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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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 88
88 Dylan glanced at her, his face unreadable. “Be vigilant. Watch everyone. And trust no one.” His eyes flickered briefly to Lucas, who was still standing by the window, his back turned to them. The meaning was clear. Olivia’s stomach twisted as she realized the full extent of what Dylan was saying. Lucas wasn’t just a suspect. He was dangerous. Dr. Everett, who had been silent this whole time, finally stepped forward. His sharp eyes settled on Zara and Lewis, his tone firm. “You two.” Zara frowned. “What?” Dr. Everett’s expression was unreadable. “Thank him.” Lewis’s face twisted. “For what?” Dr. Everett’s gaze didn’t waver. “For saving your daughter’s life of course.” Zara and Lewis exchanged a look. It was clear neither of them wanted to do it. But after a tense pause, Zara exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. “…Fine.” She turned to Dylan, her voice begrudging. “Thanks, I guess.” Lewis mumbled something similar, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Dylan b
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 89
89The moment Olivia stepped back into her room, she let out a deep breath, pressing the door shut behind her. Her heart was still racing, though not from fear anymore. Relief. Gratitude. Something lighter, almost warm.Dylan had agreed.She wasn’t sure why it mattered so much to her. Maybe because, for the first time in years, he wasn’t just a ghost from her past—he was real. Standing in front of her. Alive. And despite everything, despite the weight of his scars and the ice in his voice, he had said yes.A small smile tugged at her lips as she kicked off her heels, crossing the room to sit on the edge of her bed.“That actually worked,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief.Her fingers traced absent patterns on the silk bedsheet. So much had happened tonight. She had almost died. Dylan had saved her. Lucas…Her stomach twisted at the thought of Lucas.Her own cousin. A person she had once trusted, once believed in. And now, she wasn’t even sure she was safe u
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 90
Chapter 90: Silent AgreementsDylan walked in silence, his steps even, his hands tucked into his pockets. The cool night air did nothing to ease the weight in his chest. Dr. Everett, still at his side, studied him with wary eyes, clearly debating whether to push further or let the quiet stretch between them.Eventually, the doctor exhaled sharply and broke the silence.“So,” Dr. Everett said, voice heavy, “are you going to take it back?”Dylan didn’t stop walking. “Take what back?”Dr. Everett shot him a flat look. “Don’t play dumb with me, lord Grenville. The alliance. Your place. You were the only one holding it together, and without you—”“It fell apart,” Dylan finished for him, his tone neutral. “Yeah, I gathered that much.”Dr. Everett frowned. “And?”“And what?”Dr. Everett stopped abruptly, forcing Dylan to pause as well. They stood in a place, the doctor’s face lined with exhaustion and something deeper—concern.“Are you going to fix it?” he asked.Dylan met his gaze but didn
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 91
91Olivia heard the knock just as she was about to drift into her thoughts again.A firm, almost hesitant rapping against her door. She sat up, rubbing a hand down her face before calling out, “Yes?”“It’s Carmen, miss,” came the soft voice of the maid from the other side. “Your parents would like to see you in the dining room.”Olivia frowned, pushing off the bed. Her parents? Now?Her heart kicked up slightly. It had to be about earlier—the poisoning, Dylan, Lucas. Maybe even Odile. They wanted to talk.“Did they say why?” she asked, already making her way toward the door.“No, miss. Just that it was important.”“Alright. I’m coming.”She ran a hand through her hair, smoothing out the loose waves before heading downstairs. As she stepped into the dining room, her frown deepened.Lucas was already there.Seated at the long mahogany table, his arms folded across his chest, his expression dark. He barely spared her a glance.Zara and Lewis sat across from him, both with serious, unread
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 92
92Dylan exhaled slowly, his breath steady as he neared the parking lot. The boutique’s exterior lights cast a dim glow across the pavement, stretching long shadows that flickered as cars passed on the nearby street. His car was just a few steps away. A quiet escape.But of course, things were never that easy.A low, familiar chuckle cut through the air. Dylan’s shoulders stiffened before he even turned his head. He already knew who it was.Gregory.The man lounged near the entrance of the boutique, flanked by three of his usual lackeys. Dressed in expensive but gaudy suits, they looked out of place standing on the pavement like a pack of hyenas waiting to pounce.Dylan had hoped to avoid them, to slip into his car unnoticed, but that hope was dashed the moment Gregory’s sharp voice rang out.“Well, well, well,” Gregory drawled, his smirk practically audible. “Look who’s here. The charlatan himself.”Dylan clenched his jaw but didn’t stop walking. He had no interest in engaging with G
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 93
93 Dylan sighed again, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You do realize how pathetic this is, right?” Gregory’s smile twitched. “Pathetic? You still don’t get it, do you?” The shorter lackey snorted. “You must’ve really thought you could hide from us forever.” Dylan’s eyes flicked from one man to the other, his jaw tightening. “Ganging up on someone in a parking lot? Hoping for a reaction? What’s next, shoving me into a locker?” One of the lackeys scoffed. “You think this is funny?” Dylan shrugged. “A little.” Gregory’s expression soured, his patience finally running out. “You really don’t know when to shut up, do you?” The wiry lackey stepped up even closer, fingers twitching as if itching for a fight. “I think it’s time we show you how little you matter to us.” Dylan’s gaze flickered with cold amusement, waiting to see who would make the first move.Dylan rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache that was creeping up. Gregory’s voice grated on his nerves, a const
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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
