The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1654

Fredric felt as if his world had collapsed. No matter how much he had calculated, he never anticipated that Judah would be under suspicion.

Wynter stood up, resting one hand on the table, her voice as clear as crystal. "I've taken particular note of some of your abilities.

"For instance, even though we were born in the same place, people see me as just some country bumpkin brought in from a remote area. You, however, have somehow transformed yourself into Hawford's 'native.'"

Fredric visibly shook as he whipped his gaze toward Wynter in shock. His origins had always been a sore spot for him. It was a part of himself he was desperate to rewrite.

Branded a "self-made man" for so many years, he had tried everything to erase his rural background. He drank coffee, listened to records, and even filled his house with antique items from Hawford, all meticulously chosen to give the impression he was native-born.

He couldn't understand how Wynter knew!

"You seem surprised," Wynter remarked, her tone unhurried. "Everything about you—down to the smallest detail—has already been laid bare by your higher-up."

Fredric clenched his fists. He didn't want to believe Wynter's words.

However, Wynter wasn't about to let him off easily. "Actually, that's pretty understandable. After all, it's common practice for those big shots to push someone out as a scapegoat. Oh, didn't a certain director just jump off a building recently?

"It seems that all the things you've done are finally catching up to you. Now, it's your turn to play the scapegoat."

Fredric was so shaken he could barely think. When Wynter mentioned his origins, he felt a wave of genuine terror.

Without thinking, he blurted out, "That was Mr. Randell's decision, not mine!"

"The reason Mr. Randell managed to climb the ranks so quickly was because of his impressive record handling economic crimes. He was even recognized for it back then.

"But what no one knew was how his so-called achievements were built. They were paid for by foreign investors. In exchange, he implemented what they call the non-interference policy. There were three rules to it.

"Firstly, he would ignore any malicious rumors foreign investors spread about local businesses. Secondly, whenever a domestic company protested against the suppression, he would suggest they try financing their operations.

"Lastly, if anyone from above came to investigate, he'd shield the foreign investors, claiming it was all for development."

Seeing that Wynter's expression remained unreadable, Fredric grew desperate, convinced she doubted him.

"It's true! This all happened two decades ago—you can check the news reports from back then! The Quinnell and Whitman families refused to cooperate. That was why…"