Why couldn’t it be Winifred Dawson?
What does it matter if her face is different? Surgery can change that, and her voice clearly sounds hoarse. Besides, he has never felt affection for any other woman but Winifred Dawson.
In Henry James’s view, Leland Burns couldn’t accept the man he became last night, lost in a sudden desire for a woman, a deviation from his usual self.
So, he desperately concocted this unrealistic idea, suspecting that the woman last night was Winifred Dawson.
If the woman last night really was Winifred Dawson, then everything about Leland Burns’s passionate, indulgent behavior last night would make sense.
After all, he has only ever lost control with Winifred Dawson. He loves her, can’t let go, can’t forget her-a fact well-known by many.
Henry James took the necklace and hair. Unable to refute Leland Burns, he could only proceed as instructed with these two items.
He placed them in the backpack he was carrying.
“Is there anything else?” he asked.
Leland Burns shook his head.
“That’s it, then.” Henry James shouldered his bag and advised, “You should also go to the hospital for a check-up. I’m leaving now.”
Ten minutes after Henry James left, his assistant brought him a set of clothes, and he also received the surveillance video from last night’s hotel.
The room had no cameras, so he could only view the hallway.
Around 9 p. m., there was a brief electrical fault in the hallway, the lights went out, but luckily the surveillance was unaffected. He vaguely saw someone in a hotel uniform, carrying something on their shoulder, stealthily unlocking a room door, entering, and later exiting without the “object.”
Clearly, he had been carrying a woman on his shoulder.
At 10 p. m., he entered the room. Around 1 a. m., a woman staggered out of the room, wearing his clothes, limping away.
The video suggested that the woman had been drugged and carried into the room.
Leland Burns watched the video intently, fingers rubbing the mouse, lost in thought.
He remembered everything that had happened-the woman’s resistance, her tear-streaked eyes, her silent pleas for mercy…
All signs indicated…
This woman likely wasn’t associated with the person who drugged him; she was unaware.
Leland Burns frowned in contemplation, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk.
There must be a reason why someone would send this woman to him-it wasn’t a random act.
The only plausible explanations were that the woman was carrying a virus or that she had some connection to him, which the perpetrator wanted to exploit to establish a link between him and the woman.
Leland Burns went to the hospital for a physical examination, thoroughly checked inside and out, and the medical report showed he was in normal health.
He then considered the second possibility he had suspected-that the woman had some connection to him, which is why she ended up in his bed.
Of the women his age, Leland Burns could only think of one-Winifred Dawson.
Remembering the familiar sensation and impulsive desire from the previous night, Leland was stirred to his core, his face barely concealing his excitement as long-dormant feelings reignited.
Could it be Winifred Dawson?
Over the years, he had received news about Winifred Dawson, but it always turned out to be false, leading to great hope followed by great disappointment. Gradually, he had lost all hope of finding her.
Now, a new hope sprang up in his heart, yet Leland Burns dared not dwell on it, fearing another empty outcome.
It might be a trap set by someone, with this woman sent to bewilder him.
Yes, he should not hold too much hope.
Despite trying not to, Leland Burns anxiously awaited the information Henry James was uncovering.
Tracing the origin of a necklace wasn’t difficult, given its craftsmanship and the expensive gems it bore, clearly indicating its owner was no ordinary person.
Sure enough, following the lead, Henry James found news about the necklace.
Looking at the clues displayed on his computer, Henry James was shocked-the necklace was connected to Garrison Reeves.
The sapphire on it had been auctioned by Garrison Reeves, and the necklace was custom-made.
Investigating the people around Garrison Reeves, they discovered that a woman had recently appeared by his side, even brought home by him.
Everyone knew that Garrison Reeves, much like Leland Burns, was stubborn and had been searching for Winifred Dawson for years.
After all these years, no woman had ever been reported at Garrison Reeves’ side. How could someone suddenly appear?
Henry James was a computer expert; he could unearth any person’s details thoroughly if he wished. Unfortunately, time had passed, and skilled people were also around Garrison Reeves, covering some tracks. It was impossible to trace where this woman came from, but they found out her name.
-Winifred Dawson.
Staring at the name, Henry James’ pupils constricted. Winifred Dawson-the same name. Was it a coincidence, or was this woman indeed Winifred Dawson?