Garrison Reeves met him with sharp sarcasm, completely disregarding any semblance of his usual gentleness, as if he were a different person.
Leland Burns showed no reaction to Garrison Reeves’ words, as if the “scourge” mentioned wasn’t him at all.
To Leland Burns, Garrison Reeves’ words were light, almost flattering. Calling him a scourge was like wishing him longevity.
Leland Burns smiled lightly. “If I really died, I’d be afraid you’d dirty my grave.”
Leland Burns didn’t want to waste words with Garrison Reeves and didn’t believe he had come just to mock him.
“Tell me, why are you here? What brought you back from abroad? Make it quick; it’s still raining.”
Garrison Reeves’ face darkened, his pupils deep and unreadable. “I made it clear at the door. I’m here for Winifred Dawson. Is she hidden by you?”
Leland Burns replied coldly, “You’re looking for Winifred Dawson? How amusing. Why aren’t you searching by the sea instead of coming here?”
“Leland Burns, I know Winifred Dawson isn’t dead. The news of her death at sea is a fabrication! You must have her locked up somewhere. Release her now!” Garrison Reeves warned.
Such a warning had no effect on Leland Burns. Though arrogant, he had the skills to back it up. No matter how much Garrison Reeves had grown, he couldn’t surpass him.
One was a sheltered dog; the other, a wild leopard. There was no comparison.
But hearing Garrison Reeves’ words brought bitterness to Leland Burns’ heart. He wished Winifred Dawson was just hidden somewhere by him, but despite all his efforts and money spent, he couldn’t find her. It was as if she really had perished in that sea.
“Didn’t you notice another group also searching for her by the sea?”
“What do you mean?” Garrison Reeves paused before realizing. “You mean that group was arranged by you?”
Garrison Reeves should have realized earlier. That other group was large and noisy, working with the police. He always thought they were all police officers.
Since Leland Burns was officially “dead,” he assumed he’d act discreetly and never cause such a commotion, even when searching for someone.
But surprisingly, this “dead man” Leland Burns had joined forces with the police to search for someone for so long.
Garrison Reeves suddenly widened his eyes in realization.
It wasn’t Leland Burns’ power or actions that terrified him but the fact that all his previous assumptions were overturned.
If Leland Burns had indeed faked Winifred Dawson’s death and locked her up, why would he go through such trouble to search for her publicly? It made no sense unless it was all a cover-up.
Even Garrison Reeves didn’t believe that. Leland Burns was a shrewd businessman who wouldn’t harm his interests or incur losses without reason.
But if he accepted this point… it meant Winifred Dawson might truly be dead.
Leland Burns saw through Garrison Reeves’ thoughts and didn’t have time to watch his pained expression. “I didn’t hide Winifred Dawson. Even if I did, I wouldn’t fake her death and then search for her everywhere because I have the capability to keep her openly without fear of anyone taking her away.”
Garrison Reeves gripped his umbrella tightly, his expression turning fierce as he glared at Leland Burns with murderous intent. He threw away the umbrella and charged at him.
No one expected this sudden move from Garrison Reeves.
Everything happened so fast that Leland Burns could have dodged it but chose not to after a slight hesitation, taking Garrison Reeves’ punch head-on.
The impact knocked him heavily to the ground. Garrison Reeves followed up with more punches aimed at Leland Burns’ face, accompanied by the chilling sound of fists cutting through the air.
“Leland Burns, it’s you! You killed Winifred Dawson! If you hadn’t forced her back here, she wouldn’t be dead! You killed her and left her to die in the sea! You’re not fit to be a man! How much do you hate her to drive her to death? She was only twenty…”
It was a one-sided beating from Garrison Reeves. He wanted to kill Leland Burns and make him truly dead. He aimed another punch at his eye.
A grown man’s strength is formidable, especially with murderous intent. A direct hit could cause severe injury or blindness.
At this critical moment, Leland Burns dodged. The punch grazed his eyelashes before hitting the ground. Then Leland Burns quickly countered by kneeing Garrison Reeves in the abdomen and flipping him over.
Now in control, Leland Burns engaged in a brutal fight with Garrison Reeves, both men landing bloody punches fueled by their desire to kill each other.
Ultimately, Garrison Reeves couldn’t match Leland Burns in any aspect-women, power, wealth, or even fighting skills.
Though trained in martial arts, Garrison Reeves couldn’t compete with someone like Leland Burns who had fought his way up from the bottom.
Within moments, Leland Burns subdued Garrison Reeves. Both men rolled on the muddy ground, dirtied and bloodied by rainwater mixed with mud.
The heavy rain poured down on them, blurring their vision and soaking them through with icy coldness that felt strangely warm on their faces.
Leland Burns grabbed Garrison Reeves by the collar but didn’t land another punch. He merely restrained him.
Initially struggling, Garrison Reeves eventually lost all strength and lay limp in a puddle of water that seeped into his back with an icy chill.
In terms of ruthlessness and violence, Leland Burns was far superior; Garrison Reeves stood no chance against him.
Choking on rainwater, Garrison Reeves coughed twice and stared at Leland Burns with bitter sarcasm. “Why don’t you finish me off? Kill me too so I can join Winifred Dawson.”
“I didn’t kill her…” Leland Burns’ eyes darkened with faint glimmers of something breaking inside him.
His voice trembled slightly as if chilled by the cold air. “I never wanted her dead; I brought her back here intending to treat her well and marry her…”
As he spoke these words without any emotion or inflection like a robotic machine,
Garrison Reeves tried moving but couldn’t break free,
Leland Burns continued numbly: “You asked how much I hate her? Yes-she indirectly caused my mother’s death; she treated me like a slave or dog; she tried destroying my dignity she picked me up not out of love but because I resembled you slightly; she used me as your substitute-I once thought she genuinely cared for me-but never did-any kindness shown towards me was only due to my resemblance… So tell me-how could I not hate her?”
Biting down hard until tasting blood which he swallowed forcefully while suppressing rising emotions,
“But… despite everything-even though I hated her-I never wanted nor intended-to kill or drive-her-to-death.”