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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 72
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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 73
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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 74
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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 75
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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 76
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,
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 77
77 The 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
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78The silence stretched unbearably, thick with unspoken words and the weight of pride that had long divided them. Olivia could barely breathe under its pressure, but she refused to break. Not now. Not when everything was at stake.Dylan still hadn’t answered. His sharp eyes swept over them, taking in every detail—the tension in Lewis’s stiff posture, Zara’s trembling fingers as they clutched her dress, Lucas’s rigid stance, his barely restrained fury. And Olivia—standing in the center of it all, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, her eyes pleading yet unwavering.Seconds passed. Each one felt like an eternity.Then, finally, Dylan spoke.“Very well.”Relief crashed over Olivia like a tidal wave, so intense that her knees nearly buckled. Zara let out a sharp exhale, gripping Lewis’s arm for support. Lewis, who had fought against this more than anyone, closed his eyes, the last of his stubbornness unraveling.But Lucas—“You’ll regret this,” he muttered darkly, his voice
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 79
79Dylan approached the bed where Odile lay, his expression unreadable but his movements careful, deliberate. The dim lighting cast deep shadows under his eyes, making him look even more exhausted than he already was. But there was no time for fatigue now.Odile was small, frail—too pale. Her breathing was shallow, her lips almost colorless. Something about her reminded Dylan of his daughter, Molly, and for a brief moment, his chest tightened with something dangerously close to grief.He needed to save her, she was just like Molly and he couldn’t let her die. No way!But he shoved that feeling aside. He needed clarity, focus.Dr. Everett was already unpacking his instruments, his hands steady as he lined up the medical supplies on the small wooden table beside the bed. The faint clink of glass vials filled the silence, accompanied by the soft rustling of bandages. Dylan barely noticed. His focus was on Odile.He reached for her wrist, his fingers pressing lightly against her skin. Wea
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Chapter 181: Ashes Don’t Forget The 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 m
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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
