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
213
213“She finally divorced you,” Lisa said, the words slicing the air like glass. Her voice was calmer now, but only because she knew she’d drawn blood. “Finally. And thank God she did. Jane is building a life now—a future. Something you would have ruined if she’d stayed. You dragged her down long enough.”The words settled over the sidewalk like ash. A few onlookers had stopped, heads turning, phones subtly raised. The city had its own rhythm—cars hissing by on wet asphalt, neon lights flickering in windows—but all of it dimmed under Lisa’s voice.Dylan stood frozen for a beat too long. His hands curled into fists, not out of anger, but restraint. His heart pounded like a war drum behind his ribs. He wanted to yell, to peel back her lies in front of everyone, to lay out the complexities of what had really happened—what Jane had chosen to ignore, what she had run from long before any betrayal.But he knew how this would look.Lisa always knew how to hold a stage. How to paint herself i
212
212Chapter 212 – Fractures at DawnThe city hadn’t fully woken up yet. Eridale slouched under the heavy gray hush of morning after rain, its streets glistening with residue from the night’s storm. Neon signs blinked over shuttered cafes, their distorted reflections swirling in rain-slicked puddles. A chill wind swept between the buildings, stirring discarded flyers and making everything feel just a little too quiet.Dylan pulled the collar of his coat higher against the cold, scanning the block as he and Lilith turned the corner onto Davlin Street. The wet asphalt whispered beneath their boots.“That’s it,” Lilith muttered beside him, nodding toward a narrow, unmarked door set between two upscale boutiques. “Veridian Bistro.”He followed her gaze. From the outside, it looked like nothing. Just another door in a city full of secrets. But Dylan knew better—Veridian was no ordinary bistro. It was a front. A meeting ground for people who didn’t like to be seen. High-end criminals, washed
211
211The next morning came too quickly for Jane. The weight of the decision hung heavily over her, despite the calm façade she had tried to maintain. Her phone buzzed incessantly, messages from Lisa, Adam, and even Linda, all eager to confirm their plans to transfer their funds. The excitement from the previous night had only grown stronger with each passing hour, but Jane’s unease had deepened in equal measure.She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being led down a path she shouldn’t follow, a path paved with promises and lies. As she scrolled through the group chat, her eyes caught a message from Bobby: “It’s all set. Ready when you are, Jane. Don’t let fear dictate your future. This is your chance.”The words sent a cold shiver down her spine. There it was again—the subtle pressure, the quiet threat wrapped in a smooth, convincing tone. Bobby was a master at this. He knew exactly how to manipulate people, how to make them think they were making their own choices while all alon
210
210But then, there was Jane. She had barely spoken all evening, her quiet demeanor setting her apart from the rest. She had been sitting at the edge of the group, her eyes downcast, staring into her untouched champagne. Her fingers traced the rim of her glass absentmindedly as she listened to her friends talk about their investments, their dreams. It was so easy for them, so quick to jump in. But Jane wasn’t so sure. She could feel the unease creeping in, the tug in her gut telling her that something wasn’t right. They were so eager, so willing to throw everything into Bobby’s hands. So naïve.“You’re not worried about the risks?” she asked quietly, her voice almost lost amidst the chatter. The words seemed to hang in the air for a moment before Bobby’s eyes flicked toward her, catching the subtle challenge in her tone.Bobby’s smile didn’t falter. He leaned forward just enough to catch her gaze, his eyes dark and steady, like a predator eyeing its prey. “Worried? No,” he said, his v
209
209 Adam looked up, his face a mask of calm. “I mean, what’s not to consider? Bobby’s offering us a seat at the table. You know how rare that is.” His words were matter-of-fact, but there was a certain eagerness in his eyes, a glimmer of excitement that he couldn’t hide. He was already sold. Linda, ever the practical one, nodded, her fingers tapping on the edge of her glass. “I don’t know. It sounds like a solid opportunity. Bobby’s track record speaks for itself.” The table was buzzing now, the tension thickening with every passing second. Jane felt herself shrinking in her seat. Everyone else was on board, their minds already made up. She was the only one left holding back, and she hated the feeling. But no matter how she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Bobby was pulling the strings, drawing them all in like moths to a flame. She leaned back, rubbing her temples, trying to quiet the storm inside her head. The words kept swirling around, crashing into one another. “I
208
208 “Wait,” Jane said slowly, her brow furrowing. “Didn’t you pitch something like this to ForwardTech last year? I remember the prototype.”Bobby blinked—just a fraction too long. His eyes darted around the table, landing on her for a beat longer than necessary. “That was… similar, but flawed. This one’s new. Better team. Better model.”Jane could sense the words slipping from his mouth too smoothly. It wasn’t the first time he’d said something that didn’t quite sit right with her, but this time there was something sharper in the air. A fine thread of doubt, like static crackling on the edge of a storm.Adam, who had been staring at the screen of his phone, looked up with a casual air that masked his curiosity. “What happened with ForwardTech, though? I remember the buzz last year. They were practically salivating over this.”Bobby shrugged, the motion too careful, too rehearsed. “They weren’t ready,” he said smoothly. “And frankly, their ethics were sketchy. I don’t want to work w
207
207Jane’s breath hitched as Bobby reached into his pocket again.The room, already hushed, seemed to freeze entirely. All eyes were locked on him—some mouths slightly agape, others tight with expectation. Lisa had both hands clasped under her chin like she was praying. Even the jazz from the corner speakers had faded out, as if the room itself held its breath.And then, slowly, deliberately, Bobby pulled something out.Not a ring box.A folded piece of paper.Lisa blinked, then narrowed her eyes. “Wait. That’s… not velvet.”The mood cracked like porcelain. A collective gasp followed by awkward chuckles and confused glances circled the table like ripples on a lake.Bobby didn’t seem fazed. He smiled that polished, camera-ready smile. “This one,” he said smoothly, waving the paper slightly, “isn’t for right now. I’ll ask it while we eat.”Lisa leaned toward Jane, her mouth close to her ear. “Did we just get emotionally blue-balled?”Jane tried to smile, but a pit had opened in her stom
206
206The night deepened, wrapping the penthouse in a velvet hush, broken only by the soft clinking of glasses and the low hum of jazz playing in the background. From the corner of the room, floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a glittering skyline, the lights of the city twinkling like a thousand secrets waiting to be whispered.Jane stood by the minibar, swirling her champagne gently as she stared out the window. Behind her, the soft thrum of voices filled the space—laughter, banter, and just the right level of intoxicated excitement to make the room buzz without spinning out of control.Lisa appeared beside her like a ghost in heels, sipping her wine and smirking. “So… he’s pulling out all the stops. Private penthouse? Classy guest list? Jazz that sounds like it was handpicked by a man who owns three turtlenecks?”Jane gave her a look. “He doesn’t own a single turtleneck.”Lisa waved dismissively. “He feels like a man who could. Come on, Jane. Is this just a ‘you crushed the quarter’ pa
205
205Jane’s apartment,The phone buzzed against the marble countertop, its soft vibration cutting through the heavy silence of the apartment. Jane turned from the window, where the city skyline glinted under the sinking sun, and eyed the screen with reluctant curiosity.Bobby.She hesitated only a second before swiping to answer.“Hey,” she said, her voice a little more tired than she intended.“Jane,” Bobby’s voice poured through, smooth, steady, and warm like whiskey on a winter night. “You home?”“Just walked in,” she replied, tugging her heels off one at a time. “What’s up?”“I was thinking…” he began, then paused. There was a quiet thud in the background. “No. Actually, I decided. We’re celebrating tonight.”Jane blinked, tossing her shoes aside. “Celebrating what?”“You,” he said simply. “You pulled off the impossible this quarter. The board knows it, I know it, and frankly, the city should know it too. So—champagne, skyline, music. My place. I want your mom and Adam there, too.
