Chapter 4 Returning Home

• "Sorry!"
• Nelson quickly released Audrey, his eyes tinged with red as he gazed at her gratefully. "You must be the fiancée arranged by my elder. I didn't expect you to show up. Thanks for helping me piss those two jerks off!"
• Audrey kept her distance, her expression frosty. "Let's not bring up the engagement. I won't acknowledge the arrangement. My decisions about marriage are mine alone.
• "And remember, I helped you because I needed something from you. Don't misinterpret it."
• Nelson nodded. He understood the importance of not using their engagement to impose on Audrey. They had no relations to each other and had never even met each other before. He also knew he wasn't so charming as to immediately win over such an exceptional woman.
• Moreover, fresh out of a breakup, romance was the furthest thing from his mind.
• Meanwhile, Alfred, standing nearby, was surprised by Audrey's words. This wasn't how he expected events to unfold!
• Noticing Nelson's subdued mood, Audrey softened her tone slightly. "In truth, there's no reason to be upset over someone like that.
• "You should focus on your career and not let trivial matters of the heart weigh you down."
• Nelson nodded again, appreciating her attempt at comfort. Yet, after years of emotional investment, moving on from the breakup wouldn't be simple.
• "By the way, why did you help me?" Nelson inquired.
• "I learned from my grandfather that you're a disciple of a renowned doctor. My grandfather suffers from a mysterious ailment, leaving half his body paralyzed despite consultations with countless doctors. I want you to try to treat him," Audrey explained.
• "If you can truly heal him, I'll see to it that you're generously compensated," she added.
• "Alright! I'll do my best. It's no trouble, and I don't expect any compensation. Consider it my thanks for your earlier assistance," Nelson replied.
• "Those are two different things! You shouldn't use this as a ploy for my attention, and it's not like you can surely cure my grandfather.
• "Now, come with me. I'll take you to see him. But when you do, I expect you to propose annulling our engagement," Audrey said, reverting to her usual aloof demeanor.
• She meant no disrespect to Nelson but saw their worlds as incompatible and sought to avoid further complications.
• Nelson felt a pang of embarrassment. This woman is so cold and distant. Marrying her would only invite trouble into my life.
• "Sure! I'll do as you say. However, I can't do it today. I just got back and need to check on my family. I'll come to treat your grandfather tomorrow.
• "Could I have your contact number? So I can give you a heads up when I'm coming tomorrow," Nelson requested.
• Recently informed about his family's financial crisis by Warren, he was eager to return home and assess the situation. Treating Audrey's grandfather would have to wait.
• "Alright. Alfred, give him your number," Audrey instructed before entering a nearby Rolls-Royce, showing no intention of lingering.
• Though reluctant, Alfred exchanged numbers with Nelson. He had anticipated today to mark a promising start for Audrey's future, but now it seemed like a lost cause.
• After Alfred drove off with Audrey, Nelson hailed a taxi by the road. He cast a cold glance at Warren and Sadie emerging from the café before instructing the driver to head towards his house.
• "Nelson, you scoundrel, you jerk! I hope you and that woman rot in hell!" Sadie screamed in fury outside the café as the taxi pulled away, her voice sharp and venomous.
• "Enough, Sadie," Warren interrupted coldly, his expression sneering. "Do you really believe Nelson could end up with someone as wealthy as Audrey? It's impossible. I've figured out what's really going on here."
• "What do you mean, Warren? Why would Audrey help Nelson and claim they have a marriage arrangement?" Sadie asked, bewildered.
• "Sadie, you're missing the point. Families like the Morales always seek matches of equal status when marrying off their daughters. You know Nelson's background. Even if the Morales were blind, they wouldn't choose someone like him as their son-in-law.
• "In my view, Nelson must have some leverage over Audrey. That's the only reason she'd stoop to help him and bully us.
• "And did you notice? Nelson and Audrey left in separate cars. If they were truly engaged, wouldn't they have left together?"
• Warren's tone was confident and suspicious.
• He couldn't fathom Nelson being worthy of someone like Audrey, a gorgeous beauty whom he could only dream of getting associated with. The more he thought about it after he had calmed down, the more his theory seemed plausible.
• "I see. That makes sense. I knew there had to be an explanation. Nelson, that b*stard, orchestrated this whole thing just to humiliate us. Next time I see him, I'll expose his deceit!"
• Sadie quickly accepted Warren's explanation. She never believed Nelson could attract a remarkable woman like Audrey anyway. Feeling relieved, her disdain for Nelson only intensified.
• His scheme to prove me wrong has backfired, making him look even more foolish in my eyes.
• Meanwhile, in the taxi, Nelson called his father, Elliot Keller, informing him of his return and questioning why he hadn't been informed about the company's financial troubles and their debts. If he had known, he wouldn't have stayed away for so long.
• Elliot was glad to hear Nelson was back. But knowing he couldn't hide the truth any longer, he sighed.
• He promised to explain everything at home and revealed that the family had moved from their villa five years ago to an old apartment building in the west of the city.
• Eager to see his family, Nelson directed the driver to turn the car around and head straight to the new address.
• The taxi finally stopped in a run-down area. The ancient apartment buildings, surrounded by dirty streets and an unpleasant odor, were relics of a bygone era.
• The area was bustling and noisy, a stark contrast to the comfortable life Nelson's family once enjoyed. Five years ago, they were well-off. Now, they lived in poverty, and Nelson had been oblivious to it all.
• For the past five years, he should have stood beside his family, but he was too engrossed in his own ambitions and hadn't even heard about the significant turmoil unfolding at home. He figured his parents must be going through difficult times now!
• This neglectful behavior weighed heavily on him as a son. Now, all he yearned for was to be a dutiful son to his parents and swiftly improve their lives.
• Following the address his father provided, Nelson promptly located the apartment building where his family resided in the urban village. He proceeded directly upstairs towards apartment 301 on the third floor.
• The prospect of reuniting with his family soon stirred deep emotions within Nelson. Despite the considerable changes and financial setbacks at home, family togetherness remained paramount to him.
• Upon arriving on the third floor, Nelson observed a crowd gathered outside apartment 301. It appeared that all the nearby residents had congregated, causing the hallway to become congested.
• Moreover, Nelson noted that the door to apartment 301 was wide open, and he could hear commotion—objects breaking and people shouting—from inside. He even discerned his father, Elliot's, anguished cries echoing from within.
• Instantly thrown into disarray, Nelson hastened towards the entrance of his home.
• At that moment, two intimidating men with tattoos stood menacingly at the doorway of apartment 301. They glared at the assembled residents and shouted with aggression, "We're from Tiger Clan, here to get some issues sorted out. You poor folks had better scatter if you value your lives. This is no place for you to loiter."
• Upon hearing the mention of the Tiger Clan, nearby residents visibly paled and instinctively retreated, creating a stark contrast with Nelson's determined stride towards apartment 301.
• "Damn, looks like we've got a fearless one!"
• The two tattooed men observed Nelson charging towards them recklessly and raised their fists in readiness to confront him.
• "Back off!"
• Nelson, consumed by anger, struck out with both hands, delivering powerful blows that swiftly knocked the two tattooed men to the ground.
• He rushed into the house like a whirlwind, arriving just as he spotted a muscular man holding his father's hand down on a table, a knife poised in the other hand, threatening to sever his father's hand.
• He threatened, "If you don't pay up today, old man, you can kiss this hand goodbye!"