Leland picked up the business card. “Explain.”
At this point, he still wanted her to explain? Winifred tried to meet Leland’s bloodshot eyes.
“You brought me to this place for this reason, didn’t you? Treating me like a pet, parading me around, showing off. If another man fancies me, we can swap, making your business dealings even smoother.”
Leland was furious. “Is that what you think? You believe I brought you out here just to entertain other men and boost my image?”
“Leland, on what grounds are you questioning me?” Winifred forced a smile, one that looked more painful than crying.
“Being by your side, I’m nothing more than a laughing stock. I’m worse than that; I drink with you, eat with you, play with you, sleep with you! And I don’t get a single penny for it! You dragged me into your world to witness your glory while belittling me to nothing. How am I different from those women who laugh at your jokes? Besides…”
Winifred sneered. “What’s the difference between sleeping with you and sleeping with someone else? I don’t mind; why should you? Don’t tell me you still see me as the Dawson family’s eldest daughter from a year ago?”
Mentioning “the Dawson family’s eldest daughter,” something seemed to shatter in Winifred’s bright eyes, turning them dull and gray. Tears suddenly fell.
Leland felt his scalp tingle with anger. His eyes flashed with a storm of emotions. He didn’t understand how Winifred had changed so much. She had been fine just this morning, and nothing had happened before this.
Looking at Winifred now, she seemed like a stranger.
To prove her point about being just an entertainer, Winifred forced a seductive smile and ignored her pain as she reached up to hook her arms around Leland’s neck. For the first time, she moved closer to him voluntarily. They were so close that they could feel each other’s breath, warmth, and heartbeat… Yet somehow, Leland felt they were miles apart, as if separated by a black hole spanning two timelines.
No matter how close Winifred tried to get to him, the distance in her eyes remained unchanged. She stood on tiptoe and moved her lips close to Leland’s mouth but stopped just short of kissing him.
“Leland, have I become so lowly that I’m nothing like the person who once ordered you around? Can you still love someone like me? Doesn’t it disgust you? You should love the old Winifred who looked down on you, not the current one who seduces other men right in front of you. Now that I’ve become like this, maybe even revenge seems pointless to you…”
As Winifred spoke, she kept her eyes on Leland. She wanted him to despise her.
“Lowly? Seducing men?” Leland’s pupils contracted. “Do you even understand what you’re saying?” He gently pinched her chin.
“Take back everything you’ve said. I don’t need you to boost my image or humiliate yourself for me. To me, both the past and present Winifred are the same person. We’re fine; I won’t seek revenge on you. I still love you as I did before. But equally, you must love me too. I don’t want today’s incident to happen again.”
Leland spoke clearly and firmly. When Winifred didn’t respond, he tightened his grip on her chin slightly, forcing her to face him through the sharp pain.
“I won’t.”
Winifred’s two words shattered all of Leland’s hopes. Though he stood tall above her, his plea for her love echoed his past desperation when he begged her to save his mother’s life.
“Why not? Winifred, I’ve given you chances. I could have let you remain the Dawson family’s eldest daughter.”
History repeated itself cruelly as Winifred showed no mercy. In her eyes, what was he? Just like Liam?
Leland’s face darkened instantly; his chest felt turbulent with rage needing an outlet. He wanted Winifred to understand he wasn’t playing games-if she wouldn’t change willingly, he’d force her hand.
Since bringing Winifred back half a month ago, he had felt their relationship soften somewhat-was it all just his imagination?
Leland’s expression gradually returned to normal but became even more terrifying in its calmness.
He pulled Winifred onto the bed-a result she had anticipated-and couldn’t help but mock herself inwardly: Of course, it’s always like this…
What else could Leland do besides tormenting her in bed? It happened so often she couldn’t even muster the energy to be annoyed anymore; it just felt pointless.
She thought so until Leland stripped off her cardigan and tied her hands tightly to the bedpost.
Winifred was left hanging precariously off the edge of the bed in an awkward position.
When Leland tore off his loose tie and blindfolded her with it, panic set in for Winifred in an unusual display of fear; even her voice trembled. “Leland…”
“Scared now? Weren’t you bold just moments ago? It’s too late for regrets now. Since you think there’s no difference between sleeping with me and other men, I’ll make sure of it!”
What did Leland mean?
Blindfolded in darkness heightened Winifred’s fear; she bit down hard to stop herself from trembling visibly out of sheer terror.
She heard rustling noises followed by footsteps growing distant as Leland walked toward the door and opened it with a click. She heard him speak to someone outside.
“Bring some men over.”
The female attendant was confused. “Men?”
“Yes, not too many-six or seven will do-as long as they’re healthy in that regard.”
The attendant turned pale. “Mr. Burns, we run a legitimate business here; we don’t do such things…”
Leland took out a card and tossed it into her hand impatiently. “Just bring them here; whether they participate is their choice. I’ll handle your manager.”
Money talks; after hesitating briefly, the attendant said “Please wait” before turning away with her walkie-talkie.