The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2019

Wynter was rendered speechless by Dalton's reply. She rested her chin on her hand and asked, "What about Wolf?"

Dalton answered evenly, "His identity remains the same. He will be our little brother."

She turned her head. "I thought…"

Just then, her phone buzzed, cutting her short. After a glance at the screen, her eyes lit up.

"I've been waiting for your call," she said in crisp Emstian after answering the phone.

On the other end, a fluent voice replied, "It wasn't easy. I chased every lead, but I got nothing—until recently. Word is that the intelligence bureau secretly detained them. I managed to get the deputy director drunk and squeezed it out of him.

"They're being held in a 'special training facility run by a private security company.' But in reality, it's a detention center."

Wynter frowned. "So, are you telling me the place is like a prison? One way in, no way out?"

"Exactly. No one gets close. The guards are armed with live firearms. If anyone approached, they would be warned to leave or be shot dead on the spot."

Wynter's eyes narrowed. "Do you have the exact location?"

"Are you really going to free them?" the caller sounded incredulous. "My suggestion is that you give up on this rescue. You won't even know how you died in there."

She chuckled. "That warning doesn't work on me. Do you remember when I rescued you back then? It was a perilous task, but I pulled it off anyway."

At that, the voice softened, tinged with a hint of respect. "I know. If not for you, I'd be dead. That's why I'm telling you not to go. No one gets in there, not even a fly. How do you plan to get inside?"

"I have my ways," Wynter replied coldly, her gaze calm. "You just need to give me the coordinates."

After a long sigh, the caller finally said, "The facility is in the northeast mountains of Magota."

Wynter hummed in approval and said, "Good. Forget we spoke. If anything happens, you won't be implicated."

The caller panicked and said, "No, that's not what I want. I promised to repay you for saving me."

Wynter smiled. "Are you saying you want me to save you once again?"

"No need for that. Let me come along. If something happens, I'll be the first one to die."

Her gaze darkened. "No. Live your life. If you want to help, then go get me some pistols."

"Pistols?" The caller's pitch rose. "I've got every gun you can imagine. You name it, I've got it."

"I'll call once I land. I have other matters to attend to."

After ending the call, she turned to Dalton. "I found the detention site, but this will take some planning."

"These researchers must be important," Dalton remarked. "Otherwise, Magota wouldn't have risked burning bridges to detain them without any legitimate reason."

Wynter nodded. "It's likely tied to quantum research. Their program lags behind ours. Moreover, there's a mole on our side who's leaking classified information."

Dalton glanced at her. "It seems the mole holds a pretty high position. Highly classified information like this wouldn't have gotten leaked otherwise."

"Mr. Munn Senior will root him out," Wynter assured him. "If not, I'll do it myself when I return. People who sell out their own country don't deserve to live."

Dalton murmured, "One step at a time. Let's focus on saving the researchers first."

Just then, the car rolled to a stop. Vincenzo glanced back and said, "We're here."

Wynter stepped out first, with Dalton and Wolf trailing behind her.

"Boss, do I need to go, too?" Wolf scratched his head. "Do they have good food there?"

Wynter chuckled. "Compared to our food, they're quite bad. I'll get you snacks to bring along later. If you can't stomach the food, just eat those."

Wolf deflated. "Fine. Snacks it is."

Wynter looked at Dalton. "I need to call Mr. Grier. Why don't you take Wolf to the store to get some snacks first? I'll meet up with you guys later."

He replied flatly, "Alright. I'll get some for you, too."

She nodded. After seeing them off, she pulled out her phone to call Reese.

"Mr. Grier, I'm leaving Havenia tomorrow."

There was a brief pause on the line. "So soon? Can't you stay longer?"

"There's work that can't wait," Wynter said flatly. "I need to warn you—Havenia isn't secure. Strengthen your defenses. By the way, I had Amery detain a woman—she's behind the missing women."

"What? The culprit is a woman? That's impossible."

Wynter's gaze sharpened. "She's not alone. There's someone behind her. You'll need to dig deeper into this case."

"Alright. I'll form an investigation team tomorrow and send some people to interrogate her," Reese said grimly. "This case has made quite a few young women worried sick about their safety. It's good that you solved the case."

Wynter replied solemnly, "It's just a convenient coincidence. You can just let your men investigate the matter. But there's something far more important that I need to tell you."

Hearing her tone, Reese's smile faded. "Go on."

"The sacred item," she said in a hushed voice.

"You… How do you know about the sacred item?" Reese was baffled. "Is that why you came?"

Wynter frowned. "I don't care for the sacred item, but someone else does. That person will stop at nothing to claim it."

Reese's brows knitted tightly together. "So, you're saying that someone has set their sights on the sacred item. As far as I know, there should only be two other people who know about it apart from me. It shouldn't have been leaked."

"When greed takes hold, no wall is secure. Don't underestimate others' greed. I think it's best you be wary of those around you."

His voice was solemn. "I understand. Somehow, you make me feel that you're the Chief Executive here."

"Chief Executive or not, it's impossible for one person to account for all possibilities. That's why you need someone to assist you."

Reese paused briefly, then said, "I get what you mean. The sacred item is Havenia's lifeblood. Over my dead body will it change hands."

"Okay. I need to get ready now. I'll be leaving tomorrow," Wynter replied.

After bidding Reese goodbye, Wynter pocketed her phone and walked toward the convenience store.

Inside, Wolf was at the counter with an armful of snacks.

The server nodded. "Very well. This way, please. I'll lead you to your private room."

With that, he turned around and walked inside, leading the trio into a private room. "Ms. Quinnell, here's the room you reserved."

He proceeded to pull three chairs out for them. "Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

Wynter looked up and said, "Tea, please. Thank you."

"Alright." The server served them each a cup of tea and said, "Would you like to order now, or wait for the others?"

Wynter looked at him and said, "Why don't you help us order? Just make sure it's tasty."

The server nodded. "Sure thing. I'll put in an order for you right now."

Soon, the chamber's elders arrived one by one.

"Ms. Quinnell, why did you gather us tonight?" Conrad asked with a laugh.

Another chimed in. "Yeah, what's going on?"

Chad sipped his tea. "Ms. Quinnell has her reasons. Let's hear her out."

Antoine nodded. "Agreed. We're all longtime members of the Chamber of Commerce and know that Ms. Quinnell has always been right."

"There's a reason I gathered all of you here today." Wynter's gaze swept through the crowd. "I'm leaving Havenia tomorrow. After that—"

"What? You're leaving? What about the Chamber of Commerce?"

"He's right. Ms. Quinnell, is there something you need to do?"

Antoine's smile vanished. "Are you serious, Ms. Quinnell?"

Wynter nodded. "I'm needed for an urgent matter. I want to ask—do you wish to return to Cascadia? Havenia's Chamber of Commerce is restored. You guys no longer need to remain in hiding."

Conrad lowered his voice. "Are you driving us out, Ms. Quinnell?"

Chad's finger stilled. "We may be old, but we're still perfectly capable."

"This chamber in Havenia is our life's work." Antoine frowned, too. "I long for home, yes, but I can't just walk away from this."

Before Wynter could reply, Baxter entered with Alaskey. "Gentlemen, are you saying you don't trust my family?"

Wynter turned to him and greeted, "Mr. Hensley Senior, please have a seat."

The chamber's old members had seen the results of Baxter's contribution, and they respected him. However, Wynter's departure still left them uneasy.

Antoine sighed. "It's not that we don't trust you. We're just saddened by Ms. Quinnell's sudden departure."

At that moment, Wynter spoke up again. "Dear elders, it's thanks to all your help that we managed to regain control of the Chamber of Commerce. It's now doing well under Mr. Hensley Senior's management."