Everyone called her Winifred Dawson, but she looked quite different.
It might just be a stand-in Garrison Reeves found… Same name, a psychological comfort to have around.
Compared to Winifred Dawson still being alive, deep down, Henry James hoped Winifred Dawson was already dead.
In her absence, although Leland Burns went mad, he quickly adjusted his emotions and climbed back to the top.
Women and love only become stumbling blocks in a man’s career, so it was better without Winifred Dawson.
If this woman suddenly appeared, Henry James couldn’t imagine the crazy things Leland Burns might do.
Now, merely suspecting this woman might be Winifred Dawson, Leland Burns had already lost control; if the guess was confirmed… Henry James dared not think further.
Moreover, it was different from nine years ago; now, there were two children between Leland Burns and Winifred Dawson.
Setting aside their hatred, Leland Burns and Winifred Dawson were quite compatible, both attractive and smart, with similar personalities.
But the “hatred” interspersed between them was inseparable.
Henry James thought of concealing the truth, but he dismissed the idea as soon as it arose.
Leland Burns was much smarter; he could hide it temporarily but not forever, and if he really lied, once Leland Burns found out, he would be in deep trouble.
Moreover, what Leland Burns hated most was being deceived, even if it was a well-intentioned lie; it was a betrayal to him.
Henry James didn’t dare gamble with his life, so after hesitating, he sent the complete information to Leland Burns.
He quietly awaited Leland Burns’ reply, imagining his reaction upon reading the documents.
Within five minutes, the phone rang; it was Leland Burns, as expected. Henry James composed himself and answered the call.
“Is this information you found accurate?”
“When I handle things, how could there be falsehood?” Henry James said confidently. Suddenly, there was silence on the phone. Henry James switched to speaker to listen carefully, detecting Leland Burns’ hurried, tense breathing.
“She is Winifred Dawson.”
“That’s not certain, it might just be someone with the same name; after all, searching this name on Baidu yields tens of thousands with the same name. I think it’s just a stand-in Garrison Reeves found; the difference in appearance is too great.”
“Appearances can be changed through surgery.”
That was said, but without full confirmation, Leland Burns’ attitude seemed to confirm she was indeed Winifred Dawson.
Henry James didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Leland Burns then said, “How could there be so many coincidences in the world… Help me check when she first appeared by Garrison Reeves’ side.”
“That might take some time.”
“I can wait. Also, the paternity test results you had sent to the hospital, when will they come out?”
Thinking about it, Henry James almost forgot the paternity test while investigating the necklace. If the DNA of this woman matched the children’s DNA, wouldn’t that prove she was Winifred Dawson?
“It has been sent; the results will be out by tomorrow at the earliest.”
Leland Burns’ tone deepened: “I can’t wait that long.” With that, he hung up.
Leland Burns obtained the DNA testing facility’s address from Henry James and drove there from the hospital to wait for the results in person.
With Leland Burns watching, the results came out quickly and were handed to him immediately.
Leland Burns stared at the red seal on it.
-Confirmation of Parental Relationship.
Test result: Biological mother cannot be excluded.
Leland Burns’ pupils contracted, and in an instant, his heart felt as if it was tightly clenched by a small hand, the pain making his breath hitch. The report in his hand was crumpled from his tight grip.
“Mr. Burns, what’s wrong? Are you not pleased?” The staff member at the testing facility, seeing Leland Burns’ rigid expression, thought he was unhappy, though the hair test confirmed a biological mother-son relationship.
Leland Burns shook his head, loosening his grip: “No, I’m just too happy.”
He was happy to have finally found his children’s mother, happy to have finally found Winifred Dawson. This time, he would never let go of her hand.
Leland Burns took a deep breath, his lips curling into a smile, almost forgetting what a genuine smile felt like after all these years.
He carefully stored the appraisal results and left the agency, his mind drifting back to the events of the previous night.
Contrary to his usual gloomy mood, this time he appeared relaxed and cheerful.
Last night, he had felt a familiarity with her; how could he mistake anyone else for Winifred Dawson? How could he lose control with any woman other than her?
All his suspicions were confirmed, and his mood was more than just relaxed and happy. He felt the surreal shock of a surprise, like a destitute beggar suddenly winning a hundred million dollar lottery.
He wondered if he was dreaming, walking as if floating, afraid that he was indeed caught in a beautiful dream. Leland Burns raised his hand and the next second, bit down hard on the back of his hand, the pain hitting him immediately.
He was not dreaming.
After many instances of hope turning to disappointment, he finally had his wish fulfilled; all the yearning truly extended to this reunion.
He got into his car, and the driver, noticing his unusually good mood, speculated that Mr. Burns must have encountered some good fortune.
The boss was happy, so he felt reassured.
However, Leland Burns’s good spirits didn’t last long. He suddenly came to a realization: during all these years of Winifred Dawson’s disappearance, she had been with Garrison Reeves.
Garrison Reeves had kept her by his side all this time, everything that could have happened, may have happened, and he had even gone as far as to give Winifred Dawson plastic surgery!
Last night, from her behavior, it seemed like Winifred Dawson didn’t remember him.
Thinking of this, Leland Burns suddenly erupted in anger, clenching his fist and smashing it against the car window.
The driver, startled by the sudden loud noise, nearly had a heart attack. The car swerved, but fortunately, he managed to steady his nerves and hit the brakes in time to avoid a collision.
What was going on? Just moments ago everything was fine, why the sudden outburst of temper?
“Burns… Mr. Burns?”
“I’m fine, just drive.”
Leland Burns looked up at his reflection in the mirror, his eyelids red, his deep-set eyes showing signs of fatigue. His shirt was buttoned up to the top, and the scars on his neck were still faintly visible. He touched the wounds on his neck and took out a necklace he had worn for eight or nine years, touching the ring hanging from it, and took a deep breath.
Leland Burns forced himself to manage these tumultuous emotions, pushing down all the restlessness, pain, panic, melancholy, and the unwillingness and regret. What did it matter how he felt now? Garrison Reeves had been the first to find Winifred Dawson.
Leland Burns couldn’t help thinking, if he hadn’t given up, if he had kept searching for Winifred Dawson like Garrison Reeves, would she be by his side now?
After all these years, what had happened to Winifred Dawson, why had she changed her face, what was her relationship with Garrison Reeves now?
In that moment, Leland Burns had to admit that Garrison Reeves had beaten him.
With that thought, Leland Burns closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the face reflected in the rear-view mirror had regained its composure, and he was once again the calm and strategic man.
…
There was so much to investigate. Despite his intelligence, Leland Burns couldn’t figure out who had drugged him last night, nor who had drugged and delivered Winifred Dawson to his bed.
He felt as if he was caught in a fog, manipulated by someone, but Leland Burns couldn’t decipher the meaning behind their actions.
Could it be… simply to make him recognize Winifred Dawson?
Henry James, after checking the necklace in and out, returned it to Leland Burns. Knowing Leland Burns had gone to the appraisal agency to get the DNA test results, he couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked, “Did the results come out?”
Even though they would be delivered to his phone the next day, he insisted on waiting, his impatience was that acute, not even willing to wait one night.
It was always like this; whenever it involved Winifred Dawson, even if it was a minor matter, Leland Burns would become less composed.