The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1912

The loud voice drew all eyes to the door. The arriving guest was none other than Antoine, with Wolf and Ingrid following close behind.

Upon spotting Antoine, Driscoll strode over to receive him. "You've finally arrived. The banquet has just started, and the food's just been laid out. Come, take your seats."

"Thank you, Mr. Maynerd," Antoine replied with a smile.

Across the hall, Wynter and Dalton turned toward the commotion. They had expected it to be another latecomer until Wynter noticed a child in a sleek suit trailing behind.

"It's Wolf!" she exclaimed, and her eyes lit up with delight.

At those words, Dalton glanced behind Antoine. "It really is him. I didn't think we'd see him here."

Instinctively, Wynter attempted to go to Wolf, but Dalton stopped her.

"There are too many people. Wait here. Let me handle this." He assured her.

There had been no trace of Wolf since his disappearance—nothing on the dark web or from any sources. Yet, he showed up unexpectedly at the banquet.

Wynter couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. After all, finding Wolf was the very reason she came to Havenia.

Meanwhile, Dalton had made his way to Driscoll, who had just guided Antoine and his family to their seats. Upon turning around, Driscoll was surprised to find Dalton standing behind him.

"D-Do you need something, Mr. Yarwood?" he asked in shock.

"Could you bring that child to us? Ms. Quinnell feels a connection to him," Dalton explained in a hushed voice.

Driscoll was puzzled. "I don't think that's appropriate."

Dalton lowered his gaze. "Then I'll go with you."

Without a choice, Driscoll nodded, and the two headed to Antoine's table.

Noticing Driscoll's approach, Antoine stood up and greeted him. "Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Maynerd?"

As for Wolf, he was thoroughly engrossed in his plate to care about the happenings at the banquet.

Driscoll gave a courteous smile. "A medium in attendance felt a connection to the child you brought along, Mr. Chamberlain. She requests a meeting with him."

Instead of agreeing, Antoine replied, "A medium wants to see Wolf? Let me ask him."

He then turned to Wolf, who was feasting contentedly. "A medium would like to see you, Wolf. Do you want to meet them?"

"No. I want to eat," Wolf swiftly answered without looking up.

Just as Antoine was about to pass on the message, Dalton called out to Wolf. "Hello, Wolf."

Hearing the familiar voice, Wolf quickly raised his head. "It's Mr. Leprechaun!"

Antoine was confused. "Who's the leprechaun?"

Driscoll looked equally puzzled as Dalton continued, "I'm not the leprechaun. Would you like to meet Ms. Quinnell? She's very interested in you."

Wolf's face lit up instantly. There was no mistaking it—the only Quinnell who would accompany Dalton was definitely Wynter!

"I want to meet her! Take me to her!" Wolf urged.

Though Antoine was baffled by Wolf's eccentric behavior, he didn't press the matter. Instead, he took a napkin and gently wiped off the stain at the corner of Wolf's mouth. "Go ahead. We'll be waiting here."

But Wolf responded with silence. If Wynter had truly come for him, he wouldn't be returning to the Chamberlains again.

As Antoine watched Wolf walk away with Dalton, he murmured under his breath, "It looks like that man is Wolf's acquaintance. Perhaps his boss has come to take him home."

Ingrid instantly shot to her feet at those words. She stared at Wolf's departing figure, attempting to say something. However, Antoine grabbed her wrist and ushered her to sit.

Ingrid did so, though her eyes shimmered with indignation. "Is Wolf really leaving us, Dad?"

Ever since she met Wolf, life had felt a little brighter. Sure, Wolf had a big appetite, but it never bothered her. Still, her heart skipped a beat when Antoine assumed that Wolf might leave them.

Over time, Ingrid had grown used to Wolf's company. He had helped them through the crisis and would always call out to her with that sweet little voice. The thought of him leaving was unbearable.

"Wolf was never meant to stay, Ingrid. It's just a matter of time. Maybe he'll leave today, or maybe some other day. No journey lasts forever," Antoine advised, trying to comfort her.

Ingrid lowered her head, dispirited. "I understand. I just wish he didn't have to go."

Antoine didn't respond. He simply reached over and gave her hand a comforting pat. Together, they watched as Wolf turned a corner, disappearing from their sight.

Meanwhile, Dalton led Wolf through a few turns before finally reaching Wynter. The moment their eyes met, both lit up in joy. Wolf sprinted toward Wynter, who opened her arms wide to catch him.

"I miss you so much, Boss. You have no idea what I went through in Havenia. If it weren't for the kind lady and her father who took me in, I probably wouldn't even be here now," Wolf grumbled, sitting in Wyner's embrace.

Wynter caressed his head and smiled. "I know. That's why I rushed over the second I finished my work, but you never replied to my messages. Actually, I came here looking for the former members of the Chamber of Commerce—I surely didn't expect to find you here.

"So, where are the kind lady and her father you mentioned? For you to speak so highly of them, they must've fed you well."

Wolf grinned. "Exactly! You're so smart, Boss!"

Suddenly, Wynter furrowed her brows. "You didn't stir up any trouble in Havenia, did you?"

Wolf shook his head innocently. "Nope. I've been a good boy. I wouldn't cause trouble unless someone bullied me."

"If someone tries to hurt you, make sure you give it back to them. Ask Mr. Leprechaun to treat you to some fried chicken tomorrow," Wynter said in a hushed voice. Wolf nodded eagerly as Dalton gave a dry smile.

"Well, I'm glad to know I'm still good for something," Dalton muttered.

Since reuniting with Wolf, Wynter had become more talkative. After chatting for a while, something clicked in her mind. She looked at Wolf and asked, "The people who brought you here are the ones who took you in, right? Take me to them."

Wolf agreed and hopped down from Wynter's arms. Taking her hand, he led her to the Chamberlains.

With the banquet hall dimly lit, Wolf had to make a few turns before reaching the Chamberlains' table. It wasn't until the group approached that Antoine finally noticed him.

"You're back already, Wolf?" Antoine asked as he stood up. When he spotted Wynter beside Wolf, his eyes sharpened—she must be the boss Wolf had mentioned so often.

Reaching out a hand, Antoine greeted Wynter. "It's nice to meet you. You must be the boss Wolf often talked about."

Wynter extended her hand politely. "I am. Thank you for looking after him."

Their hands were about to meet when Antoine caught sight of the bracelet on Wynter's wrist—the gold-eyed goldfish emblem. His head snapped up, and his eyes glimmered with surprise.

So, it was true—Wolf's boss was a Quinnell by blood. And more than that, she was the rightful heir to the Chamber of Commerce.

Wynter gave a knowing nod. "No one outmatches Wolf in computer science. That just shows how much he trusts you."

"Indeed. However, I doubt that the foreigners will give up easily. There's been no sign of them lately. I reckon they're plotting something bigger." Antoine voiced his speculation with a frown.

Wynter arched a brow. "If that's the case, a brutal battle is ahead."

Antoine agreed, "I thought the same. They're not the type of people who will back down after a loss."

"Let's set that aside for now, Mr. Chamberlain. Aren't you feeling homesick? Don't you want to meet your old friends and Grandpa Gordon?" Wynter asked, gazing at Antoine.

Antoine was taken aback by the question before shaking his head in response. "Now's not the time. I promised to carve out a name for myself in Havenia before returning home. I'm not worthy of meeting Mr. Quinnell Senior yet."

"Grandpa Gordon was never that kind of man. He wouldn't mind whether you failed or succeeded. What mattered most was that you gave it your all." Wynter comforted him in a gentle tone.

A fleeting memory sparked in Antoine's mind—a vivid recollection from the day he left for Havenia.

"Take care of yourself in Havenia. Things can be chaotic over there, so you'll need to watch your back. It's okay if you don't accomplish much. What matters most is your safe return. I'll be waiting for you on the mainland."

That was Gordon's advice for him. Upon recalling the past, Antoine couldn't help but break down into tears.

Wynter drew a tissue and handed it to him. She suggested, "How about this, Mr. Chamberlain? Once I've wrapped up my work here, you can follow me back to Cascadia. I'm sure Grandpa Gordon will understand."

Antoine gave a firm nod, silently sobbing. "I'll do just that. Once I set foot on the mainland, I'll go visit Mr. Quinnell Senior."

"Very well. Let's head back," Wynter said, lifting her gaze. After a moment to collect himself, Antoine followed her out of the room.

Noticing Wynter and Antoine emerging from the room, Ingrid called out, "What were you doing in there, Dad?"

Antoine was stunned for a moment before answering, "Well, Driscoll mentioned Ms. Quinnell is a powerful medium, so I asked her to read my fortune."

Ingrid gazed at Antoine, whose hair had grown white over the years. She clenched her fists and asked, "What did she say?"

Antoine let out a chuckle. "She said I'm in pretty good shape and that I can live for another hundred years. That said, I didn't know you and Ms. Quinnell were friends."

Relieved to hear that Antoine was in good health, Ingrid decided to play along. "But of course. I've always thought Wynter was amazing, but Charlie held her back."

As Wynter settled beside Dalton, she felt warm breath tickling her ear.

"According to Ms. Chamberlain, you had quite an exciting school life," Dalton teased.

Wynter steadied her breathing before replying, "Just forget it. It's all in the past."

Dalton shifted in his seat. "Alright, then. I'm guessing Antoine Chamberlain is the one you've been looking for."

"I can hide nothing from you, Mr. Yarwood," Wynter teased, shooting Dalton a glance.

Dalton chuckled softly. "I noticed he's been staring at your wrist when you shook hands."

Wynter gave an affirmative nod. "That's right. He served under Grandpa Gordon as a member of the Chamber of Commerce—and he's the only one left."

"Not only have we found a member of the Chamber of Commerce here at the banquet, but we've also found Wolf. Things should be easier from now on," Dalton commented thoughtfully.

Yet, Wynter furrowed her brows. "It's not that simple. This is merely the beginning. The waters in Havenia run far deeper than we thought."