The rumor was somewhat outrageous, but the fact that it reached many ears gave it a certain degree of credibility.
Leland Burns did indeed have a woman he deeply loved, someone who could be considered his “white moonlight.” Whether he remained celibate for love was hard to say, but he had indeed been hurt both physically and emotionally, leaving him disinterested in other women.
At tonight’s banquet, the hall was illuminated with flowing lights. The mayor had specially invited an orchestra, and the melodious music was enchanting. The atmosphere seemed calm, but beneath the surface, there were undercurrents as everyone harbored their own thoughts. Men and women dressed in their finest mingled and exchanged toasts.
Leland Burns stood out in this crowd, drawing numerous gazes wherever he went.
He was accustomed to such occasions. His cold demeanor made many people present dare not look at him directly; after a quick glance, they would avert their eyes, and if they looked again, it was with cautious sidelong glances.
Leland Burns initially planned to meet the mayor when his gaze suddenly fixed on something. He saw a figure that resembled Winifred Dawson.
He pushed through the crowd and hurriedly grabbed the person’s hand.
The person turned around, and Leland Burns came back to his senses. He let go of her hand.
It wasn’t her; it was just someone who looked similar to Winifred Dawson. No matter how similar, it wasn’t her.
The woman in front of him bore a five or six-point resemblance to Winifred Dawson, especially in her figure and back view. That moment of confusion had made his heart race.
His heart felt empty as if a cold wind had blown through it, freezing his heart solid.
The woman whose hand he had grabbed turned around in shock. Seeing that it was Leland Burns, she trembled as she spoke, “Mr… Mr. Burns…”
Leland Burns hadn’t intended to engage with her, but looking at her face, he inexplicably asked, “Do you know me?”
The woman’s expression was one of surprise. She covered her mouth and said, “Who here doesn’t know you… Mr. Burns? Did you mistake me for someone else just now?” she asked tentatively.
“An old acquaintance. You resemble her somewhat,” Leland Burns replied. He hadn’t realized how long Winifred Dawson had lingered in his mind. He thought he would gradually forget her over time and that her influence on him would diminish. But unexpectedly, just someone who resembled her by five or six points could disturb his years of tranquility.
He must have missed her too much…
Winifred Dawson was like a poison planted in his bones; when the addiction flared up, it felt like thousands of insects gnawing at his flesh.
Winifred Dawson was an exceptionally beautiful woman. Even after all these years, he hadn’t found anyone who could compare to her. The woman before him, with her five or six-point resemblance to Winifred Dawson, already stood out in the crowd like a top-tier celebrity.
Leland Burns asked, “What’s your name?”
The woman smiled slightly and said, “My name is Jade Seymour.”
Jade Seymour not only resembled Winifred Dawson in appearance but also in behavior and demeanor.
In her presence, Leland Burns couldn’t help but recall the past with Winifred Dawson.
Jade Seymour could clearly feel that Leland Burns was looking at another person through her face. Instead of getting angry, she softly asked Leland Burns a question.
“Mr. Burns, who is this old acquaintance you mentioned? Is she not in Peachshire Town?” Realizing she might have overstepped, Jade Seymour quickly apologized, “I’m sorry for asking so casually. You don’t have to answer if it’s inconvenient.”
“It’s nothing secretive. She’s not in Peachshire Town; she’s gone far away. I probably won’t see her again.”
“Can’t you contact her by phone?”
Leland Burns shook his head.
Jade Seymour pondered for a moment and said, “I see…”
After sighing softly, Jade Seymour boldly suggested, “Mr. Burns… If you can’t see your old acquaintance and miss her terribly, you can talk to me instead. It’s my fortune to resemble her somewhat. I can be a silent companion by your side if you’d like…”
Leland Burns frowned; he had no interest or time for substitutes.
No matter how much this person resembled Winifred Dawson or how well she imitated her mannerisms, she wasn’t Winifred Dawson.
Jade Seymour keenly sensed Leland Burns’ rejection and awkwardly smiled. “I spoke out of turn; Mr. Burns can just pretend I didn’t say anything.” She even joked about herself self-deprecatingly, “It’s foolish of me to think that someone like me could compare to Mr. Burns’ old acquaintance. She must have been extraordinary.”
Leland Burns responded with a simple “Hmm.”
Collecting himself emotionally and preparing to leave, Jade Seymour called out again, “Mr. Burns, here’s my contact information. If you ever need anything… well, just in case… you can call me anytime. I’ll be your faithful listener.”
Leland Burns glanced at the card in her hand; he initially intended to ignore it but saw Jade Seymour’s calm and composed expression as she faced him. Almost against his will, he took the card.
Without saying another word, he turned and left.
Leland Burns couldn’t understand why he took the card when there should be no reason for any connection between him and this woman.
Was it loneliness? Was it missing Winifred Dawson too much? Was that why he couldn’t refuse a face resembling hers?
Watching Leland Burns walk away step by step, Jade Seymour clutched her chest and exhaled heavily. She touched her face-apparently still not similar enough-thinking she could win over Leland Burns today.
But Leland Burns wasn’t just anyone; he regained his composure quickly within such a short time without being affected.
The only satisfactory outcome was that Leland Burns took her card; this at least indicated she still had a sliver of hope left.
She hoped things would go smoothly from now on.
Bankshire
Garrison Reeves had stayed by Winifred Dawson’s side for over ten hours without resting or eating anything except some milk.
His body had limits; he wasn’t immune to fatigue but feared closing his eyes only to find Winifred Dawson gone again when he opened them-afraid everything before him was just an illusion or dream despite pinching himself until it hurt for reassurance.
Garrison Reeves instructed his assistant to hire a nanny and housekeeper who could cook meals while taking care of Winifred Dawson’s needs.
When the nanny arrived and started cooking meals suitable for someone with gastrointestinal issues as Garrison Reeves requested since he had no appetite himself.
By dinner time Winifred Dawson hadn’t awakened yet occasionally muttering incoherently Garrison Reeves leaned closer hearing fragments like “Don’t hit me…”
What exactly happened during these five years that made Winifred Dawson dream about being beaten?