Rise of the Dann
Five years ago, Dann Riddect left Eva Anderson—his newlywed wife—without warning, leaving behind a scandal that shattered her family's reputation. Accused of taking a $500,000 bribe from Eva's father, Dann vanished into the military, unaware that he had left behind a child.
Now, Dann has returned. No longer the struggling dockworker, he’s a military hero with unimaginable power. While Dann is determined to right his wrongs and rekindle his relationship with Eva, the deep-seated resentment in Eva’s heart isn’t easily erased. Worse, the Anderson family still despises him, especially Jeremy, a man eager to take Dann’s place in Eva’s life.
As secrets from the past unravel and the truth comes to light, can Eva forgive Dann and believe he didn’t abandon her for money? Or will the bitterness and pain of the past destroy their chance at rebuilding the family they never had?
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Chapter: ReconvenedAs Dann left the briefing room, he took a deep breath to steady himself. The gravity of the mission weighed on him, but there was no room for second thoughts. He would need to keep his focus sharp, his instincts sharper, and his heart armored. This war was personal, and every ally could be a threat, every move watched by hidden eyes.Just as he was about to enter his office, a familiar voice echoed down the hallway. Roy approached, his face set with a grim determination. “I just spoke with Cobra,” he said quietly. “They’re willing to cooperate, but they have conditions.”Dann narrowed his eyes, bracing himself. “What kind of conditions?”“Cobra insists on maintaining complete anonymity,” Roy replied, glancing around as if someone might be listening. “They want to work alone, delivering information through encrypted channels only. They also demanded a safe passage once the Chain has been dismantled. If we agree, they’ll provide us with intel directly related to the higher
Last Updated: 2025-06-14
Chapter: LeftDann walked back to his office, his mind buzzing with the gravity of their covert operation. The Chain had infiltrated deep, twisting trust into a tool for betrayal, but he was determined to unravel each layer. His steps echoed in the quiet hallway as he turned thoughts of vengeance into a razor-sharp focus. He knew this war required precision and caution—no mistakes, no hesitation.Just as he reached his office, his secure comm device buzzed. It was Roy again.“Dann, I just spoke with Cobra. They’re willing to meet but are demanding full anonymity. They’re insisting on an off-site location.”Dann’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like this demand, but he needed the intel. “Fine. Set it up, but make sure we control the perimeter. I want our best team shadowing them from the moment they step foot inside our territory. Cobra may be an asset, but we’re not giving them the upper hand.”“Understood. I’ll coordinate with Max on the logistics,” Roy replied.After disconnecting, Dann returned to his
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: Where Chain?Dann’s eyes opened, his gaze steely as he watched Max disappear down the corridor to ready Eagle Tiger for the mission. His mind churned with every bit of information Roy had shared—names, faces, and suspicions connected to the Chain. This wasn’t a mere external threat; it was a war against the very fabric of loyalty within his organization, and he couldn’t afford a single misstep. As he stood alone in the tactical room, Dann thought of the generals and high-ranking officials he'd served with for years. Now, the possibility that some of them might be colluding with the Chain gnawed at him. There were men he’d fought beside, men he’d trusted his life with. If any of them had turned, he would have to face the painful duty of confronting them. A low beep on the command console brought him back to the moment. It was a secure message from Roy, indicating new intel. He opened the file, and a single word popped up: Cobra. Dann’s brow furrowed. C
Last Updated: 2025-06-10
Chapter: BetrayalMax received an urgent call from Roy, a senior intelligence agent who was supposed to be on leave. Roy’s voice sounded serious and urgent on the other end.“I need to speak directly with Dann, right now,” he said firmly.Max suppressed his annoyance. “Roy, you’re on leave. We have a capable team here. Don’t complicate the situation.”However, Roy didn’t back down. “This isn’t about leave, Max. This information is too important and requires immediate action. The attack that just happened is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s something bigger at play, and it involves people around us—including those we consider trustworthy.”Max paused for a moment. Roy wouldn’t reach out unless it was serious. Reluctantly, Max stepped over to Dann, who was focused intently on the monitor.“Sir,” Max said, his voice restrained, “Roy from intelligence insists he needs to talk to you. He says the information can’t wait.”Dann took a long breath. “Alright, connect him here.”Max linked the call to the co
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
Chapter: They Want War?Dann turned back to the assembled generals, his expression as hard as steel. “This is no ordinary attack. Whoever orchestrated this means business, and they’ve made one critical mistake—they’ve threatened my family. I want you all on high alert. Prepare your forces for immediate deployment across the city. We need to be ready for anything.”The generals exchanged determined glances, each one understanding the gravity of Dann’s words. General Harris, who had been analyzing the tactical layout of the hotel’s vicinity, spoke up. “Sir, if this was meant as a diversion or initial strike, there’s a strong possibility of further attacks. We should expand the security perimeter around the entire area. Our best option might be to establish a command post on-site to coordinate responses swiftly.”Dann nodded, his jaw set. “Good thinking, Harris. Max, set up a command post in the main conference room. I want real-time intel and surveillance on every corner of this building and beyond. Bring in e
Last Updated: 2024-11-03
Chapter: Explosion The distant explosion prompted Max to deploy a large number of elite soldiers to ensure Dann and his family's safety. With calm resolve, Dann took Eva and Xenna’s hands, guiding them to the private room prepared for them in the luxurious hotel.Once there, Dann looked at Eva, his gaze full of worry and determination. “Eva, stay here with Xenna. Don’t leave this room, no matter what happens,” he instructed in a firm yet gentle voice. Eva could sense the concern hidden behind her husband’s calm demeanor, but she simply nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.Dann then turned to Lisa and Mira, who stood alert by the door. “Guard Eva and Xenna. Make sure no one enters this room except me or Max,” Dann ordered firmly.Lisa and Mira, fully aware of the seriousness of his command, nodded resolutely. “Understood, Sir,” Lisa responded confidently, while Mira locked the door, double-checking everything was secure.After making sure Eva and Xenna were safe, Dann stepped out, joining
Last Updated: 2024-11-03
Chapter: Fire Under Pressure > Vanessa had a refined knowledge of balance and luxury plating.Scarlett had raw instinct and explosive flavor pairings.They were opposites. Yet somehow, it worked.They plated three dishes for the mock tasting:1. Smoked Quail Egg Nest with Truffle Dust and Anchovy Foam2. Roasted Veal Tongue Carpaccio with Fennel Citrus Dust3. Molten Dark Chocolate Sphere with Passionfruit-Lavender CoreScarlett adjusted seasoning. Vanessa inspected spoon angles under spotlight.They didn’t speak. But their rivalry painted the room like static electricity.---Meanwhile… Dominique’s OfficeDominique sipped espresso as his assistant handed him a tabloid.“Louis Devereaux Spotted Late-Night with TWO Women Chefs – Kitchen Romance or PR Stunt?”He smirked. “Let them eat each other alive.”“Sir, should we proceed with the Michelin bribery case leak?”“Not yet. Let him sweat. We leak on the eve of his review.”Dominique’s eyes gleamed. “He wants Michelin? Let him bleed for it.”Back in the KitchenBy n
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: Mission Update ( Maintain 3-Star Michelin Status)Mission Update:Maintain 3-Star Michelin Status Amidst ScandalChallenger: Chef Renjiro Hoshikawa (Japan’s Culinary Emperor)Time Left: 7 DaysRisk: Michelin Team Auditing L’Empire de LouisReward: +Skill Unlock / Prestige / System Bonus---The kitchen of L’Empire de Louis was quiet — too quiet.Until the envelope arrived.> INVITATION TO THE ULTIMATE TASTING DUELCHEF LOUIS vs CHEF RENJIRO – 7 DAYS FROM NOWVenue: Paris Michelin Test KitchenLouis's jaw tightened. Renjiro was known for perfection and cruelty, with a past grudge after Louis beat him in a culinary duel three years ago.Scarlett grabbed the envelope first. “He’s trying to take your stars. And once they're gone, your investors vanish.”Vanessa smiled from the corner. “Then let’s remind Renjiro that this time, he’s fighting against two women and one culinary god.”Scarlett gave her a sharp glance. “One of us actually has experience in real kitchens.”Vanessa laughed, but there was fire in her eyes. “And one of us actuall
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: System AwakensThe moment Scarlett placed her hand on Louis’s chest—comforting him after the stormy news—something invisible rippled through the air.[DING!]Wealth-Bond System ActivatedPartner: Scarlett AlbrechtEmotional Sync: 78%+€250,000 added to Hidden Asset Pool+Charisma Boost: Investor Influence +12%+Passive Skill Unlocked: Culinary Aura (Level 1)Louis froze.He heard the voice—not in his ears, but inside his mind. Smooth, cold, mechanical.> “Build your empire through genuine bonds. The stronger their belief in you, the richer you become.”His heartbeat thumped wildly. Was this a hallucination? Another trick from exhaustion?But then his phone buzzed.Transfer Notification: €250,000 received from anonymous investment stream.Scarlett didn’t notice the shift in his expression.“We’ll fight this, Louis. You’re not alone,” she said, holding his hand tighter.[Sync Level Increased: 81%]Something powerful had just begun. And Louis knew—this wasn’t coincidence.The next morning, Louis arrive
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: Sunday Morning with the RainScarlett rarely allowed herself to disconnect. But after Louis’s monumental victory at Le Couteau Noir, and the whirlwind meetings with investors, she needed—they needed—a breath of air outside Valmont’s cutthroat pace.So, when Louis handed her an envelope marked “Pack light. Trust me.”—she raised a brow but obeyed.Two days later, they were in the countryside.Nestled in the lavender fields just outside Provence, the villa Louis had rented was rustic and private. Stone walls bathed in ivy, antique wood furniture, a small vineyard behind the house, and a private chef’s kitchen Scarlett immediately knew Louis would fall in love with.But Louis wasn’t thinking about kitchens.Not this weekend.He took her hand the moment they stepped inside. “No business. No Dominique. Just us.”Scarlett gave him a sly look. “I don’t know. I make a habit of mixing pleasure with business.”Louis smirked. “I plan to flip that equation.”---Saturday Morning – Barefoot & Burnt ToastScarlett woke to the s
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: Taste a Victory That afternoon, the media storm only grew worse. Paparazzi camped outside L’Empire. Anonymous tipsters started sending emails to health departments. Two suppliers backed out. A fire inspection was suddenly moved forward—unscheduled, aggressive, and suspiciously thorough.Dominique Beaumont didn’t need to shout to be heard. She moved like poison in perfume: unseen but fatal.“She’s trying to strangle us before we open,” Scarlett said as she reviewed their investor contracts with a sharp eye. “If any of this sticks, it could scare off the backers.”Louis stood at the window of his office above the restaurant, fists clenched. “She’s playing dirty.”Scarlett turned to him. “Then so do we.”Louis raised an eyebrow.“We fight her the same way we built this place,” she continued. “With fire, precision, and no damn fear.”The CounterattackScarlett contacted their legal team, launching a defamation suit against L’Observ
Last Updated: 2025-06-12
Chapter: The Taste of WarThe soft opening had ended with an overwhelming success. The last guest had long gone, the team had wrapped up the final clean-up, and Valmont had gone quiet under the midnight sky.Inside L’Empire de Louis, only two people remained.Louis stood behind the now-silent kitchen counter, his sleeves rolled up, apron slung over his shoulder. Across from him, Scarlett sat on a barstool, barefoot, her heels abandoned on the floor beside her. Her emerald dress shimmered softly under the golden pendant lights, her hair slightly tousled from the long day."You look exhausted," Louis said, setting a bottle of red wine and two glasses on the counter.Scarlett smiled. "I should be. But I’m not. I think I’m… high on adrenaline."Louis poured the wine and slid a glass toward her. "Or maybe on pride. You were incredible tonight, Scarlett.""So were you." She took a sip, then leaned on the counter with her chin on her hand. "That cherry flambé? I think it stole more hearts than the duck confit."Louis
Last Updated: 2025-06-11
Chapter: ScreamedThe next morning, Brown awoke before dawn. The air at the Temple of Flame was brisk, sharp, and full of that eerie stillness that often precedes a storm—whether of nature or war. He stood in front of the sacred pyre, staring into the flame that danced in silence, reflecting the conflict brewing inside him.Behind him, Kael entered quietly.“They’ve started moving,” Kael reported. “Scouts spotted activity in the old ruins of Vardrek Hollow. That’s Veridane territory. The locals say strange lights have been seen at night. Arcane ones.”Brown clenched his jaw. “Then it’s not just a political coup. They’re tapping into pre-Collapse magic. Forbidden stuff.”Kael hesitated before adding, “There’s one more thing. The Flame Council knows. And they’re debating whether to intervene.”Brown turned sharply. “Debating? The enemy is assembling an arcane weapon near our border and they’re debating?”Kael looked down. “They don’t want to ignite panic. They’ve ordered you to stand down. Return to your
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: Flame Council AgainAs he crouched behind a boulder, he caught a glint of movement at the valley’s entrance—Riftspawn, ethereal scouts formed of codified echo-energy. They hovered, warning of the intruders.Brown’s heart pounded. “They’ve got echo-shields. I’ll need to disrupt their resonance.” He pressed a glyph-etched gauntlet against the rock face; it hummed, then unleashed a pulse that rippled outward like a pebble dropped in water.The Riftspawn convulsed, their forms sputtering. With them blinded, the Knights surged down the slope, spells and plasma bolts crackling in the dim light. Brown followed, sword raised, moving like storm-tide through the surprised camp.Wood splintered under heavy boots. Kael’s rifle barked, cutting down a mercenary who tried to rally his comrades. One Knight—Ser Ayden—caught a glancing blow but returned it with a precise parry, his flametongue blade roaring to life.Brown cut a path to the fire, where the raider leader stood, pistol raised. The man’s face was half-masked
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: The Council's Decision is FinalBrown crouched beneath the crumbling archway of an abandoned watchtower just beyond the Konzian border. The night was cold—quiet—too quiet for a land that had recently erupted in flames of conflict. His comm-link crackled faintly in his ear."Specter-01, do you read? Movement detected northwest quadrant."Brown pressed the transmitter. "Affirmative. Visual on two patrols. Proceeding to objective."He moved like a shadow between the stone ruins, the scent of ash and rust clinging to the damp air. Intelligence had led him here—Konzia wasn’t just retaliating at the border. Something darker was being orchestrated.Inside the ruined compound, he finally reached the steel hatch concealed beneath old mining debris. As he opened it, a wave of warm, artificial air rushed out—followed by the flicker of underground lights.He descended.The facility beneath wasn't just a bunker. It was a nerve center—full of flickering screens, data cores, and something more unsettling: a wall covered in digital
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: NightfallThe capital shimmered like a crown of glass under the weight of its secrets. Beneath its brilliant skyline, rot bloomed in silence.Kael raced through shadowed alleys with the stolen ledger tucked beneath his cloak. Behind him, black-cloaked enforcers from the Internal Stability Commission stalked the streets—not as protectors, but hunters.In the Senate chamber, Chancellor Veyra Dargan addressed the ruling elite.“Our forces have intercepted what we believe to be a cross-border insurgency. As acting Chancellor during the king's extended absence, I call for Emergency Powers—to protect Konzia from collapse.”Most senators nodded, cowed or complicit.But not all.A lone figure stood.General Maelis Thorne.“If you declare martial law, you’ll turn Konzia into a tomb,” she warned. “We do not stand for tyranny, even under the shadow of war.”Veyra smiled thinly. “Then may history judge your hesitation… harsh
Last Updated: 2025-06-11
Chapter: Desert OutskirtsKonzian High Command — War Room, Central Citadel, Day 0427 Post-RiftKael stood before the central table, its surface alive with projections of border activity. Every flash of red across Delran Gorge burned like an accusation.He clenched his fists. “They’re doing it. Velmora’s really marching toward provocation.”Clara paced along the window, her tone sharp. “Brown confirmed it. But if we strike first, the Global Council will label Konzia the aggressor.”Marshal Tyran, older now, his beard streaked with gray and eyes shadowed by decades of campaigns, leaned on his cane. His voice, however, remained iron-clad.“We won’t strike. Not yet. But ..."---Velmora – Eastern Corridor, Three Clicks from Blackspire OutpostThe wind in the desert carried dust and heat, but it was the silence that unsettled Brown the most.Crouched behind a rust-stained dune crawler, his armor cloaked in stealth polymer, Brown peer
Last Updated: 2025-06-11
Chapter: The Eye of the ForgeThe air inside the forge crackled with unnatural heat—not just fire, but rage harnessed into power. Magitech pylons lined the walls, humming with unstable energy. Brown moved like a shadow between them, Kael covering the rear, Clara overriding arcane sensors with a stolen cipher ring.“Third junction, then down the descent shaft,” she whispered through the comm bead.“Copy,” Brown replied, his voice gravel.Every step felt heavier. Not from the weight of his gear—but from what was waiting. From who was waiting.Valric wasn’t just his son anymore. He was something more. Something worse.Valric stood atop a platform surrounded by flowing magma streams channeled through arc conduits. His eyes were closed. His hands lifted, fingers twitching in rhythmic pulses.And rising from the magma…A golem.No. Not just any golem.It had a face.A crown.It was modeled after Brown himself—only larger
Last Updated: 2025-06-11
Chapter: The Sovereign's PulseThe Aether Sledge shuddered as Lira adjusted the course. The stars outside no longer looked like stars—they twisted like dying memories, pulled into the gravitational dirge of the Core Rift, the place where the Sovereign's body had been destroyed.Mazda gripped the edge of the control deck. “This is suicide. If Auren's right, the Core Rift is not a grave. It’s an incubator.”Lira’s eyes were unreadable. “She said we’re fragments too. What if this fifth shard… is more than a memory? What if it’s his will?”Soraya’s voice broke through the comms, breathless. “I triangulated Auren’s resonance bleed from your interface. There’s something broadcasting from inside the Rift. A song. In reverse.”Lira’s blood ran cold.The Sovereign's Pulse.Memory Intercept — Year 0 After the FallThe Sovereign had not screamed when his body ruptured under the weight of the Requiem Core.He had smiled."Let them tear me apart," he had said. "I only needed them to carry me home."And as his golden crown fell
Last Updated: 2025-06-13
Chapter: The HollowIn the deepest cusp of REM's outer rings, time warbled like a faulty lullaby.The Aether Sledge pulsed erratically.“Something's wrong,” Mazda said through the resonance link. “Your route’s bleeding noise into our internal weave.”Lira narrowed her gaze at the disturbance ahead—a rift in the fabric of the dream. The next fragment’s pulse was weak. Intermittent. Like a fading heart in a storm.Elian’s voice vibrated in the back of her thoughts, “Be cautious. This one doesn’t just carry a piece of the Sovereign... they might have been touched by Silence.”Lira whispered, “Then maybe I can sing them back.”She descended into an inverted cathedral—columns of broken sleep dreams hung like chandeliers. The air was brittle. Frozen, not in temperature, but in memory.At its center was a man curled up, surrounded by looping fragments of a forgotten lullaby. His name surfaced in Lira’s mind before he ever spoke it.“Kaelen.”His eyes opened—black irises veined with glassy silver. “Don’t come ne
Last Updated: 2025-06-11
Chapter: Loom HeartThe Loom’s radiant threads rippled gently under Lira’s touch, as if responding to her presence like a living entity. Her fingers traced the intricate patterns of memory and dream, weaving fresh strands that glowed with hope and uncertainty.Soraya watched her carefully. “You carry more than just the Conductor’s title, Lira. You hold the future of every dreaming mind.”Lira exhaled slowly. “But what if the future is already fragmented beyond repair? What if the Cartographers decide we are the real threat and move to erase this new harmony?”Mazda stepped forward, his voice firm. “Then we stand firm. The old laws died because they ruled by fear. Your song is rewriting those laws with courage.”Suddenly, the Loom flickered—dark spots appeared on the radiant web, like black holes threatening to swallow the light.Elian’s eyes widened. “Dream-ruptures. New fractures in the weave. This is no random decay—something is trying to undo what you’ve created.”Lira clenched her fists. “Then we mus
Last Updated: 2025-06-09
Chapter: Threads of a New DawnElsewhere — The Cartographers’ TowerThe seven Cartographers watched the battle unfold through crystal orbs.One murmured, “She sings the truth. But can she hold it?”Another replied, “The Sovereigns are not defeated by force — only by legacy and story.”They lowered their artifacts, aligning them in a circle.“Then let us weave her story into the Lattice,” the tallest said.The artifacts pulsed, sending waves of encoded hope cascading toward Earth.---REM Sanctuary Citadel — Loom HeartAzarel’s form finally stilled, transforming from a judge of ruin into a guardian of renewal.He bowed his head to Lira.“You have rewritten what was broken. The Dream Sovereigns will heed the new law.”Lira exhaled, her melody fading into a gentle hum.Soraya smiled through exhausted eyes.“The Loom lives.”Mazda nodded, watching the rebirth of an ancient myth.Elian looked to Lira.“The Conductor’s song has just begun.”REM Sanctuary Citadel — Loom HeartThe pulse of the Loom had shifted—no longer a
Last Updated: 2025-06-06
Chapter: The Storythieves UprisingLocation: The Shattered Library — Heart of the Lost WeaveThe walls were alive with fractured stories, flickering like ghost flames.In the shadows, figures moved—silent, agile, and unseen by all but the most attuned.They called themselves the Storythieves.Led by a woman with eyes like cracked mirrors—Tessara—they specialized in stealing forgotten memories, snatching myths erased by the Loom’s rewriting.She crouched over a broken tome, fingers tracing a line of erased text.“They can rewrite history,” Tessara murmured, “but they can’t unlearn the stolen stories.”Behind her, a dozen Storythieves gathered. Their voices were low, urgent.“We have the lost verses from the Time of Sundering. If we share them, we can fracture the Loom’s grip.”One stepped forward, a youth named Jorin, whose hands shimmered with the stolen light of unmade worlds.“What do we do with the Conductor, Tessara? Lira’s crown will make her a beacon.”Tessara’s eyes hardened.“Exactly. The Sovereigns will swarm
Last Updated: 2025-06-06
Chapter: Cartographers Collapse Location: The Interstice — between Time and IntentionLira stood alone.Or rather, she stood with every version of herself that had ever been forgotten.Each choice she didn’t make.Each word she never said.They formed a constellation of silhouettes around her, all humming the same line:“You are not the story they wrote.”Azarel emerged from the static beyond.No longer draped in glory — but fraying.Cracks laced through his myth-skin, leaking raw belief and unfinished prayers.He spoke with the tone of ancient pages burning:“You’ve rewritten too much, Dream-Threader.”Lira didn’t speak.She unfolded.The melody from the Spire—Alhera’s echo—still lingered in her blood.And in that moment, she remembered everything:The original Accord: a pact among Sovereigns to share the Dreamspace with mortals.The betrayal: when Azarel declare
Last Updated: 2025-06-05
