Mrs. Protich always felt that the insurance money didn’t belong to her and planned to save it until Winifred Dawson returned so she could give it back.
The North Bankshire Gentry Estate villa, overseen by Mrs. Protich, remained spotless after five years, unchanged and pristine.
She believed that one day Winifred Dawson would return, and she would wait for her. However, she never expected to encounter an accident first.
Life is unpredictable.
With Leland Burns’ instructions, the hospital arranged the best room for Mrs. Protich and assigned a caregiver experienced in caring for comatose patients.
The chances of a comatose person waking up are slim but not impossible. Now, they could only pray for Mrs. Protich to wake up.
After leaving the hospital, Leland Burns arranged for someone to investigate the car accident scene.
He then called Mrs. Brown from the insurance company to discuss the compensation. Since Mrs. Protich was still unconscious, the compensation would go to her daughter if it couldn’t be given directly to her.
Mentioning Lily Thompson reminded Mrs. Brown of the questions Lily had asked five years ago at the hospital, making her suspect that Lily might have orchestrated the accident.
“She probably doesn’t have the guts,” thought Leland Burns, considering how easily Lily was frightened before. Still, human nature is unpredictable.
Leland Burns’ intuition was sharp; he believed that Lily Thompson was likely involved in Mrs. Protich’s accident and decided to focus his investigation on her.
The next day, Leland Burns called the hospital to inquire about Mrs. Protich’s condition.
There were still no signs of waking up. If she didn’t wake within 72 hours, the chances would be very low.
Leland Burns felt a mix of emotions. Mrs. Protich had endured hardships all her life and just as things were getting better, she became comatose.
If what one gains does not match their abilities and strength, it often leads to disaster. “A man without guilt may be blamed for possessing a treasure,” thought Leland Burns. If Mrs. Protich hadn’t had that $50 million insurance policy, would this have happened?
The investigation was still ongoing, so it was too early to conclude whether the accident was related to the large insurance policy.
Even if it was related, it had nothing to do with Winifred Dawson. Her intention was simply to ensure a better life for Mrs. Protich; her motives were kind. The despicable ones were those eyeing money that didn’t belong to them.
…
Mrs. Protich lay in the observation room while many people fought over her insurance money, each wanting a share.
Early in the morning, Lily Thompson couldn’t wait any longer and called Mrs. Brown to ask when the compensation would be paid out.
Mrs. Brown brushed her off with a vague response and then called Leland Burns.
“You know what to do?”
Mrs. Brown hesitated, unsure of his meaning.
“Mr. Burns, you mean…”
“The insurance was bought by Winifred Dawson solely for Mrs. Protich. Even if she’s now comatose or dead, no one else should inherit it. I won’t allow anyone to covet what belongs to Winifred Dawson.”
“I understand, Mr. Burns. I’ll handle it.”
Leland Burns sneered; he had anticipated Lily Thompson’s moves but didn’t expect her to be so eager for the compensation money.
Where did she get such nerve?
Hanging up, Mrs. Brown called Lily Thompson back and clearly told her that none of the compensation would go to her; it would all be used for Mrs. Protich’s expensive medical bills.
Hearing this, Lily Thompson panicked: “Even if it’s used for medical bills, there will still be a lot left! Are you saying you don’t want to pay out the compensation?”
“Lily Thompson, I believe I’ve made myself clear: The insurance Miss Dawson bought for your mother belongs solely to her. If something happens to her, this money should rightfully return to Miss Dawson.”
“Why? I’m my mother’s daughter and have inheritance rights! How can I not get the compensation? This makes no sense; I’ll take you to court!”
“Feel free to sue me, but let me remind you: Your mother isn’t dead yet; where’s your inheritance right? Lily Thompson, I’ve warned you before-don’t covet what doesn’t belong to you.”
With that, Mrs. Brown hung up without another word.
Lily Thompson was furious but held back from smashing her phone when her boyfriend asked what happened.
“They said none of the compensation will come to me; it’ll all go towards my mom’s treatment costs! And they said whatever remains should go back to my mom’s employer-Winifred Dawson-the woman who bought the insurance! But she’s dead! And they said since my mom isn’t dead yet, I have no inheritance rights.”
Her boyfriend’s eyes darkened as he gently suggested: “Don’t worry about it now; your mom should have some savings. Do you know her bank card password?”
“The password? I’m not sure; I’ll have to try.”
“Then find your mom’s bank card first and try it out. You need money for living expenses; you can’t starve yourself.”
Right-she spent money quickly and without her mom around, who would give her money? She didn’t want a job; working was too hard.
Lily Thompson agreed and decided to retrieve her mom’s bank card from North Bankshire but found someone guarding it on Leland Burns’ orders.
Unable to get in or access any funds, Lily Thompson felt helpless and frustrated until she received contact from Roberts family members-her nominal father’s side…
…
Meanwhile, Leland Burns had already set aside thoughts about Lily Thompson and attended an evening banquet according to his schedule.
Hosted by Peachshire Town’s mayor, the banquet invited only top-tier wealthy families and influential figures worth billions-anyone receiving an invitation held significant sway in Peachshire Town.
At the event, Leland Burns saw many business partners arriving in pairs.
He never brought female companions to such occasions; he was always accompanied by Henry James Wesley or male assistants and bodyguards.
Initially, people tried sending women his way to build connections but soon learned about his strict rules and gave up on that idea altogether.
Thus rumors spread that Leland Burns avoided women entirely or perhaps remained celibate out of love-some said he had once been deeply hurt by a woman who was his “white moonlight,” leading him to distance himself from women ever since.