2025-01-20 17:01:16Chapter 8: Revelations and Retribution
Vivian’s heart sank as the weight of her actions hit her. It turned out that everything Helen had said was true. She had humiliated the wrong people, and now the consequences were staring her in the face. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees in front of Dylan and Helen. Cold sweat dripped from her forehead, and her hands trembled as she clasped them together in desperation. "Please, Helen... Young Master Dylan..." Vivian’s voice cracked, and tears streamed down her face. "I was wrong. I didn’t mean it! I didn’t know who you were! Please, forgive me. I’ll do anything to make this right!" Helen stood tall beside Dylan, her sharp gaze pinned on Vivian. Her voice was cold, yet steady, as she spoke. "You didn’t mean it? Was it ignorance or arrogance, Vivian? You didn’t bother verifying who we were before treating us like dirt. And now you’re groveling? Do you think that excuses what you’ve done?" Vivian’s sobs grew louder, and she crawled closer, reaching for Helen’s hand. "I was blinded by my assumptions! I swear it won’t happen again. Please, Helen, Dylan, give me another chance!" Dylan’s eyes remained calm but distant, his hands in his pockets as he looked down at the groveling woman. Before she could continue begging, John Nelson’s booming voice cut through the room. "Enough." The authority in his tone silenced everyone. John’s expression was as cold as steel as he glared at Vivian. "You’ve disgraced the Nelson family name and tarnished the reputation of the Royal Elysian Hotel. Do you think begging for mercy will undo the humiliation you’ve caused my granddaughter and the Young Master of the family?" Vivian shook her head desperately, her tears now soaking her face. "No, Mr. Nelson! Please, I was wrong. I’ll do anything, even if you want me to resign." "You don’t need to resign," John interrupted icily. "You’re fired." A strangled gasp escaped Vivian’s throat. "Fired?" she echoed, disbelief flashing across her face. "Mr. Nelson, please! I’ve dedicated years to this place!" John’s sharp gaze didn’t falter. He turned to the security guards standing nearby. "Escort her out of the premises. I don’t want to see her face in this hotel ever again." The guards hesitated for a moment, but John’s authoritative stance left no room for argument. They moved swiftly, grabbing Vivian by her arms and dragging her toward the exit. She screamed and begged all the way out, her voice fading as the murmurs of the crowd grew louder. --- **In the Grand Lobby** John turned to face Dylan and Helen, his expression softening as guilt flickered in his eyes. "Young Master Dylan, I deeply apologize for this disgraceful incident. As the chairman, this was my responsibility, and I failed to ensure the dignity of our guests. Please, allow me to personally invite you to the Supreme Banquet Hall to make amends." Dylan gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "Let’s not dwell on it, Mr. Nelson. Lead the way." As they entered the elevator, whispers followed them. "The Supreme Banquet Hall?" one guest murmured. "That’s reserved for VIPs!" "Who is that guy? Mr. Nelson called him the Young Master!" "Could he be from the Nelson family?" --- **At the Supreme Banquet Hall** The room was a breathtaking sight. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the golden décor shimmered in the soft light. The aroma of fine wine and gourmet dishes filled the air. John personally pulled out a chair for Dylan at the head table. "Please, sit, Young Master Dylan," he said respectfully. Once they were seated, John leaned forward, his tone sincere. "Young Master Dylan, I cannot express how ashamed I am. This was an unforgivable oversight. I assure you, it will never happen again." Dylan’s expression remained calm. "Mr. Nelson, this wasn’t entirely your fault." He glanced at Helen briefly before continuing. "Jane had a hand in this. She orchestrated it deliberately to create trouble for us." John’s face darkened at the mention of Jane. A flash of alarm crossed his features as he suddenly remembered something. "The cooperation agreement with her company!" he muttered, standing abruptly. "I haven’t canceled it yet!" He quickly pulled out his phone and called the manager in charge of the deal. His tone was sharp and urgent. "Cancel the cooperation with Jane’s company immediately. Do you hear me? IMMEDIATELY!” There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before John’s expression turned grim. "What? The manager has already left to sign the contract? Get me his number, now!" --- **Meanwhile, in Another ordinary Banquet Hall** In a smaller, yet elegant banquet hall, Jane and Bobby were entertaining a middle-aged man with a slick smile. The man was the manager of the Nelson family’s business division, and he was there to finalize the cooperation agreement with Jane’s company. The room was filled with Jane’s carefully invited guests—business associates, potential investors, and socialites. Jane had planned this moment meticulously, ensuring that everyone would witness her "success" in securing a deal with the Nelson family. The manager raised his glass in a toast, his tone flattering. "Ms. Jane, I must say, you’re very fortunate to have such a reliable partner. It’s clear someone powerful is helping you behind the scenes to secure this deal." Jane raised her glass with a practiced smile, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at Bobby. “I couldn’t have done this without you, Bobby. Truly.” Bobby smirked, leaning back in his chair as if the whole affair was beneath him. “You give me too much credit, Jane. It was just a few phone calls.” The manager, seated across from them, looked mildly amused but suddenly furrowed his brows. “Ms. Jane,” he asked, his tone light but curious, “Isn’t your husband here? I expected to see him at such an important occasion.” Jane’s smile faltered, and an awkward silence fell over the table. Her grip on her wine glass tightened as she scrambled for an answer. “Ah… my husband…” she began, her voice tinged with forced nonchalance. “He’s just an ordinary man, you see. He doesn’t feel comfortable in high-profile settings like this. So Bobby offered to accompany me today.” The manager raised an eyebrow, his curiosity growing. He turned his gaze toward Bobby, studying him with a hint of skepticism. “Bobby, was it?” he asked, tilting his head slightly. “Forgive me, but I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before. Your family… I don’t recall them having connections with the Nelson family.” Bobby’s confident expression wavered for a split second before he recovered. “Oh, well, we don’t flaunt our connections,” he said smoothly, brushing off the remark. “I prefer to keep things discreet.” The manager’s eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could press further, his phone buzzed loudly on the table. He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted immediately to one of alarm. It was Mr. Nelson calling. “Excuse me for a moment,” he muttered, standing abruptly and walking a few steps away to answer the call. “Hello, Sir” his voice was low but urgent. After hearing what Mr. Nelson said, his expression changed abruptly, and he quickly left the banquet hall.
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Chapter 9: Illusions Shattered The manager had barely stepped out of the banquet hall when the air inside began to thrum with excitement. Jane, glowing with pride, sat at the center of attention as guests flocked to her and Bobby. “Ms. Jane, I must say, this is such an impressive feat!” a woman in a burgundy gown gushed. “Collaborating with the Nelson family—do you know how rare that is? You’re truly remarkable!” Another man, dressed in a tailored navy suit, nodded eagerly. “You’re a visionary, Ms. Jane. Your company is destined to soar after this deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if you became one of the top players in the industry.” Jane’s lips curved into a self-satisfied smile. “Thank you, everyone. It wasn’t easy, but I believe hard work and persistence always pay off. And of course, having the right people around helps immensely.” She glanced at Bobby, her eyes softening. “Absolutely!” a third guest chimed in. One older gentleman raised his glass. “A toast to Ms. Jane’s br
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Chapter 10: Illusions Crumble Jane’s face turned pale as Carter Reed’s words sank in. She forced herself to maintain a calm demeanor, but her hands trembled as she clutched the edge of the podium. With a strained smile, she said, “Mr. Reed, you must be joking. Surely, you realize this is a public event. Journalists are here covering the success of this collaboration.” Carter’s expression remained cold, devoid of the respect he had shown her earlier. His voice was flat, almost mechanical, as he repeated, “The Nelson family has decided to cancel their cooperation with your company. This is final, Ms. Jane.” The room froze. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and all eyes turned to Jane. Jane’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her entire body trembled, and she stumbled slightly, nearly collapsing. Bobby was at her side in an instant, gripping her arm and helping her stay upright. “Jane, calm down,” he murmured nervously. Jane ignored him, her voice rising in panic. “Mr. Reed,
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Chapter 12: A Chaotic Exit The tension in the room reached its peak as Jane's voice rang out, her shrill protests echoing against the marble walls. The sudden arrival of two burly security guards brought an abrupt halt to the escalating chaos. "Madam," the taller guard said firmly, stepping forward, "you need to leave the premises immediately." Jane spun around, glaring at them. "You can’t throw me out! Do you know who I am?!" The other guard gave her a flat look. "We have our orders and this isn’t up for debate. Please cooperate, or we'll have to escort you out by force." Jane’s glare darted toward Helen, her voice rising with desperation. “This is your doing! You think you’ve won, but this isn’t over, Helen! You’ll pay for humiliating me like this!” Helen didn’t flinch. She tilted her head, her icy smile unwavering. “If you spent less time playing the victim and more time reflecting on your mistakes, Jane, you might find life a little easier. But go ahead—make a scene.
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Chapter 13: Unwelcome PraiseJane pushed open the door to her home, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. The weight of the day pressed heavily on her shoulders, but she was greeted by an unexpected sight: her mother and younger brother sitting in her living room, their faces twisted in frustration.“There you are!” her mother, Linda, snapped, crossing her arms. “What took you so long? Do you know how long we’ve been waiting here?”“Waiting for what?” Jane asked tiredly, dropping her purse on the couch.“For lunch!” Linda exclaimed, glaring at her. “We thought Dylan would have the decency to open the door and prepare something for us, but that lazy jerk didn’t even show up. He has no manners!”Jane froze, her expression faltering. “Dylan doesn’t live here anymore,” she said quietly.Her younger brother, Adam, who was lounging with his feet up on the coffee table, perked up at her words. “Wait—what? Did he finally leave? About time, sis! That guy was useless.”Linda’s face lit u
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14The luxurious restaurant buzzed with soft laughter and the gentle clinking of crystal glasses, its golden chandeliers casting a warm glow over the tables adorned with pristine white linens. Dylan sat across from Helen and Molly, the remnants of their elegant dinner cleared away by attentive waitstaff. The evening had been filled with light conversation, but beneath Dylan’s composed demeanor, a current of gratitude simmered—gratitude toward Helen for everything she’d done for him and Molly.Molly swung her little legs under the table, her bright eyes following the swirl of the dessert cart as it passed by. She had been unusually quiet during dinner, occasionally glancing between Dylan and Helen with an expression that Dylan couldn’t quite decipher.Helen leaned back slightly, her posture as graceful as always, though her sharp business-like demeanor had softened around Dylan and Molly. She turned to Dylan with a small smile. “Shall we go? It’s getting late, and Molly looks like she’
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Chapter 15The morning sun cast a golden hue over the city as Dylan helped Molly into her bright yellow jacket. The light streamed through the apartment window, catching on the soft curls of her hair. She was unusually quiet, her small hands fidgeting with the zipper as Dylan crouched down to her level.“You ready, Munchkin?” he asked gently, brushing a stray curl from her forehead.Molly nodded, but her eyes betrayed the nervous flutter in her chest. “Do you think Helen will come?” she whispered, her voice small and uncertain.Dylan gave her a reassuring smile, cupping her tiny chin in his hand. “Of course she will. But we should get going now, alright? She’ll meet us there.”Molly bit her lip, clearly not entirely convinced, but she nodded and grabbed her little backpack. Dylan took her hand, squeezing it gently as they headed out the door.He took the modest car parked in front of the apartment—Helen had insisted he use it. But once he arrived at the villa arranged for him, he'd be
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 16
16 Dylan took a deep breath, his fists still clenched at his sides. Before he could respond, the woman took a defiant step forward, her chin raised in smug confidence. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with,” she sneered, jabbing a finger toward Dylan’s chest. “My husband is the regional manager of Luxe Dynamics Company. We’re respected in this community. We don’t take kindly to accusations from... people like you.” Dylan’s eyes narrowed. “People like me?” he echoed, his voice low and dangerous. The woman scoffed, waving a dismissive hand toward Dylan’s beat-up car parked nearby. “Oh, please. I’ve seen that rust bucket you drive. You expect me to believe anything you say over my son? My family has standing in this town. You should think twice before you go around making baseless accusations.” Dylan felt the heat rising in his chest, his heart pounding in his ears. He glanced down at Molly, who was still sniffling on the pavement, her scraped knees now smudged with dirt and b
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167Dylan stood there in the empty room, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps. His hands still gripped the armrests as if he could hold onto something—anything—to keep himself grounded. But nothing made sense anymore. He had seen the truth in Seraphina’s eyes, even though she denied it. The girl was his. He could feel it deep in his gut.But Seraphina, with all her bitterness and anger, had left him in that cage of his own making. She walked out with the child, leaving him here, imprisoned not just physically but mentally, too.He wanted to follow her. He wanted to run after her, grab her by the arm, and demand she tell him the truth. But deep down, he knew she wouldn’t. Not like this. She had already said too much—he had hurt her too deeply, and nothing he said would ever be enough to fix that.The walls felt closer now. It wasn’t the literal ones of the room, but the ones he had built around himself, the walls he had put up all those years ago. He had walked away from Seraphin
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166Dylan’s mind raced as he stood there, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn’t shake the thought—that girl, the one Seraphina kept talking about, had to be his daughter. There was no other explanation. He had to know for sure.“Seraphina…” His voice came out hoarse, uncertain. He took a cautious step forward. “How old is she?”Seraphina’s gaze hardened, her jaw tightening at the question. “Five,” she snapped, her eyes flashing with an anger that almost made Dylan step back. “Why does it matter?”Five. Five years old. Dylan’s breath hitched, his heart doing an unsettling flip in his chest. Five years…He swallowed hard, trying to steady his thoughts. It couldn’t be a coincidence. He hadn’t seen Seraphina in five years. That was right around the time he had walked away from her—left them both. Molly was four, and this girl—this child—was five.His legs shook, but he forced himself to keep his composure. “Five… so that means…” He trailed off, eyes wide, trying to piece everything
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165Seraphina’s gaze softened just for a second before she turned away, her face hardening once more. “I don’t know,” she muttered, almost to herself. “But it doesn’t matter, does it? You had a chance to be part of her life, and you threw it all away. Just like you threw me away.”Dylan’s heart twisted in his chest, guilt flooding his veins. His legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the floor, his hands gripping the armrests as though he might fall apart if he didn’t hold on. “I never meant to hurt you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “I never meant to leave you. I thought I was doing the right thing… but I was wrong. I was wrong about everything.”Seraphina didn’t respond right away. She stood there, her arms crossed, her eyes staring out the window as though she were seeing something far away. Her silence stretched on, thick and uncomfortable, until finally, she spoke, her voice quiet but cutting.“Don’t you dare try to make this about you,” she said, her tone icy. “You don’
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164 But his cries fell on deaf ears. The guards, clearly intimidated by Seraphina’s wrath, ignored him as they forcibly pulled the little girl away. Her protests grew louder, her tiny body wriggling in their grip.“Mommy, please! Don’t let them take me!” she cried, her voice breaking with fear.Seraphina stood there, her gaze unwavering as the child was dragged from the room. She didn’t flinch, didn’t move a muscle. Her expression was cold, emotionless, as if the scene unfolding before her didn’t affect her at all.Dylan’s heart twisted in his chest as he watched the child disappear down the hallway, her cries echoing in the silence. The sound of her desperation was like a dagger, cutting through his soul, leaving him with a hollow ache that he couldn’t shake.The guards left the room, their footsteps fading as they carried the girl away. Seraphina didn’t follow, didn’t make a move to stop them. She stood there, her back straight and her gaze fixed on the floor.Dylan, however, could
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163 Dylan was still reeling from Seraphina’s words when the unexpected sound of small footsteps echoed in the hallway. His thoughts were a whirlwind, tangled in the confusion and betrayal that Seraphina had hurled at him. He had thought he understood her—once. But now, all he was left with was the sharp sting of her accusations, and the painful realization that everything he had believed in was a lie.He stared at Seraphina, his chest tight with frustration. She stood there, her gaze cold and unwavering, as if she were the one who had been wronged. His heart ached, but there was no time to dwell on the past. The footsteps grew louder, drawing his attention away from her and toward the hallway.And then, in the doorway, a small figure appeared.“Mommy! Mommy!” The voice was high-pitched and innocent, filled with desperation. Dylan froze, his heart skipping a beat as the little girl ran into the room. Her face was familiar—strikingly so. She had the same dark hair, the same wide eyes,
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162 Dylan stood in the dimly lit cage, still reeling from the weight of Seraphina’s words. His mind raced as he tried to piece together the truth from the lies, the half-truths, and the manipulations. The anger, the betrayal—it all swirled in his chest like a storm that threatened to tear him apart. But despite the chaos, he knew he had to keep pressing, had to make her reveal everything.“You turned rogue, Sera,” Dylan said, his voice hoarse but determined. He lifted his chin, trying to hold her gaze, but her eyes were like steel, impenetrable. “I heard you wanted to take the lead of Dragonia. That’s what Victor told me.” He paused, a heavy silence falling between them. “He said you were making moves behind the scenes. That you wanted to reshape everything.”Seraphina’s eyes flickered with something—amusement? Frustration? It was hard to tell, but whatever it was, it made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. She chuckled, a low, bitter laugh that sent a chill down his spine. H
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161Dylan’s pulse quickened, his head spinning with a cocktail of rage and confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?” His voice cracked, the rawness of his throat echoing his desperation. “I didn’t do anything to you. I was just trying to protect my daughter! I never wanted to hurt you, Sera. You don’t get to make me the villain here.”Seraphina’s gaze softened for a brief moment, and for the first time, Dylan saw the flicker of the woman he once knew, the woman who had once been kind, gentle. But just as quickly as it came, that softness disappeared, replaced by cold fury. She stepped toward the cage, her movements deliberate and slow, the sound of her boots echoing in the silence.“You never wanted to hurt me?” she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Is that what you tell yourself? You left me, Dylan. You walked away from me. Without a word. You didn’t care about what I was going through. And then, when you did show up again, you were with her. You were with her. And
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160“No…” Dylan’s voice cracked, his body trembling with a mix of horror and sorrow. “You’ve lost yourself, Sera. You’ve let all this hate consume you.” He staggered toward her, but his movements were slow, weak. “This… this isn’t you. You’ve changed. You’ve become… a person I don’t even recognize anymore.”Seraphina’s expression hardened, her face transforming into an unreadable mask of indifference. “I don’t care what you think,” she spat, her tone dripping with contempt. “I don’t give a damn about your opinions anymore. You made your choice, Dylan. Now live with it.”The words hit him like a slap to the face. Live with it. What choice had he made? He had never wanted any of this. He had never asked for any of it. And yet here they were—he, broken and defeated, and she, consumed by a twisted version of vengeance. There was no room for understanding, no space for forgiveness. Just anger, regret, and a shattered future.Dylan swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving hers. “I never wante
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159 “I didn’t want to leave you, Sera,” he said, his voice barely audible now, strained with the weight of his own pain. “I didn’t know how to stay. I was scared. I thought I had to fix things on my own, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I didn’t know how to come back to you.”The silence between them stretched on for what felt like an eternity. Seraphina didn’t turn around, didn’t acknowledge him. He could feel her standing there, her back to him, but the distance between them had never felt greater.“I thought you were dead, Dylan,” she whispered again, this time more to herself than to him. “And then you come back with her, and everything is… it’s just a lie. You lied to me. You lied about everything.”Dylan’s chest tightened, and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe. He had lied. He had hidden the truth from her, kept secrets that had cost them everything. And now, even if he apologized a thousand times, it wouldn’t be enough to undo the damage.He tried to speak again, but the words stuck
