The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2017

Wynter's sudden words made Adaline freeze in her tracks. However, she quickly regained her composure.

"I don't know her," she replied, then quickened her pace and walked into the lounge.

From Adaline's reaction, Wynter could faintly guess the truth. Adaline must know Lynette. In fact, it was very likely that she was Lynette herself. Though nothing about her appearance matched, her reactions had been oddly telling from the very moment they met.

"I'll see you out. I'm sorry, but Ms. Elinor is quite busy," Sheryl said as she came over.

Wynter stood up. "It's fine. I understand."

After escorting Wynter to the door, Sheryl turned back toward the lounge.

"Ms. Elinor, do you know her?" she asked curiously, as she had never seen Adaline react this way in front of anyone.

Adaline glanced at her. "Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Just do your job."

Sheryl nodded and left the lounge.

Once the door closed, Adaline's gaze darkened. She had come from the mainland to Havenia just to avoid Wynter.

She was indeed Lynette. Adaline was the new name she had taken on. Furthermore, she had undergone liposuction and completely altered her features to keep others from recognizing her.

Her brows furrowed tightly. She didn't know why Wynter had suddenly appeared here, and she couldn't help but wonder if she had discovered something.

With that in mind, she considered leaving right away. After all, things would become very difficult if Wynter exposed her true identity.

However, she slowly loosened her knitted brows as a bold plan began to form. Since she couldn't run, she would strike first.

...

By then, Wynter had already returned to the restaurant.

Dalton looked at her. "Did you discover anything?"

Wynter sat down. "Something's not right. She couldn't hide her shock when she first met me. She also froze on the spot again when I deliberately mentioned Lynette before leaving."

"That would mean she's either Lynette or someone who knows her," Dalton said in a low voice.

"I believe the same. She only does beauty treatments for wealthy, high-status women. However, she still turned me away even when I told her I was the Chief Executive's assistant. Maybe she's worried her beauty methods will be exposed."

Dalton's gaze was calm and steady. "If she really is Lynette, then the one who should be panicking is her, not us."

Wynter remained calm. "I know. But those past matters are no longer connected to her. We need to think of a way to make her slip up and expose herself."

Just then, Anabella came over. "I feel much better after resting for a bit. How did the talk go?"

Wynter lifted her gaze toward her. "Ms. Elinor is still unwilling to give me a membership card. How much do you know about her, Ms. Cherice?"

"To be honest, not much." Anabella sat down. "We only meet when they come here to dine, or when I go for treatments. We hardly cross paths outside of that."

Wynter nodded lightly. "Is this beauty club run by Ms. Elinor alone, or does she have a partner?"

Anabella leaned back against her chair. "She most likely runs it by herself. The place isn't that big, after all. One owner is enough to manage it."

"Got it," Wynter acknowledged. Then, she fell into thought for a moment. "By the way, could you let me have a look at your membership card?"

Anabella nodded before taking out her membership card and handing it to Wynter. The design was novel, and the card was black, with a line of embossed golden text on the back that read, "Beauty comes at a price. Are you prepared to bear it?"

After examining it for a moment, Wynter returned the card. "What kind of price is it talking about?"

Anabella thought for a while. "I'm not sure. I asked her about it once, and she said it depends on fate, and that she'll come collect it herself when she needs it."

Wynter frowned. Based on Anabella's account, no one knew what that so-called "price" actually meant.

"Do the other women who get treatments from Ms. Elinor have the same symptoms, such as weak limbs and dizziness, as you?" Wynter asked, turning toward her.

Anabella pondered on her question before replying, "I'm not sure about others, but I do have a close friend with the same symptoms. Her skin looks unbelievably good after each treatment, but she is left extremely weak every time."

Hearing this, Wynter lowered her voice. "Does that mean you're always unconscious when you undergo the treatment and that you have no idea what happened when you wake up?"

Anabella nodded. "Yes, that's how it works. Ms. Elinor said she puts us in a deep sleep because she doesn't want us learning her techniques. We never paid it much mind. Nothing else matters as long as it improves our skin."

Wynter's gaze remained calm. "Ms. Elinor does have a unique method. It's no wonder so many seek her out. But do you never question how your skin could transform so drastically in such a short time?"

"We thought about it, but Ms. Elinor never told anyone," Anabella replied.

She tilted slightly to the side before continuing, "But she took me into one of the inner rooms today. There was a painting of a woman using a silver needle to draw blood from her own wrist on the wall. It was pretty disturbing."

Wynter's eyes narrowed slightly. "Silver needle bloodletting? That's an old feudal superstition. Using that for eternal youth was proven false long ago."

Anabella nodded. "Then I must be overthinking."

At that moment, Wynter glanced at the time. "It's getting late. We'll head back for now. You should rest well and not go for any more treatments for the time being."

Anabella gave a soft hum in agreement. "Alright. Thank you for caring. I'll walk you to the door."

The group walked toward the entrance together. However, just as Vincenzo pulled the car around and Wynter moved to step inside, she noticed a pair of eyes watching her from inside the beauty club.

Wynter kept a straight face, pretending not to notice, and stepped into the car. "Ms. Cherice, we'll be going now."

After saying goodbye, Vincenzo stepped on the gas and drove them away.

Just as Anabella was about to head back, Adaline stepped out. "Ms. Cherice, I forgot to tell you that you'll need another treatment tonight. It will keep your skin in the best condition."

Anabella turned to her. "Tonight? But that young lady just told me my body's a little weak. She said I should rest for a while."

Adaline smiled faintly. "Beauty treatments don't harm the body. Don't you trust me?"

Hearing that, Anabella hesitated. "Of course I trust you…"

Adaline's smile widened. "Then it's settled. Come to my home tonight. I'll do the treatment for you there."

Anabella gave a small nod. "Alright, then. I'll come after closing up tonight."

As Adaline turned away, a sinister smile flickered across her face. She already had a plan aimed at Anabella in mind.

...

Meanwhile, Wynter had asked Vincenzo to stop on the roadside.

Wynter turned slightly before speaking to Dalton. "Ms. Elinor is hiding secrets. She's like a wolf in sheep's clothing."

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