this! Dylan is the only person who can help Odile right now!” Lewis crossed his arms, unimpressed. “And why should we believe that?” Olivia turned to her father, her voice rising. “Because I felt it, Dad! When I was dying, I felt his power. It wasn’t a trick, it wasn’t some coincidence—he saved me!” Lucas scoffed, shaking his head. “Sounds like desperation talking.” Olivia’s eyes burned with frustration. “It’s the truth!” Dylan took a deep breath, his anger threatening to boil over. “Look,” he said, voice tight, “I don’t care what any of you think of me. But Odile is dying. And if you let that happen b
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58 Dylan’s fists clenched at his sides, his patience hanging by a thread. Every second wasted on this pointless argument was another second closer to Odile’s death, and these people—her own family—were too blinded by arrogance to see it. Lucas folded his arms, his smirk widening. “And if you’re wrong?” Before Dylan could answer, Zara’s sharp voice cut through the room like a blade. “Whether he’s right or wrong, we don’t care.” Dylan’s jaw tightened, his emerald eyes burning with frustration. “What?” Zara stepped forward, her expression filled with disdain. “You heard me. You’re nothing but a pathetic amateur, a charlatan scammer trying to weasel your way into our family’s business. Do you think we’re fools? Do you think we’d let some random nobody dictate what happens to our daughter?” Dylan let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Are you serious? You’d rather let her die than take a chance?” Lewis, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke, his voice dripping with authority.
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59 Dylan let go of the door handle, quietly stepping back as the attention in the room shifted entirely to Dr. Caldwell. If they were too busy fawning over him to notice, he wasn’t about to leave just yet. His gut told him to stay.The arrival of this so-called doctor had shifted the room’s tension, and for the first time, Lewis and Zara’s confidence wavered. He wasn’t about to walk out just yet.He turned slightly, his sharp gaze locked on Dr. Caldwell, watching every move the man made. Something about him didn’t sit right. The way his eyes flickered too quickly over the room, the smoothness in his voice—it felt too rehearsed, too convenient.Zara, arms still crossed, narrowed her eyes. “Dr. Everett has never mentioned having a replacement. Why would he send someone we don’t know without informing us first?”Dr. Caldwell smiled, unfazed. “I understand your concern, truly. But emergencies happen, and doctors must be flexible. Dr. Everett knew your daughter needed immediate attention,
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60 Bernard’s hand hovered over Odile’s arm, the syringe in his grip steady—too steady, as if he had done this a thousand times. But Dylan’s sharp gaze caught something others might have missed. A fraction of hesitation. It was small, just a split-second pause before Bernard reached for another vial. He unscrewed the cap, preparing to mix it with the first one in the syringe, but his movements weren’t as fluid as before. His fingers fumbled slightly, and Dylan noticed how he barely glanced at the labels. Dylan’s jaw clenched. No real doctor would be this careless. Olivia, who had been standing beside Odile’s bed, wrung her hands together. “Will this make her fever go down fast?” Her voice was laced with hope and fear. Bernard smiled, but Dylan caught how forced it looked. “Of course. She should feel better in no time.” Lewis nodded, relief washing over his face. Zara, though still tense, didn’t protest further. But Dylan couldn’t ignore the growing unease coiling in his gut. He
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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
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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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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.
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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
