Chapter 961: Setting Up a Flag

Book:Mr. Burns Is Killing His Wife Published:2024-7-3

Apart from clothes, there were also shoes. In summer, sandals were fine, but if she had to climb a mountain, sandals would be inconvenient. At least she needed sneakers, and if it was a snowy mountain, waterproof shoes would be necessary.
Winifred Dawson had only one suitcase, which held very little. Thinking about clothes led to thinking about skincare products. Women had many things-skincare products, makeup, toiletries. Of course, medicine was essential and could not be forgotten. If she got sick outside, it would be hard to buy medicine. Winifred Dawson wasn’t good at taking care of herself, so the medicine had to be labeled clearly for different ailments to prevent her from taking the wrong medication when feeling unwell.
Winifred Dawson watched as Mrs. Protich squatted on the floor, carefully writing labels with a pen. Then she saw her holding a pile of clothes, trying to stuff them into the suitcase. She quickly stopped her: “Mrs. Protich, don’t pack any more; the suitcase can’t hold it.”
“Why not take two suitcases then?”
“I can’t carry them alone.”
“Then how about hiring two people to go with you?” Mrs. Protich suggested. This idea seemed very feasible, much like how Winifred Dawson had hired two bodyguards before-tall and strong men who could help move things and protect her. This way, she wouldn’t have to worry about Winifred Dawson encountering danger outside.
Moreover, Winifred Dawson had money. Anything that could be solved with money wasn’t a problem for her. Not only could she hire bodyguards, but she could also buy a car directly and go wherever she wanted without struggling with a group of strangers.
Winifred Dawson was generous to others but stingy with herself?
Mrs. Protich voiced all her thoughts at once. Winifred Dawson replied: “That kind of travel has no meaning for me. I want to be independent and not rely on others for everything. Besides, I think I can take care of myself better than you imagine…”
Take care of herself? Perhaps Mrs. Protich really saw Winifred Dawson as half her daughter. In a mother’s eyes, children never grow up. As soon as they leave home, she worries about their eating, sleeping, and dressing…
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring two or three summer outfits for changes. If I go somewhere with different temperatures, I’ll buy clothes there. I have money with me; if there’s any problem, I’ll remember your words and hire two people to protect me and carry my things. I’ll not only hire bodyguards but also high-priced chefs and even buy an RV directly. I won’t let myself suffer.”
Young people have their own ideas; Mrs. Protich couldn’t say much more without being seen as nagging.
“As long as you know what you’re doing and don’t skimp on expenses-you’re not short of money.”
Winifred Dawson nodded repeatedly. After packing clothes and medicine, Mrs. Protich went downstairs; the cookies and dried fruits were almost ready.
“Miss Dawson, what time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Five o’clock.”
“Five o’clock? That’s quite late; what do you want to eat during the day? I’ll make it for you.”
“Not five in the afternoon-five in the morning.”
“In the morning! Why so early? You won’t get any sleep tonight.” Mrs. Protich glanced at the clock-it was already three o’clock, just two hours until departure.
“Can’t you delay it a bit to get some rest?”
“The ticket is booked; how can I delay it? I have to consider others too.”
“That’s why self-driving is better.”
Winifred Dawson shook her head with a smile. She did this to confuse Leland Burns’ sight; once she got far enough away, she would leave alone. However, when alone, she had to stay low-key-hiring bodyguards or arranging an RV would easily attract Leland Burns’ attention.
She was now hiding from Leland Burns for her life.
With only two hours left and everything done, Mrs. Protich quickly packed all the snacks from the kitchen into Winifred Dawson’s suitcase.
The cookies were brown sugar-flavored because Winifred Dawson had low blood sugar; if she felt unwell in the morning, eating some cookies with milk would help a lot.
She originally planned to make buns for Winifred Dawson during the day but couldn’t do it in one or two hours since she was leaving at five.
The suitcase mainly contained food rather than clothes or shoes.
As soon as the suitcase was closed, Mrs. Protich couldn’t help but shed tears; she quickly lowered her head to wipe them away secretly.
This small action didn’t escape Winifred Dawson’s notice; she held back her own tears while watching Mrs. Protich wipe hers away.
“Mrs. Protich…”
“Yes.” Her voice choked as she smiled through tears: “I just can’t bear to see you go; who knows how many days you’ll be gone? I’m already feeling a bit unused to it-once you leave, it’ll just be me here.”
“Isn’t being alone good? You can go back and accompany your daughter.”
Mrs. Protich laughed: “It’s not the same; in my eyes, you’re also like my daughter.”
Human relationships are fascinating; initially, Mrs. Protich didn’t understand Winifred Dawson at all-she seemed difficult to get along with at first sight-but over time and prolonged interaction, their relationship changed unknowingly.
Winifred Dawson wouldn’t return after this trip-perhaps never seeing Mrs. Protich again in her lifetime-she originally planned to lie that she’d return after this summer or by late autumn at most.
But facing Mrs. Protich’s tears now made lying impossible.
Both fell silent, looking at each other as Winifred Dawson held back tears until her eyes reddened without shedding them.
“In my absence,” Winifred said softly, “take good care of yourself; I’ll miss you too-you don’t have to stay here every day-you can do what you love like painting with your daughter or opening any shop you want.”
“I have a regular job now; how can I find side work?”
Winifred laughed: “I don’t mind.” She handed a tissue to Mrs. Protich for wiping away tears-a small gesture that made Mrs. Protich feel embarrassed as she took it from Winifred’s hand and continued wiping away more tears.
At five o’clock in the morning when it was slightly bright outside-not scary at all-they stood waiting for the car while Mrs. Protich kept reminding: “Remember to add clothes if cold; eat something even if tasteless when hungry-you have a weak stomach-don’t force yourself-rest well-eat well-sleep well-have fun-call or text me when there’s signal-let me know you’re safe-I’ll wait at home making big meat buns for your return.”
Winifred joked: “You sound like setting up a flag.”
“A flag?”
“It means…” Winifred explained: “Like implying I won’t come back.”