2025-01-14 23:21:14"Say that again?" Dylan was furious. He hadn’t expected Lisa to speak so disrespectfully about his daughter.
"Hah! You useless man, all you do is puff yourself up in front of women, huh? You don’t have a penny to your name—what do you think you can provide for your daughter?" Lisa continued mocking him without a care.
Dylan’s gaze remained as cold as steel, locking onto Lisa’s smug expression. “How I raise Molly is none of your concern,” he said, his voice low but firm.
Lisa let out a dry laugh, crossing her arms. “Oh, please, Dylan. Let’s not pretend you’re doing her any favors. You’re a broke, useless man with no future. Molly deserves better than being dragged down by you.”
Dylan opened his mouth to reply, but a small voice interrupted from the doorway. “You’re a bad woman!”
Both heads turned toward Molly, who stood clutching her stuffed bunny as though it were her only shield. Her innocent face was streaked with tears, her big eyes glistening with hurt.
Lisa’s eyes narrowed in irritation. “What did you just say, you little brat?”
Upon hearing Lisa's words, Dylan's face turned cold. He stood up and positioned himself in front of Molly, coldly saying.
"Repeat what you just said? Who gave you the guts to call my daughter like that?"
Lisa let out a cold laugh, thinking Dylan was a clown.
"I called her a little brat!"
Lisa's face was full of mockery. "What are you going to do to me? Hit me?"
Dylan clenched his fists tightly, unable to accept that someone would dare insult his daughter.
Molly took a shaky step forward, her tiny fists clenched at her sides. “You’re bad! You made Daddy sad!”
Lisa rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, grow up, you spoiled little—”
“Enough!” Dylan’s voice cut through her words like a whip. His jaw clenched as he stepped protectively in front of Molly. “Apologize. Now.”
Lisa laughed harshly, leaning back against the wall. “Apologize? To a child nobody even wants? Don’t make me laugh, Dylan. Even her own mother doesn’t care enough to stick around.”
“Mommy loves me!” Molly cried, her voice breaking as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.
Lisa smirked, her voice dripping with venom. “Oh, sweetheart, if your mother really loved you, do you think she’d have left you with this useless man?”
Molly cried loudly, throwing the plush toy she was holding at Lisa. Lisa was seething with anger, feeling deeply offended.
"You little brat!" She raised her hand, intending to slap Molly hard.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Dylan angrily stood up, positioning himself in front of Molly.
Lisa collided with Dylan, and his strong body made her feel as if she had slammed into a wall. She screamed and fell to the ground, her head hitting the corner of the table, blood pouring out.
"Blood! I'm bleeding! Dylan, you're a complete maniac! How dare you hit a weak woman?!" Lisa screamed, touching her forehead.
Dylan sneered coldly. "I didn’t hit you. You were the one trying to hit Molly. I was just protecting her! There are cameras in our living room!"
But Lisa ignored Dylan's words, she screamed, “You think you can get away with hitting me? You’re nothing but a pathetic excuse for a man, Dylan! You have no money, no status, nothing! How dare you!”
However, her rant was interrupted by the distant rumble of engines. The sound grew louder, cutting through the morning quiet until it was impossible to ignore.
“What’s that noise?” Molly asked, her tears momentarily forgotten as she peeked out from behind Dylan.
Lisa strode to the window, her anger replaced by confusion. “What the…” she muttered.
Outside, a procession of sleek, luxurious cars pulled up in front of Jane’s house. The sun gleamed off the polished surfaces of the vehicles—Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Aston Martins—each more dazzling than the last.
Lisa’s jaw dropped. “Are you seeing this?” she asked, though she wasn’t speaking to anyone in particular.
Dylan didn’t move, his expression unreadable.
Moments later, men in tailored suits began stepping out of the cars, their movements precise and exuding authority.
Lisa turned back to Dylan with a smug smirk. “See that? This is Jane’s life now. These must be her new business partners. The Nelsons. Real men with power and money. You’ll never even get close to this kind of wealth.”
Dylan’s lips curved into a faint, mocking smile, one that sent an inexplicable chill down Lisa’s spine.
From one of the cars, a strikingly handsome man emerged. He was tall, with sharp features, and his three-piece suit fit him perfectly, exuding elegance and power.
Lisa’s breath hitched. “Who is that?” she whispered, unable to tear her eyes away.
She turned to Dylan with a triumphant look. “This must be one of Jane’s wealthy suitors,” she said loudly. “Look at him—class, wealth, everything you’ll never have. Face it, Dylan, you’ll never compare to—”
Seeing the handsome man walk up to her, Lisa quickly straightened her clothes.
She put on what she thought was her most beautiful smile and said to the handsome man, "Hello, sir. I'm Jane's best friend, Lisa. She's not here right now, but I can show you around..." However, the man walked straight past Lisa without even glancing at her. Instead, he stopped in front of Dylan and, to her utter shock, bowed deeply. “Mr Grenville,” he said, his voice filled with respect. “I am Charles Emerson, the Nelson family’s butler. It’s an honor to see you here.” Lisa’s mouth fell open. “What?” she stammered, her brain scrambling to make sense of what she had just witnessed. Before she could say more, another car door opened. This time, a stunning woman stepped out, her movements graceful as she helped an elderly man to his feet. The old man leaned on a silver cane, his face lit with emotion as he approached Dylan. “Young master,” the elderly man said, his voice trembling. “Welcome home. We’ve been waiting for this day for so long.”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth The Shift of Power
Chapter 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. “Th
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth The Unexpected Encounter
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,
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth The Confrontation at the Royal Elysian
Chapter 6: The Confrontation at the Royal ElysianDylan stood calm and unbothered, the corners of his lips curling in subtle amusement as Jane’s voice reached a fevered pitch. Her accusations were wild, her energy almost theatrical, and Bobby’s smug grin only added to the absurdity. "Cheating on you?" Dylan’s voice was low but sharp, slicing through Jane’s tirade. He sneered, folding his arms. "Jane, the only affair here is yours—with this gentleman." He tilted his head toward Bobby, his tone dripping with mockery. "And let me clear something up—for the record, Helen and I met today. Your imagination deserves an award." Jane’s face flushed an angry crimson as she jabbed a shaking finger at Dylan. She was furious; she was most afraid of being labeled as an adulterer."Don’t you dare twist this on me!" she shrieked. "Everyone knows you’re nothing but a broke fraud! And her—" She turned her fiery glare to Helen, who stood composed beside Dylan. "What is she supposed to be? Another on
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth The Unveiling of Truth
Chapter 7: The Unveiling of TruthThe laughter from Bobby and Jane echoed across the room as Vivian's words settled in. They had been nervous but now appeared gleeful, their smugness filling the space. Dylan remained unmoved, his calm expression betraying none of the tension in the room. As the security guards advanced, Helen raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks. "Don’t you dare touch me," she said, her voice icy and commanding. "Vivian Grey, is it?" Helen’s lips curled in a mocking smile. "Let me remind you that your audacity to disrespect me is not just foolish—it’s career-ending." Vivian’s smile didn’t falter. "A career-ending mistake? You, a stranger who dares to impersonate a Nelson, will teach me that?" Her tone was dripping with sarcasm. Helen’s smirk deepened, her confidence unwavering. "Impersonate?" she repeated, her voice laced with disdain. "Perhaps you’ve forgotten the concept of discretion. Let me educate you." Helen folded her arms, her gaze piercing. "I wa
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth Revelations and Retribution
Chapter 8: Revelations and RetributionVivian’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 c
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth Illusions Shattered
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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth Illusions Crumble
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,
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth The Truth Unveiled
Chapter 11: The Truth Unveiled Jane’s entire body trembled, her mind spinning with confusion and humiliation. She barely registered Carter Reed’s trembling plea to John Nelson, the patriarch of the Nelson family. It was Helen’s calm yet piercing voice that snapped her out of her daze. “Ms. Jane,” Helen began, her tone as icy as her expression, “do you even know who you’re accusing? Fraudster? Me?” She tilted her head slightly, a mocking smile curling her lips. “Allow me to introduce myself properly since it seems you’ve failed to do your research. I am Helen Nelson, the eldest daughter of the Nelson family.” The weight of Helen’s words hit Jane like a tidal wave. She staggered back, her face losing every trace of color. “N-No,” she stammered, shaking her head. “This can’t be. You—this is a setup! You can’t be the eldest Miss of the Nelson family. I would have known!” Helen raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. “Would you? It’s astonishing how much confidence you have in your i
Latest Chapter
143
143The remaining three attackers were now visibly shaken, their movements hesitant as they exchanged worried glances. The biggest of them all—a broad-shouldered man with a scar down his cheek—stepped forward, glaring at Dylan with a mix of hatred and disbelief.“You’re not getting out of here alive,” the scarred man growled, his voice low and threatening.Dylan tilted his head, his smirk never faltering. “I beg to differ.”Without warning, one of the men bolted, clearly hoping to escape and warn Seraphina. But Dylan was faster. His reflexes were lightning-quick, and with a sharp motion, he reached for a knife at his belt, throwing it with deadly accuracy. The blade buried itself deep into the man’s shoulder. He screamed in pain, the sound echoing through the courtyard, and collapsed to the ground.Dylan turned his attention to the remaining three men, who now looked more like cornered animals than warriors. They were hesitating, clearly unsure of what to do next. The blood in their v
142
142Two men came at him with knives, their eyes narrowing as they rushed forward, blades gleaming under the dim courtyard lights. Dylan didn’t flinch. His posture remained relaxed, almost too calm for someone in the middle of a fight. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips.“Really? Knives?” he asked, almost bored. “Is this supposed to be intimidating?”The two attackers exchanged a quick glance, confusion flickering in their eyes. They clearly underestimated him.With the fluidity of a dancer, Dylan sidestepped the first man’s thrust, his movements smooth and precise. His foot swept low, taking the man’s feet out from under him. The man crashed to the ground, the knife clattering uselessly across the floor. Dylan stood over him, hands in his pockets, completely unfazed.“Oh, that had to hurt,” Dylan remarked, eyeing the man’s twisted leg with mock sympathy. “Should’ve stretched before this. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll walk it off.”The second man lunged at him, but Dy
141
141Dylan stood in the middle of the courtyard, a smug grin on his face, as the twenty men surrounding him slowly closed in. The air was thick with tension, the kind that promised violence. But Dylan didn’t seem phased. He straightened his cuffs, smoothed the sleeves of his shirt, and took a slow, deliberate glance at each of them.“Gentlemen,” he drawled, his voice laced with sarcasm, “are we really doing this?”One of the brutes, a towering figure with a scar running down his face, stepped forward. His fists were clenched, his knuckles white from the grip. “You’re dead, pretty boy,” he growled, his voice full of venom.Dylan didn’t flinch. He didn’t even look impressed. “Dead?” He raised an eyebrow. “I must be doing something wrong, then. Because I’m still very much alive.”The brute’s face contorted with rage, his lips curling into a snarl. “You won’t be for long.”Dylan shrugged, unfazed. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?” His tone was bored, as if he were having a conversation wit
140
140: The Waiting TrapThe night air clung to Dylan like a second skin as he approached the massive estate. The towering iron gates loomed before him, their intricate designs casting eerie shadows in the dim light. Beyond them, the house stood still. Silent. Too silent.Something was wrong.No guards. No movement. Not even the flicker of a light inside. This was not the setup Dylan had anticipated. He’d been expecting a fight—gunmen, guards, or at least a few hidden cameras—but all he got was silence. A silence so thick, it felt like it was pressing down on him, suffocating him with the weight of something sinister.Ezra’s warning echoed in his mind.“She’s waiting for you, Grenville. Don’t be an idiot—it’s a trap.”Dylan had known that before Ezra even said it. Seraphina was many things—vindictive, calculating, ruthless—but careless wasn’t one of them. And leaving her home unguarded? That wasn’t just careless.It was an invitation.A taunt.He sighed, rolling his shoulders, loosening
139
139Grenville’s VengeanceDylan stood motionless for a moment, staring at the darkened screen of his phone. His heart pounded against his ribs, and his breath came slow and controlled, but his thoughts were anything but calm.Martin’s words echoed in his head.“This is bigger than you think.”Damn it.Dylan was no fool. He knew Martin better than most—knew his tells, his habits, the subtle shifts in his voice when he was hiding something. And Martin was definitely hiding something. Whether it was out of fear or something else entirely, Dylan didn’t know.But he’d find out.Tucking his phone back into his pocket, he scanned the alley for any sign of movement. The city hummed around him—distant sirens wailing, the occasional flicker of headlights illuminating the wet pavement. Shadows stretched along the brick walls, making the air feel heavier, charged with tension.His instincts screamed at him.Something was wrong.If Martin hadn’t betrayed him, then someone else had. And whoever it
138
138Dylan stormed through the dark alley, the cold night air doing little to soothe the boiling fury churning inside him. The world felt wrong, like everything was shifting beneath him. Betrayal hung in the air, suffocating him. His phone, clutched tightly in his hand, seemed almost like a lifeline, a tether to whatever thread of control he still had left.His thumb swiped across the screen, and he dialed Martin’s number without hesitation. He needed answers. His pulse pounded in his ears, and his chest tightened as the phone rang. Once. Twice. A third time.Then finally, the call connected, and Dylan’s blood ran cold at the sound of Martin’s voice.“Yeah?” Martin answered, a slight edge to his voice, but nothing that hinted at the urgency in Dylan’s heart.Dylan’s grip on the phone tightened to the point of pain, his knuckles white. “You better have a damn good explanation, Martin.”There was a brief silence on the other end. Dylan could hear the faint sound of shuffling—like Martin
137
137: The Hunt BeginsBut no.Not yet.Dylan’s grip on the knife tightened for a split second before he pulled it away, stepping back. His eyes, dark and unforgiving, stayed locked on Victor.“If I find out you lied to me,” Dylan said, his voice calm but carrying a lethal edge, “I’ll come back. And I won’t be this merciful.”Victor grinned, teeth gleaming under the dim light. “I look forward to it.”Dylan didn’t give him another second. He turned on his heel, disappearing into the night.His hunt wasn’t over.It had just begun.Dylan stormed down the alley, his pulse hammering in his skull. His breaths were sharp, measured—but inside, a storm raged. His fingers shook as he yanked his phone from his pocket, the screen smudged with sweat and dirt.He didn’t hesitate. He dialed.The line rang twice before Ezra picked up.“Boss?”Dylan didn’t waste time. “Track Seraphina.”Ezra paused. “Wait—Seraphina? As in your ex?”Dylan’s jaw locked. “Yes, Ezra. Track her. Now.”Another pause, longer t
136
136: Seraphina’s BetrayalThe door behind them splintered as bullets tore through the wood. The deafening blasts sent panicked screams rippling through the casino.Dylan reacted instantly, shoving Victor down and flipping the table for cover just as another hail of bullets shredded the air above them.Shouts and terrified cries filled the air.“Oh my God! They’re shooting!”“Get down! Somebody help!”“What the hell is happening? This is a casino, not a war zone!”Guests ducked beneath tables, some sobbing, others frozen in shock. The roulette wheel spun idly, chips scattered across the floor, forgotten in the chaos. Dealers had long abandoned their stations, diving for cover alongside their customers.A man in a suit clutched his bleeding arm, wailing, “I’ve been shot! Someone call an ambulance!”“They’ve got guns! Who are they after?”Then, cutting through the hysteria, came something that made Dylan’s blood run cold.“Dylan Grenville!”The voice rang out over the chaos, clear and de
135
135: The Hunter’s ReturnDylan didn’t make his move right away. He was patient. Watching. Waiting.Victor Castellano sat in the center of his entourage, laughing as if he owned the world. He swirled whiskey in his glass, his rings glinting under the dim casino lights. Every so often, he shot a smug glance across the room, completely unaware that someone was hunting him.Dylan knew better.For nearly an hour, he tracked Victor’s movements. Every sip of whiskey. Every nod to his men. Every flicker of arrogance in his expression.A waiter approached Victor’s table with a fresh bottle, and Victor clinked his glass against the rim before pouring himself another drink. His right-hand man, a burly guy with a scar across his cheek, leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Victor listened, then chuckled, knocking back his drink in one smooth motion.Dylan’s fingers curled into fists. It was time.Victor stretched, cracked his neck, and murmured something to his men before sauntering toward t
