The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2040

Wynter bent down slightly. "Your organization is bordering Magota and stands in opposition to the local government. If I'm not mistaken, your group was trained by Magota. Otherwise, you wouldn't have access to that much firepower. They supply your weapons and gear, and you follow their orders."

At her words, Barry's expression flickered. A trace of guilt flashed in his eyes. "Even if what you say is true, does Cascadia dare go head-to-head with Magota? Obviously not. Just look at the missile counts. Magota has over 9000 missiles, while Cascadia has just a little over 300!"

"Over 300?" Wynter smiled faintly. "Do you even know how much we have over 300?"

Barry stammered, "I… I don't know the exact number. But it can't compare with Magota's arsenal. On any level, Cascadia can't challenge them. Magota is the world's number-one superpower!"

"You sound like one of those Magota fanatics online. Fortunately, the Cascadian military parade is about to begin. You'll see for yourself just how far we've come!"

Barry snickered. "How far could you have come? Everyone knows Cascadia is backward, living in brick shacks, eating slop, and wearing patched clothes!"

Just then, Dalton stepped in with Wolf and Krugen.

Krugen had barely reached the doorway when he caught Barry's words. His voice rang out, cold and sharp.

"You know nothing of Cascadia. Your mind's already been poisoned by Magota's propaganda! When I was in Southeast Ibira, the most common stories people told were legends about Cascadia's rise.

"As much as the world's forums smear Cascadia, they never bothered responding because they didn't feel the need to.

"To have a voice, you must first have power. Magota, the country you worship, was indeed the world's strongest. But even when Cascadia was still finding its footing, they dared to face Magota head-on and drove their forces into total retreat!"

"Impossible!" Barry roared. "Magota has never lost a war! That's just Cascadia's propaganda, like the way Foplya denies the massacre. It's all your one-sided story!"

Krugen's gaze turned razor-sharp. "Foplya? They only admitted to surrendering after suffering defeat at Cascadia's hands. They never dared to face the truth.

"I looked into it myself. When they invaded Cascadia, they performed inhumane experiments on live civilians. They dug mass graves and buried the corpses by the thousands. It was monstrous!"

Barry lifted his eyes to him. "You're my son. Why must you stand against me?"

"Because you don't deserve to be my father!" Krugen's voice was righteous and fierce. "From the day you built your militia, everything you've done has been for yourself.

"When I came back to Meprida, I was lost. I didn't know whether to help or stop you. But then Mom spoke to me, and everything became clear.

"She said that if you ever broke the law, she would stand against you. That's when I realized—she must have already suspected something. She just hadn't found any proof yet. If she had, she would've reported you immediately."

Wynter leaned back slightly, her leg crossed. She watched Krugen with a faint gleam of admiration in her eyes. Everything he said—those were not facts easily uncovered without effort.

"So, Esmaralda…" Barry's voice weakened. "She suspected me?"

Krugen's eyes grew cold. "When she first realized it, she must have been torn apart inside. She wanted to find the truth herself. She was completely disappointed in you."

Barry slumped in the chair. If his hands weren't bound, he might have run out that instant to see her.

"Time's up," Wynter said quietly, setting the tablet before him. "Now watch and see the real Cascadia."

On the screen, Celestia Plaza came into view—solemn and magnificent. The crowd in the viewing stands wore radiant smiles, genuine joy shining through every face. It was their pride born from the heart for their nation's strength.

As the ceremonial cannons thundered, the national flag guard marched in perfect unison toward the flagpole. There was no drumbeat or background music—only the sound of boots striking the ground.

When the flagpole locked into place and the banner unfurled, the flag blazed like fire across the sky. Every gaze followed it upward.

Even through the screen, the air was electric, filled with reverence. Smiles faded, backs straightened, and from every mouth rose the national anthem.

Wynter's mouth lifted into a slight smile, and she sang along with the cadence, pride rising from the chest to the head like heat.

Cascadia's strength was born of its people. Every mountain and every river had been forged by their people's flesh and blood. Without the elders' sweat and sacrifice, the younger generation would not have the peace they now enjoy.

Each formation marched with powerful footsteps that rolled across the square. Photographers and media crews from many nations captured the moment.

Everyone wanted to record this scene. Each parade outdid the last, in gear and in military scope. People around the world watched on their phones, wondering what breakthroughs Cascadia's armed forces might reveal this year.

Just then, a commentator began describing the hardware on the screen. "Now approaching—the DF5C missile. Its full range provides global coverage! Always at the ready, it acts as an effective deterrence."

The simple introduction was all it took to exert suffocating pressure on the rival states.

Barry's face went pale with disbelief. "Global coverage? How could your military advance so quickly?"

Wynter smiled. "You've been living under a rock. Cascadia loves peace, but it is not a nation to be carved up by others. You can smear us online, but any country that dares challenge Cascadia will find that we do not tolerate being bullied."

Krugen looked at Barry. "Do you see Cascadia's true colors now? If I hadn't come back, I would've gone to Cascadia myself to witness this with my own eyes."

Barry murmured, "So, it really is that powerful… I've been shortsighted."

Krugen sighed. "You've been brainwashed by Magota for too long. That's why I fled to Southeast Ibira—to escape your influence."

Krugen's voice sharpened. "Magota is powerful, yes, but that doesn't make it the world's ruler. They just sell you an idea and make you their tool. They promise you benefits, and when something goes wrong, you'll be the first to take the fall."

"That's impossible! No, it can't be…" Barry's voice wavered. "They promised me that Meprida will be mine if I help them."

Wynter's eyes narrowed. "Do older people take up empty promises so easily?"

At that, Barry's face darkened. "You don't understand. If I refused, Cobra would've done it. Refusing them is as good as a death sentence."

Wynter said calmly, "But there's no way out for you now. By seizing those scientists and trying to force the secret weapon data from them, you're as good as dead."

She tilted forward, her legs crossed. "You have one chance to make amends. Tell me who in Magota ordered you to seize those scientists."

"He…" Barry's expression hardened with reluctance. "I can't say. I'd implicate them."

Krugen's tone softened. "You don't have to worry. I've made plans. I'll take Mom to Cascadia for a while. It's safe there, and no one can hurt us. If you know who it is, just tell Wynter."

Barry fell quiet, then exhaled slowly and spoke the name. "William Lacroft, the Central Intelligence Bureau's director."

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