Garrison Reeves felt a surge of anger as he met Leland Burns’ gaze.
“Leland Burns, you are just a coward!”
Leland Burns had the urge to strike him. He even considered killing Garrison Reeves right there. After all, they were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by graves. It would be easy to bury him in one of them.
Just as this dangerous thought crossed his mind, one of his subordinates seemed to sense it.
“Mr. Burns, there are surveillance cameras here. It might be troublesome to handle,” the subordinate whispered.
Leland Burns took a deep breath and refrained from acting. Garrison Reeves was someone Winifred Dawson cared about. If he really died here, Winifred Dawson would never come back.
He deceived himself with this reasoning.
Seeing Garrison Reeves trying to stand up, Leland Burns kicked him back to the ground and coldly mocked him, “You’re no good either.”
They both despised each other, with Winifred Dawson standing between them. Every meeting was filled with thoughts of how to eliminate the other. But now, their hatred and quarrels were meaningless since the one they loved the most was gone forever.
Leland Burns squatted down and picked up a photo of Winifred Dawson from the dirt. He gently wiped it clean with a tender touch, as if he were caressing more than just a photograph.
After picking up the photo, Leland Burns left with his men.
Garrison Reeves remained seated on the ground, staring at the ruins around him.
The driver who had been waiting outside for Garrison Reeves grew anxious when he saw Leland Burns emerging. Everyone knew that Leland Burns and his boss were arch-enemies who always ended up mocking or fighting each other. Seeing Leland Burns leave with four men while his boss hadn’t come out yet made him worry.
The driver hurried inside to find Garrison Reeves still alive but looking severely injured. He felt relieved but not completely at ease since Garrison Reeves was still on the ground.
As a driver, he felt he had failed in his duty.
When he tried to help Garrison Reeves up, he was pushed away. Garrison Reeves slowly stood up despite the pain, his body swaying as he approached the ruins. His legs gave out, and he knelt before the tombstone marked “Winifred Dawson,” his fingers trembling as they touched her name. His eyes stung with pain as if pricked by needles.
His face turned pale from heartache, almost as if his heart had stopped beating.
Garrison Reeves bit his lip until it bled before releasing it. The blood trickled down his pale face, making a stark contrast.
Marks from Leland Burns’ grip were still visible on his neck, causing pain whenever he tried to speak or swallow. This pain constantly reminded him of his helplessness.
He couldn’t find Winifred Dawson and couldn’t even build her a proper grave. He was always overshadowed by Leland Burns.
The driver managed to pull Garrison Reeves up from the ground. Standing up, Garrison Reeves reached into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes and lit one with the driver’s help.
He knew Winifred Dawson disliked the smell of smoke. He never used to smoke but started after taking on more work responsibilities and stress. Smoking became a way to relieve tension.
Whenever troubled, he would smoke but never finish an entire cigarette.
This time was no different; halfway through, he extinguished it with his fingers. Turning stiffly around, he heard the driver ask nervously, “Mr. Reeves, what about the grave?”
“Forget it,” he replied softly. “Let’s just pretend she never died.”
Garrison Reeves coughed lightly into his hand, still smelling faint traces of smoke on his fingers.
“I’ve become someone she would hate…”
“What?” The driver didn’t catch what he said.
“Nothing,” Garrison Reeves shook his head.
He walked over to Easton’s grave and looked at the old photo on the tombstone. The man in the picture smiled warmly with shrewd eyes.
People often said sons resembled their mothers while daughters took after their fathers. This was true for Winifred Dawson, who inherited her father’s delicate features.
Garrison Reeves spoke hoarsely, “You must blame me for not protecting your daughter.”
His eyelashes trembled as he spoke without shedding tears because he felt unworthy of crying.
His hands clenched tightly at his sides until his nails dug into his palms painfully.
“I searched for her for five years without any news. How much longer must I keep looking? I once believed she wasn’t dead but eventually lost hope. I’m exhausted… I truly did my best. I wanted to give her a home beside you since I took her away from you that year. But you see how it turned out-Leland Burns is nothing but a beast!”
Garrison Reeves’ eyes didn’t blink despite feeling dry and painful from the wind; his vision blurred further as he spoke calmly except for moving lips.
“Maybe it’s better that this grave is destroyed… Leland Burns made me realize an empty grave is worse than none.” Taking a deep breath, he continued determinedly, “I’ll keep searching for her; if you have any influence from above, please let your daughter come home safely.” With those words spoken aloud finally turning away slowly afterward,
As soon as turned around tightly closing eyes momentarily tears fell down cheeks wiping them away roughly with backhand revealing guilt hidden within red-rimmed eyes,
Once inside car slumped back seat driver noticed pale complexion asked concernedly “Mr. Reeves should take hospital?”
“No need,” replied rolling window down “just take home I’m fine.”
Since said so driver didn’t insist further knowing Peachshire Town house located North Bankshire close Gentry Estate,
Arriving home seven evening servants prepared dinner barely tasted anything forcing bowl rice before putting chopsticks down,
Winter approaching again season belonging Winifred Dawson outside sycamore leaves yellow swaying gently evening breeze,
Peachshire Town temporary residence wouldn’t stay long already occupied by Leland Burns couldn’t coexist needed find another path avoid direct confrontation competing different fields,
Despite achievements renowned business circle same age always second place compared Leland Burns.