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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 115
115Dylan exhaled sharply, his smirk vanishing as he leaned back, crossing his arms. “So let me get this straight,” he drawled. “You’re asking us to leave because he flashed a fancy card?”The waiter hesitated. “I understand this may seem unfair—”“Oh, it doesn’t seem unfair,” Olivia interrupted, her voice light but laced with venom. “It is unfair. You’re basically saying money talks, and we should just… what? Bow and scrape because Bobby here wants to feel important?”Bobby smirked, twirling the card between his fingers. “I mean, it’s common sense. People like you don’t belong in places like this.”Dylan let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “People like me?” he echoed, his tone deceptively mild. “You mean people who don’t have to rely on a piece of plastic to feel superior?”Jane scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please. You’re just bitter because you can’t afford this kind of status.”Olivia feigned a gasp, placing a hand over her chest. “Wow, Jane. You almost sounded smart for a
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 116
116Dylan smirked, leaning back in his chair with an easy confidence that only irritated Bobby further. “You know, Bobby, I’d almost feel bad for you,” he mused. “Imagine thinking a piece of plastic makes you important. That’s like a pigeon bragging about owning breadcrumbs.”Bobby’s face darkened, but Jane rolled her eyes. “Spare us the cheap analogies, Dylan. Olivia made a claim she can’t back up. That means you two need to leave.”Olivia merely hummed, tapping her nails against the table as if she had all the time in the world. “Oh, honey, you’re so eager to get rid of us,” she said sweetly. “Could it be because you know that if I did have my card, you’d look like a couple of clowns right now?”Jane scoffed. “You don’t have it, though.”Dylan let out a low chuckle. “You sound nervous, Jane. Almost like you’re afraid she’s telling the truth.”Bobby sneered. “She’s bluffing. If she really had it, she’d have shown it by now.”Olivia exhaled, rolling her shoulders back. “I’m not bluffi
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 117
117Jane leaned back in her chair, unfazed by the fury burning in Dylan’s eyes. She tilted her head, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “Oh, relax, Dylan,” she said mockingly. “I was just stating the obvious. Molly is a burden, and deep down, you know it.”Dylan’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His chest rose and fell with barely contained rage. “You’re talking about your own daughter, Jane,” he spat. “Do you even hear yourself?”Jane rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t get all self-righteous with me,” she sneered. “You act like I abandoned her in the streets. She’s alive, isn’t she? Fed, clothed? That’s your job, isn’t it?”Olivia, who had been silent for the past few moments, let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Wow,” she mused, her tone dripping with disgust. “I knew you were selfish, Jane, but I didn’t think you were this heartless.”Jane turned her gaze to Olivia, her expression bored. “Oh, spare me the lecture,” she said flatly. “You don’t know the first thing about
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 118
118Dylan’s fists clenched at his sides. His entire body was coiled tight, like a storm barely contained.Olivia reached for his arm. “Dylan,” she murmured, but it was too late.He turned back around, closing the distance between him and Jane in two long strides. “You really don’t feel anything, do you?” His voice was low, edged with something dangerous. “You’re not just selfish. You’re empty.”Jane smirked, tilting her head mockingly. “Oh, spare me, Dylan. I didn’t come here for a therapy session.”Dylan leaned in, close enough that Jane’s smirk flickered for half a second. “No, you came here to remind me why I was a damn fool to ever love you.”Jane arched a perfectly shaped brow. “Love?” she echoed, amused. “Is that what you think it was?”Olivia stepped forward before Dylan could respond, her voice cold as ice. “You talk a lot for someone who left her daughter without a second thought.”Jane turned her gaze to Olivia, giving her a slow once-over. “You’re still here?” she said lazi
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 119
119Dylan didn’t turn around, but his jaw clenched so tightly it could have cracked. Olivia, however, exhaled slowly, gathering herself before pivoting on her heel.She met Jane’s gaze head-on, her expression unreadable. “You’re right,” she said smoothly.Jane blinked, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”Olivia tilted her head slightly. “You’re right. Dylan will never love me the way he loved you.” Her lips curled into something dangerously close to a smirk. “Because love isn’t supposed to leave scars.”Dylan exhaled sharply, something shifting in his stance.Jane scoffed, but the slight tightening of her grip on the glass betrayed her. “Oh, please. Don’t act like some martyr, Olivia. You think you’re better than me just because you stuck around?”“No,” Olivia said simply. “I think I’m better than you because I care.”Jane’s eyes narrowed. “How noble.”“You wouldn’t understand,” Olivia said with a small shrug. “Because it takes actual strength to love someone unconditionally. And you? You
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 120
120The slap hung in the air, its sting echoing through the restaurant like a thunderclap. Olivia’s hand slowly lowered, her fingers trembling from the force of her action, as she stood there, chest heaving. Jane, stunned, pressed a hand to her reddened cheek, her eyes wide with shock and fury.The entire restaurant had gone silent, the clinking of cutlery and murmurs dying as every gaze in the room shifted to the scene unfolding at the table. A few patrons whispered in disbelief, while others exchanged shocked glances, unsure if they’d just witnessed the kind of moment that would become a whispered story for years to come.“Did you just…?” Jane’s voice was a dangerous hiss, her anger building like a storm. Her gaze burned into Olivia, her lips curled in a snarl. “You slapped me?”Olivia didn’t flinch. She stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Jane’s. “I won’t let you insult Dylan anymore,” she said, her voice cold but steady. “And I sure as hell won’t let you insult Molly. You’ve d
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 121
121The tension in the restaurant was thick, the air heavy with judgmental murmurs and scandalized whispers. Jane, still clutching her burning cheek, let out a sharp laugh, though there was nothing humorous about it. Her eyes, gleaming with fury, locked onto Olivia’s with an almost predatory glare.“You really think you’ve won something here, Olivia?” she hissed, voice dripping with venom. “You’re pathetic. A desperate little fool playing the hero in a story where no one even asked for you.”Olivia’s expression didn’t waver. If anything, she looked even more determined. “I’d rather be a fool than a coward who hides behind insults and manipulation.”Jane’s nostrils flared. “You don’t know anything about me.”“I know enough,” Olivia shot back. “I know you’ve spent years treating people like toys, like they’re disposable. You push and push until they break, just so you can feel powerful. But you’re done, Jane. People see through you now.”Bobby, who had been standing off to the side, vis
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 122
122The weight of Bobby’s declaration settled over the restaurant, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Jane, still fuming, tilted her chin up, her expression a mixture of smug satisfaction and brewing vengeance.Dylan exhaled slowly, his patience wearing thin. He wasn’t one for pointless drama, but this? This was spiraling.“Bobby,” he said evenly, “you’re making a fool of yourself.”Bobby’s head snapped toward him, eyes burning. “Excuse me?”“You heard me.” Dylan leaned back slightly, as if unfazed by Bobby’s outburst. “You’re standing here, throwing threats like you have the power to actually do something. What exactly are you going to file a complaint about? That Jane got called out for her behavior?”Jane scoffed. “Oh, please. You think you’re so above it all, don’t you?” She stepped forward, closing the space between them. “Dylan, you sit there acting all high and mighty, but don’t pretend like you’re not part of this circus. You’ve been quiet all this time—why? Because
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204Dylan Grenville’s eyes flicked to the vibrating phone on the edge of his glass desk. The screen lit up with an unfamiliar number—no caller ID, just an empty sequence of digits that seemed to hum with menace.He hesitated.The air in his office felt heavier now, as if it were thickening with some unseen pressure. Outside the bulletproof glass windows of the high-rise, the city of Eridale glistened under the midnight rain, the skyline cut with static lightning. His pulse quickened, jaw tightening. Then—he hit accept.“Yeah?” he said, voice flat, cautious.For a moment, there was nothing—just static. A hiss, like radio silence stretched too thin. And then it came.A voice.Low. Gravelly. Mechanically distorted, as if dragged through sand and soaked in tar. Filtered, twisted—inhuman.“Mr. Grenville.”Dylan sat upright, every vertebrae snapping to attention as his spine stiffened. His fingers twitched toward the panic button under the desk, but he held off. His voice came out sharper,
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203“I am right,” Lisa replied, sounding pleased with herself. “You need to stop second-guessing everything. You’re not Helen from twenty years ago, struggling to prove herself. You’re Jane White. CEO. Boss. And Bobby? He’s not just your business partner. He’s your partner, period. In every sense.”Jane exhaled through her nose, gripping her phone a little tighter as she leaned against the elevator’s mirrored wall. The ride up to the penthouse was smooth, soundless, too quiet for her thoughts. Lisa’s voice echoed even after she hung up, bouncing around the corners of her mind like a song on repeat.She stepped out onto the twelfth floor of the luxurious Westside tower and moved down the hallway, heels clicking sharply against polished marble. Her steps slowed as she reached her door—unit 12A. The keypad glowed soft blue under her fingertips as she punched in her code. With a soft hiss, the door unlocked.Inside, the apartment was dim, bathed in the amber hues of city lights filtering
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202Back at Jane’s ApartmentThe hallway outside her apartment was quiet, but Jane’s heart wasn’t. It thudded like a warning drum inside her chest as she reached her door and fumbled for her keys. Her fingers, usually so precise, felt clumsy against the cool metal. She finally slid the key into the lock and twisted, pushing the door open with a soft creak.The moment she stepped inside, she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her heels clicked on the hardwood as she moved forward, slowly closing the door behind her with a quiet click, then rested her forehead against the wood. It was cold, smooth, and grounding.The silence inside her apartment was eerie—thick, like a pause before something broke. The familiar lavender scent of the reed diffuser in the corner greeted her, but even that felt distant tonight. She slipped off her heels by the door, nudging them aside with the edge of her foot. The relief was immediate. Her toes ached, but her mind hurt more.She glanced
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201Back to HelenHelen sat still, frozen in the middle of the conference room. The emptiness of the space around her seemed to echo her growing realization.Everything she had worked for. Everything she thought she knew.Had it all been a lie?The sinking feeling in her stomach spread like cold fire. She couldn’t ignore the dread anymore. It was a feeling that would stay with her—forever.The door clicked shut behind her, but the sound of the finality echoed in her mind.“God, what have I done?” she whispered to herself, the weight of her decisions pressing down on her chest. “How could I have been so blind?”She stared at the documents on the table. The ink seemed to mock her, the signatures binding her to something she didn’t fully understand. The deal had seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime—until it wasn’t. Now it was a trap, and she was the prey.Her phone buzzed on the table in front of her, but she didn’t pick it up immediately. Her hands were shaking too much. When she f
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200Helen tried to return the smile, but it came out more strained than she intended. Her stomach churned, and her skin prickled with an ominous sense of foreboding that she couldn’t shake.Something was wrong. Her instincts, always so sharp when it came to business, were screaming at her. This wasn’t right.She glanced at the man who had spoken, trying to find some sign of warmth or sincerity. But there was none. Just cold professionalism. He didn’t seem to care that she’d just signed away a chunk of her life.The words echoed in her mind: “It’s a done deal. Congratulations.”Her hand trembled as she reached for the pen, signing the contract without hesitation. Was it a mistake? She couldn’t tell. She’d been briefed, she’d weighed the pros and cons, but now that it was done—now that the deal was final—she wasn’t sure she could even trust her own judgment anymore.“Thank you,” she said, her voice coming out softer than she had intended. Her eyes were on the paper in front of her, but
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199 Pages and pages of dense legal language. Terms like “full legal responsibility,” “personal liability,” “unlimited financial exposure.” Helen’s stomach twisted. “This is…” she trailed off. “Standard,” the thickset man said shortly. Helen looked up sharply. “It doesn’t look standard.” The man with the scar leaned forward, voice low and threatening. “You want in or not?” Helen tried to laugh, but it came out thin and shaky. “I’m just… not used to moving this fast, I guess. Big deals usually involve—” “Lawyers?” the young man sneered. “Mediators? Delays?” He leaned forward, eyes cold. “That’s why most people never make it, sweetheart. They hesitate. They waste time. Opportunities vanish.” Helen’s heart hammered painfully against her ribs. “But—” “Bobby said you were serious,” the man with the scar interrupted, his voice like gravel. “That you had guts. Were we wrong?” Helen’s cheeks flamed. “No,” she snapped. The man shoved the pen across the table toward her. “The
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198The Next Morning,Helen stood in front of the mirror in her luxury apartment, smoothing the front of her navy sheath dress for the fifth time. Her heels clicked restlessly against the marble floor as she checked her appearance from every angle.She looked perfect. Sharp. Professional. Unstoppable.Today was the day.She had barely slept, tossing and turning with excitement, replaying Bobby’s words over and over in her head:“Big money, Helen. Billions.”“You’re going to crush them all.”Lisa had practically screamed when Helen called her after midnight.“You’re going to OWN this city!” Lisa had cried. “They won’t even know what hit them!”Helen had laughed, giddy and breathless.Finally.Finally she would be more than the woman they whispered about behind champagne glasses. She would be a force.She stared at her reflection, brushing an imaginary speck off her dress.“No mistakes,” she whispered to herself. “You’re ready.”Her phone buzzed. A text from Bobby:Car’s waiting downsta
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197 Bobby clapped his hands together, almost giddy. “That’s what I’m talking about.” “But,” Helen said, cutting him off again, “if you even think about crossing me—” He held up his hands. “Scout’s honor.” Helen laughed humorlessly. “You were never a scout, Bobby.” “No,” he admitted, “but I was always good at surviving.” Helen smirked. “Survival’s not enough anymore.” Bobby lifted his coffee in a mock toast. “To the queen of the city.” Helen hesitated, just for a second, before clinking her mug against his. She could almost taste the victory already—sweet, rich, and long overdue. ⸻ Last night, she had told Lisa everything, practically bouncing on her designer heels. Lisa had squealed and shrieked, “YES! This is it! You’re finally going to crush them all!” Helen had believed it. She had seen herself rising—higher than the Nelsons, higher than all those self-important bastards who had sneered at her. But what Helen didn’t know—what Lisa didn’t know—was that Bobby had never
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196“How soon do they want to move?” Helen asked, swirling the spoon idly around her coffee.“Fast,” Bobby said, leaning forward, lowering his voice like it was some great secret. “Two weeks, tops. They want to announce before the next fiscal quarter.”Helen tapped her manicured nails against the mug, deep in thought, her sunglasses slipping slightly down her nose. She pushed them back up with one finger. Her mind was already working angles, risks, escape routes.“And what’s your cut in all this?” she asked, her tone sharp, suspicious.Bobby chuckled, an easy, practiced sound. “Straight to business. I like that about you.”Helen didn’t crack a smile. “Answer the question.”He took a slow sip of his coffee, deliberately dragging out the moment. Helen’s foot started tapping under the table, a tell she couldn’t help.Finally, he said, “Finder’s fee. Minor stake. I’ll be consulting behind the scenes. You’ll be the face.”Helen narrowed her eyes. “Consulting,” she repeated. “Meaning you ge
