The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2006

Wynter glanced at Dalton, raising her brows, as if to ask what was going on and why Carven and Aidan were turning on each other.

Dalton smiled faintly. "Aidan, remember that this is your last chance."

Aidan nodded. "Carven, you know very well whether I'm speaking nonsense or not. Since Mr. Grier is inside, I'll report this directly to him now!"

Carven's expression darkened as he grabbed Aidan's wrist tightly. "You're playing with fire, Aidan!"

He lowered his voice in a threatening tone. "Both you and I will go down together if you report me. Do you want to die?"

Aidan flung his hand free and sneered. "Have you ever thought this moment would come when you took me away? Besides, you'll be the only one who falls if I report you. I'll be promoted and take your position."

"Who told you that?" Carven asked in a low, heavy voice. "Don't act rashly. Calm down first."

At that moment, Wynter cut in. "Mr. Duane, weren't you in a hurry to leave?"

Carven turned, glancing at Dalton and Wolf sitting in the car, then back at Wynter. "You're working together, aren't you? You brought Aidan here just to ruin my reputation."

"That's right." Wynter raised her brows. "I initially thought about exposing you in front of everyone, but it seems unnecessary now. After all, there's an even bigger fish sitting inside."

Carven froze upon hearing her words. He couldn't help but wonder if Colten's identity had been exposed as well.

With that in mind, he suddenly turned to flee.

However, Wynter had already anticipated it.

After only a few steps, Amery blocked his path. "Mr. Duane, where do you think you're going?"

Carven's fingers trembled slightly, his eyes filled with hesitation. He knew Colten might not protect him if he really went down, but he also understood that he would definitely die a miserable death if he betrayed him.

It was a dead end either way, and Carven felt nothing but despair.

Just then, the guests inside, having heard the commotion at the entrance, came out.

"Mr. Duane, what's going on?"

"Didn't you say you have something urgent to attend to?"

Carven's expression darkened at that. Then, he glanced at Colten, who was hidden among the guests.

Seeing this, Wynter raised her voice. "Mr. Duane, why are you not answering everyone's questions?"

Just then, Reese stepped out. "What's happening here?"

Aidan immediately came forward. "Mr. Grier, I'm Aidan Patsy from the Customs Enforcement Division. I want to report Carven Duane!"

The guests gasped in shock.

"Aidan, why would you report Mr. Duane? Mr. Grier just praised him earlier."

"Exactly. And what exactly are you accusing him of?"

Reese waved his hand for silence, then turned to Aidan. "You're reporting Mr. Duane? What about him?"

Aidan took a deep breath before answering, "Carven abused his authority and forced me into illegal activities. He set up special channels at the port and smuggled numerous cultural relics overseas for personal profit!"

"Don't speak nonsense!" Carven couldn't hold back anymore. "Aidan, I might have scolded you a few times for your poor work, but how could you twist the truth in front of Mr. Grier? Who's going to believe you?"

Carven knew he couldn't admit to anything. His only hope was that Aidan hadn't actually recorded all of their conversations.

Reese also found that logical. "Mr. Duane is right. You'll need evidence if you're accusing him. Otherwise, this is slander, and the consequences will be severe."

Aidan pulled a recorder from his pocket and handed it to Reese. "The evidence is right here!"

Soon, Reese pressed the button on the recorder, and the conversation inside began to play.

"Aidan, you've been with me for quite a while now. There's something I need you to handle."

"Just give me the order, Mr. Duane. I will do it if it's within my ability."

"Good. Use your name to set up a special channel at the port. There will be a batch of replicas that you need to arrange to be loaded onto ships and sent overseas each week."

"That won't be a problem."

"Mm. And the director's position has been vacant for some time. Once you finish this task, I'll personally put in a recommendation for you."

At that moment, Carven quickly cut in, trying to explain to Reese, "Mr. Grier, all I asked was for him to arrange a special channel to transport some replicas. How is that illegal?"

Indeed, nothing explicit had been said in the recording. Just that alone wasn't enough to prove Carven guilty. This gave him a chance to breathe easier again.

Just then, Wynter spoke up. "Mr. Duane, being stubborn won't always save you."

She immediately produced some documents. "These are records of the account you opened at an overseas bank. As for the money inside… It's best if you take a look yourself, Mr. Grier."

Reese accepted the papers, his brows furrowing deeper and his expression turning stern as he read the words written on them.

Carven panicked at Wynter's words. "Mr. Grier, let me explain. The money in that account came from some side businesses I've been running."

Reese's expression darkened. "Side businesses? Do you expect me to believe you could make that much money through side businesses? You'd better tell the truth."

Carven was rendered speechless. His only hope now was Colten. Hence, he turned and pleaded silently for him to intervene.

Seeing this, Colten stepped forward. "Mr. Grier, this matter should be investigated privately. It's not appropriate to deal with it in front of so many people.

"If you trust me enough, allow me to handle the investigation. I will not cover for him if he has indeed committed such crimes. However, if someone is deliberately trying to frame him…"

Carven nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mr. Audley is right. I'll cooperate with the investigation."

Wynter smiled—not out of disappointment at the outcome, but because this was exactly what she wanted. The goal had always been to force Colten to reveal himself.

"Mr. Grier, I believe Mr. Audley made a valid point. With so many people here, rumors could easily spread even if Mr. Duane is truly innocent," Wynter said lightly.

Reese nodded. "Then, let's do as Mr. Audley suggested. Mr. Duane, go home for now, and don't leave Havenia in the meantime. You'll be under investigation."

Carven exhaled in relief. "Understood, Mr. Grier."

Wynter looked at him and asked, "Why not stay for some steamed cod before you go, Mr. Duane?"

"Cod?" Carven's heart sank. "Ms. Quinnell, thanks for the offer, but I'll take my leave now. I wouldn't want to spoil everyone's mood."

He was severely allergic to cod. The last time he'd eaten it by accident, he had nearly lost his life.

That one remark from Wynter told Carven clearly that she must have investigated him privately. Otherwise, there was no way she would know about this.

As Carven left, the guests gradually returned inside, continuing to eat and drink.

Just then, Colten turned to Reese. "I'm not feeling well, so I'll head back and rest."

Just as Wynter got into the car, Dalton looked at her. "Shall we follow and take a look?"

"Do you mean Carven? That's not a bad idea," Wynter said as she rested her chin on her hand.

Vincenzo, hearing this, stepped on the accelerator, speeding up to chase after Carven's departing car.

Carven didn't go straight home. Instead, he drove toward Colten's house.

What had happened tonight had nearly ruined him. If Colten hadn't stepped in to protect him, the consequences waiting for him would have been unthinkable.

Carven dialed Colten's number. "Mr. Audley, I'm downstairs at your place."

Colten's voice was grave. "I can't believe you still have the nerve to come here. Was tonight's humiliation not enough?"

"I didn't expect things to turn out like this, either." Carven sighed, standing downstairs. "I already felt uneasy when I first arrived at the banquet. I didn't expect everything to collapse because of Aidan. If I'd known, I would've gotten rid of him before going tonight."

Colten walked to the window and looked down. "The door's unlocked. Come up."

So, Carven entered and went straight to him.

"Didn't I tell you to never keep people with divided loyalties at your side?" Colten reprimanded Carven coldly. "You were nearly destroyed tonight because of him. If I hadn't saved you, would you have dragged me down with you as well?"

Carven waved his hands frantically. "That wouldn't have happened, Mr. Audley! I owe everything to you. I would never betray you, even if I had no way out tonight. I believe you'd always protect me."

Colten let out a cold snort. "You'd better think about how you're going to clean up this mess."

"How about…" Carven lowered his voice before continuing, "Maybe I should just leave Havenia altogether."

Instantly, Colten slapped Carven across the face. "Can you use your brain? Are you thinking of running after I stuck my neck out to protect you? What will people think of me? They'll think I shielded you just so you could escape!"

Carven clutched his face, pain radiating through him. "Then, what do you want me to do?"

Colten's expression remained cold. "Find a way to wipe your slate clean. Eliminate the trouble at its source."

"But…" Carven's voice dropped lower. "You were the one who instructed me. How am I supposed to eliminate them?"

"I never realized you were this stupid. Just find a scapegoat. Pay him enough, and I'll make sure it's covered up." Colten sighed.

Relief spread across Carven's face. "You're right, Mr. Audley. The matter will be resolved if I find someone to take the fall."

Colten, on the other hand, didn't smile. "Your problem might be solved, but my entire plan will have to be delayed because of this. You're more trouble than you're worth."

Suddenly, Carven remembered something.

"Wait—I just thought of something. Reese's assistant, Ms. Quinnell, pulled out the very notebook you asked me to find when we were at the entrance. She even said there was a bigger fish at the banquet. I suspect she's already figured you out."

"Damn it." Colten's gaze sharpened. "They weren't targeting you tonight—they were waiting for me. She has likely confirmed her suspicion the moment I stepped in to protect you. She'll be certain of it after this."

Then, he paused for a moment. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I just remembered." Carven was clearly unconcerned. "It doesn't matter even if she has figured out that I was working for you. After all, your position is only one step away from—"

"You—" Colten lashed out again, striking him across the face. "Are you stupid? If she knows it's me, then my plan against Reese will absolutely fail, and he will be on guard."

At that moment, Colten stood abruptly. "Get out. I'll send you out the back door. Remember—you were never here. Also, don't contact me from now on."

"Fine." Carven stood up, following him toward the back. He couldn't understand why Colten was reacting so strongly, but he didn't dare defy him.