A MAZE OF GREED

"Before decidng to go there... you should know about the owner of the building." Ruth's coworker had said.

'Is the owner Edwin O'Dell?'

Ruth did not know where that thought came from. She did not like the idea though.

"Who... who is the owner?" She asked.

"It is Harold Davies."

Ruth sighed in relief, her features slowly lose the tension.

"From smile on your face I assume you do not know who he is?" The woman noticed Ruth's changed body language.

"Oh, I know who he is. I saw him in the-" Ruth realised that she was about to spill the beans that she had seen Harold Davies in 'the great manor' on the night of celebrations. "in some public event." She covered up her slip of the tongue with a lie.

The woman did not say anything, only observed Ruth.

"Why are you worried about him? He is one of the well known traders of not only Vincardine but also the whole region and also is associated with the O'Dell family. I am sure he must be kind enough to help me."

Ruth did not remember his face clearly. The night had happened many months ago. She recalled Thea telling her about him that night.

*"Just remember one thing about him. STAY. AWAY. FROM. HIM!"*

Thea did not tell her why she should stay away from him. And Ruth never wondered till now.

The woman watched Ruth a moment longer, only to shake her head later.

"You are really unaware of your surroundings, Ruth. You only believe what is obvious and clearly visible but never try to look past it."

Ruth felt embarrassed. Not angry, or maybe a little bit. But mostly embarrassed. She was not the first person who had said that to Ruth. But Ruth failed to understand the remedy on it.

Ruth did not say anything and, kept looking at the hem of her dress while biting the inside of her cheek.

"Harold Davies is not a kind of a man a woman should go near. Especially the young and beautiful women like you!"

Ruth looked up with wide eyes. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"I hope the time will not come to let you know what I mean. I would not have suggested this option if you were not in desperate need of work. But let me warn you, Ruth. BE CAREFUL!

He is like hemlock flowers- attractive but poisonous, not to be touched. I would suggest you think thoroughly then go there. Okay?"

Ruth was scared, to be honest hearing that. She nodded her understanding. "Yes. Thank you for the suggestion."

"I have to go now. I will tell Thea that we met. Is there anything else you want me to tell her?" The woman asked.

Ruth thought for a minute, then said. "Just tell her that I am searching for the work and I will meet her in the evening. But please do not tell her about Harold Davies or she would come sniffing for me and again land herself in trouble with Mr Cooper."

"Of course, Ruth. Do not worry. This is our little secret. But again- be careful and go to him only if you are sure about facing the man."

They bid their goodbyes and walked in their desired directions which were opposite to each other.

Ruth kept walking around with numerous thoughts on her mind. Zoe had listened to their conversation and did not know who this Harold Davies was and why the woman made him sound like a devil.

She did not care anyway. She was asked by Edwin to keep watch on Ruth all the time, and that was what she was going to do. No more, no less!

When Ruth's legs ached after trudging aimlessly for an hour, she leaned on the compound wall of one of the establishments nearby. She kept making circles on the ground with her toes as she contemplated if she should give Harold Davies a try or waste another day facing refusal at multiple places.

"What do you think I should do sweety?" Ruth looked down at Zoe, who growled in annoyance after walking around along with Ruth for long.

She would have either found a shady and cold place to sleep under a tree or would have roamed in the woods of Vincardine in her human form rather than get stuck with this woman who was always confused, gullible and naive.

She again mewed, hearing Ruth's question. Although Zoe had said something very different than Ruth expected, she thought Zoe was indeed answering her question.

"Hmm... I also think the same."

'Wait what? You think your brain lies in your knee?' Zoe was surprised.

"I should give it a try. How bad the experience could be?"

'What? No.. no.... no human. You are worng! That is not what I said. I said you are the dumbest creature on the earth and Edwin will realise it soon. Then-'

"You are right, my sweety! I am confident and I can handle any situation. If I sense that something is wrong I will get up and walk out of the building without wasting a minute!" Ruth said proudly.

Zoe groaned again. The urge of facepalming was intense.

'Did you not hear the part when that woman said he is like the hemlock flowers. Do you even know how poisonous they are? I have seen one of my family members died because of them.

The man should be dangerous if the woman compared him with hemlock flowers. I am telling you again that your brain is in your KNEES!' Zoe yelled in frustration.

"Okay... okay. You agree with me. I get it! Now come on. Let's try our luck again!"

Zoe mewed again and again in hope that the human would somehow understand what she wanted to say. Zoe cared less if anything happens to Ruth. But she did care about how Edwin would react if a strand of hair gets misplaced on his mate's head.

'This woman is adamant on ruining my future with Edwin! If you get in trouble, do not call me!' Zoe mewed.

"Yes, sweety. I know you are proud of me!" Ruth smiled, looking at Zoe's doe-like eyes.

'How self obssessed humans can be?!' Zoe grumbled.

She tried her best to stop Ruth. Although she did not know about this Harold Davies, whatever she heard from the woman's mouth made her apprehensive of him.

When Ruth did not listen to her pleads and kept misinterpreting them, Zoe gave up. She decided to let the human have her way and be with her if anything bad happens.

*

*

*

Edwin was surrounded by the pile of papers in his office. Lester, who had planned to spend his afternoon with Elsie, was flipping through the papers with furrowed brows, and the corner of his mouth stretched downward.

Rees stood beside the table in alert and filling up the information his Lords asked him now and then.

Elsie also sat there in Edwin's office even though she could not accompany them after they stepped out of the office.

Augustus's sources informed him that the news of the sixth murder had reached the Council. It was only a matter of time for Barret Addington to reach the threshold of 'the great manor' with all the council members.

He would not slip this opportunity of humiliating the O'Dells in front of the royals, and the world from his hands. He would do everything in his power to bring shame on the name of the originators.

And before any of that happened, Augustus had called an urgent meeting in the next hour with all the details about the investigation.

Edwin did not know if his uncle was aware of his private investigation. But he wanted to be prepared for anything that would come in his way.

He had the papers signed by the five spies. He kept them in the drawer of his table securely. His uncle or aunt should not get their hands on them before the right time.

Lester tapped his leg in nervousness on the floor.

"Lester stop doing that. It is annoying." Edwin did not look up from the papers he was going through and told in a monotonous voice.

Lester did not hear what his friend said as he was too engrossed in his task and more nervous than he ever gets.

"Lester!" Edwin called his name again.

"What?" Lester finally looked up from the papers.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you sweating like that?" Edwin narrowed his eyes.

"I am nervous Edwin. Is it not obvious from how I look?" He was annoyed too.

"And why is that alpha of the Bluemoon pack?"

"I hate Lord Augustus-"

"What did you say Lester? He is my FATHER!" Came Elsie's stern voice.

Lester cringed at the tone she used. His mate was getting more confident and bold these days, and he was yet to figure out why and if he liked that change or not.

"I hate Lord Agustus when he is in his dictator mode, ordering and butchering everyone for any nuisance reason. He looks at everyone as if he would set the person on fire if they do not fulfill his expectations." Lester explained.

"And there is so much confusion. There are hundreds of things and it is hard to remember which thing should be a secret and which should be told to Lord Agustus." He sighed deeply.

"Then do not hide anything from him. He is my father and-"

"You know him too well and he is a good person like a coconut- hard from outside and soft from the inside. Yes we know Elsie. But there are somethings that you do not know and-"

"Elsie... do not worry. We will handle everything. Do not listen to him." Edwin passed a warning glare in Lester's way.

That made him realise how great a blunder he was about to commit, but Edwin saved him before that. Lester shut his mouth and avoided Elsie's questioning eyes.

"Elsie, can you do me a favour?" Edwin then asked.

"Of course brother Edwin." Elsie tore her gaze from Lester to look at her cousin.

"Will you pass me a message. If Zoe tries to contact me or any of us, will you recieve her message and convey it to Rees? We do not know how long this meeting will take and I do not want to risk communicating through mindlink in front of uncle."

"But Zoe did not say anything about meeting today." Lester added.

"Yes, she did not. But... I... I was just..."

"Worried for Ruth. I understand brother unlike others." Elsie passed a mocking glare to Lester, to which he reacted by a frown.

"Do not worry. I will inform Rees if there is anything.." Elsie promised with a smile.