Chapter 5 Heartbroken

Randolph had been sitting on the edge of Brinley's bed for a while when he saw her eyelashes flicker slightly. Then she slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing Brinley saw was a blurry figure in front of her. She thought it was Randolph, but she immediately dismissed the idea. How could he be here? She just probably missed him so much that she was already imagining things.

But as her vision gradually became clear, she found that she was staring at a pair of familiar clear eyes. She had a dull expression, but tears flowed down from the corners of her eyes like waterfalls.

When Randolph saw the tears in her eyes, he felt heartbroken. He leaned over, gently wiped the tears off her cheek, and said softly, "Brinley, I'm back."

All of a sudden, a loud slap sound echoed in the ward.

It turned out that Brinley raised her hand and slapped Randolph hard across his face.

The slap was so hard that Randolph's head tilted. His face was burning with pain. But it couldn't compare to the pain in his heart.

His eyes turned red. Ignoring Brinley's anger, he stepped forward and hugged her tightly. She struggled hard to break free, but he didn't let her go.

He said emotionally, "Brinley, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I know how much you have suffered all these years. But I swear I will never leave you again. I will give you the best life. I will make up for all your sufferings these years."

"Randolph, you bastard! Why did you come back so late? I almost married someone I don't love," Brinley said between sobs. She finally stopped struggling.

She continued, "Where were you all these years? Why haven't you called me even once?"

The way she asked, it was as if she was blaming him. But there was an undeniable trace of worry in her voice.

Tears welled up in Randolph's eyes. He had been fighting for his life when he was abroad. The worst experience he had was when an enemy's blade pierced his chest, only an inch away from his heart. The severe pain tore up his every nerve, but he didn't shed even a single tear.

But now, tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

At this moment, Randolph and Brinley hugged each other tightly for a long time. Brinley missed his hugs so much that she wished she could hug him like this forever.

Randolph felt like he didn't want to let go, too. Finally, he felt the warmth he hadn't felt for a long time.

But after a while, Brinley reluctantly raised her head from his arms and looked up at him.

She asked, "By the way, where am I?"

"You're in the hospital. You fainted at the wedding, so I brought you here,"

Randolph replied gently.

Brinley's eyes narrowed. It was only then that she recalled what had happened at the wedding.

As if she realized something, she hurriedly asked, "Does it mean... I... I ran away from my wedding?"

Brinley thought that if the wedding was canceled, then she could no longer get the five million dollars that Meade had promised.

But it didn't matter anymore. As long as she could be with Randolph, she no longer cared about money. At worst, her grandfather would fire her from the company.

Brinley firmly believed that with her and Randolph's abilities, they would soon regain what they had lost. They would work together to build their strength.

So she stopped thinking about Meade and her family. She snuggled in Randolph's arms and asked, "How have you been these years?"

Randolph held Brinley's hand and squeezed it gently.

"Many things happened, but I have lived a good life these years. I'm sorry if it took me a long time to come back. But I'm here now. Actually, I came back for two reasons. One is, of course, for you. And the other is to settle accounts with the Trumans."

Brinley suddenly sat up upon hearing his last sentence. Her face turned pale with fright.

"No, Randolph. You can't do that. During those years that you were away, the Truman family has grown extremely powerful. They can control almost everything in this city. I heard that the Truman family is already a first-tier family. You are no match for them."

As she spoke, her eyes gradually dimmed. Her hatred towards the Truman family was very apparent.

"Randolph, please don't mess with the Truman family anymore. Our family has been badly bullied by them over the years. We were oppressed by them in all aspects."

Randolph didn't say anything. But his lips curved into a faint smile.

He reached out and silently tucked a few strands of Brinley's hair behind her ear.

She was worried about him, and it warmed his heart. Indeed, it felt good to have someone who cared for him.

"I know you're worried about me. But I assure you. With my current ability, I can easily make the Truman family kneel down and beg me."

But obviously, Brinley didn't believe his words. Her pretty face suddenly turned cold. She scolded, "Randolph, can you stop such big talk? Do you know how worried I've been about you these years? Now that you're finally back, can we just settle down and live a peaceful and happy life?"

Randolph opened his mouth as if he was about to say something. But in the end, he didn't explain anything.

He thought this was not the right time yet. Even if he explained it now, she might not believe him.

So he would let her understand everything slowly. He will let her know the new him little by little.

At this moment, Brinley's phone rang. It was a call from her parents. When she answered it, the expression on her face suddenly changed.

After hanging up the phone, she said to Randolph, "We have to go. My parents asked me to go back immediately."

If she wanted to run away from Meade, she had to go somewhere else. Otherwise, she had no choice but to go back and accept her fate. But now that Randolph was here, things were different. She wouldn't have to face this alone.

Randolph nodded in agreement. Then he quickly processed the discharge procedures, and they left the hospital.

Before going home, Brinley changed into her usual clothes. When they arrived at the Selleck family's villa, she pushed the door open and got in.

She called out, "Dad, Mom, I'm back."

Kieran and Julissa heard the voice from the living room, so they immediately went there. They both had livid faces.

And when they saw Randolph beside Brinley, they got even angrier.

"Bastard! You still have the guts to face us? Are you not done hurting our daughter yet?"

"That's right! You made our daughter suffer for many years. How dare you come back for her now! Do you think our Selleck family is an easy target?"

Kieran's and Julissa's deep hatred of Randolph was evident. After all, they firmly believed that he was the reason why the Truman family had been suppressing the Selleck family in all aspects.

Back then, the Truman family had already become a second-tier family. On the other hand, the Selleck family was just a small, unknown family. So the Sellecks had no ability to resist the suppression of the Truman family at all.

Worse was, the assets of the company of the Selleck family had been constantly declining. At the moment, its market value was already less than one-tenth of its original value.

Now, the Selleck family was in a precarious situation. And this was all because of Randolph.

But Randolph still dared to come back. He was even bold enough to take Brinley away on her wedding day. He had ruined everything!

Kieran and Julissa were so angry that they wanted to tear Randolph apart right at this moment.

But when Kieran was about to rush over to Randolph, Brinley quickly stood in front of Randolph to protect him.

"Dad, I don't want to marry Meade. I have never wanted to marry him. Only Randolph owns my heart. He's the only man I love. And it has never changed over the years. If you still treat me as your daughter, please respect my choice."

Kieran and Julissa both looked furious when they heard this.

"Silly girl! If you don't marry Meade, what about the five million dollars that our company needs? We have no money. What are we going to do?" Julissa pointed at Brinley. She could only shake her head and sigh. "How can I have such a stupid daughter like you?"

A bitter smile crept across Brinley's face. She held Randolph's arm tightly and said, "Don't worry. I will find a way to get the five million dollars."

Kieran snorted coldly, "Humph! What else can you do? Count on this loser?"

Suddenly, an idea occurred to Julissa. She quickly said, "There is only one way left now. Your grandpa is celebrating his birthday tonight. There will be a banquet for him. He will be in his best mood tonight. So you should take the chance to plead with him. Maybe he will give you more time."

Brinley's lips moved as if she wanted to say something. But no words came out of her mouth.

Julissa was right. She only had one way left.

When Brinley and Randolph left, Kieran and Julissa looked at each other knowingly. Then they immediately called Meade.

"Meade, Brinley has come back. But she is too stubborn. She doesn't want to break up with Randolph. We didn't dare to push her too hard because she might do something stupid and harm herself."

As soon as Meade heard Julissa's words from the other end of the line, he laughed sinisterly. "It's okay. If she wants to be with Randolph, let her. Anyway, I will definitely make her sleep with me willingly in the end."

When Kieran and Julissa heard this, they didn't get angry. Instead, they smiled. It was as if it was an honor for them if Brinley slept with Meade.

Julissa continued, "Meade, tonight is my father-in-law's birthday banquet. Why not attend and showcase your abilities? If Brinley sees how impressive you are, she will realize that Randolph is a complete failure. And she will definitely regain her senses."

Meade was silent for a while. Then he said calmly, "No problem. I'll be there tonight. And I will prepare a valuable gift."