A MAZE OF GREED

Theodora was happy to see Douglas when he came to meet her after wrapping up his meeting with Augustus. Theodora had joined a trust established by Douglas, which worked for the cause of women empowerment.

Douglas had that trust established for four years now, but it was only about seven months ago that Theodora decided to join as its respected member.

Augustus was more than happy with her decision as it had helped in raising the family prestige.

But only the two smart people knew the real intentions behind that decision. Due to the recent incidences, and Augustus's growing emotional dependence on Theodora, it became hard for her and Douglas to meet each other freely.

So she came up with this idea, and now they could spend the entire day discussing the steps needed for women empowerment, and anyone would hardly question them.

Today too, Douglas gave the same reason to Augustus and was enjoying a conversation with Theodora. Augustus was gone and locked up in his office. So they had no disturbances.

"I heard about the death of the physician." Douglas began.

The O'Dells had tried to push the murder under the rug from the people of Vincardine. The news of the physician dying because of a heart attack was deliberately set on fire throughout the Vincardine.

Yet Douglas had his ways to get a whiff of every news of 'the great manor'.

"Hmm", Theodora only hummed.

"Do you have any suspicions?" He asked, raising his brows.

"No. I don't. But the proofs indicates that that maid-Ruth- must have something to do with the murder. She was the last person who went to meet him." She said.

Douglas opened his mouth to say something but their conversation was interrupted by Fannie. She had a panicked face. She looked pale.

"My Lady... Lady Theodora!"

"What happened Fannie?" Theodora asked, tensing considerably.

When Fannie noticed Douglas sitting there, she hesitated. Theodora guessed her hesitation correctly.

"Say it!" Theodora told before glancing at Douglas. She silently let Fannie know that it was alright to speak in front of him.

Fannie dabbed the sweat on her forehead before gulping down nervously.

"My Lady... I... I am scared."

"Why?"

Douglas was also listening to their interaction with great interest.

"L-Lord Edwin... he... he told Lord Augustus that... that he will investigate the physician's death personally." Fannie informed.

Theodora was now alert and more tensed. She did not expect that. She thought Augustus would handle him, but clearly, her old husband had failed again to contain Edwin's growing power.

"What?"

"Yes, My Lady! I heard it just now and came straight to you. If Lord Edwin is... going to investigate the matter then he can go to any extent to find the truth. What if... what if he gets to know about the poison we gave him through his medicines?" Fannie shivered, visibly while saying it.

Douglas was a clever man. Although he was present there hearing their conversation, he wisely chose to not speak in between.

Theodora raised her hand in dismissal. "No Fannie! That will never happen. And if something goes wrong then you do not need to worry about it. I have already saved you in Ruth's case, I will save you again. Trust me!"

"But Lady Theodora-"

"Fannie! Enough! Remember that your one mistake can bring me down with you. Do you think I will ever let that happen?"

Now that made sense. Fannie knew how selfish and self-centred Theodora was. She would burn the whole town before her hair got hurt. Now Fannie could release a sigh of relief.

"N-no My Lady. I trust you completely and my loyalty remains at your feet!!" Fannie said, bowing her head.

"Good that you understood. Now do not worry and keep your eyes and ears open. Tell me if anything happens. I promise I will not let them reach you Fannie. You may go now."

Fannie, feeling more confident now, left from there.

Now that only Theodora and Douglas were there, he could ask what he wanted to ask her for a long time.

"Theodora, tell me if you have anything to do with the physician's murder." Douglas said with an edge.

"Who said it is a murder?"

"Isn't it obvious?! The O'Dells can fool the world but not me. I know you all well enough to know that it is not a suicide or a heart attack." Douglas said in a challenge.

Theodora stood up from her chair and walked a few steps away.

"I do not know what you are talking about." She outrightly ignored his accusation. But Douglas knew better than that.

"Alright! The time will pull the curtain from the truth." Douglas said confidently.

Theodora remained silent on that as she paced around. Something was clearly on her mind, Douglas could tell.

"What about the poison thing? Fannie's concern was not baseless. You know what will Edwin do after he finds out that you tried to poison him through his medicines." Douglas said, leaning back in his seat.

Theodora scoffed. "I did not do anything Douglas. If he finds out about the poison then he would think that the physician did it for either his selfsih reasons or on the command of someone else. And when he realised what he had done after Edwin survived through it, he got scared and killed himself."

"Hmm... fair enough. But one thing that I do not understand is how did Edwin survive through it? That poison was meant to not only weaken him but also kill him." Douglas had this confusion since Theodora told him about it.

Now Theodora's perfectly decorated face morphed in a deep frown. Her plan was perfect. She sent Fannie to the physician, faking a cut on her finger while she was cutting fruits.

The moment Theodora received the news of the rogue's attack on Edwin, her mind began racing relentlessly to come up with a plan that would solve all her problems.

Fannie did as she was told. Theodora had already told Fannie what she needed to do next in exact details.

The physician was in a rush as he had to prepare preliminary treatment for Edwin. Fannie got a golden opportunity when the physician went into his cabin to get some formulas ready with reference to the literature on medicine he had stored in his small cabin.

Fannie stole the bottle of a slow poison that Theodora had specifically told her to use and mixed it in Edwin's medicines.

She was about to put the bottle back in its place, but the physician came out of his cabin at the wrong time. Fannie got nervous and hid that bottle in her dress pocket.

The physician helped treated Fannie's cut, and then Fannie left. She was nervous as the bottle was already with her. What if someone found it then?

Fannie did not want to participate in Theodora's plan as it also involved hurting Edwin. But when Theodora lured her, saying they would put the blame on Ruth, Fannie agreed.

She saw the chaos around as the news of Edwin getting attacked spread in the whole 'great manor'. Fannie got so scared that she threw that bottle under a random piece of furniture, thinking no one would ever find it.

Alas!

Theodora released a frustrated sigh. "That is the same thing that is bothering my mind Douglas."

"Do you think that maid has something to do with it? I heard she was the one who took care of Edwin at that time."

Theodora shook her head, laughing tauntingly.

"Please do not flatter over her Douglas. She is a dumb woman, who is interested in Edwin only for sexual pleasure and his money. If she was that smart, then Edwin would have recovered from his injuries sooner than he did.

Besides, she is just a human. She does not know who her prince charming really is!"

Douglas nodded his head in understanding. He was glad that Theodora had it all thought thoroughly.

"But what if Edwin gets to Fannie's throat? She is a backstabber and like she busted Eloise, she can do that with you too." Douglas warned.

Now Theodora's face flashed a full wicked smirk. She sensually stalked towards him and sat in his lap. She snaked her hands around his neck.

"Oh, Douglas... you haven't figured me out in all these years. If Edwin gets to Fannie then I know how to silence her permamnently before she pointed at me."

"But Theodora, she has been loyal to you all these years. She is your headmaid, your trusted right hand." Douglas said.

Theodora threw her head back. Her loud and free laugh filled the corners of the room.

"She has been loyal to me because she was paid fairly in its return. Money can buy anything Douglas- love, loyalty, trust! Besides, it will not be the first time for me to handle a loyal dog.

These liches are born to serve us- the elites. They are born, so we can use them for our benefit. And if they can not be loyal to us in time of need, then they do not have any right to live.

I have already learned that lesson more than twenty years ago. If I can sacrifice my childhood friend for my gain, then Fannie does not stand a single chance of mercy. Understood?"

She asked with a sinister smirk on her face. That was what always fascinated Douglas about her. She was not only an ambitious woman, but she was also ready to go to any extent to fulfil her ambitions.

"You are a bad bad woman Theodora!" Douglas kissed her passionately, pulling her closer.

The room then filled with her moans and his groans. But little did they know that someone had already heard all of their conversations, and had witnessed them losing their saneness in each others' arms.

Ruth ran from there.... she ran away from there as her heart seemed to explode with the shock and the pain she felt at that time!