The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1885

At night, the food scene in Havenia always came alive, especially around the commercial district, where locals and tourists swarmed the streets.

Delmar led the group to a restaurant and got them a table. He took care of everything personally, so Wynter didn't go through the rough experience Wolf had when she first arrived in the city.

They were originally led to a private dining room. It was an old establishment famous for its seafood chowder, which had to be slow-cooked for the full flavor to come through.

But Wynter chose to sit outside instead. She wanted to observe the street's fortune, trying to pinpoint where the flow of luck was being disrupted.

Delmar understood they had business to handle and kept a low profile. He even instructed his bodyguards to stay back.

Still, Dalton didn't exactly blend in. Clad in a sharp suit, he looked completely out of place at a street-side eatery. He sat there, calm and composed, while Delmar reflexively poured him tea as if it were second nature.

Pedestrians passing by couldn't help craning their necks to get a better look at him. Someone whispered in Havenian, "My goodness! Why is there such a ridiculously handsome guy here?"

Even the restaurant owner's wife took a couple of extra glances when she brought over the seafood chowder.

Though seeing celebrities in Havenia wasn't unusual, Dalton didn't look like an actor. In fact, he looked like he came from serious money. The watch on his wrist alone was worth a fortune, and that air of detached nobility was unmistakable.

Wynter quickly realized they wouldn't be getting any useful intel tonight. Next time, she would make sure Dalton disguised himself before bringing him along.

Still, it wasn't all for nothing.

As Delmar set the table, he brought up a major recent event in Havenia.

"If this had happened to anyone else, it wouldn't be such a big deal. But I'm sure you've heard of the family searching for help. They originally came with the stationed military forces back in the 1930s. The head of the family was a military governor back then."

The mention of the 1930s caught Wynter's attention. She set down her spoon and looked up, fully focused.

Delmar got to the point. "The Maynerd family's lineage has always been passed down to a single heir. Since those early days, they have held influence here in Havenia, and they've always shown deep loyalty to Cascadia."

Those last words, "deep loyalty to Cascadia," carried a lot of weight.

Wynter certainly understood. Not everyone in Havenia welcomed Cascadians, so the stance of powerful families within the system could make all the difference.

"The Maynerd family is solid, but there's something off about the Maynerd residence. After Rafferty Maynerd passed away, his son, Driscoll, took over. Maybe it's karmic debt from the bloodshed of their past—now they're paying the price.

"Driscoll didn't have a daughter until he was 35. He loves his wife dearly and never considered remarrying. And his wife comes from a distinguished family, too. But ever since their daughter was born, things have kept going wrong."

As Delmar spoke, he kept eating and even made sure Dalton's cup was filled.

Wynter frowned. "That doesn't sound like karmic retribution. On the contrary, military merit generates merit. The Maynerd family should be protected, not plagued. Evil spirits wouldn't dare approach them."

Dalton nodded in agreement.

People from his generation, especially those who had made their way through the world the hard way, placed great importance on manners and hierarchy.

Wynter looked at him calmly. "We'll be relying on you a lot while we're in Havenia, Mr. Delmar. I know you're loyal to the Yarwood family, but nothing in this world is owed by default. This cup of tea is my respect to you. It's never easy for Cascadians to establish themselves and do business here.

"And judging by your accent, you're not from Colifernia, either. You're more like someone from the northern region. Just learning Havenian must've been hard enough. I'm sure you went through a lot of hardship when you first came here.

"My family has elders like you, who have toiled and sacrificed so much to make things easier for our generation. Whether it's running a business or helping fellow Cascadians, your efforts are what allow us to find our footing in a foreign city, without being left out or looked down on."

Her words struck a deep chord with Delmar.

He had only ever heard stories about Wynter before and had always felt that only someone like her could be a match for Dalton. But hearing about her was one thing, and meeting her in person was something else entirely.

No wonder people said she was the Quinnell family's saving grace. If more second-generation elites conducted themselves like she did, expanding a business empire would be a matter of course.

Delmar didn't protest any further. He raised the tea and drank it in one go. And when he looked back at Wynter, the respect in his eyes was no longer just because she was the Yarwood family's daughter-in-law. Now, it was entirely because of who she was as a person.

Dalton noticed the shift in Delmar's demeanor, and he wasn't surprised. He had seen it happen many times. People's opinions always changed after meeting her.

Wynter set the teapot down and steered the conversation back on track. "The Maynerd family is looking for a cultivator, right? Well, Mr. Delmar, you might not know, but we've got one sitting right here."