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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 80
80Dylan stood up straight, his gaze never leaving Odile’s frail body. His thoughts raced as he took in the subtle details—her pallor, the faint tremors in her hands, the slight sheen of sweat on her forehead. Every part of him screamed that something was wrong, something far worse than just a sickness. Poison. His instincts had never failed him before, but this time, the stakes were higher than they had ever been.“Right,” Dylan said, his voice cool, controlled, but laced with urgency. “I need you all to listen closely. We need to gather a few things.” He turned toward Olivia, his voice becoming firmer. “I need a list of anything that could have come into contact with her in the last few days. Things that might have been… tainted.”Olivia looked at him, her brows furrowing in confusion. “Tainted? What do you mean?”Dylan’s gaze flicked from Odile back to Olivia. “Anything unusual, anything that could have been laced with poison. I need you to think, Olivia. Everything. And I mean eve
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 81
81 Carmen, who had been hovering near the door, nodded quickly and hurried off without a word. Olivia’s attention shifted back to Zara, who was still standing by the foot of the bed, her face pale and troubled. “You heard him, right mom?” Olivia said, her voice low and serious. “Do you understand what’s at stake here?” Zara nodded, though she didn’t look convinced. “I don’t know, Olivia. I just… this feels wrong. I mean, a leech?” “I don’t care what it feels like,” Olivia shot back, her eyes flashing with a sharpness that sent a chill down her mother’s spine. “We’re doing this because Odile is in danger. Don’t forget that. Now, help Carmen if you can, or just wait here. But we need to get everything.” Zara nodded again, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Olivia talk to me with respect!” She yelled furiously then calmed down and said, “Okay, I’ll go check with the maids. But this… it’s all so strange.” Olivia’s gaze softened for a moment, a hint of weariness in her eyes. “I kn
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 82
82Dylan took a deep breath, his focus sharp as he prepared for the delicate procedure. He had already sterilized the tools and set the teapot near the edge of the table. With a steady hand, he grabbed a scalpel and made a precise cut along the side of Odile’s neck, just beneath her jawline. The incision was shallow, but it was enough to allow for the leech to do its work.“Hold still,” Dylan murmured, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. He gently wiped the blood from the wound, ensuring it wouldn’t interfere with the procedure.Olivia stood frozen, her eyes wide with worry as she watched him work. Zara, standing just beside her, couldn’t tear her gaze away either, her hand clutching Olivia’s arm in a grip that spoke of her anxiety.Once the cut was made, Dylan reached for the teapot, where the leech had been soaking. He removed it carefully, the creature curling slightly as it was lifted from the hot water. It had been prepared just so, its temperature now perfect
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83A few minutes later, a subtle transformation began to take place. Odile’s pale skin, which had been a sickly grayish hue, slowly regained color, returning to a more natural tone. Her lips, once a lifeless, blue-tinged shade, now blossomed into a soft, healthy pink. The change was unmistakable.The room fell silent as all eyes were drawn to Odile’s miraculous recovery. The tension in the air was thick with disbelief, awe, and confusion. Gasps echoed from every corner of the room, a collective sound of astonishment that seemed to reverberate off the walls.Olivia, still standing at the bedside, instinctively covered her mouth with her trembling hands. Her heart hammered in her chest, unsure of what she was seeing. Was this really happening? She couldn’t fathom how Dylan, the quiet, unassuming figure, had achieved what none of the world’s best doctors had been able to. Her eyes never left Odile as the little girl breathing grew even steadier, and a faint color returned to her cheeks.
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84Lucas stood at the threshold of the room, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his face a mask of fury. The veins in his neck were visible as his breathing deepened with every passing second, and his eyes were narrowed, burning into Dylan. His lips were pressed into a thin, hard line. There was no relief, no sense of gratitude in his expression. Instead, there was a coldness, a distance, that sent a chill down Olivia’s spine.“Are you seriously standing there like everything is fine?” Olivia’s voice rang out, filled with a mix of confusion and growing concern. She rose from her seat, her hands clenched at her sides, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Lucas, this is a miracle! She’s alive. She’s healing, and you’re standing there looking like you’re about to explode. Can’t you see that?”Lucas didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink. His gaze remained fixed firmly on Dylan, his jaw clenched so tight it seemed like his teeth might break. His posture was rigid, as though he were tryin
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 85
85Olivia’s pulse quickened as the pieces began to click together. She had noticed something—something about Lucas’s behavior had always seemed off, like he was hiding something, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it until now. She glanced at him, her voice trembling slightly. “Lucas… are you telling me you knew what was going on? You knew Odile was being poisoned, and you didn’t tell anyone?”Lucas’s eyes flared with a flash of anger, but there was also something else—a glimmer of guilt, a shadow of a deeper, darker truth. He shifted uncomfortably under Olivia’s gaze, and for the first time, Dylan saw him break.“Alright, fine,” Lucas muttered, his voice low, resigned. “I knew. But what was I supposed to do about it? I couldn’t exactly come out and say, ‘Hey, I think someone’s poisoning her,’ and look like an idiot.” He let out a bitter laugh, his eyes flitting to the floor. “You have no idea what it’s like, okay? How everyone looks at you when you’re the one who knows, but you
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 86
86 Dylan’s voice broke the silence in the room, low and steady, carrying an air of gravity that seemed to weigh the walls down. “She’s been poisoned for over a month.” The words hung in the air like a thick fog, suffocating everything around them. “The doses were small at first, but in the last three days, the amount has tripled.”Olivia’s pulse thudded in her ears as the room seemed to spin. Her stomach lurched. Poisoned? Her mind raced, trying to wrap around the idea, but it couldn’t seem to hold on to it. She stared at Dylan, her eyes wide in disbelief, her voice barely a whisper. “You mean someone… deliberately tried to kill her?”Dylan nodded gravely, his expression unreadable. His eyes locked with hers, and for the first time, Olivia saw the weight of the truth in them. “Not just her,” he added, his voice thick with the kind of pain that came from knowing too much. “You too, Olivia.”A sharp gasp escaped Olivia’s lips, and she staggered back a step. Her breath hitched, and she
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 87
87The silence in the room was deafening, pressing in on them like a vice. Everyone’s breath was held in suspense, waiting for someone—anyone—to break it.And then Dylan did.His voice was quiet, but the weight behind his words was crushing. His gaze locked onto Lucas, unyielding and cold.“It was you.”The impact of those three words was immediate. The room erupted into chaos.“What the hell are you talking about?” Lucas’s face twisted with fury, his voice a sharp bark as he slammed his fist against the table. The sound cracked through the room like thunder, making Olivia jump.Zara let out a strangled gasp, and Lewis’s face drained of all color. Olivia’s heart pounded against her ribs, and for a moment, she could hardly breathe.Lucas…?No. No, it couldn’t be.“You lying bastard!” Lucas snarled, his chest rising and falling heavily. His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. “How dare you accuse me of something so—so disgusting?!”Olivia felt her knees weaken, and s
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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
