The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1700

In the nearby patient ward, someone faintly heard Caroline's shout but dismissed it.

As soon as Caroline was dragged back into the hidden passage, the door shut tightly behind her.

The foreign doctor released his grip on her. "Why couldn't you just do your job and stay at your station? You just had to come to the pharmacy, huh? You Cascadians are really too curious for your own good."

He grabbed a syringe from a nearby tray and walked toward her. "But since you're here, I'll give you a front-row seat to experience our experiments' results. Foolish Cascadians!" He laughed maniacally.

Caroline trembled, her face pale with terror.

It would have at least been worth it even if she got caught after she had shouted a couple more words to raise an alarm. But now, not only had she been captured, but she hadn't managed to warn anyone. She felt utterly helpless, a lamb trapped in the wolf's den.

…

Meanwhile, Wynter was in Colifernia to "meet Dalton's family".

Theo had chosen a renowned local banquet hall for the occasion. The place was famous for its desserts, which often required long queues to reserve a table.

Colifernia had always been a place full of charm, with a strong emphasis on its culinary culture. The meticulously crafted desserts resembled works of art, enriching the locals' everyday lives.

A pot of tea, paired with dishes like shrimp croquettes, lobster ravioli, empanaditas, and black pepper glazed short ribs, could make for a leisurely morning filled with conversation.

Aside from that, there were the meat pies with their rich blend of cheese and butter flavors. One bite of it was enough to leave a lingering aroma in your mouth, bringing immense satisfaction. Pair it all with a warm cup of tea, and it would feel like a heavenly experience.

The place was steeped in the warmth of everyday life. With its long history, the decor largely retained its original look. The staff was quick and efficient, and despite its grandeur, the atmosphere was welcoming and unpretentious.

It was in this setting that Theo had arranged to meet Wynter. If not for the row of bodyguards standing conspicuously behind him, his identity might have remained discreet.

However, Theo ensured that he didn't disturb the other diners. After all, he owned this business. He had merely cleared out an area for the occasion, turning it into a private family gathering.

As soon as Wynter entered, Theo stood up with a warm smile. "Wynter, we meet again."

Wynter chuckled softly. "You seem even healthier than the last time I saw you."

Theo found Wynter more pleasing the longer he looked at her. "With a diagnosis like that from you, I won't need to waste money on any health supplements anymore. Come, sit down and try the crispy pork empanadas!"

He busily ushered her to the table, completely ignoring Dalton. "Don't bother serving him anything—he comes here often enough to know his way around."

Dalton, ever poised, glanced to the side with a faint smile. "I'm starting to feel like I'm not even part of the family anymore."

Theo gave him a dry smile. "Take a good look at yourself—how long have you been chasing after your wife? The rumors about you not understanding romance aren't entirely wrong. You're like an ice block!"

Bombarded with unprovoked criticism, Dalton elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth, his demeanor flawless. "I've done my best. It's just that someone's heart isn't entirely with me yet."

Hearing this, Wynter lifted her gaze. "I didn't say that…"

Dalton leaned back lazily. "I know. You're busy, so I'm just further down your priority list."

Theo finally understood why Dalton struggled to win her over. With that tone of his, no wonder it had taken so long. If not for his good looks, forget about wooing anyone—he'd probably have been punched already.

It was fortunate for Dalton. After all, Theo had heard that Wynter seemed to fancy his face most of all.

"You really don't hold a candle to Wynter in other areas," Theo remarked, shaking his head. "If I were her, I'd keep you at the bottom of my list, too."

Dalton sighed dramatically, placing a shrimp croquette on Wynter's plate. "Grandpa, whose side are you on, exactly?"

Theo felt maybe he was pushing it too much and cleared his throat, regaining his usual composure before his gaze landed on Wynter. "Wynter, you should know why I asked to meet here."

"I know, Mr. Yarwood Senior. I really appreciate your help. I indeed came here to conduct some investigations," Wynter replied.

Wynter appeared to be eating. However, in reality, she was carefully observing her surroundings. After all, this was near where Lupius had disappeared.

Theo lowered his voice. "If there's anything you can't handle openly, come to me. The business scene in Colifernia is different from that in Hawford and completely contrasts with Kingbourne. It's close to Havenia, so many merchants come here. There are also a lot of foreign companies."

Wynter understood his implication. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on the Chamber of Commerce here."

The items Gordon had entrusted to her were likely related to the Chamber of Commerce. But she had more urgent matters to attend to in Colifernia. Hence, she decided to hold off on the chamber for now.

"Mr. Yarwood Senior, you've been in Colifernia for a long time. Have you heard of any strange happenings, particularly regarding diseases?" Wynter asked.

Theo shook his head. "I haven't heard anything like that, but recently, the discourse regarding the Arcane Way has been quite popular. Many people are going to see if their fortune is good. They say it's pretty accurate."

"Yes. After all, people from various countries in the Arcane Way community are here. It's a rare event," Wynter said with a smile.

Her emotions were tangled inside. The more this happened, the easier it was for people to blend in, and it made hiding even more convenient. Of course, this was merely her speculation.

Theo pondered for a moment. "Now that you mentioned it, there's something strange I've noticed."

Wynter lifted her gaze. "What is it?"

Theo glanced to the side.

A manager, Franco Klawf, walked forward. "At the Arcane Way Forum, Mr. Yarwood Senior encountered a cultivator who said that although he has a fate of great wealth and power, he is prone to send off someone younger than him.

"That's when Mr. Yarwood Senior thought of…" Francor said, glancing at Dalton, but not daring to continue the sentence. "That person seemed like a scammer. But when we sent someone to find him later, we couldn't locate him at all."

Dalton's voice was calm. "Don't worry about it."

Wynter didn't quite agree with Dalton. "To approach Mr. Yarwood Senior like that, he must either know his identity or had truly predicted something."

"Huh?" Franco was confused.

Wynter was straightforward. "He came for Dalton. But don't worry, Mr. Yarwood Senior. There's no need to be concerned. With me around, he'll be fine and live a long life."

Right after becoming friends with Dalton, Wynter had bound her fate to his. She couldn't keep borrowing his fortune without giving something back. It only seemed right to share in his personal burdens.

Dalton wiped Wynter's mouth with a napkin and smiled slightly at Theo. "Grandpa, she's right. As long as she's here, I'll be fine."

Not long ago, Theo had been anxious and restless. He was unable to sleep well, plagued by nightmares. But now, Dalton's state was visibly much better compared to before.

He looked at Wynter with gratitude. "Wynter, if it weren't for you, this kid wouldn't be able to live like a normal person. I can't thank you enough."

What people outside didn't know was that Wynter was a life-saving grace for the Yarwood family.

"Franco, go arrange for the gifts. Whatever, Mrs. Yarwood likes, buy it all," Theo instructed.

Wynter was speechless for a moment. She had thought it was a joke when Theo had mentioned buying a building, but it seemed that he wasn't joking at all. He really was going all out.

Wynter lowered her voice. "Isn't this a little too extravagant?"

Dalton poured her another cup of tea. "Since Grandpa likes it, just treat it as making him happy. Besides, if you don't accept it, how would we convince the people watching us?"

Wynter took a sip of tea. "True, but I remember the Yarwood family has always been in Sorzada City. How do you guys have so much land and property in Colifernia?"

She was well aware of how carefree and wealthy Colifernia's landlords could be.

As the saying goes, in Colifernia, you might see someone in flip-flops and baggy shorts, looking completely disheveled. However, with a casual wave of their hand, they'd reveal keys to over a dozen apartments—and they'd probably be driving a Ferrari.

"Not a local, are you? Our stall isn't far from here. Just keep going ahead—there's a market over there," the man replied impatiently.

A market? Was it a farmer's market?

Wynter's eyes narrowed as she recalled Lupius' investigative habits.

"Thank you, sir," Wynter said.

Wynter subtly bestowed some luck onto him after showing her gratitude.

The man wasn't a bad person. He waved at them before continuing on his way.

However, Wynter's unease grew. The luck she transferred to him didn't seem to take effect. This was highly unusual!

Beside her, Dalton raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, his movement small and imperceptible in the shadows. Hence, it was no wonder that Wynter didn't notice his reaction.

Following the food delivery man's directions, Wynter and Dalton arrived at the farmers' market.

The market was alive with activity, like a miniature world contained within its bustling aisles.

Stalls were overflowing with fresh produce, their vivid colors creating a feast for the eyes. Bright green vegetables gleamed with freshness, and fruit stands were vibrant with apples, bananas, grapes, and plump watermelons, all seemingly calling out to passing shoppers.

Nearby, tanks of fish and shrimp swarmed energetically. Stall owners deftly scooped them up, weighed them, and packaged them with practiced ease. The air buzzed with the bartering customers' chatter and the stall owners' rhythmic calls promoting their wares.

Everything here seemed perfectly normal. Yet, Wynter couldn't shake a sense of unease. There was an inexplicable energy—a faint undercurrent she couldn't quite identify.

As she strolled through the market, her eyes caught on a glint of gold—a single strand of golden hair, lying incongruously on the ground. Why were there foreigners in a local market?

She decided not to overthink it, placed the strand of hair into a small bag, and sent it off for DNA testing. After arranging for the investigation, Wynter had Wolf send over the surveillance footage.

As she reviewed it, the video showed Lupius driving his car, only to vanish after passing through a certain point. The vehicle reappeared later in a different location, but there was no useful information to explain the gap.

To Wynter, Lupius was someone highly reliable—skilled, discreet, and cautious. He wasn't the type to attract unnecessary attention. Yet, it was also he who had disappeared mysteriously.

Just then, the test results for the strand of golden hair were sent back to her. "The DNA doesn't match any records."

Wynter immediately understood the situation—Lupius had discovered something but was noticed by the enemy.

Her expression remained eerily calm, but inside, it was as if a raging tiger was ready to leap out. She swiftly logged onto the dark web and sent a message.

"Prepare for battle at any moment. The enemy this time is likely aiming to start a pandemic. I'll bring Fang back, no matter what. Protect yourselves. Those who threaten our nation will face justice!"

"Yes, Boss!"

"Fighting alongside you is the best! This has me all fired up already!"

She immediately pulled out her phone and dialed a number. After a single beep, a voice came through on the other end. "Oh? Is this my lovely Ms. Quinnell?"

Wynter responded curtly, "Yes. I need your help with something. Trace the DNA from a strand of hair and identify its owner. I believe you can manage that."

The person on the other end chuckled. "Ms. Quinnell, it is my lifelong honor to be of service to you. If not for you, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

"Enough with the pleasantries. I don't know which nationality this person belongs to, so I'll need you to screen recent foreign arrivals into the country," Wynter responded.

The voice paused briefly before replying, "That's quite a challenge, but I will do everything in my power to resolve this for you. I will make sure to do this quickly and won't disappoint you."

Dalton, standing at the side, only spoke up after Wynter hung up. "My lovely Ms. Quinnell? It seems that the esteemed Mrs. Yarwood still holds unparalleled charm."