2025-01-14 23:22:39Chapter 4: The Shift of Power
Lisa was frozen in place, her face pale as Dylan’s piercing gaze locked onto her. “If I ever hear you insult Molly again,” Dylan said coldly, his voice steady and sharp, “I’ll make you regret it in ways you can’t even imagine.” Lisa’s confidence wavered, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. For the first time, she was truly afraid of the man she had belittled for years. Dylan didn’t wait for her response; he bent down to pick up Molly, who clutched his neck tightly, her tears slowly drying. “Let’s go,” he said softly to his daughter. Molly nodded, her voice small but steady. “Okay, Daddy.” Without another glance at Lisa, Dylan walked out of the house. Outside, the convoy of luxury cars awaited. A chauffeur opened the door of a sleek black Rolls-Royce, bowing slightly as Dylan and Molly got in. Lisa stood by the window, watching as the convoy disappeared down the street. Her shock gradually turned into indignation. “This has to be a setup,” she muttered, pacing back and forth. “There’s no way that loser has connections like that. He must’ve stolen money from Jane to hire those actors.” Fuming, Lisa snatched up her phone and made a video call to Jane.Jane was shocked. "What? What exactly happened? He's always been a coward. How could he dare to hit you?"
Lisa was momentarily speechless, thinking about the things she had said to Molly. She wasn't sure if Jane truly didn't care about Molly anymore, so she didn't dare to tell Jane the truth. Instead, Lisa feigned indignation and said, "Don't you believe me? I've been beaten and I'm bleeding! Do you still want to defend that good-for-nothing ex-husband of yours?" Jane quickly explained, "I'm not saying I don't believe you, I just want to know what happened!" Lisa spoke with a sense of grievance, "I was just telling him that raising a daughter costs a lot of money and that I hoped he would give you custody. He suddenly got angry and hit me! Did my words hurt his pride?" Jane sighed, "It must be that. He's just a loser, yet he refuses to listen to advice..." She glanced at her watch and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely get justice for you! I'm going to call Dylan right now and make him apologize and pay for your medical expenses!" Hearing Jane's words, Lisa's face lit up with joy. "I knew you would help me! Where are you now? It looks very luxurious!" Jane smiled and said, "Royal Elysian Hotel. I've booked a banquet hall, waiting to sign a contract with the Nelson family. Once the contract is signed, I'll be the most successful businesswoman in the city!" "Congratulations! Then quickly resolve Dylan's issue before the Nelson family arrives. Don't let that good-for-nothing mess up the important matters!" Jane nodded in agreement and ended the video call. Then, she angrily dialed Dylan's phone. --- In the backseat of the Rolls-Royce, the atmosphere was light and playful. Dylan, trying to lift Molly's spirits, lightly tickled her, making her giggle uncontrollably. Across from him, seated in a corner, was John Nelson, his old ally and the patriarch of the Nelson family. Beside John sat his granddaughter, Helen, a young woman whose shyness was palpable. She sat straight, her hands folded nervously in her lap, her eyes often darting away from Dylan's. “Young master, it’s truly an honor to meet you in person after all these years,” John said, his voice quivering with emotion. "You’ve always been like a son to me." Dylan’s lips curled into a small, polite smile as he met John’s gaze. “John, you’ve always been loyal. It’s good to see you too.” John’s eyes glistened as he continued, “Loyalty? You’ve given me more than that. You’ve made me who I am today. Without you, I would still be nothing but a servant in the Grenville family, cleaning floors and fetching tea. You saw potential in me when no one else did, and because of you, I’m now the head of the Nelson family.” Dylan remained quiet, his gaze briefly softening at John’s words. The mention of his past with the Grenville family stirred memories, but he didn’t let them linger long. John’s face lit up with pride. “And there’s someone I want you to meet. My granddaughter, Helen.” He turned his gaze to the young woman beside him, and Helen’s cheeks flushed pink as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her eyes avoided Dylan’s, and she kept her hands tightly clenched in her lap. “She’s just returned from studying abroad,” John continued. “Helen’s been preparing herself for the day she’ll take over the Nelson legacy. I thought it would be a good opportunity for her to meet you today.” Dylan gave Helen a polite nod, noticing her shyness, and smiled warmly, though he wasn’t sure how to approach the young woman. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Nelson.” Helen’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper as she replied, “It’s… it’s an honor, sir.” Her eyes remained cast downward, and she didn’t look up at Dylan.John, noticing the tension, gave his granddaughter a gentle nudge, but Helen only seemed to shrink further into her seat, her shyness overwhelming.
“To celebrate your return, young master,” John continued, clearly eager to change the subject, “I’ve arranged a grand banquet at the Royal Elysian Hotel, the finest in the city. Every detail has been prepared to honor you.”
Molly’s eyes brightened at the mention of food. “A banquet? Does that mean lots of yummy food, Daddy?”
Dylan chuckled softly, ruffling Molly’s hair. “Yes, sweetheart. Lots of yummy food.”
As the car made its way through the city, John’s pride swelled, and he glanced fondly at his granddaughter. Since Dylan had divorced Jane today, he knew this was a chance for Helen to shine, to perhaps win Dylan’s favor. If she could become Dylan's wife, the Nelson family would rise to prominence.
Just as the atmosphere in the car grew lighthearted, Dylan’s phone buzzed. His brow furrowed when he saw the caller ID—Jane. He sighed, answering with reluctance. “What do you want, Jane?”
Jane’s voice erupted through the line, sharp and furious. “Dylan! How dare you lay your hands on Lisa? Have you lost your mind? She told me everything! You’ve crossed the line this time!”
“You’re nothing but a violent, greedy man!” she continued furiously.
Dylan’s expression darkened. “Jane, if you’ve called to lecture me, save your breath.”
“Lecture you?” Jane snapped. “You need to apologize to her immediately! Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused? If you don’t make this right, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Dylan held back his anger, "I didn’t hit her. She was the one trying to hit Molly. I was just protecting my daughter!"
"You're lying! Molly is also my daughter, and Lisa would never hurt her! You must be angry because your little scheme was exposed by Lisa. Now you're taking your frustration out on a woman!" Jane said with disappointment.
"I always thought you were a useless man, but not a bad one. I never imagined you'd be so shameless! You're nothing but scum!"
Dylan was completely disheartened. He spoke coldly, "There’s a camera in the living room. Watch it yourself, and you’ll understand everything. Instead of standing here slandering me, why don’t you think about how your so-called best friend had the audacity to hit Molly!"
"If you actually cared about your own daughter, Lisa wouldn’t dare look down on her or insult her with words! She's our daughter, not some random stranger!"
Jane faltered for a moment before doubling down. “You’re just proving you’re unstable! If you don’t apologize, I’ll cut you off completely!”
Dylan let out a cold laugh. “Cut me off? Jane, I’ve been nothing but a shadow in your life for years. Do what you want. I don’t care anymore.”
“Dylan!” Jane’s voice cracked with frustration.
“I’m done with this conversation,” Dylan said firmly. “Goodbye, Jane.”
He hung up, his jaw clenched as he stared out the window. Molly, sensing his tension, reached out and held his hand.
At the Royal Elysian Hotel, Jane stared at her phone in disbelief, trembling with anger. “He’ll pay for this,” she muttered. “He. Will. Pay.”
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The atmosphere in the Rolls-Royce was tense. Dylan sat in silence, his jaw clenched as the weight of his recent phone call with Jane lingered. Sensing his unease, John Nelson leaned forward, his face dark with anger.“Young Master,” John said, his voice low and serious, “after hearing how your ex-wife treated you and Molly, I have to ask—should we reconsider this cooperation with her company? People like her don’t deserve your help.”Dylan’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at John. “John, I'm always happy to help my wife's company. But now...Jane is not my wife anymore.” His voice was calm, but his words carried a firm edge.John nodded in understanding, his expression thoughtful. “I see.”The convoy arrived at the grand entrance of the Royal Elysian Hotel, where a red carpet had been rolled out. Luxury cars lined the driveway, with elegantly dressed guests mingling outside.John glanced at his granddaughter Helen, who had remained quiet the entire ride. Her shyness was evident,
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51 “Alright,” he finally said, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. “I’ll follow you. But you owe me an explanation.” Olivia’s face softened in relief, and for a brief moment, he could see the vulnerability in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing his arm before turning toward the hallway. As they walked down the corridor, Carmen stood frozen in place, her face pale with anxiety. She didn’t move as Olivia and Dylan disappeared from view, but the worry in her eyes lingered long after they had passed. Dylan glanced over at Olivia as she led him down the hall, the mansion’s grandeur feeling almost oppressive now, as though the walls were closing in around them. The distant sound of footsteps echoed through the silent house. They reached a set of stairs leading to the upper floor, and Olivia’s pace quickened. Dylan’s steps slowed as he noticed the way she was moving—quick, yet careful, like someone who had done this many times before. “Olivia,” he began, his voice
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50 Olivia’s voice cut through his thoughts, softer now. “It’s okay, Carmen. You can tell them I’ll be there soon.” She turned to Dylan, trying to lighten the mood. “Sorry about this. Family stuff. You know how it goes.” But Dylan didn’t feel reassured. Instead, he felt the sharp tug of suspicion. He’d seen people act a certain way when they were hiding something, and Olivia’s behavior, her way of avoiding his gaze, was one of those signs. Dylan stood there, his frown deepening as he watched Olivia carefully. She was clearly avoiding his gaze, her eyes darting to the floor, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve. Something was definitely off, and the unease in his chest was growing by the second. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “Olivia, what’s going on? You’re not telling me something.” She hesitated, biting her lip and glancing up at him briefly before looking away again. “I… I didn’t exactly invite you here just to thank you,” she said softly, her voice
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49A few minutes later, they arrived at a large, wrought-iron gate. The gate was imposing—tall and intricately designed, the kind of thing you’d expect to see in a place that had been standing for decades, if not centuries. Olivia slowed the car, pressing a button on the dashboard to open the gate. It creaked open slowly, revealing a long, tree-lined driveway leading up to a massive mansion in the distance.Dylan’s eyes widened just slightly, though he tried to keep his expression neutral. The house in front of him was magnificent. It was a sprawling two-story estate, with gleaming stone and large windows that reflected the evening sky. It looked like something out of a dream—or a movie. He could feel the weight of the place, a kind of quiet opulence that commanded attention.As they pulled up in front of the house, Olivia parked the car and turned to him. “Welcome to my home,” she said softly, her voice almost reverent as she looked up at the mansion. “I know it’s a lot. But… it’s wh
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48Dylan blinked, caught off guard by her request. The way she spoke, her voice so earnest and pleading, made it difficult to dismiss. But his first instinct was still to pull away, to avoid whatever this was, because he wasn’t sure what it meant.She was cute, sure, but that didn’t mean he had to complicate things.“What kind of thanks is this?” he thought, unsure of whether he was more confused or intrigued by the idea. Still, the thought of just slipping away quietly tugged at him. He didn’t owe her anything more than the help he’d already given. And yet, looking at her—at Olivia—he couldn’t deny the pull he felt toward her. The dimples, the warmth in her smile, the sincerity in her eyes. She wasn’t just offering a thank you; there was something more in her invitation.“Alright,” he said after a long pause, his voice low, though still hesitant. “I’ll come. But I don’t know what else I can do other than just show up and listen. I’m not one for grand gestures.”Olivia’s face lit up w
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47Dylan froze, his hand already on the car door. He turned slowly, half expecting it to be one of the lingering skeptics, trying to further dissect his actions.The woman was rushing toward him now, her eyes wide with gratitude but still filled with confusion. Her steps faltered slightly, but she pushed through, her voice clear and urgent. “Please—thank you. For what you did. I… I need to know why you helped me.”Dylan stood still, his gaze meeting hers. For a moment, the time seemed to still, the chaos of earlier falling away as he looked into her eyes—eyes that held a mixture of disbelief, relief, and something else.He could hear her breathing unevenly, still recovering from the ordeal, but she stood firm.“Don’t thank me,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft for all the anger that still burned in him. “I didn’t do it for your gratitude. I just did what needed to be done.”The woman’s brows furrowed in confusion. “But… Gregory said—he said you were a fraud. That you were just pla
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46Once outside, Dylan took a deep breath, the weight of the boutique’s gaze still heavy on him. His heart raced—not from fear, but from the surge of adrenaline still coursing through him. He wasn’t surprised by what had happened, but the way the crowd had reacted still left him unsettled.Behind him, the door of the boutique creaked open, and murmurs trickled out.“Did you see that? Did he really just do that?” one voice whispered, barely audible in the cool night air.“I—I thought she was gone, I swear it,” another voice added, shaken. “One minute, she’s convulsing, and the next… just like that… she’s awake.”“That man… he’s no amateur,” a third voice said, filled with awe. “That was deliberate. He knew what he was doing.”Dylan’s hands clenched at his sides as the voices continued.Inside the boutique, the doctor could still be heard, his voice rising in frustration. “You don’t understand! That—what he did—it wasn’t science. It was—”“It was something,” someone interjected sharply.
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45Dylan turned sharply to the assistant, his voice unwavering. “Bring me a clean knife and a small glass bottle. Now.”The assistant hesitated, his eyes darting nervously toward the doctor. “I—should I?”The doctor, still reeling from how rapidly the woman’s condition had deteriorated under his care—and just as quickly stabilized under Dylan’s—clenched his jaw. His pride screamed at him to refuse, but the proof was undeniable.“Do it,” he ground out, his voice tight with humiliation.Gasps rippled through the crowd at his reluctant admission. The same doctor who had barked orders with absolute confidence was now deferring to the man he had called an amateur.The assistant scrambled away, returning moments later with the requested items. The tension in the room was suffocating, the onlookers frozen in stunned anticipation.Gregory scoffed, crossing his arms. “Oh, so now you’re playing butcher? What next? Gonna do a rain dance too? Maybe chant a magic spell while you’re at it?”A few p
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44Panic spread like wildfire. The murmurs in the crowd turned into frantic shouts, people stumbling back, some pressing against the walls as the woman’s body thrashed uncontrollably.“She’s dying!” a voice shrieked.“Somebody do something!” another cried.Dylan didn’t waste a second. He gripped the woman’s arm tightly, his mind racing. The poison had accelerated. The sedative had weakened her body’s ability to fight, allowing the toxin to spread unhindered. If he didn’t act now, she wouldn’t survive the next minute.Gregory let out a loud scoff, shaking his head. “Look at this mess. The great ‘doctor’ can’t even handle a single patient. What a joke.” His words were laced with mockery, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.“Shut up, Gregory,” Dylan snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. “This isn’t some damn game.”“Oh, but it is,” Gregory countered, crossing his arms with an arrogant smirk. “And you’re losing.”Dylan ignored him, turning sharply to the doctor, his expression like
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43But Dylan wasn’t about to step back. He pushed forward, his eyes narrowed. “You’re doing it all wrong!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the tension. “You’re giving her the wrong treatment! You’re going to kill her!”The doctor shot a venomous look at him, snapping, “You’re the one who’s causing damage here! Just stay out of the way!”Dylan ignored him, crouching again as he muttered under his breath. His hands trembled slightly as he began applying pressure to the woman’s chest, using a traditional healing technique that involved manipulating the body’s energy flow. He wasn’t doing it properly by modern medical standards—he was working from instinct, pressing in ways that helped align the body’s natural rhythms.But it was clear to the doctor and bystanders that Dylan was failing to stabilize the woman. His movements were erratic, the healing slow and not precise enough to address her deteriorating condition.“You’re just making it worse!” the doctor barked again, stepping in
