The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1761

It was said that wooden dolls from Foplya possessed supernatural abilities to form formations that defied the natural order.

Making a wish to one signified the completion of a ritual. However, it required something in return. Failing to provide this offering would result in a soul being trapped within the doll.

Another rumor claimed that obtaining such a doll could help one reach the pinnacle of success. However, the rapid ascent would always come at a price—an inevitable fall from grace.

Most people, blinded by their desires, would not be able to resist its allure and hence, remain trapped forever.

Take Luna, for example. On the surface, she appeared to be a sweet and innocent starlet. In truth, she would stop at nothing to achieve fame.

After finding the wooden doll, Luna's life changed. People she envied began to experience inexplicable misfortune. Roles that once belonged to others fell effortlessly into her lap.

The taste of success fueled her greed, and she continued to make wishes to the doll until her soul was completely hollowed out.

As the wooden doll left her body, Luna's appearance changed drastically. In an instant, she seemed to age more than ten years, collapsing helplessly onto the floor.

The others in the room fared no better. Each person appeared as though they had fought a war, with dark shadows etched heavily beneath their eyes.

They couldn't remember exactly what had happened, but the last moments before losing consciousness remained vivid—terrifyingly so. Everyone turned to Luna, their gazes filled with disbelief and fear.

Jocelyn trembled as she glanced at Rickey, who finally seemed to return to normal, his movements no longer stiff or unnatural.

But Luna was in far worse shape. Half of her body was now paralyzed—a price for staying too long in the wooden doll's presence.

"What... what's going on here?" someone murmured.

One person looked toward Dalton. "Sir, who are you?"

Dalton stood with his back to the group, indifferent to their plight. He wasn't interested in saving anyone. Those without greed or jealousy in their hearts wouldn't succumb to the wooden doll's manipulations in the first place.

Foplyan dolls had a penchant for attaching themselves to inherently wicked people.

Just as the wooden doll had said herself, the entertainment industry was their most fertile ground—full of people who lived behind masks, their true selves hidden. Some shone brightly on the outside while rotting within.

The wooden doll thrived in such an environment. Without it, she wouldn't have been able to regenerate a new soul so quickly.

Under normal circumstances, the souls of those who made wishes would be irretrievably lost, but Dalton's arrival changed everything.

The wooden doll trembled violently, using every ounce of energy to conceal herself. She dared not take even a single soul or act recklessly, too terrified of being found by him again.

Years ago, when she declared herself a god, she could never forget the faint, mocking smirk on Dalton's lips. It was as though he found it utterly insignificant. The wooden doll vowed to make Dalton submit when she fully regained her strength!

"Only a man like him is worthy of me," she murmured to herself.

It wanted Cascadia's people to know that, just like before, Cascadians should bow to Foplayns. When the moment was right, she would reappear, and Dalton would belong to her!

…

"Hey, why is there a doll here?"

"Who knows? It's creepy. Let's throw it away."

"Creepy? I think it's adorable! By the way, I heard the director is treating everyone to dinner. Why didn't they invite us?"

"Oh, come on. We're just extras. No point in trying to fit in."

"Extras? So what? Everyone has a chance to make it big. Maybe not this time, but next time, I'll have my dad invest in a drama for me to star in. By the way, did you think about what I mentioned? There are lots of big names at that party, you know."

"No thanks. I'm not cut out for that scene. I'll climb the ranks through my acting, the lady said as she finished packing her things and left.

The other woman sneered. "What a pick me."

As she spoke, she reached out to stroke the wooden doll's head, finding it more and more endearing. Without hesitation, she slipped it into her bag.

…

Meanwhile, Tobias, who had rushed out of the restaurant, was still thinking about going back to rescue everyone. He knew he could escape on his own, but he figured that Wynter would be heartbroken if something were to happen to Dalton.

His mind was still muddled as he tried to piece together what had happened. He couldn't figure out why Rickey and Jocelyn suddenly behaved like they were possessed.

Cold sweat soaked his back, and the chill of the wind brought him back to his senses. He decided to call for reinforcements.

"I'll ask Wynter first and see what's going on," he muttered.

Tobias remained calm in critical moments and had been cautious enough not to make a wish. Otherwise, with his fate, he might have easily ended up as the wooden doll's offering.

But if his soul were ever drawn out, it could lead to unexpected consequences, such as the purification of all wandering souls in the world.

Dalton silently stood behind Tobias, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Though Dalton hadn't fully recovered his memories yet, he had noticed the subtle differences in Tobias. For instance, the fact that Tobias' reckless dash had miraculously led him out of the Wraithlord Transformation Formation. Most people wouldn't have such "luck".

Tobias would most likely scoff if he could hear what Dalton was currently thinking. Lucky was far from what he would describe himself now. He had just seen spirits, and one of them even forced him to make a wish!

"Even anti-scam apps say that if something seems too good to be true, it's a trap to steal your money. And if I were to make a wish, it'd be to the God of Wealth, not to some... Fairy Spirit or whatever that thing was," he mumbled in frustration.

Tobias dialed his phone with a serious expression, inadvertently muttering aloud, "Of course, only someone like that stupid Dalton would believe in this stuff. He might really be in trouble this time since he made that wish."

Finally, his phone signal returned. But before the call connected, the surrounding fog suddenly dissipated. The impenetrable darkness that had cloaked the area moments ago reverted to its original, familiar scenery.

Dalton raised a hand, stopping Tobias' next move. "You are the one who would be in trouble if you make that call. She's handling matters at the Chamber of Commerce. Do you want her to get distracted dealing with you? Tobias, it's time you start solving your own problems."

Wynter had always prioritized her brothers over everything else. Dalton couldn't help but wonder how far down her list of priorities he ranked.

Tobias' eyes lit up with relief. "You're out? Thank goodness! I thought you'd been controlled! Since you're safe now, can you call Wynter? I'm going back to check on the others."

Without waiting for a response, Tobias turned to head back, his concern for his crew evident.

Dalton didn't stop him. The stench of corruption and filth in the air had dissipated significantly, a sign that the situation no longer warranted further pursuit.

The lingering smell of the people who had made a wish wasn't something Dalton particularly liked, neither did he like the truths and desires revealed by these people's hearts. Rubbing his temple, he sighed quietly.

Just then, Tobias' phone he had taken connected.

"Tobias? Are you alright?" Wynter's voice came through, low and tinged with concern. "Did something happen with the film crew?"

Eric's gaze darkened as he took in the unfolding scene. He desperately wanted to leave, but if he walked away now, the Chamber of Commerce would forever slip from his grasp.

He had no choice but to hold on. As long as he could outlast Tobias' demise, there was still a chance for him to turn the tide.

While Eric was deep in thought, a faint figure began to materialize in midair, shifting between clarity and obscurity.

"Isn't that… one of the chamber's founding elders?"

"It's true! That's Mr. Weldon! He was one of the first pioneers alongside the late Mr. Quinnell Senior!"

Several of the older members of the Chamber of Commerce recognized the figure and, with heavy steps, approached Gayle Weldon.

They knew him well—Gayle was instrumental in unifying the Chamber of Commerce in Colifernia with his decisive methods. As one of Gordon's most trusted allies, his contributions to the chamber's founding were immeasurable.

The media reporters witnessing this scene were stunned. This was an event unlike any they'd ever encountered!

Cameras flashed as they eagerly tried to capture Gayle's image. Yet, when they reviewed their photos, all that appeared were shots of the banquet hall—Gayle was nowhere to be seen in the images.

Kaspar noticed their actions and shook his head. The soul-summoning spell called forth the soul—it could be seen with the naked eye but would not appear in photographs.

"Mr. Weldon, it's me! Do you remember me?"

Trevor Billy, his steps faltering with emotion, approached Gayle and attempted to grasp his hand. But when he reached out, his fingers brushed through empty air.

Gayle, now present as a soul, observed the scene and immediately understood that he had been summoned by a skilled cultivator using a soul-summoning spell. When Trevor approached, he recognized him at once.

"I never expected you'd still remember me after all these years," Gayle addressed Trevor.

Hearing these words, Trevor froze, stunned by the reality of Gayle's presence. Tears streamed down his face as he realized he was speaking with someone he had thought long gone. The old comrades who once fought with him side by side were all gone, leaving him as the last survivor.

After finishing his words to Trevor, Gayle turned his gaze to Eric. His expression darkened as his tone shifted, heavy with anger.

"Eric Lofstedt! All of us old-timers have been watching your actions over the years with crystal clarity. The others didn't even want to come and see your disgusting face!

"You made grand promises to me back then, swearing with all your might that you and the other elders would make the chamber even better. That was the only reason I felt at ease leaving.

"But as soon as I was gone, you turned the chamber into a mess—exiling the elders, sidelining those who didn't agree with you, and keeping only those who followed your whims!

"Have you forgotten the chamber's rule? No foreign capital allowed! When did Cascadia's industries become something for outsiders to take over?

"And now you even want to move the chamber's old headquarters, leaving us elders with no place to return to! I never imagined that the chamber would fall into the hands of a beast like you!"

Each word, firm and piercing, left Eric's expression darker than ever. He wished nothing more than to obliterate Gayle's soul on the spot.

Eric glared at Gayle with a venomous gaze. "Mr. Weldon, the chamber's rapid growth over the years is undeniable, and that's all thanks to me!"

To Eric, the chamber's success couldn't exist without his efforts.

Yet, Gayle outright dismissed his claim with a scoff. "Growth? What about the things you've done behind the scenes? As Gordon often said, many businessmen chase fame and profit, caring only for the end goal and disregarding the means.

"But our chamber was founded on a different principle—to consider others and sacrifice the self for the greater good. And what have you done? You even tried to pass off a lie as the truth. If it weren't for Wynter exposing your schemes, your vile plans would have succeeded!"