When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 36: Liam’s belief

Liam’s POV.

As we stepped out of the meeting room, I turned to Michael with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Did Jessica return to the hotel?" I asked, recalling the unease that had driven me to task Michael with keeping a discreet eye on her.

Michael nodded affirmatively. "Yes, she did."

I released a thoughtful sigh, my suspicions confirmed. I knew she wouldn’t heed my words, considering how angry she was with me.

"But she didn’t look alright when I saw her," Michael added, his brow furrowed.

I stopped dead in my tracks, my eyes locking onto Michael’s. "What do you mean? Tell me in detail, everything, starting from yesterday morning."

Michael’s expression turned serious. "The report says she went to Langford University. Apparently, she’s enrolled in a jewelry design program."

My brow shot up in surprise as we resumed walking. Jewelry design? I had no idea she had interests in that area, let alone plans to return to school. Regret gnawed at me, reminding me of my failure as a husband.

Michael’s voice pulled me back to the present. "At school, she met two friends – Annabelle and Maxwell – and a foe, a woman named Celine."

Michael’s pause hung like a challenge, testing my patience. "Go on," I growled, urgency etched in my voice.

He cleared his throat. "Maxwell Wilson, the Dean’s son, and Celine Brooklyn, his fiancée, are involved. Maxwell seems to have made your wife his new target. He’s a playboy..."

My displeasure grew. "And?"

Michael’s words dripped with caution. "Celine confronted Jessica twice. During the second encounter, she snatched a coffee cup from someone and nearly scalded Jessica. But Maxwell intervened, shielding her with his body."

My frown darkened. Maxwell’s actions reeked of motives beyond protection.

"There’s more," Michael hinted, his eyes locked on mine.

I hissed, frustration boiling over. "Spit it out! You’re driving me mad!"

But he rolled his eyes at me, as if to tell me I had no right to be angry. A few days ago, he dared to tell me to my face that I didn’t deserve Jessica.

This traitor, whom I thought was always on my side, had actually been on Jessica’s side ever since I married her.

Thinking of it now, he should have made me understand that I was doing the wrong thing by letting Zoey into our home. He should have told me I was straying from the right path and hurting my wife, when I didn’t know Jessica was hurting.

But he didn’t, even though he knew how valuable his opinion was to me.

I knew he didn’t like Zoey, but I thought it was because he though she took his spot, not knowing he hated her because I was hurting my wife for her sake.

Michael stayed silent and let me mess up my marriage and then, told me I didn’t deserve my wife.

My irritation grew, and I suddenly kicked his leg. He didn’t expect it, otherwise, he would have dodged it.

He yelped and limped forward, creating a sizable gap between us. His face contorted in pain and shock.

"What are you doing?" Michael snapped, his voice laced with pain.

I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction knowing I’d caused him discomfort. "That’s what you get for being a traitor," I sneered.

Michael’s eyes narrowed. He wanted to protest, but I continued before he could. "Pray I get my wife back, otherwise, I won’t be the only one to be in pain."

I took a step forward, my voice low and urgent. "Anything else on Jessica? Was she upset because that girl bullied her?"

Michael’s tense expression eased, replaced by a thoughtful frown. "Actually, it’s about Kristen. She got into an accident, and Jessica was severely shaken. She cried at the hospital..."

I gasped, my eyes widening in shock. "How’s that possible?" I interrupted, my mind racing.

Michael’s lips pressed together, his eyes locked on my side profile. "I looked into the accident, but found nothing. No accident case was reported."

My mind reeled. What was going on? Why would Jessica believe Kristen was in an accident if there was no record?

My mind reeled from the revelation. I understood that as billionaires, our flaws had to be kept under wraps; otherwise, our enemies would seize the opportunity to knock us off our pedestals.

But for there not to be a single whisper about this accident, even among passersby, felt profoundly unsettling.

"What hospital is he?" I asked, my voice firm.

"City Hospital," Michael replied.

My lips thinned, a sense of unease settling in. City Hospital wasn’t the most reputable or secure facility in town. If Kristen wanted to sweep his accident under the carpet, City Hospital wouldn’t provide the discretion he sought.

In fact, City Hospital’s lax security made it an unlikely choice for someone like Kristen, who valued privacy. This only added to my growing suspicion that something was amiss.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Kristen was behind this accident story. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became. This was his method - manipulation, deception, and exploitation.

"That guy is a master manipulator," I muttered, my mind racing with past encounters. "A psychopath, always willing to risk everything to get what he wants." freewebnøvel_com

Michael’s expression turned grave. "You think Kristen staged the accident?"

I frowned. I’m not sure about that, but it wouldn’t be farfetched.

Kristen’s ruthless tactics, his charm, and his ability to weave intricate lies had made him the CEO of the second largest company in the country, just below mine.

"If that’s true, what’s his endgame?" Michael asked, his voice low with concern.

I clenched my jaw. "That’s what we need to find out." I paused, "I need to see Jessica to make sure she’s alright. Arrange it for me."

Micheal nodded.

I entered my office, sat behind my desk, and attempted to focus on work. But my mind refused to cooperate. The thought of Jessica breaking down over another man gnawed at me, fueling my irritation.

Michael’s update on Maxwell only added to my frustration. I couldn’t concentrate, my thoughts consumed by Jessica and her connections to both men.

If I ordered Jessica to stay away from Maxwell, she’d resent me more, thinking I was controlling her life. For now, I’d let her have her space. A sigh escaped my lips, it was difficult to do.

I recalled our conversation, where I’d told her I’d be okay with anyone but Kristen. But that was a lie. The truth was, I couldn’t bear the thought of her with any man, as long as I lived.

My possessiveness surprised even me. But Jessica was mine, and I wouldn’t let anyone take her from me. The determination hardened in my chest, a resolve I couldn’t ignore.

I’d play the waiting game, observing from afar, but ready to intervene the moment Kristen made his move. I didn’t worry about Maxwell, he’s not enough to snatched my woman from me.

Jessica might think she was free, but I knew the truth – she’d always be mine.

And I won’t stop until she comes back into my arms.

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