Winifred Dawson reviewed the documents repeatedly. Once she was sure everything was in order, she picked up a pen and signed her name.
She handed the documents to Wesley. If she had to choose between the two, she would definitely prefer Wesley. Henry had a sharp tongue and often came up with schemes that could easily backfire. She needed to be cautious around Henry.
After securing the documents, Wesley dragged the wandering Henry out of the room.
In the car, Wesley’s face was stern. “You shouldn’t have said so much to her. The matters between her and Mr. Burns are not for us to interfere with.”
Henry scoffed. “I had to say it. I couldn’t keep it in. Seeing her smug expression made me want to teach her a lesson on behalf of the boss.”
Wesley frowned. “If you hurt her, Mr. Burns won’t be pleased.”
Henry sighed. “What does the boss see in her? Sometimes I think Winifred Dawson has cast a spell on him. Even now, he can’t let go and wants us to protect her from harm.”
Wesley watched Henry’s moving mouth and then lowered his gaze. What did Leland Burns see in Winifred Dawson? They had loved and hated each other for so long; it was all about her as a person. Love and hate are complex emotions that are hard to understand at a glance.
…
After Henry and Wesley left, Winifred Dawson wandered around, checking every room. She walked into her room, where the jewelry she once used still lay in the jewelry box, untouched.
Outside, she saw the housekeeper and called out to her. “What’s your last name?”
“My last name is Liu.”
“Mrs. Protich, how long have you worked here?”
“A year.”
A year meant she came shortly after the incident at Gentry Estate.
“Were there others when you arrived?” Winifred Dawson wanted to inquire about Mrs. Roberts.
Mrs. Protich shook her head. “No, I was alone then. Mr. Burns hired me to clean once a week, but this house is too big for one person. After I mentioned it, he hired a gardener as well. Mr. Burns often came here; he liked peace and didn’t want too many people around.”
Winifred Dawson didn’t want to hear about Leland Burns, but some things appear more frequently when you wish not to hear them.
Once Mrs. Protich started talking about Leland Burns, she couldn’t stop.
“I’ve never seen a boss as good as Mr. Burns. He paid well and never made me cook when he was here; he cooked himself and even helped trim the garden plants outside. He always tidied your room himself, saying you would return one day and wouldn’t want things changed.”
“Mr. Burns often talked about you when he was here; I think he loves you very much.”
Many people told her that Leland Burns loved her, but every time she heard it, it felt like a joke.
“Mrs. Protich, have you watched the news lately?”
“Huh?” Mrs. Protich didn’t understand at first.
Winifred Dawson spoke slowly, “Leland Burns has been arrested by the police; he’s no longer your boss.” In simpler terms, if you want to flatter someone, find someone else; there’s no need to keep praising him.
Did she not know whether Leland Burns was good or bad?
“Now Leland Burns is just a convict; being loved by someone like him is not fortunate but disgusting.” Every time she slept with Leland Burns felt like rape; even when he was being taken away by the police, he didn’t miss an opportunity to disgust her.
Winifred Dawson felt sticky and uncomfortable all over, with a tearing pain while walking.
Her face had a translucent paleness like jade; at this moment, her beautiful face showed a bitter smile.
She couldn’t say more; words were stuck in her throat.
Mrs. Protich wanted to say that she didn’t believe Leland Burns did those bad things, but the fact remained that he was arrested; she couldn’t argue against it.
“Mrs. Protich, if you want to keep working here with high pay, don’t mention him again. Know who your boss is now; if you can’t do that, I can find someone else.”
“I understand, Miss Dawson; I’ll be careful with my words from now on.”
Winifred Dawson returned to her bedroom, threw off her coat, took off the tattered wedding dress, and took a good bath before lying down on the bed with her eyes closed.
It was still early, not even noon yet; sleep eluded her as images of Leland Burns filled her mind whenever she closed her eyes.
At noon, Mrs. Protich came upstairs to call her for lunch.
“Throw away those clothes on the floor.”
Mrs. Protich quickly cleaned up the room efficiently.
…
At night, the place felt empty and echoed with every breath taken. Unable to sleep during the day led to insomnia at night; Winifred Dawson stood by the window watching the cloud-covered moon.
She found it hard to believe how smoothly everything had gone; thinking back felt surreal as if it were all a dream from which she’d wake up still trapped in Autumn Joy Estate by Leland Burns who used eggs harvested from her body for… That wasn’t enough-he wanted her to bear children too.
Winifred Dawson kept an eye on online information after Leland Burns’ arrest made headlines for days; major media outlets competed to report on him while dragging her into it as well.
Liam Burkhart contacted her midway through this ordeal, assuring that not even wealth could save Leland Burns this time-she should rest easy knowing he’d end up in prison where Liam would ensure his suffering in retaliation for past grievances inflicted by Leland’s fists.
Winifred Dawson turned on the TV showing Peachshire Town local news mentioning Leland Burns’ name causing Mrs. Protich mopping nearby also paused watching intently.
Burns Group assets were being liquidated shown behind female anchor alongside an image of confident youthful-looking Leland contrasting starkly against now-empty company premises-a poignant irony indeed!
Sipping coffee indifferently while dark pupils reflected cold detachment beneath lowered lashes blowing steam away hearing TV host announce next day’s court trial date determining final judgment upon him who surprisingly hadn’t hired any lawyer seemingly resigned fatefully awaiting verdict… Should she attend court tomorrow? Winifred pondered long…