The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2006

Wynter glanced at Dalton, raising her brows, as if to ask what was going on and why Carven and Aidan were turning on each other.

Dalton smiled faintly. "Aidan, remember that this is your last chance."

Aidan nodded. "Carven, you know very well whether I'm speaking nonsense or not. Since Mr. Grier is inside, I'll report this directly to him now!"

Carven's expression darkened as he grabbed Aidan's wrist tightly. "You're playing with fire, Aidan!"

He lowered his voice in a threatening tone. "Both you and I will go down together if you report me. Do you want to die?"

Aidan flung his hand free and sneered. "Have you ever thought this moment would come when you took me away? Besides, you'll be the only one who falls if I report you. I'll be promoted and take your position."

"Who told you that?" Carven asked in a low, heavy voice. "Don't act rashly. Calm down first."

At that moment, Wynter cut in. "Mr. Duane, weren't you in a hurry to leave?"

Carven turned, glancing at Dalton and Wolf sitting in the car, then back at Wynter. "You're working together, aren't you? You brought Aidan here just to ruin my reputation."

"That's right." Wynter raised her brows. "I initially thought about exposing you in front of everyone, but it seems unnecessary now. After all, there's an even bigger fish sitting inside."

Carven froze upon hearing her words. He couldn't help but wonder if Colten's identity had been exposed as well.

With that in mind, he suddenly turned to flee.

However, Wynter had already anticipated it.

After only a few steps, Amery blocked his path. "Mr. Duane, where do you think you're going?"

Carven's fingers trembled slightly, his eyes filled with hesitation. He knew Colten might not protect him if he really went down, but he also understood that he would definitely die a miserable death if he betrayed him.

It was a dead end either way, and Carven felt nothing but despair.

Just then, the guests inside, having heard the commotion at the entrance, came out.

"Mr. Duane, what's going on?"

"Didn't you say you have something urgent to attend to?"

Carven's expression darkened at that. Then, he glanced at Colten, who was hidden among the guests.

Seeing this, Wynter raised her voice. "Mr. Duane, why are you not answering everyone's questions?"

Just then, Reese stepped out. "What's happening here?"

Aidan immediately came forward. "Mr. Grier, I'm Aidan Patsy from the Customs Enforcement Division. I want to report Carven Duane!"

The guests gasped in shock.

"Aidan, why would you report Mr. Duane? Mr. Grier just praised him earlier."

"Exactly. And what exactly are you accusing him of?"

Reese waved his hand for silence, then turned to Aidan. "You're reporting Mr. Duane? What about him?"

Aidan took a deep breath before answering, "Carven abused his authority and forced me into illegal activities. He set up special channels at the port and smuggled numerous cultural relics overseas for personal profit!"

"Don't speak nonsense!" Carven couldn't hold back anymore. "Aidan, I might have scolded you a few times for your poor work, but how could you twist the truth in front of Mr. Grier? Who's going to believe you?"

Carven knew he couldn't admit to anything. His only hope was that Aidan hadn't actually recorded all of their conversations.

Reese also found that logical. "Mr. Duane is right. You'll need evidence if you're accusing him. Otherwise, this is slander, and the consequences will be severe."

Aidan pulled a recorder from his pocket and handed it to Reese. "The evidence is right here!"

Soon, Reese pressed the button on the recorder, and the conversation inside began to play.

"Aidan, you've been with me for quite a while now. There's something I need you to handle."

"Just give me the order, Mr. Duane. I will do it if it's within my ability."

"Good. Use your name to set up a special channel at the port. There will be a batch of replicas that you need to arrange to be loaded onto ships and sent overseas each week."

"That won't be a problem."

"Mm. And the director's position has been vacant for some time. Once you finish this task, I'll personally put in a recommendation for you."

At that moment, Carven quickly cut in, trying to explain to Reese, "Mr. Grier, all I asked was for him to arrange a special channel to transport some replicas. How is that illegal?"

Indeed, nothing explicit had been said in the recording. Just that alone wasn't enough to prove Carven guilty. This gave him a chance to breathe easier again.

Just then, Wynter spoke up. "Mr. Duane, being stubborn won't always save you."

She immediately produced some documents. "These are records of the account you opened at an overseas bank. As for the money inside… It's best if you take a look yourself, Mr. Grier."

Reese accepted the papers, his brows furrowing deeper and his expression turning stern as he read the words written on them.

Carven panicked at Wynter's words. "Mr. Grier, let me explain. The money in that account came from some side businesses I've been running."

Reese's expression darkened. "Side businesses? Do you expect me to believe you could make that much money through side businesses? You'd better tell the truth."

Carven was rendered speechless. His only hope now was Colten. Hence, he turned and pleaded silently for him to intervene.

Seeing this, Colten stepped forward. "Mr. Grier, this matter should be investigated privately. It's not appropriate to deal with it in front of so many people.

"If you trust me enough, allow me to handle the investigation. I will not cover for him if he has indeed committed such crimes. However, if someone is deliberately trying to frame him…"

Carven nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mr. Audley is right. I'll cooperate with the investigation."

Wynter smiled—not out of disappointment at the outcome, but because this was exactly what she wanted. The goal had always been to force Colten to reveal himself.

"Mr. Grier, I believe Mr. Audley made a valid point. With so many people here, rumors could easily spread even if Mr. Duane is truly innocent," Wynter said lightly.

Reese nodded. "Then, let's do as Mr. Audley suggested. Mr. Duane, go home for now, and don't leave Havenia in the meantime. You'll be under investigation."

Carven exhaled in relief. "Understood, Mr. Grier."

Wynter looked at him and asked, "Why not stay for some steamed cod before you go, Mr. Duane?"

"Cod?" Carven's heart sank. "Ms. Quinnell, thanks for the offer, but I'll take my leave now. I wouldn't want to spoil everyone's mood."

He was severely allergic to cod. The last time he'd eaten it by accident, he had nearly lost his life.

That one remark from Wynter told Carven clearly that she must have investigated him privately. Otherwise, there was no way she would know about this.

As Carven left, the guests gradually returned inside, continuing to eat and drink.

Just then, Colten turned to Reese. "I'm not feeling well, so I'll head back and rest."

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