Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth

The Unveiling of Truth

Chapter 7: The Unveiling of Truth

The 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 was sent abroad at a young age, Vivian. While you were busy managing hotels, I was navigating circles you could only dream of."

The crowd murmured, torn between doubt and curiosity.

Vivian crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "If you were truly a Nelson, I would know. Every member of that family is accounted for in my records. Do you think dropping vague hints about being ‘sent abroad’ will fool anyone here?" She stepped closer, her tone sharp. "You and your friend here are frauds. I’m done entertaining this farce."

Helen raised a brow, her calm demeanor infuriating Vivian. "You seem awfully confident for someone who clearly hasn’t done her homework," she said coolly. "But go ahead. Continue your little performance. It’s amusing."

Vivian clenched her jaw. "Security, I said get them out!"

The guards hesitated, but Dylan’s calm voice stopped them. "You might want to reconsider that," he said, his tone casual but firm. "Escorting out the wrong people could be very bad for your image, Vivian."

Jane, who had been watching with folded arms, suddenly interjected, her voice loud and disdainful. "Oh, please, Dylan! Stop this ridiculous act. It’s pathetic." She stepped forward, glaring at him. "You always did have a way of spinning tales, but this one takes the cake. A Nelson? Really? You couldn’t even hold down a job, let alone mingle with people like them."

Dylan turned his gaze to Jane, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "Ah, Jane," he said, his voice low and measured. "Always quick to assume, never quick to think."

Jane’s face flushed. "Don’t you dare patronize me!" she snapped. "You’re a liar, Dylan. A fraud. I can’t believe I wasted years of my life with you. Divorcing you was the best decision I ever made."

"Is that so?" Dylan replied, his tone as composed as ever.

"Yes, it is!" Jane retorted, her voice rising. "Look at you! You’re a disgrace. And now, trying to pull this ridiculous stunt? Honestly, it’s embarrassing.”

Bobby took Jane’s hand, pulling her closer with a sarcastic laugh that carried across the tense room. His tone was dripping with mock pity. "You know, Jane, I almost feel sorry for them," he said, glancing dismissively at Dylan and Helen. "But honestly, it’s too embarrassing. Let’s not waste another second entertaining this farce."

He leaned in closer to Jane, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper loud enough for others to hear. "And you, darling, must keep it a secret that *this man* was ever your husband. Imagine the scandal if people found out. It’s bad enough they’ve seen you standing here."

Jane’s lips tightened in frustration, her eyes darting toward the onlookers. "You’re right," she said with a sharp nod. "This is beyond humiliating." She turned to Dylan, her expression icy. "You should have stayed in whatever gutter you crawled out of, Dylan."

Bobby smirked, looking at Dylan as though he were an insect beneath his shoe. "Let’s go back to the banquet hall. Staying here with people like them is making me nauseous."

Jane slipped her arm through Bobby’s, letting him guide her away. She cast one last scornful glance at Dylan and Helen before turning her back on them.

Dylan and Helen, however, remained calmly in place, their composed demeanor a stark contrast to Vivian's rising fury. The security guards hovered uncertainly, awaiting further instructions.

Vivian’s anger finally boiled over. "I’ve had enough of this nonsense," she spat. Turning to the guards, she barked, "Teach them a lesson. Now!"

Helen didn’t flinch. Instead, she calmly reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. Her voice was steady as she spoke into it, "Grandpa? Dylan and I are being kicked out of Royal Elysian Hotel. Apparently, we’re imposters."

The guards paused, looking at one another in confusion as Helen continued to speak. On the other end of the line, John’s voice, though muffled, was clearly alarmed.

"You’re WHAT?!" John’s tone turned sharp, laced with fear. "Stay where you are. We’re coming."

After hearing Helen's words, John was terrified. He immediately alerted the rest of the Nelson family, and, fortunately, they were all nearby the hotel. Without wasting a moment, they rushed toward the scene.

Helen ended the call, slipping her phone back into her bag. She glanced at Dylan, who gave her a small, reassuring nod, then turned her attention back to Vivian.

Vivian sneered. "Calling for backup, are we? Who’s going to save you? A fake Nelson relative? Pathetic."

She turned to the guards again, her voice rising. "Don’t just stand there! Teach them a lesson they’ll never forget."

The guards moved closer, surrounding Dylan and Helen. Their menacing stance made it clear they were ready to act, but the sound of hurried footsteps and sudden commotion at the entrance froze them in place.

Heads turned as a group of people entered—led by a distinguished older man whose very presence commanded respect. Behind him was a cluster of equally poised individuals, their expressions ranging from concern to indignation.

"Stop!" John’s voice rang out, firm and authoritative.

The guards immediately stepped back, their demeanor shifting to unease. Vivian turned, her face draining of color as she recognized the man approaching.

"M-Mr. Nelson!" she stammered, her bravado crumbling. "I—I didn’t know you were here..."

John’s sharp gaze swept across the room, landing on Helen and Dylan. His expression softened ever so slightly as he took them in, unharmed but clearly at the center of the chaos. Then his eyes flicked to Vivian, and his face darkened.

"Care to explain what’s going on here, Vivian?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Vivian quickly bowed, her hands trembling. "Sir, I—these two claimed to be members of your family. I was just... ensuring your name wasn’t tarnished!"

"Tarnished?" Helen interjected with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Grandpa, so I’m not a member of the Nelson family after all?"

John’s jaw tightened as he turned his full attention to Vivian, whose knees visibly buckled under his piercing glare.

"Helen is my granddaughter," John said coldly, each word deliberate and cutting. "And Dylan is my young master. You dare question their place in this family?"

Vivian’s face turned ashen, and cold sweat poured down her temples. She stumbled back, shaking her head in disbelief. "I... I didn’t know... I’m so sorry!" Her voice cracked as she dropped to her knees.