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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
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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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 94
94Gregory blinked, a few more times than necessary, as if his brain was failing to catch up. “Wait… wait, wait. This is a joke. It has to be.” He scoffed, trying to muster his usual bravado. “No way that’s yours. That car’s gotta be rented or stolen. You’re still the same loser. You’re still broke as hell.”“Broke, huh?” Dylan’s voice had a dangerous edge, his lips curling into something far darker than the amused smirk he had worn earlier. “Do I look like someone who’s broke to you?”Gregory’s jaw tightened. “You’re playing games, Dylan. There’s no way you’re rolling in money. This is all some kind of con, right?”Dylan chuckled low in his throat. “If you don’t want to believe it, that’s fine. I’m not here to convince you.”One of the lackeys, the wiry guy with the crooked grin, stepped forward. His eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms, studying Dylan closely. “I don’t buy it,” he said, voice hard and accusing. “You’re full of shit. You think you can just roll up here in some fancy
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 95
95 Gregory’s brain clicked back into place as he watched Dylan sit behind the wheel of the Ferrari, the engine purring to life as though it had always belonged to him. His mind raced, but his mouth was quicker to catch up.“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Gregory sneered, his voice dripping with disbelief as he took a step forward, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “This is all a setup, isn’t it? There’s no way you’re actually driving this car. You must have stolen the keys from someone or some—”“Stolen?” Dylan interrupted, his voice biting through Gregory’s words like a razor-sharp edge. “You really think I’d steal a car like this just to mess with you? I don’t need to steal anything, Gregory. I’m doing just fine without having to sink that low.”Gregory scowled, his fists clenching at his sides. His lackeys, who had been standing frozen in stunned silence only moments ago, now began to murmur among themselves, their disbelief transforming into something more dangerous—skepticism.“Yea
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 96
96“Maybe you should get a hobby, Gregory. Or a life,” Dylan replied coolly, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Instead of worrying about what I’ve got, why don’t you focus on fixing the mess you’re in? Because trust me, it’s not looking good for you.”Gregory sneered at him, his thin lips pulling back to reveal a row of yellowed teeth. He narrowed his eyes, sizing up Dylan with a look of disdain. “Oh, I’ve got a life, alright. A better one than you. You think you can come in here and throw around your little threats, huh? You think you’ve got the upper hand?”Dylan shrugged, the motion casual, but there was something in his posture that screamed confidence. “What’s the matter, Gregory? Did you forget to pay off your connections? Or is it just that you’ve pissed off everyone who might actually give you a hand?”The wiry lackey, still holding his arms across his chest, glared at Dylan with renewed skepticism. “This whole thing’s ridiculous. You really think you can just roll up here and
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 97
97 Gregory swallowed, his eyes flicking to the other men, his bravado slipping away inch by inch. He could feel the heat of Dylan’s glare on him like a physical weight, and for the first time, he started to question just how far this confrontation might go. “Don’t move, Greg,” Allen said, his voice betraying his anxiety. “Maybe we should just… call it a day.” Gregory glanced at Allen, then at his other lackey, who seemed just as unsure now. For a moment, he looked back at Dylan, his chest heaving with the tension of the standoff. The grin was gone, replaced by something darker—something more calculating. “You’re not getting off that easy, Dylan. You still owe me an explanation.” Dylan’s eyes didn’t leave Gregory’s, his posture unyielding. “I don’t owe you anything, Gregory. I gave you everything you needed. You just refuse to see it.” The other lackey, who had been quiet up until now, let out a short, nervous laugh. “Maybe we should just… let him go, Greg. It’s not worth the tro
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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
