The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2007

When they reached the back door, Colten pulled it open. Instantly, his eyes widened as he froze.

"Mr. Audley," Wynter said, smiling, as she stood by Colten's back door. "I know it's quite late, but I'd like to ask you a few questions, Mr. Audley. Surely, you don't mind?"

Once she finished speaking, she paused and turned to Carven. "Why is Mr. Duane here as well? Did I come at a bad time?"

Colten forced himself to stay calm. "Mr. Duane came to discuss some official matters with me."

"Is that so?" Wynter narrowed her eyes slightly. "But if I recall correctly, Mr. Grier instructed him to stay home and cooperate with the investigation."

Colten smiled faintly. "I summoned him here for the investigation. Since Mr. Patsy reported him, it's only right that I conduct a fair and just inquiry. I was seeing him out since I was done with the questioning."

Wynter kept her gentle smile. "You are truly dedicated to your duties."

"You flatter me, Ms. Quinnell." Colten nodded slightly. "But what brings you to my back door? People might think our relationship is rather unusual if word of this gets out."

"I couldn't care less about what others think. Aren't you going to invite me in to have a seat?" Wynter's gaze was calm.

Colten stepped aside. "Please, come in, Ms. Quinnell."

Then, he glanced at Carven. "Mr. Duane, you may go for now. Stay at home during this period, and keep your phone on. I will contact you if anything comes up."

Carven quickly nodded. "Alright, Mr. Audley. I'll be heading out, then."

Just as he was about to step out, Wynter stopped him. "Mr. Duane, come along."

"You…" Carven hesitated. "You two should talk. I'll take my leave first."

But Colten looked at him. "You should stay since Ms. Quinnell has invited you. To refuse her would be to refuse Mr. Grier."

"Alright..." Carven retracted his leg and followed them inside.

Colten led them into the tearoom before sitting down and brewing some tea.

"What is it you'd like to consult me about, Ms. Quinnell?" Colten asked casually as he brewed the tea.

Wynter's brows lifted slightly. "How does one tell apart a young fox from an old one?"

The question made Colten falter for a moment, though he quickly regained composure. "That hardly needs distinguishing. You can tell from their appearance and demeanor."

"And people? How does one tell with people?" Wynter smiled faintly.

Colten raised his gaze. "Ms. Quinnell, are you suggesting something in particular?"

Her gaze deepened. "Not at all. I only want to hear your answer."

Beside them, Carven didn't even dare breathe too loudly, terrified of being dragged into their exchange.

Colten remained unruffled. "I'm afraid that's a question I cannot answer."

"That's fine." Wynter rested her chin on her hand in a relaxed demeanor. "Then, would you count as an old fox?"

At that, Colten's gaze sharpened like a hawk. "Ms. Quinnell, I don't think I'm of retirement age just yet. I'm hardly old. But yes, I can be as sly as a fox. Otherwise, I wouldn't have become the Department of State's director."

Wynter's expression stayed relaxed, her smile almost playful. "By the way, I heard from Mr. Duane that you've been looking for a certain notebook. Could this be the one you've been looking for?"

As she spoke, she laid the notebook on the table.

Colten's gaze froze for an instant. His instincts urged him to seize it, though reason restrained him. "What's this?"

Then, he turned toward Carven. "Have I ever asked you for this notebook?"

"N-No. Where did you hear such rumors from, Ms. Quinnell?" Carven blurted out.

Wynter's tone turned cold. "Oh, is it just a rumor? Then I'll burn it. It's useless to me, anyway."

As she spoke, she produced a lighter and slowly brought the flame toward the corner of the notebook, all the while watching Colten's reaction.

Sure enough, Colten's hand shot out. "Ms. Quinnell, this is my home. Please don't burn things in here. It will leave a stench."

She smiled faintly. "My apologies. I forgot this is your house. I'll bring it back and burn it later."

"It's yours to dispose of however you please," Colten replied. Then, he handed her a cup of tea. "Here, try this."

Wynter shook her head gently. "I won't be able to sleep if I drink tea at night."

Then, she glanced at Carven. "Why don't you head home first, Mr. Duane?"

Carven stood up in an instant. "Alright, I'll be going now."

He left without looking back.

Wynter arched her brows. "Now that it's just the two of us, is there anything you'd like to say?"

"I don't follow. Please speak freely, Ms. Quinnell." Colten narrowed his eyes.

Wynter smiled faintly. "There's no need to put on a front with me. I'm here to propose a deal."

"Oh? What kind of deal?" Colten sipped his tea.

Her voice was even. "There's a batch of goods that needs to be shipped overseas from the port. I've come for you since Mr. Duane isn't in a position to authorize it anymore."

"The port falls under Marine Affairs' jurisdiction." Colten lifted his gaze toward her. "Carven is indeed under investigation, but I still have no authority there as the Department of State's director."

But Wynter only smiled, slow and deliberate. "If I recall correctly, the port's secret channel was only approved after the Department of State stamped it."

Colten's fingers stilled. "Is that so? Then, I'll need to check who issued that authorization."

Wynter chuckled softly at that. "Are you worried I'm carrying a recorder, Mr. Audley?"

She then stood up, emptying her pockets one by one. "There's nothing on me."

Colten's gaze darkened. "I can't quite understand your approach."

Wynter's eyes glinted coldly. "Can't you? This whole thing was set up by me. My aim was to take Carven down and step into his place. Only a fool would turn down profit."

Colten lowered his voice. "And how do you want this deal handled?"

"I'll move the shipments. I'm at least 100 times more reliable than Carven, no matter how you look at it. Let me handle it, and you'll make money without lifting a finger," Wynter said as she tilted her head slightly.

Colten stared at her but couldn't read her thoughts. "And what would you need from me?"

"I need a new secret channel opened. I also want to know where the previous shipments went," she requested casually.

Colten raised a brow. "I'll consider your proposal. As for those earlier shipments…" He paused abruptly. "It's late. We'll talk another time."

Wynter smiled lightly. "Here's what we'll do. The shipments can wait until the heat dies down, but I do need to know where they were sent right now."

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