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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 61
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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 63
63 The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Dylan’s accusations lingered in the air like a storm cloud, casting an oppressive gloom over the gathering. He stood, unwavering, his posture rigid, and his gaze sharp as a knife. On the other side of the room, Lucas stood with his arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. His expression was a mix of disbelief and scorn, as though Dylan’s words were beneath him. “Oh, come on,” Lucas drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You really expect us to believe this ridiculous story about poisoning? Dr. Caldwell is a respected physician. Who do you think you are to barge in here and question his expertise?” Dylan’s gaze didn’t waver, his voice calm but tinged with an unsettling certainty. “I’m not questioning his expertise, Lucas. I’m questioning his honesty.” His words were deliberate, each one carrying the weight of conviction. He turned his sharp gaze to Zara and Lewis. “You’ve entrusted your daughter’s life to someone
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64 The doors to the room flung open, and two burly security guards stormed in, their expressions cold and unreadable. They moved toward Dylan without hesitation, their large frames filling the doorway like walls. Dylan, however, remained unmoved. His expression still carried that maddening calm, as though the chaos surrounding him didn’t faze him in the slightest. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the guards, his voice smooth and deliberate. “You can throw me out, but it won’t change the truth. And when Odile dies because of this fraud, you’ll have no one to blame but yourselves.” Zara’s face twisted in a mixture of rage and disgust. “GET HIM OUT!” she screeched, her voice cracking with fury. One of the guards took a step forward, his large hand reaching out to grab Dylan’s arm. “Move it, now,” he growled, his voice low and threatening. Dylan didn’t flinch. “You think you can intimidate me? You think I’ll be scared of you? No, my friend, it’s not you I fear.” He turned to Zara,
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65 The guards hesitated for a moment, their eyes meeting each other in uncertainty, before they grudgingly loosened their grip on Dylan’s arms. Zara shot a look at Dylan, her lips curling into a tight sneer. “You’re lucky Dr. Everett’s here. But don’t think this is over. You’ll pay for causing this chaos and spreading lies.” Dylan, his expression still unnervingly calm, simply shook his head. “You people… truly ignorant.” His words were delivered with such cold disdain that it seemed to stop everyone in their tracks for a moment, but no one said anything as Zara and Lewis ushered everyone out of the room, leaving Dylan alone with Dr. Caldwell. Once the door slammed shut behind them, Dr. Caldwell exhaled sharply, turning to face Dylan with a smirk. “Well, now that they’re gone, I guess we can have a little chat, hmm?” Dylan didn’t say a word, his eyes narrowing as he studied Dr. Caldwell. The air between them was thick with anticipation. Dr. Caldwell’s voice dropped to a whisper, a
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 66
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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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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 68
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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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
