The Supreme Power Behind a Wheelchair

Chapter 9: Revenge

Damien frowned, staring sharply at Celeste. “Is Adrian tired of living? That quick, and he’s already out for revenge. Sure, he’s your brother, but I’m the one who hit him. This has nothing to do with you. Let me handle it.”

Celeste shook her head immediately, her eyes red with deep worry. “No!” she snapped, her voice trembling.

Damien paused, surprised by her reaction. Usually, Celeste was composed and kept her distance from him. But now, her worry was evident, raw.

“Don’t make this worse,” Celeste said, her voice softening to the point of pleading. “He could do something even worse to you. I know my brother’s character.”

Damien stood silently, watching her intently. Celeste looked genuinely distressed.

“That spoiled jerk,” she continued, “isn’t just pampered; he’s cruel. With the money and power our grandmother gave him, he could take anyone out if he wanted to.”

Damien looked at Celeste thoughtfully. Her face clearly showed fear—not just for herself but for him, too.

“There’s more,” Celeste added, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Don’t tell my parents anything. They’ll blame you, Damien. They always do.”

Her words made Damien clench his fists, though he kept his calm.

“At least,” Celeste went on, “if you stay quiet and do nothing, my grandmother won’t throw us out on the street.”

Damien studied her expression. She looked so vulnerable, even though she tried to hide it. He knew that beneath all the strength and resolve she usually showed, Celeste was carrying deep scars.

But one thing puzzled Damien—why didn’t Celeste want him to leave? Wasn’t she the one pushing for divorce before?

“Celeste…” Damien began, but she quickly cut him off with a faint smile.

“I’m fine,” she said, though it was clear she was lying to herself. “I just need some time.”

She let out a long sigh as if trying to calm herself, then turned toward her desk. She started tidying up her documents methodically, though her hands trembled slightly.

Damien said nothing, simply watching her. She was trying to appear strong, but he could see the cracks in her armor. He knew Celeste was nearing her breaking point.

Adrian doesn’t deserve to roam free after what he’s done, Damien thought.

Still, seeing Celeste so worried made him hold back from acting right away. For now, he stayed silent, even though his anger simmered.

*

Hours later, the house was eerily quiet. Celeste had retreated to her room, likely seeking some peace. Meanwhile, Damien remained in the living room, sitting in his wheelchair with a serious expression.

His mind kept replaying everything that had happened. Celeste’s words echoed in his ears. He knew she was right—taking on Adrian wasn’t the smartest move, especially with the Stratton family’s immense power.

But Damien wasn’t the type to let things slide, especially when it came to someone he cared about.

Slowly, he pulled his phone from his pocket. His fingers moved across the screen, typing a short yet meaningful message.

The message was brief, just a few words, but the icy tone it carried hinted at something dangerous.

Damien stared at the screen for a few moments before hitting send. The message was sent to someone he trusted—someone who had been by his side for a long time.

He knew this step came with risks, but Damien didn’t care. Anyone who dared hurt Celeste would pay the price.

After sending the message, Damien leaned back in his wheelchair, his gaze fixed ahead, determined.

He wouldn’t let Adrian—or anyone else—hurt Celeste again.

*

Adrian leaned back smugly in the luxurious car that was driving him to the Xoldex headquarters, a major software company. His eyes gleamed with triumph, his mind busy plotting his future.

Today marks the beginning of everything, he thought. After snatching Novatek from his sister, the next step was securing the massive project the company was working on. If he succeeded, his position as the primary heir to the Stratton family would be unshakable.

Even though his grandfather had once devised a “competition” between him and Celeste, Adrian knew it was all a facade. In the end, he was the only grandson, the rightful heir who would bring glory to the Stratton name. Celeste’s hard work was just an accessory he could use to solidify his position.

“Celeste’s just a woman. All her hard work should naturally go to me,” he muttered with a smug grin.

The car came to a halt in front of Xoldex’s sleek, glassy headquarters. Adrian stepped out confidently, dressed in an expensive suit that screamed his status. His left hand, still bandaged, did nothing to diminish his presence.

Striding to the reception desk, he pulled out the contract from his briefcase. “I’m here to meet Mr. Lincoln to sign the contract,” he announced, skipping any pleasantries.

The receptionist, a young woman in a crisp uniform, looked up at him. “Do you have an appointment, sir?” she asked politely.

Adrian scoffed, feeling insulted. “I’m Adrian Stratton, the new director of Novatek. Today, Mr. Lincoln and I are signing the contract.”

The woman remained calm, though Adrian’s tone carried unmistakable arrogance. “I’ll need to confirm if Mr. Lincoln has you on his schedule. One moment, please.”

Adrian’s patience began to wear thin. He stared at the receptionist with a sharp glare, as if his mere presence should have been enough to demand priority.

After checking her computer, the receptionist looked back at Adrian. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stratton, but I don’t see any appointment under your name. Mr. Lincoln has instructed us to only accept visitors with scheduled appointments.”

Adrian’s anger flared. “Do you even know who I am? I’m from Stratton Enterprises, the owner of Novatek. I don’t need an appointment to see Lincoln!”

The woman gave him a faint smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stratton. From Novatek, I only know Mrs. Celeste Stratton. Mr. Lincoln has specifically instructed that if Mrs. Stratton comes, she can go up without an appointment.”

Her words made Adrian freeze. A mix of rage and humiliation burned within him.

“You!” Adrian shouted, pointing at the receptionist. “What do you mean? Who is Celeste to get that kind of welcome? I’m the owner of Novatek now! I’m the one in charge!”

The woman stayed composed, even as Adrian’s voice grew louder. “I’m sorry, sir, but those are Mr. Lincoln’s direct instructions. If you’d like to meet him, I suggest making an appointment.”

Adrian’s face turned red with anger. His temper boiled over, and he nearly lost control. How could Celeste, who was no longer in charge of Novatek, still command such respect? Meanwhile, he, the Stratton family’s only grandson, was being treated like this?

“This is outrageous!” Adrian slammed his hand on the reception desk, drawing attention from nearby employees.

“Do you think I’ll take this humiliation lying down?” he shouted.

The commotion drew more onlookers. Some Xoldex staff stopped what they were doing to watch, while Adrian continued his tirade.

Before he could escalate things further, a firm voice interrupted him.

“What’s going on here?”