The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2009

The airport was packed with people.

Wynter stood still and scanned her surroundings. With so many travelers and flights boarding every few minutes, finding Carven among the crowd was no easy task.

She slowly closed her eyes and thought it through. Since Carven had chosen to come to the airport now, he must have already bought his ticket and was waiting to board. The departure time should be around this moment.

Her gaze lifted toward the departure board. Scanning from top to bottom, her eyes locked onto the third line—Berlincia.

With that, she rushed toward Berlincia's security checkpoint. "Excuse me, please let me through."

Wynter's sharp eyes swept through the line one by one until she spotted a man wearing a baseball cap.

"Carven. I'd still recognize you even with a cap," she said with her voice raised slightly.

Carven stiffened instantly, and he was too afraid to turn his head. "Please hurry up. I'm in a rush."

He wasn't expecting Wynter to vault over the barrier with one hand and place a hand on his shoulder. "What's the rush, Mr. Duane?"

Carven's heart lurched. Slowly, he turned his head. "Ms. Quinnell, what are you doing?"

"Mr. Grier hasn't authorized you to leave Havenia. Are you not taking his words seriously?" Wynter's lips curved faintly.

Carven's expression darkened. "Ms. Quinnell, can't you just let me go this once? I can give you anything you want as long as I can leave this place."

"Sure, but I want you to come with me." Wynter's eyes glinted coldly.

By now, the passengers waiting behind them grew impatient, murmuring among themselves.

"What's going on up there? Why aren't they moving?"

"Please step aside if there's a problem. Don't waste everyone's time."

Wynter grabbed him firmly by the collar. "Come on, Mr. Duane. Don't waste everyone else's time here."

Carven no longer had the strength to resist. Filled with despair, he allowed himself to be dragged away from the checkpoint.

...

Dalton and Wolf were waiting outside. They stepped forward the moment they saw Wynter coming out.

Wynter glanced sideways. "He almost got away. Fortunately, I caught him before he passed security."

Dalton smiled faintly. "He truly would be remarkable if he could slip away from you."

He then turned his gaze to Carven. "Don't you agree, Mr. Duane?"

Carven lifted his head. "How did you know I was at the airport? I left in secret…"

"You were indeed careful. Even the people monitoring you didn't notice you leaving," Wynter said lightly. "I just so happened to have gone to your place today. I figured you weren't at home when you didn't answer the door. You ran fast, but you forgot that your phone has a tracking function."

At her words, Carven looked down at his phone, his heart filled with regret. He believed it was all that damned phone's fault.

"What do you really want from me? I don't understand why you're so adamant on catching me," Carven asked as he stared at Wynter.

Wynter lifted her cold and sharp eyes. "Because I promised Mr. Audley that I'd make you disappear. Do you really think you'll be safe?"

"What do you mean Mr. Audley wants me gone?" Carven's expression shifted drastically.

Wynter nodded slightly. "That's right. Your life is in my hands now. Do you have any more questions?"

Carven felt utter despair. "No."

Wynter looked at him. "You have two choices. One is death. The other is to redeem yourself through cooperation and earn a lighter sentence."

Carven raised his head. "I… I'll take the second."

"Then come with me. This isn't the place to talk." Wynter turned and walked away first.

Carven could only follow in silence. There was no way for him to escape since he was sandwiched between Wynter and Wolf.

Once they got into the SUV, Carven looked at Wynter. "What do you want me to do?"

"Expose Mr. Audley and reveal his crimes." Wynter's gaze was sharp.

Carven froze. "You want me to betray him? Who would believe me even if I did speak out? Also, I can't even begin imagining all the different ways I would die if Mr. Audley learns that I've betrayed him."

Wynter replied calmly, "Suit yourself. I've given you the chance. Whether you betray him or not, you're dead either way. There's no way he would let you live. It's up to you whether you die an easy or painful death."

She paused before continuing, "When there's no way out, you have the option to carve one out yourself."

Carven was evidently conflicted. "But he's the Department of State's director. What good is my word?"

"The weight of public opinion. Even the most powerful man can't withstand endless suspicion," Wynter replied coolly.

Carven lifted his gaze. "Fine… What do I need to do?"

"First, you'll need evidence to back your words," Wynter answered. "Do you have any?"

"Evidence…" Carven fell into thought. After a moment, he shook his head. "No. It was never him who told me his orders."

"Who came to see you each time?" Wynter asked.

"His butler. He'd arranged for me to meet at different places every time and pass on Mr. Audley's instructions," Carven answered quickly.

He paused before suddenly recalling something. "Wait… he once had me open an overseas account for him. Does that count?"

Wynter nodded lightly. "That counts. Whose name was the account registered under?"

Carven pondered for a moment. "We opened it using the information of one of his distant relatives."

"That works. There's a conference meeting tomorrow morning. You'll report him publicly then, and leave the rest to me," Wynter said faintly.

Carven looked stunned. "Is that even possible? Can I even get into such a meeting?"

"With me, you can," Wynter replied confidently.

She then glanced at the men who had followed her to the airport. "Take him away, and make sure he's brought to the meeting tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Ms. Quinnell," one of them said firmly. Then, he continued, "Mr. Grier would surely have blamed us if it weren't for you today. Thank you, Ms. Quinnell."

Wynter tilted her head. "I'm helping myself as much as I'm helping you. There's no need to thank me. Just take him away."

The man nodded and grabbed Carven before leading him away.

Wynter turned to Wolf. "Have you finished hacking into Mr. Audley's surveillance?"

Wolf shook his head. "Not yet. I didn't have time to do it since you were rushing me to track down Carven."

Wynter lifted her gaze. "Get it done today. I'll need it tomorrow."

"Got it, Boss!" Wolf replied quickly.

As he pulled his laptop onto his lap and began preparing to breach Colten's home surveillance, Wynter interrupted, "I'll get you something to eat first. We can work after that."

Wolf's eyes lit up. "Yay! Food!"

Just as the car started, Dalton's phone rang. He glanced at the number, then looked at Wynter. "It's for you."

...

Elsewhere, Wynter, Dalton, and Wolf finished their meal and returned to their residence.

The desk was specifically reserved for Wolf, who sat in the chair typing rapidly, hacking into Colten's surveillance feeds.

Dalton turned slightly toward Wynter. "A lot has happened recently, but it should be close to over by tomorrow."

Wynter lifted her gaze. "Perhaps, but the issue involving the artifacts will never truly end. They've been scattered overseas despite their desire to return home."

Dalton nodded. "I'll go with you if you want to visit Magota. I'll do whatever it is you want to do."

Wynter's lips curved into a smile. "It's only natural that the fiance follows wherever the fiancee goes."

"You're right." Dalton chuckled softly. "So, when will the 'fiance' finally change to something else?"

Wynter gave him a sidelong glance. "Soon. Once all this is settled, you won't be my fiance anymore, but my husband."

At that, Dalton's eyes narrowed slightly in amusement. "Alright. I'll follow your arrangement."

Just then, a call from Jackson came in. Wynter stepped into the bedroom and answered it.

Jackson's tone was grave. "Wynter, the negotiations failed again. You'll need to make the trip yourself."

Wynter raised her eyebrows. "Alright. I'll set out for Magota within the next two days."

Jackson's voice grew more urgent as he added, "Wynter, this is a complicated matter. You'll earn a considerable amount of merit if you succeed in rescuing them, but if you're exposed, I fear—"

"There is no such word as fear in my dictionary," Wynter interrupted. Her gaze turned cool as she continued, "Mr. Munn Senior, you know full well my reputation as 001 is well-earned."

Jackson nodded. "Well said, it is indeed well-earned. Call me if you need anything. I'll help however I can."

Wynter's lips curved faintly. "Thank you, Mr. Munn Senior. However, this trip to Magota isn't just about rescuing the researchers. I also need to track down the artifacts that were smuggled out of Havenia."

Jackson's tone grew even more solemn. "You've already done very well regarding the artifacts. Reclaiming them is easier said than done."

"Nothing is easy in this world. Besides, it wouldn't be a challenge worth my time if it were easy." Wynter's eyes gleamed with resolve.

Jackson frowned. "Whatever happens, your safety comes first."

"Understood, Mr. Munn Senior. Do you know where those people are being held?"

"We couldn't get any information on that. They have sealed off all information about them. Nobody knows where they are," Jackson admitted solemnly.

"Very well. I'll investigate further once I arrive," Wynter said coolly.

When the call ended, she returned to the others. "We'll head to Magota in two days."

Dalton lifted his gaze. "Alright. I'll have someone book the tickets."

Wynter sat down beside him. "The visa is a concern. We can't linger too long once it's approved."

Hearing that, Dalton smiled faintly. "That won't be a problem. I have a way, so there's no need for you to worry."

At that moment, the clacking of Wolf's keyboard suddenly ceased. "Boss, his surveillance system isn't like the usual ones. It's tougher to crack."

Wynter looked over at him. "And here I thought there was nothing you couldn't hack."

Wolf scratched his head sheepishly. "It's just more work. There's nothing I can't break into. Just give me a bit more time."

With that, he bent back over the keyboard. He would finish the task Wynter assigned, no matter what.