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.”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
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
Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth A Chaotic Exit
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.
Latest Chapter
204
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,
203
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
202
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
201
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
200
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
199
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
198
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
197
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
196
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
