The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 2026

Rafael nodded vehemently. "Okay, I'll turn the bus around right away."

Wynter glanced at the others. "Everyone, I hope you won't ever be deceived by these so-called high-paying jobs in the future. Your safety is more important than anything."

The group nodded one after another.

Wynter, Dalton, and Wolf got off the bus and set out in the direction Gaston had given. She wasn't certain his directions were accurate, but for now, there was no option but to follow his words.

Dalton stopped walking as he spoke. "A few armed men are standing by the gate of the large courtyard up ahead. There's barbed wire on top of the wall, too. It seems like he was telling the truth."

Wynter followed his gaze before turning to scan the surroundings. "Don't go too close yet. There's a small slope to the side. We should be able to see and hear them from there. Let's climb up and take a look at the situation first."

...

A few moments later, the three of them stood on the slight slope, watching the courtyard below.

A dozen or so thugs stood in the yard, holding clubs or stun batons, their eyes cold as they stared at the people crouched on the ground.

Frankie Jeb, a man wearing sunglasses, stood at the front of the crowd, a cigar clamped in his hand. He squinted and surveyed them like a butcher inspecting livestock.

He exhaled a ring of smoke and began speaking in a hoarse voice. "Welcome to paradise. From today on, your lives belong to the company. You'd better behave and do as you're told if you don't want to be beaten. If I catch anyone scheming, there will be consequences to pay."

Those crouched on the ground cried out in terror, "You told us this was a high-paying job! How did it become a base for scammers?"

"I want to go home! I don't want to stay here!"

"This is a fraud ring! It's illegal!"

"Please, let me go. I have elders and children to take care of. Who will look after them if I don't return?"

Frankie cracked a grin and walked over to the man who had spoken. "I love people who have elderly and kids to care for. Of course, you can go home if you want to. Get your family to scrape together two million dollars in ransom, or else…"

The man's eyes went wide. "Two… Two million? That's impossible!"

Frankie kicked him to the ground before grabbing a club from a nearby lackey and smashing it down on him. "Then what the hell are you babbling for? If you don't have the money, stay here and earn it for the boss!"

In an instance, silence fell over the group. Another young man tried to run but was struck in the leg by a thug's club, collapsing to the floor while screaming in agony.

Frankie stopped and smiled. "Why don't you enjoy your life here in paradise? Why run to hell and suffer?"

He kicked the young man and said, "The law here is merely for decoration purposes. I am the true law here. Your lives are in my hands. I get to determine whether you live or die.

"Listen up. Don't even think about running now that you're here. Either work with us and make money, or lose a few body parts and be carried out."

Despair etched every face among those crouched on the ground. Their cries were drowned by further blows and loud berating.

Finally, when no one else dared make a sound, Frankie nodded with satisfaction. "That's more like it. You get food, pay, and your life if you behave."

He then glanced at his henchmen. "Bring the baskets."

Then, turning back to the crowd, he ordered, "Take out everything you have on you—phones, wallets, and jewelry—and throw them into the baskets in front of you."

No one in the crowd moved at Frankie's words. Seeing that, he waved his hand, and the thugs immediately surged forward, yanking people up roughly. Anyone who resisted was met with clubs and stun batons against their bodies.

Crying and pleas broke out again.

"This was a gift from my mom! You can't take it!"

The thug showed no mercy. With a tug of his fingers, he ripped the gold necklace from the woman's neck.

Another woman refused to hand over her belongings. At that, the thug grew fiercer, grabbing her hair with one hand and slapping her hard across the face. Her cheek flushed scarlet instantly. She trembled all over but still clutched her pocket tightly.

On the hillside, Wynter, Dalton, and Wolf watched. Wolf in particular clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fury.

Wynter reached over and patted his head. "It's not time yet. I'm angry, too, but that man in sunglasses isn't the one behind all this. We'll also need to wait for coordination between the authorities here and in Cascadia. Once that's settled, the police will move in to assist us."

Wolf grunted in acknowledgement and slowly loosened his fists. He turned his back on the scene, no longer watching the courtyard.

Wynter pulled out her phone. The signal had returned, but no calls had come through. "They must still be working on coordination."

Dalton glanced sideways at her. "Keep watching. That guy with the sunglasses isn't the boss."

Just then, someone stepped out of the house in the courtyard. It was a burly man in a tailored-made suit, calmly holding a drink.

The suited man, Kenith Elroy, spoke with an authoritative tone that made it hard for one to disobey. "Frankie, stop. These people make money for me. Who will earn for me if you harm them?"

Frankie waved his hand to signal his henchmen to halt. "Kenith, these new recruits aren't listening. I had to teach them a lesson."

"There are other ways to approach this if they're disobedient. All you get from beating them is fear. You even killed someone last month. Can you not learn?"

"That man wouldn't listen…" Frankie scratched his head sheepishly. "I wouldn't have to be harsh if he did his work seriously."

Kenith shook his head. "You should learn from Gaston. Look at the people he brought in. He never hits them, yet they listen to him after a few threats. Speaking of Gaston, why isn't he back yet?"

Frankie sat down on a chair before replying, "I don't know. I've been here the whole time. Maybe he ran into trouble on the way. He'll be back soon."

Hearing that, Kenith's expression hardened. "Gaston always completes his work well. He'll never be late unless—"

Just then, Kenith's phone buzzed. He checked it, and a smile slowly spread across his face. "Gaston was delayed at the airport. He'll arrive later."

Frankie asked casually, "What should we do with these people, then?"

Kenith put his phone away and stepped closer to him. "Frankie, you've been working with me for a long time. You should know what our boss wants. These people are all from Cascadia, and we'll be the scapegoats if Cascadia gets angry. Do you understand what I'm implying?"

"I understand. Did you forget I was from Cascadia, too?" Frankie turned slightly to face him. "Besides, we've been doing this for a long time, and Cascadia hasn't acted. Many officials here are on our side. No one will come for us."

But Kenith slapped him on the head. "Don't let others decide your fate! Those officials will eat you alive. If the money they get isn't satisfactory, or if someone offers them more, they'll send people to wipe us out in an instant!"

His voice grew low as he continued, "Do you remember the park in the south? They were wiped out in a single day because they failed to pay on time.

"They even made it seem like they were doing a favor for their citizens, releasing that piece of news so the world would think they were seriously taking action against fraud rings."

Frankie looked up. "Then what should we do?"

Kenith's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. "You can beat them, but keep it measured. The last thing I want is for you to accidentally kill them. Arrange for someone to teach them how to do the work. If they still don't learn, take some of their body parts and exchange them for money."

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