Henry and Wesley were both former associates of Leland Burns, highly capable individuals. They might have a way to find Winifred Dawson and ensure her safety.
Mrs. Protich placed all her hopes on them. Even before Henry approached, she had already rushed up to him.
Her face was filled with anxiety. “Mr. James…”
“What’s wrong? You look so pale. Did something happen?”
“It’s not me, it’s Miss Dawson. She might be in danger. I can’t reach her, she’s gone missing. Can you help me find her?” Her voice was hoarse and choked with sobs, her hands clenched together. She looked as if she wanted to grab Henry but didn’t dare to, nervously watching his every move, fearing he would turn away and leave.
Mrs. Protich didn’t know what to do. She was a simple woman who had never left Peachshire Town and had no idea about the outside world. Her social circle was too small to find anyone who could help her now.
She remembered that when Winifred Dawson was in trouble before, Henry and Wesley had helped. Maybe they could help again this time.
This was the only way she could think of to find Winifred Dawson, so she couldn’t let them go no matter what, even if it meant begging on her knees.
She was a person who repaid kindness with kindness. Winifred Dawson treated her like family, so in her eyes, Winifred Dawson was like a daughter. How could a mother not worry when her child was in danger?
Henry raised an eyebrow. “Get in the car first. I’ll take you to see someone.”
Someone? Who?
In no time, Henry had turned and sat in the passenger seat, leaving the back seat for Mrs. Protich.
Her mind couldn’t process too much at once. Seeing Henry get into the car, Mrs. Protich hurriedly followed and sat in the back seat, looking at the night scenery outside the window. “Mr. James, where are we going? Who are we meeting?”
“You’ll know when you see them.”
Mrs. Protich sensed the tense atmosphere and didn’t dare ask more questions, fearing she might mess things up.
The car drove to Autumn Joy Estate, a place Mrs. Protich knew well. It used to be one of Leland Burns’s properties and had taken a lot of time to complete. She had even helped out there before. Now that Leland Burns was dead, she thought the place had probably been sold off. Was it possible that Henry and his team had bought it?
Maybe Leland Burns left them a lot of money when he died.
Autumn Joy Estate-Leland Burns once said he built it for someone special.
He never mentioned who that person was.
After Winifred Dawson appeared, Mrs. Protich understood better than anyone that this estate was specially prepared for her by Leland Burns. The vast estate featured meticulously cultivated flower fields; what girl wouldn’t love flowers?
Moreover, the name “Autumn Joy Estate” seemed to reflect Winifred Dawson’s name, which included “autumn.” Perhaps Leland Burns hoped she would always be happy.
The estate remained, but everything else had changed; Leland Burns was dead, Winifred Dawson was missing, and the two large camellia trees in the yard were gone, leaving only stumps behind.
Seeing this, Mrs. Protich instinctively asked, “Were the camellia trees cut down? Why are they gone? It’s almost their blooming season.”
One tree bloomed red camellias while the other bloomed white ones; in September, both trees would bloom together beautifully.
Now both trees were gone; Mrs. Protich felt it was a pity.
“The owner here found them displeasing and had them cut down,” Henry said.
“The owner? Who?” Mrs. Protich asked.
Henry and Wesley remained silent while Mrs. Protich could only guess wildly on her own. She wondered if after Leland Burns died, Henry and his team started working for someone else.
But why did Henry bring her here? Who was this “owner”? Did they know her?
Who could it be? Mrs. Protich’s mind was in turmoil; she couldn’t figure it out. Most of her thoughts were on Winifred Dawson, fearing that any delay would put her in greater danger.
Mrs. Protich followed closely behind Henry into the Autumn Joy Estate villa; it was so large that living there alone would be frightening for her.
Previously, lights would be on inside and out; now the entire estate was shrouded in darkness except for the lit living room on the first floor while the second floor remained pitch black, making it eerily quiet with only their breathing and footsteps echoing through the empty space.
Mrs. Protich felt increasingly nervous; her heart pounded erratically as she scanned around before fixing her gaze on someone sitting on the sofa-only their shoulders, necks, and backs of heads were visible from behind-making it impossible to identify them.
Yet something about this person seemed familiar as if she had seen them somewhere before-could it really be someone she knew?
As she thought about it further among all notable figures she knew apart from Leland Burns-who was already dead-this person exuded an imposing aura similar to his making people afraid to look directly at him.
Mrs. Protich stopped walking when Henry spoke up: “Boss! I’ve brought her.”
She quickly lowered her head hearing rustling sounds indicating that person stood up then turned around sharply focusing piercing gaze upon herself despite warm weather chills ran down spine causing shivers all over body feeling like needles pricking skin sitting on pins-and-needles unable move an inch frozen place momentarily until steady footsteps drew nearer prompting involuntary step backward losing balance slightly raising neck catching glimpse finally recognizing approaching man instantly stunned breathless realizing who he truly was-
“Leland Burns! It’s Leland Burns!”
“You… aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Mrs. Protich doubted reality thinking perhaps dreaming hallucinating otherwise how could deceased person stand alive right before eyes?
Unable comprehend truth blindly believing whatever reported online or broadcasted on TV news assuming they never lied thus when news announced death accepted without question