When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 43: His identity

Liam’s POV.

I peeled out of my driveway, fury coursing through my veins as I headed to City Hospital. Jessica’s tears still lingered in my mind, and I was determined to confront the person responsible.

Upon arrival, I stepped out of my car and strode into the hospital, my confident stride commanding attention. As a well-known figure, people parted to let me pass.

At the reception, the nurse’s smile faltered as she greeted me. "Good afternoon, Mr. Crawford. How may we assist you?"

"I’m here to see Kristen, the accident patient," I said, my tone firm but controlled.

The receptionist’s face paled, her eyes darting nervously around the room. She seemed hesitant to respond, unsure how I’d acquired this information.

"Why the silence?" I pressed, my brow furrowing in annoyance. "Are you worried I’ll harm him?"

The receptionist hastily waved her hands, her denial tumbling out. "No, not at all, Mr. Crawford. It’s just... um..."

The receptionist’s hesitation was understandable. My long-standing feud with Kristen was public knowledge in business circles. To ease the tension, I instructed, "Inform his assistant."

Her eyes lit up and she nodded and dialed a number, likely connecting to the VIP ward. After a brief conversation, she smiled nervously. "Sorry for the delay, Mr. Crawford. Mr. Kristen’s assistant awaits you in VIP Ward 2, last floor."

I acknowledged with a curt nod and headed for the elevator. Stepping out on the top floor, I found Kristen’s assistant standing rigidly by the entrance, his expression unreadable.

As I approached, Kristen’s assistant offered a curt nod before opening the door. I stepped inside, my gaze falling upon Kristen’s bandaged form. His leg hung in a cast, and his head was wrapped, but his face remained unscathed.

I breathed a scoff, disdain flashing in my eyes. "You’re the master of manipulation and schemes, Kristen. But what baffles me is why you’d stage such an elaborate ruse."

Kristen’s calm voice drifted from the bed, his eyes still closed. "I knew my act wouldn’t fool you, Crawford."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Then why bother?"

Kristen’s eyes snapped open, amusement dancing in their depths. "You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t already know that," he drawled, his voice dripping with condescension.

The air crackled with tension as our gazes clashed, each daring the other to make a move. I seethed, confirmation burning within me – the bastard had indeed faked it.

"You fell right into it anyway," Kristen taunted, sitting up with an air of nonchalance. He cracked his neck, a calculated move to provoke.

"Now that you’ve confirmed your suspicions, what’s your next move?" Kristen sneered, confidence oozing from his pores. "Will you tell Jessica?"

His smirk ignited a fire within me. I detested his air of invincibility.

"So, you staged an accident to frame me?" I growled, my voice low and menacing.

Kristen’s smile widened, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Would you have taken the bait if I hadn’t?"

"All of this is for Jessica to hate me," I said, the words barely above a whisper, more a reminder to myself than a statement to Kristen.

He nodded, a subtle acknowledgment that spoke volumes. He didn’t deny it, didn’t even try to feign innocence.

"Are you going to tell her?" Kristen repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. "Will she believe you?" he continued, chuckling softly. "We both know she won’t."

I scanned the ward, my gaze drifting until it landed on the sofa. I walked back and settled into its plush cushions, crossing my legs in a deliberate display of nonchalance. Since Kristen wanted to play, I’d play along.

"No, I won’t," I said, my lips curling into a sly smile.

Kristen’s eyes narrowed, his amusement faltering for an instant. "No, you won’t?" he repeated, intrigue lacing his voice.

I leaned back into the sofa, my smile growing wider. "Why bother? You’ve already scripted this little drama. Let’s see how it plays out."

Kristen’s face lit up with understanding. "You’re going to let me take the stage? How gracious of you." His tone dripped with sarcasm. "But unfortunately, you can’t deceive me," he continued, his eyes narrowing. "What are you planning?"

I laughed, a low, mocking sound. "It’s your show, Kristen..." I paused, leaning forward. "...Are you scared?" I asked, my voice laced with challenge, my eyes locked on Kristen’s.

Kristen’s eyes narrowed, his smile twisting into a snarl. "Scared?... Of you? Don’t flatter yourself."

I chuckled, settling deeper into the sofa. "No, I think you are. You’re desperate to know what I’m thinking." My gaze locked onto Kristen’s. "If you claim she’s your girlfriend, why do you need her to hate me more than she already does?"

"That raises one question: are you scared that your plans for her will fail with me around?" I leaned forward, my voice taking on a menacing tone. "Is that why you’re going to such great lengths to separate us?"

He said nothing, but from the subtle curl of his lips, I guessed right.

My eyes blazed with warning. "Stop stressing, Kristen. I’ve got my woman back, and there’s nothing you can do to tear us apart. Know this: I’ll always be by her side, a constant shadow."

My voice dropped to a growl. "I don’t know what you’re planning, but be warned: if I discover your scheme, and it has something to do with my wife, you’ll have created a formidable enemy, one you can’t handle. Jessica is my wife. Take your claws away from her. I won’t warn you again, Hiro Kimura."

Kristen’s eyes flashed, and his assistant’s hand swiftly went to the back of his waist, as if to pull out a gun. I smirked, rising from my seat.

"Your facial surgery is not enough to hide who you truly are," I said, my voice dripping with satisfaction. "The Kimura clan was wiped out over two decades ago, but the bodies of the young heir and his third uncle were not found."

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "What would the world think if they knew he was alive, living with another identity as he snooped around, eradicating his enemies?"

Kristen’s gaze faltered, but he regained his composure in an instant.

"A bold accusation, Crawford," he said, his voice laced with venom. "But one you can’t prove."

I smiled, relishing the challenge. "We’ll see about that."

My eyes never left Kristen’s as I continued, "You see, I’ve been digging into your past, Hiro Kimura. Or should I say, Kristen?"

The tension in the room thickened, Kristen’s assistant shifting uncomfortably beside him. His patience was running thin, his frustration mounting, and that was because he couldn’t just put a bullet through me like he desperately wanted. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

As for Kristen, his eyes darkened, his jaw clenched in restraint.

I could almost taste the malice emanating from them, but they were trapped. They needed to keep up the charade, to maintain the facade of peace in the city.

"You’re walking a thin line, Liam Crawford," Kristen warned, his voice low and menacing.

"And you’re running out of options, Kimura," I retorted. "Stay away from my woman. I’m not a very patient person."

Kristen’s eyes flashed with anger, but he maintained a thin sense of control. He hated threats. He despised when things slip through his fingers. He loved to be in control, so at this moment, I knew his mind was in choas. He didn’t expect me to find out his true identity.

But I know him, he’d never back down. I don’t care about his identity, his revenge, or whatnot. All I want was for him to leave my wife alone and not drag her down with him.

"Or what?" he sneered. "You’ll expose me? I think you’ll find that’s easier said than done."

I took a step closer, my voice dropping to a growl. "You’re not just dealing with me, Kimura. You’re dealing with the people who want you dead. The whole world."

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