Chapter 4 Face off

Time stood still as Sylvester stood on his feet, strength coursing from his sturdy legs to the rest of his body.

At last. The time and money spent at the secretive monthly military rehabilitation programme had finally paid off. His lips turned slightly in a faint smirk.

How glad he was to finally be able to stand after two years of being paralysed. He also had Emily to be grateful for.

Not only had she been patient with him for all these months, not asking him where he kept disappearing with her money until now, but she had also been the reason he was now on his feet.

Now, he could finally leave the military rehabilitation centre to focus on the things that actually mattered- cultivating his strengths and making it up to his wife, Emily.

Isabella's face contorted from one of shock to pure disdain. It was almost like she didn't care that he was now on his feet. If anything, she appeared intimidated.

"Congratulations to you, Mr. Wright," she clapped, mocking him with her words. "You can finally stand after two years of being a paralytic, stealing my daughter's money and dragging her name in the mud. I suppose this is the point where we praise you, right?"

Emily's eyes grew teary again at her mother's words. She bowed her head slightly, avoiding his face, not knowing what to feel.

Sylvesters hopes plummeted slightly at Isabella's mockery and Emily's sadness. What could he do right now to prove to Emily and Isabella that he was actually an asset to them?

"I promise you-"

"We've had enough of your pathetic, empty promises, Sylvester. Just shut up," Isabella exclaimed, anger causing veins to pop on her head. "You know what, just get out."

He paused. Has it come to this? "Isabella-"

"Get out, Sylvester. We've tried our best for you. We've reached the end of our patience with you. Leave now!"

His shoulders slumped slightly in defeat. Arguing with her was like trying to go through a wall.

His meridians were finally unblocked, but it barely made a difference. His martial art cultivation was still at its lowest level of the five realms. A mere warrior. This was just a little above an ordinary person.

His palms balled into fists. He still had to yet again level up from being a warrior to a grandmaster. That would take a lot of practice and focus.

Sylvester resigned. "Alright. I'll leave now. But expect me again. I will be back, Emily."

Her face was plain as she stared right ahead, unable to look him in the eye.

He lifted his legs in a stride but wobbled a little. It had been two years since he last walked after all. Steadying himself, he took slow, careful strides out of the house.

Emily watched his back slowly disappear into the streets before bursting into another round of tears. Her mother patted her back.

"He's gone now, Emily. Everything will be fine," she consoled her daughter.

Emily let out a shaky breath, hiccuping. "I'm going to see grandmother." She stated in one breath.

Isabella froze slightly. "What? Why?"

"She called me earlier today," Emily elaborated, rising to her feet. "Says it's some urgent business. I have to go, mum."

"Then I'm coming with you," Isabella concluded, equally rising to her feet.

Sylvester headed to the family estate of Emily's family. As he walked along the tarred streets, his steps grew stronger and stronger. He felt the energy in his bones grow, and he no longer wobbled.

This was it. He was going to recover everything that he had lost, starting with his wife and her stolen dignity.

Soon, the huge iron wrought gates of the family house came into view, and he walked in, adrenaline pumping in his veins.

He got to the cobble stones that led to the entrance of the mansion.

A maid appeared at the door once he pressed the doorbell, her face masked in shock. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at him to confirm that he was the one.

"Y-You can't come in, sir. There is a family meeting going on." she stammered, opening the door.

"I'm family, after all. Am I not?" He questioned, his eyes darkening slowly.

She shifted on her feet. "I've been instructed to never let you in, sir. Please leave," she stated, moving to shut the door, but he placed his feet to wedge the door, preventing it from slamming shut.

The maid pushed at the door in frustration, but his foot stood solidly between the door.

"I'm coming in, young lady, and I don't need your permission." Sylvester answered, his voice defiant.

She huffed in frustration, red in the face, as he pushed the door open and strode in.

Sylvester walked through the luxurious living room to the mini boardroom in the mansion. Every member of the family was seated around the large table.

The matriarch of the family sat proudly on a red master's chair, and her nose lifted permanently as she stared down at Emily.

Everyone in the room looked agitated, but no one was more agitated than Emily.

"I will never do that, grandmother. I won't. The company is mine!" She yelled, her hands clenched in a fist.

The matriarch peered at her through her thin gold-rimmed glasses. "Young lady, you will not speak to me that way. You will do what I tell you to do. Do you hear me?!"

"I can't take it anymore," Emily lashed out.

"Firstly, you manipulated me to get married to a paralysed man. Now you want to take away my inheritance after I have built it to where it is now. No way!"

"You're a woman for God's sake. You're obviously not capable of handling the company. See how you're wrongly accusing me of your foolishness. You had better hand over the company to your brother now!"

Emily burst into angry tears. "Over my dead body!"