A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth felt her heart at little ease after speaking with Edwin. Although she was still in the dilemma, Ruth was sure that their conversation would really help her reach the decision.

Was she taking too long to decide? She kept wondering that. But then she could not hurry as it was not only about her life but was also about Edwin's and thousands of people who were practically strangers to her.

Ruth was lost in those thoughts as she exited Edwin's building then entered where the rest of the family members lived.

Walking through the corridor, she got abruptly pulled by someone. The person spun her around, their nails digging in her skin.

Ruth gasped loudly at the sudden action, but when her eyes caught the sight of a person, her mood soured.

"Lady Theodora!" She said as much politely as she could.

"Where are you coming from?" Theodora asked.

Ruth figured that she already knew by the accusive tone she used.

"I went into Lord Edwin's office." Ruth told boldly.

She felt more confident talking about her and Edwin after knowing she was his mate. There was no way Lady Theodora or Lord Augustus could change that fact.

"Why?" Theodora narrowed her eyes in anger. She had not expected such boldness from Ruth.

"To see if he needed anything." Ruth replied without missing a beat.

"And why would you need to bother yourself with it? Doesn't he have a headmaid to tend his needs?"

"Well... you also have Fannie as your headmaid yet you asked me to bring tea for Mrs Linlithgow that day. Isn't a servant means to serve?!" Ruth made Theodora swallow her own pill.

But that only infuriated the woman more.

"I see you have grown a sharp tongue Ruth Moore!" Theodora gritted her teeth on each other.

Ruth smiled sweetly. "Just picking some good habits from people around me."

Theodora had enough of her defiance. She took an intimidating step towards Ruth.

"Then you should be careful of what habits you pick. Don't forget that you are still under our watchful radar. You are still the primary suspect in the physician's murder. Have you forget about that?"

As Ruth stared at the woman who was her biological mother, she did not see a human but a scorpion. A scorpion that was ready to sting anyone.

"I did nothing!" Ruth told confidently.

"But the evidences are against you dear Ruth." The malicious smile on her red painted lips made her look more evil than she was.

"That doesn't change the truth!"

"And what is the truth Ruth?" Theodora stared straight into Ruth's unwavering hazel eyes.

And for the first time, she noticed that their eyes had the same colour.

"Can you hear the truth, Lady Theodora?" Ruth raised her one brow challengingly, making Theodora push her thought aside.

"You do not have any idea about my capapbilities!"

Ruth mentally rolled her eyes. Always self-centred and self-obsessed! Nothing had changed over the years.

"Good to know." Ruth took a small step towards her, pausing near Theodora's ear.

Her action made Theodora flinch, yet she refused to back down.

"The truth is... I know who has killed the physician." Ruth whispered in her ear steadily.

She smirked, seeing Theodora tensing instantly.

"What are you saying?" She glared at Ruth after pushing her away.

Ruth smiled again coldly. For once, she had the upper hand, and she enjoyed this feeling of having power over someone, especially if that someone was her enemy.

"I am speaking about the murderer. But why do you look bothered? Do you also know the identity of that killer?"

Theodora was shaking in anger. She picked up the playful tone of Ruth. That woman was messing with her mind and was enjoying it.

"Stop playing games and tell me what you know!" Theodora again held Ruth's wrist in a painful grip.

Her long nails kept digging in her skin. But Ruth did not feel any pain. More than that pain, she was enjoying the fear in Theodora's eyes.

Ruth did not withdraw, nor did she try to free herself. She just kept watching the other woman's misery, and it made her feel... good!

"Why don't you tell me that? Lady Theodora, the mother of Vincardine, one of the most respected women in the region has her hands stained in red of an innocent." Ruth's voice turned hard and angry in the end.

Theodora clenched her jaw. Her lips quivered as she fought to suppress her anger.

She smiled cunningly. "And who is going to believe you? Edwin?"

She threw her head back as she laughed loudly. But that did not affect Ruth at all.

At such times, the mind training she had taken while learning about her powers came to help. It helped her stay composed and not react instinctively.

"You can not deny the possibility." Ruth said calmly.

Theodora controlled her laugh, shaking her head unbelievingly.

"Ohhh, Ruth! I did not know you are such a fool! Edwin would never believe a word you say against me. He would probably throw you out of 'the great manor' for conspiring and bad-mouthing against his beloved aunt Theodora." Theodora said proudly.

Ruth lifted a corner of her lips. "Overconfidence can bring down the strongest person from a peak to a deep valley."

"Who taught you that? Your characterless mother or that old cow?"

That struck Ruth hard. She felt her blood boiling in anger. "Don't you dare to speak that way about my mother and Mrs Payne! You don't match to even the dirt they step on!"

Theodora rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Oh please, Ruth! You do not need to get offended. A woman with a child but no husband is something our society frowns upon. That reminded me, have you ever wondered who is your father?

I am sure he must be a rich man your mother trapped for money. Unfortunately, he left you two when he got bored with her. Isn't that right Ruth?!!"

Ruth could feel the anger radiating out of her. Yet she also knew what Theodora was trying to do. She was using Ruth's weakness only to provoke her and distract her from the topic of the physician's death.

It was not new for Theodora. She was a manipulative woman who twisted and moulded the facts and was an expert in diverting the course of conversation as per her needs.

But Ruth was better than that. She was not going to fall into her trap. Not now when she had a clear picture of what she wanted to do in her mind.

"Lady Theodora, thank you for showing so much concern about a life of a poor maid. But I think you should be more concerned about the murder you have committed. If there can be evidence against me, then they can also be against you!

Not everyone is fortunate enough to get the loyal people who would die before breaking their master's name. However my mother was, she has taught me one thing that I always keep in my mind."

Ruth smiled, barely maintaining her cool.

"Do it by yourself or don't do it! Because even the gold melts under the high temperature."

Ruth had enough of this and wanted to walk away from even the shadow of that vile woman. She had no morals and humanity left in her. She was just a selfish person who did not care about anything else but her.

But Theodora was not done yet.

"You can not prove anything Ruth!"

Her words made Ruth halt in her steps. She did not turn to face Theodora yet paused to hear what she had to say.

"You can not prove my involvement in it. Your mother was wrong! Do it using a pawn, or don't do it! That is how it should be. And if that pawn becomes a threat, remove it from your path.

That is what Theodora O'Dell do and believe. You have a lot more to learn in this game, Ruth. You can be delusional, thinking you are overpowering me with your words. But the reality is always different!"

Although Theodora was confident about what she said, Ruth had successfully planted a bug of suspicion in her mind.

"I have my fist clenched around this family, its every member including Edwin. And no power can lose it. Not even you!"

Saying it aloud made Theodora feel good and confident.

But when she noticed that Ruth's back still faced her, she got frustrated.

"what happened? Embarrassed to face me or have you accepted your defeat just yet?" She provoked Ruth.

Theodora did not know what reaction she expected from Ruth. Yet she kept trying to get any from her.

Ruth slowly turned to face her again with a calm face.

"That is your delusion, Lady Theodora. Not everyone fights for their ego. Some fight for the people they care about. I am not scared of you! I have taken enough of your bullshit. But not anymore!

I will make you regret every unpleasant word, every accusation and every threat you have thrown my way. That is a promise!"

Theodora shook visibly. "You can not win! You can not win Ruth Moore!! YOU CAN NOT!!!" Theodora yelled, her eyes turning red in anger.

Ruth smirked her way. "The time will tell!"