The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2025

The others all nodded in agreement, like robots programmed with the same line of code.

Only Wynter and Dalton exchanged a look.

When the plane jolted from landing, Wynter casually cracked her neck. She knew they were no longer in Cascadia.

From the moment they set foot on this land, they would need to stay sharp and vigilant if they hoped to rescue those who had been deceived in this transnational maze.

The plane slowly taxied to its stand. Through the cabin window, sunlight spilled across the airport—half the sky was bright with sun, and the other half was shadowed. While one side looked like heaven, the other looked like hell.

"Everyone, get your things and stick close. Don't fall behind," Gaston announced.

He was the first to stand, and his voice carried more impatience than it had back in Cascadia's airport. "Someone will be there to meet us once we're outside. Remember, no one is to spout nonsense until we reach the company. This isn't Cascadia."

The group quickly stood to open the overhead compartments and pulled out their luggage before following Gaston toward the cabin door.

Wynter deliberately slowed her steps, dropping to the back of the line.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Dalton. He stood to her side, his left hand resting casually on the seatback. While his eyes were fixed forward, his lips parted slightly. "Two tails behind us."

Following his gaze, Wynter looked back. Sure enough, two men in white short-sleeved shirts trailed at the rear. Their strides were steady and their eyes sharp as hawks as they swept over each person's back, as though watching for prey that might try to escape.

The crowd gradually moved down the stairs, and a wave of hot air hit them—it was indeed sweltering here.

Gaston, standing at the front, spoke after watching everyone disembark. "Gather around me. Let the other passengers pass first."

After a while, when the other travelers had dispersed, Gaston lifted his head toward the group. "Line up. We're going to collect our luggage now. The company's vehicle is already waiting outside the airport. Once we've got the bags, we'll head straight there."

"Got it, Gaston."

Gaston nodded in satisfaction, savoring a deep breath of air. Then, he turned and led them forward to collect their checked baggage.

Once they had their luggage, everyone followed Gaston toward the exit.

Just as he said, a bus coated in a thin layer of dust, as though it hadn't been used in some time, sat outside the airport. Its windows were darkly tinted, and it was impossible to see through from the outside.

Gaston stood beside the bus, directing them aboard one by one while taking the chance to count heads, making sure no one strayed. "This is the company's ride. Line up and quickly get on so we can leave."

Before long, everyone was seated in order, and Gaston was beaming. He was the last to board before the driver shut the doors.

Wynter sat next to Wolf, while Dalton took the window seat up front.

Wynter pretended to stare ahead, her voice low. "Wolf, where's the stuff?"

Wolf fished a tiny camera with a GPS tracker out of his pocket. Wynter took it and slipped it into her sleeve before hitting the record button.

The bus let out a piercing roar when it started.

Gaston sat in the passenger seat and glanced back at everyone. "Sit tight, and don't move. We've got a stretch of mountain road ahead. It'll take about two hours to get there."

Rafael couldn't help asking, "Gaston, where are we even going? Why take the mountain road when we can use the highway? I'm kind of feeling homesick…"

Gaston sneered. "Homesick? Why think of home now? You should've thought of that earlier. Remember, you're here to make money. Once you've earned it, you can go home whenever you want. Don't blame me for being harsh if you keep talking like that and unsettle others!"

Gaston now felt completely different from the man at Cascadia's airport. He was like a lion awakened in his territory.

Rafael was frightened into silence and could only lower his head. The atmosphere in the cabin grew oppressive. Many didn't know where they were being taken.

The engine's roar and the wheels grinding over the stony road sounded especially harsh.

Wynter leaned against the window, pretending to rest her eyes while listening closely to the noises outside. She wasn't certain the GPS in her sleeves could successfully reach the gang's base, but she sketched out a plan in her mind.

After leaving the airport, the bus soon turned onto a narrow mountain path. The surface was full of potholes, causing the vehicle to bounce violently. Several people started getting car-sick—some gagged, while others were already vomiting into plastic bags.

"Hold it in! How do you expect to make money if you can't even handle this?" Gaston snapped when he heard the noises from the back, his impatience showing.

So, the others could only force themselves to be quiet.

Just then, Gaston's phone rang. He answered the call openly, not bothering to hide from anyone. "I've safely loaded this batch of goods. We should arrive soon."

The man on the other end chuckled. "Good job. The drinks and food are ready. We'll host a feast for you!"

"Thanks, bro." Gaston's voice carried through the bus.

Rafael frowned. "Gaston, what did you mean by 'this batch of goods?'"

Gaston made no effort to hide it this time. "A batch of fools."

"Fools?" Rafael asked.

Once the road smoothed out, he quickly stood up. "Are you one of those fraudsters everyone's been talking about?"

Gaston grinned smugly. "So what if I am? We'll be there soon. All of you, sit tight and behave. Anyone who doesn't listen… I'll add the word 'death' into your dictionary."

At Gaston's words, everyone sprang to their feet, their expressions shifting dramatically.

"Gaston, didn't you say you'd take us to earn money?"

"Yeah! What is happening? You said this wasn't a scam!"

"Gaston, I want to go home!"

"Shut the hell up!" Gaston snapped, visibly impatient. He stood and gripped a stun baton. "Anyone who yells again will get a taste of this baton!"

At that moment, the bus braked hard, and everyone was thrown forward.

Gaston looked to the driver, clutching the rail to steady himself. "What's going on?"

The driver turned around. "A tree has fallen across the road up ahead and blocked our way."

Just then, Rafael gritted his teeth and lunged toward Gaston, trying to snatch the stun baton. However, Gaston kicked him hard, sending him sprawling, before stomping on him.

"Are you trying to die? Why do you keep provoking me again and again? Do you think you're so special because you know computers? I can kill you as easily as I kill a chicken here!" Gaston exclaimed.

"Jamison, Farley, beat him up!" Gaston barked at the two men beside him. "Teach him a lesson, but don't crack his skull. I'll take a look at the condition outside. Make sure to keep an eye on these people."

"All right, Gaston," both Jamison Amos and Farley Wardell replied in unison.

The two drew their stun batons from the side and looked down at Rafael with sinister grins. "Who do you think you are to piss off Gaston? You must be tired of living."

Right after they spoke, Jamison pressed the stun baton hard against Rafael's skin.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify