Chapter 179: I Need Power!
Chapter 179: I Need Power!
The next morning at Crystal Heights, Riley parked his car in front of one of the large villas, but he didn’t get out immediately.
Instead, he sat behind the wheel and stared at his parents’ house—the house he had left four years ago. Since then, this was only his third visit.
After a moment, he took a deep breath and tried to convince himself to turn back, to cancel his plan to meet his father, but he couldn’t.
This was what he needed if he really wished to win Sienna back. He needed power, and to gain enough power to stand against Zachary, he had no choice but to return to this place and agree to his father’s request. He would return to the company and help strengthen his father’s position within Sterling Group.
In the past, he had never been interested in joining the family business. He knew how ambitious his father was and how determined he was to control Sterling Group. Now, however, he no longer had a choice.
His grip tightened around the steering wheel as he took several long breaths before finally stepping out of the car.
To his surprise, before he could even reach the door, it suddenly swung open.
His mother appeared in the doorway with tears in her eyes and a warm smile on her face.
"Oh, Riley... my son," Wendy Davis immediately wrapped her arms around him. "I thought you’d forgotten the way home," she said dramatically.
"Mom, how could I forget my house?" Riley chuckled softly as she hugged her back. "Of course I haven’t... I’ve just been a bit busy. Besides, we see each other at Grandpa’s house every few months, right?!"
"Bad son...!" Wendy pulled back slightly so she could look him in the eyes. "That’s different. You should visit us here too, not only at your grandparents’ house."
"Alright, alright. I’m here now." He smiled in surrender. "And I’m hungry, Mom."
Riley’s attempt to change the subject worked perfectly. Wendy let him go and headed inside immediately.
"Then hurry up and come in," she said enthusiastically. "Have breakfast with us. Your dad has been waiting for you."
Riley followed his mother inside, and they soon arrived at the dining room. His father was already seated at the head of the table, carrying the same commanding presence he had always possessed.
Even while sitting quietly, William Sterling radiated the authority of a CEO who expected nothing from anyone around him but to be obeyed and respected, whether he earned it or not.
"Good morning, Father..." Riley greeted politely as he approached.
William simply nodded before gesturing toward the empty seat beside him.
"Sit down. You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?"
"Not yet. I planned to eat here."
Wendy smiled and quickly instructed one of the servers standing nearby to bring Riley breakfast.
Soon, the three of them shared a meal together while his parents talked about everything that had happened at home recently.
Riley mostly listened, occasionally adding a comment or smiling when his mother told one of her amusing stories.
Although he appeared relaxed, his thoughts were elsewhere.
His mind remained tangled in the reason he had returned and the truth he had recently learned about Sienna and Zachary.
Every time he thought about it, the anger he had been suppressing slowly resurfaced, bringing a familiar ache to his chest.
It seemed his father noticed.
"Riley, come to my office with me. There’s something I need to discuss with you."
William stood from his chair before Riley could respond and walked out of the dining room.
Riley’s gaze followed his father, then turned to his mother. "Thanks for breakfast, Mom," he said with a smile, then got up to follow his father.
However, before he could leave the room, his mother’s voice stopped him.
"Riley, you’ll stay here tonight, won’t you?"
The refusal had already reached the tip of his tongue, but when he saw the hopeful look in her eyes, guilt settled over him.
Without realizing it, he found himself nodding. "Yes, Mom."
A bright smile immediately spread across Wendy’s face, making her look years younger.
"Will ask someone to clean your room..."
Satisfied, she returned to her breakfast while Riley continued toward his father’s office, shaking his head.
...
When Riley entered the room, he found William already seated on a leather sofa, watching him closely. It was as though he had been waiting for this private conversation from the moment Riley arrived.
Riley took the seat opposite him and remained silent, waiting for him to speak first.
"So, you have finally decided to help me?" William asked, studying him closely. "Or have you come here to reject me again?"
"I’m ready, father..." Riley answered without hesitation.
This time, he needed it. Only by gaining enough power in the company could he stand on equal ground with his uncle.
A satisfied smile appeared on William’s face. He leaned back against the sofa, looking as pleased as if he had just closed a billion-dollar deal.
However, when he noticed the darkness still lingering in Riley’s expression, curiosity flickered in his eyes.
"What made you suddenly change your mind?"
"Because I need power," Riley answered calmly.
William frowned slightly. That wasn’t the answer he had expected. He had assumed Riley had finally grown tired of living independently or perhaps needed money.
"You need power? For what?"
A faint smile touched Riley’s lips.
"Father, I’m not a young boy anymore. I’m older now, and I need to work seriously to build my future. That’s why I’m back and ready to roll big time now."
William’s laughter filled the office.
"Good. Very good." He nodded with obvious satisfaction. "You didn’t waste your years studying under your aunt."
Riley remained silent as his father continued.
"You will become the CEO of our new company, Sterling Tech. Effective immediately."
Surprise flashed across Riley’s face. He had expected his father to place him in the main office and have him start at a managerial level.
Instead, his father was handing him authority from the very beginning. Exactly the kind of power he needed.