The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2004

Amery looked up at Wynter. "I don't quite understand. If the lights are turned off, the entire venue will be plunged into darkness. It might result in chaos."

Wynter replied calmly, "You don't have to turn them off for too long—just two minutes—so it won't affect much. You just have to do as I say."

Amery nodded. "Alright, then. I'll defer to you, Ms. Quinnell."

Wynter continued placidly, "I'll give you a signal when the time comes. I'm going to take a look at the venue's layout now. Follow me."

"Understood."

Amery strode after her toward the banquet hall's entrance.

Wynter stood in the center of the banquet hall, her fingertips brushing gently against the edge of the long table covered in a champagne-colored tablecloth. Light from the crystal chandeliers danced across the glass tableware's surface, refracting tiny motes of light.

She then looked at Amery. "Where's tonight's menu? Are the chefs on our side?"

Amery nodded. "The chefs are also considered our people, but they've been busy preparing the dishes all this time. The menu should be with them."

Upon hearing this, Wynter headed directly for the kitchen to see two people inside, preparing tonight's spread.

"Ms. Quinnell is here," Amery said in a raised voice, causing them to look over.

They greeted in unison, "Ms. Quinnell. We were preparing the dishes all this time. We were informed of your summons, but if we don't ensure the dishes are all prepared, it may not be possible for the banquet to proceed."

Wynter smiled lightly. "That's no issue. Please show me tonight's menu."

"Understood, Ms. Quinnell," one of them responded. He turned to pick up a piece of paper and handed it to her.

She accepted the menu from him and glanced over it before looking up. "Is there room for one more dish?"

The man paused at that. "What dish is it? If it's particularly tricky to prepare, I'm afraid we might not have time for it."

Wynter's gaze remained calm. "It won't be troublesome to prepare. It's just fish and chips."

The man nodded. "Fish and chips should be no problem."

Wynter hummed in acknowledgement, then turned and left the kitchen.

Amery piped up next to her, "There's still around half an hour before the guests start arriving, Ms. Quinnell. Are there any other details you'd like to check?"

Wynter replied serenely, "There's no need for that. You only need to do a passable job of this. There's no need to make it very extravagant."

Just then, her phone rang.

"I'll be arriving soon, Wynter," Reese informed her.

Wynter's gaze was half-lidded. "Are you showing up in person, Mr. Grier?"

Reese hummed in assent. "I was the one who invited them, so it won't be easy for you to get things done without me around."

Wynter replied calmly, "That's true. I'll wait to receive you at the entrance, then."

After hanging up, she strolled toward the entrance. Not long after she reached it, a car stopped outside.

A white-haired old man got out of the car, and she stepped forward to greet him. "Mr. Grier."

Reese was rather surprised. "Have we met before?"

Wynter shook her head gently. "I haven't, but the air of superiority that you give off is unique."

Hearing that, Reese smiled. "I didn't expect you to have such a good eye at such a young age."

Wynter lifted her gaze. "Would you like me to take care of Mr. Duane in public or in private?"

Reese turned serious. "I can understand your perspective, but Mr. Duane has kept the Customs Enforcement Division in order for years. I have yet to successfully locate a replacement for him."

Wynter reasoned calmly, "If you can't find anyone suitable, you can just nurture someone instead. Cascadia has no shortage of talents, but if you allow corruption like this to remain, it'll be hard to establish peace in Havenia."

At that moment, another car pulled up. After it came to a stop, a man wearing a dark blue suit with a Customs Enforcement Division badge pinned to his tie stepped out. His every movement screamed superiority.

The man was Carven Duane himself.

"Did I arrive too early, Mr. Grier?" he asked.

Reese smiled faintly. "You arrived at just the right time. I also just arrived."

Carven nodded before looking over at Wynter. "Who's this?"

Wynter replied, "I'm Mr. Grier's assistant, Wynter Quinnell. I'll be assuming full responsibility for tonight's banquet."

Carven smiled. "Such a young and promising lady. It looks like I'm getting old."

"You're selling yourself short, Mr. Duane," Wynter said with a piercing gaze. "You've kept the Customs Enforcement Division in such order, after all. I'm the one who has to learn from you."

A hint of wariness flashed across Carven's gaze, but he quickly hid it with a smile. "It was a team effort. It's really Mr. Grier's leadership that has allowed me to manage the Customs Enforcement Division so well."

Reese chimed in, "Naturally, your abilities are beyond question. Alright, let's head in first. Everyone else should be arriving soon."

With that, he walked ahead while Wynter and Carven took up the rear, each to one side of him.

…

Before coming to the banquet, Carven had Aidan taken to a hidden basement.

He looked at Aidan and said, "Cherish this opportunity, Aidan. Surely, you don't intend to follow in Ansel's footsteps."

Aidan's hands and feet were tied, but he was staring directly at Carven. "How do you still have the nerve to mention him? I was blinded by you back then and followed your instructions in a moment of impulsiveness. As a result, you've been holding it over my head this entire time."

Carven smiled. "You were the one who planned everything, and you were also the one who caused the incident. What does any of that have to do with me?"

Aidan glared sharply at him. "You're truly a monster, Carven."

However, Carven wasn't angered by his words at all. "That's a harsh statement. What could my deeds possibly compare to the things you've done?"

Coldly, Aidan asked, "What exactly do you want? Do whatever you like, whether it's slitting my throat or beheading me."

"I already told you—all I want is the notebook in your possession. Give it to me, and you'll be able to leave at any time."

Aidan turned away, laughing scornfully. "There's no way I'm handing you the notebook. Leviathan really wants the secrets it contains, right?"

Carven's gaze sharpened. "How do you know about Leviathan?"

Aidan smiled derisively. "I can tell from the look in your eyes that you aren't Leviathan, Mr. Duane. There may be someone of even higher status at your back."

Suddenly, Carven grabbed his neck in a strangling grip. "What else do you know? Tell me!"

Despite feeling suffocated, Aidan chuckled. "Too bad. I'm not telling you."

At that, Carven finally loosened his grip. "Let's negotiate terms."

Aidan gasped for breath. After a while, he finally calmed down his breathing. "What terms would you like to negotiate, Mr. Duane?"

Carven stood up and turned his back to Aidan. "Hand me the notebook, and I can agree to any conditions you have. Of course, if you're planning to pull any tricks, just know that whether or not your parents will live to a ripe old age depends on your actions."

Aidan glared vehemently at him. "You really are despicable."

Carven was done wasting time. "Ruthlessness is the mark of a great man. I hope you'll have sorted out your thoughts properly by the time I return."

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