“No need for you to see me off.” Winifred Dawson’s face was cold, her attitude poor. Early pregnancy made it difficult to control her emotions, and her temper flared easily.
She thought Liam Burkhart was just like Henry and the others; even after she had made things clear, he still insisted on approaching her.
She didn’t want to get entangled with Liam Burkhart. Ideally, they would pass by each other without greeting in the future.
Initially, she chose Liam Burkhart for two reasons: she remembered his phone number from the business card he gave her, and he was the only one she could contact. Secondly, Leland Burns had offended him greatly in a fight over her, so it was easy to persuade him out of spite.
But now, they had no relationship at all.
“At least we know each other, Winifred Dawson. Do you have to be so cold to me?”
“Absolutely necessary. I think it’s best we don’t stay in touch since we’re not that close.”
Liam Burkhart’s lips curled into an ambiguous smile as he stared at Winifred Dawson, touching the corner of his mouth with his thumb.
He was always the one rejecting others. Winifred Dawson’s repeated rejections only fueled his desire to conquer her. It was like a beautiful toy in a shop window that he couldn’t take his eyes off. If it disappeared one day, he’d feel an emptiness as if something important was lost-even though he never owned it, he subconsciously considered it his.
“If you don’t want me to see you off, fine. Let’s chat for a while. How about having lunch with me later?”
“What is there to talk about?” Winifred Dawson met his gaze.
“Plenty. Didn’t we chat a lot over the phone and through messages before? You used my hand to get rid of Leland Burns. Now that it’s done, you’re turning your back on me?”
“Liam Burkhart, don’t make yourself sound so selfless as if you did me a huge favor. Didn’t you benefit from it too? We were just using each other…”
Mrs. Protich listened in confusion. What cooperation? What getting rid of Leland Burns? Who was this man?
The car window rolled down completely. Liam Burkhart sat inside, smiling sinisterly as he spoke slowly: “It seems Miss Dawson isn’t planning to give me any face today. In that case…”
His tone shifted to a cold sneer: “Don’t blame me for getting rough then.”
Liam Burkhart always traveled with bodyguards. Winifred Dawson used to have one too but sent him away after moving to the seaside due to good security at her seafront apartment. Now she regretted it.
Looking at the tall, suited bodyguards surrounding her, Winifred Dawson knew she couldn’t escape today.
Should she ask for help? She glanced around; people had already backed away to avoid trouble, leaving a large open space perfect for the bodyguards to trap her.
Mrs. Protich quickly stood in front of Winifred Dawson: “Miss Dawson, I’ll block them. You run.”
Block them? Could she really? Two hands couldn’t fend off four fists, let alone eight from four men. But seeing Mrs. Protich protectively standing before her warmed Winifred Dawson’s heart.
Liam Burkhart looked surprised at Mrs. Protich and asked Winifred Dawson: “Who is this? Your maid?”
Judging by her clothes, probably so-and Winifred didn’t deny it.
“Didn’t expect your servant to be so protective. Miss Dawson, if you don’t come with me now, your maid might end up in the hospital.”
This blatant threat didn’t escape Liam Burkhart’s notice; Winifred’s look at Mrs. Protich was different from how she looked at him-proving the maid was more important.
As expected, Winifred’s eyes turned wary and sharp towards him; if she had a knife now, she’d stab him without hesitation.
Liam Burkhart placed one hand on the window frame, smiling playfully.
Winifred knew she had no choice but to go with Liam today. She placed a firm hand on Mrs. Protich’s tense shoulder: “Mrs. Protich…”
Before she could finish, Mrs. Protich anxiously interrupted: “Miss Dawson, are you really going with this man? He looks dangerous; you’ll be at risk.”
Winifred knew following Liam would be dangerous but couldn’t gamble with Mrs. Protich’s safety.
“Mrs. Protich, I’ll be fine.”
“No… I can’t let you.”
Winifred spoke softly into Mrs. Protich’s ear: “Look at our situation; can I leave now? No one here will help us. If something happens to you because of me, what about your daughter and family?”
This hit Mrs. Protich’s weak spot; she dared not act rashly anymore and lowered her outstretched hand but still stood protectively.
Winifred continued: “If both of us get hurt, it’s worse. I’ll go willingly; you call the police later.”
Mrs. Protich hesitated but saw no other option and worriedly looked at Winifred: “Can you protect yourself?”
“I’ll try my best.”
Their voices were too low for Liam Burkhart to hear but their expressions revealed they were plotting something-he scoffed; Winifred still didn’t grasp the situation.
“Miss Dawson, have you decided? If so, get in the car; I don’t have time to waste here.”
“Alright, I’ll go with you.” Winifred stepped out from behind Mrs. Protich and walked towards Liam’s car reluctantly.
Thinking about their predicament made Mrs. Protich shiver; she wanted to grab Winifred but remembered her words-if both got hurt, who’d call for help? So she withdrew her hand: Miss Dawson must stay safe until I rescue you.
Liam sat in the back seat watching Winifred approach unwillingly but feeling elated by even this small victory-imagining getting her into bed made him feel like he was on top of the world.