The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2018

Anabella's pupils contracted. "So, you've been targeting me all along!"

"That's right," Adaline admitted openly. "Do you know why my skin is flawless?"

She stroked her smooth cheek with pride. "To be honest, the ancients had long discovered the secret to eternal youth—virgins' blood."

"You're out of your mind! That's just superstition. They're nothing but lies!" Anabella struggled, but the leather straps held her tightly in place.

"Superstition?" Adaline sneered and pointed to the machine bolted to the wall. "Do you see that? It's a blood-refining device, adapted from ancient texts. Ordinary transfusions can only slow aging.

"But you know what I discovered? When blood is drawn under a specific emotional state, it carries unique enzymes. When mixed with the right formulation, the results are astonishing!"

A chill ran down Anabella's spine. "So, the young women who went missing in Havenia…"

Adaline's tone was icy. "Yup. You're spot on. They should feel proud to be such useful sacrifices."

"You're a monster…" Anabella muttered in despair. "I should've listened to Wynter. I never should've come back to you for beauty treatments."

Adaline burst out laughing. Her gaze turned vicious as she asked, "Wynter, huh? She's a clever one. She came sniffing around, testing me, but I never gave her an opening. She had no chance to get close."

Suddenly, her voice hardened. "But I have a plan for her, too. I came to Havenia to start over, but she just wouldn't let me off. I'll avenge Kenton and make her pay!"

Then, she shifted her gaze to Anabella. "Oh, by the way, I'm not Adaline Elinor. My real name is Lynette Wray."

Anabella's eyes widened with despair. "This is a crime! It's against the law!"

Lynette shook her head calmly. "It's only the pursuit of eternal life."

She slowly raised the knife in her hand and said reassuringly, "Don't worry. I won't drain you all at once. I'll keep you alive. Fear improves your blood's quality, after all."

Just as the blade hovered above Anabella's wrist, she screamed with every ounce of strength she had left, "Help! Murder!"

Lynette didn't try stopping her, adding, "This place is soundproofed. No one's coming to rescue you."

With the last sliver of hope gone, Anabella finally gave up her struggle and closed her eyes. She didn't dare face what was about to happen.

But before the blade could descend, a voice rang out from behind. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm here to save her."

Immediately, Lynette spun around. "It's you! Wynter! How did you find this place?"

"I just followed you." Wynter's gaze sharpened. "I'm truly curious. Why has your face changed?"

Lynette frowned. "You're mistaken. I'm not who you think."

Before Wynter could answer, Anabella shouted, "Wynter! She admitted it herself—she's not Adaline but Lynette!"

Wynter gave a small nod. "That fits my guess. Compared to Kenton, you're far inferior."

"Why you…" Lynette pointed her knife at Wynter. "It's your fault that he went to prison! Without you, the Wrays would still be fine!"

Wynter chuckled calmly. "He reaped what he sowed. His downfall was just karma catching up to him. However, I've always wondered—how did you manage to go along with his schemes? You'd never have survived on your own."

The woman standing before her was no longer the Lynette she had known. Not only did her looks change, but she felt like a different person entirely.

Lynette suddenly laughed out loud. "So what if it's true?"

As she said that, she lunged at Wynter with the knife.

Wynter waited until she was almost within reach, then seized her wrist with an iron grip. "Oh, please. You're way too green to be pointing knives with me."

With a twist, Wynter disarmed Lynette and took possession of the knife. "I already suspected someone was backing you. Someone altered your appearance—that's why I didn't recognize you immediately."

Lynette tried to break free, but Wynter held onto her tightly. "So what? This is Havenia. You can't touch me here!"

Wynter's gaze turned icy. "I told you before at the spa that I'm the Chief Executive's assistant. That gives me more than enough authority."

Lynette froze. She did hear about Wynter's claim before at the spa, but she dismissed it as a bluff.

Meanwhile, Wynter walked up to Anabella and released her restraints. "Anabella, you should go home. Forget about tonight and take a good rest. There's a car waiting for you at the gate. The driver will send you home."

Anabella sat upright. "Wynter… are you really the Chief Executive's assistant?"

"Yes." Wynter nodded. "I came here specifically to investigate her. Please keep this between us, alright?"

Anabella nodded. "Okay… I'll be going, then."

Wynter watched her leave, then shut the door and turned back to Lynette. "It's just the two of us now. You're not getting away this time."

Lynette's eyes glinted coldly. "Are you planning to imprison me? That's illegal…"

"Are you sure you should be the one talking about legality here?" Wynter retorted flatly. "Back in Cascadia, we let you off because the investigation didn't come up with any evidence. But with what you've done here in Havenia, you've broken enough laws for me to bury you."

"You know nothing!" Lynette raised her voice. "I'm helping people!"

She pointed at the seven glass jars nearby. "Seven blood samples with their corresponding emotions—each type of emotion creates a different essence."

Wynter followed her gaze. Each jar held blood of a different hue.

"You call this helping people?" Her voice hardened. "So, Anabella wasn't the first. How many women did you capture before her?"

Excitement suddenly surged within Lynette. "I've tested it! Back in Hawford, my beauty clinic was just offering cosmetic treatment. Here, I perfect it! Women leave transformed—without surgery. Isn't that a blessing?"

She paused, then added, "So what if they paid a small price for the sake of youth? At least they died for their dreams. They should be happy that they died young and beautiful."

"You're delusional." Wynter cut her off, not wanting to waste more time. "It's an old man who helped you here in Havenia, isn't it?"

Upon hearing that, Lynette flinched. "How did you know?"

"Because only he would teach witchcraft like this," Wynter replied flatly.

Lynette turned to her. "He taught me this for my benefit."

Wynter asked calmly, "Since he helped you change your appearance, what did you give him in return?"

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