Kevin jerked up. "I can't tell you anything. I'm leaving"

"Can you at least give me his name?"

Kevin thought about it. He was not giving him any vital information. Just a name. And it would be better if a man of higher status could deal with that beast. It was just a name. What's the worst that could happen?

Cedric stretched out a credit card to him.

"Are you bribing me right now?"

"No. It's fine if you don't want to tell me. I'm not forcing you. I just want to give this to you"

Kevin stared at the card for a while. He reached out for it, but Cedric suddenly took his hand back.

"On one condition, you must promise to cut down on your drinking"

Kevin narrowed his eyes. "I promise"

He accepted the card and took a few steps towards the door, then stopped.

"Gavin Clark. One more thing, Cressida must never find out we met"

Cedric nodded, and let him leave.

He sent a text to his private investigator.

"Investigate Gavin Clark. Every single thing about him should be reported to me. His family and friends. Down to the littlest detail"

A reply was sent immediately.

"Yes sir"

The butler welcomed him when he returned.

"Where is Cressida?"

Before he left, she locked herself in her room. He didn't bother her when he was about to leave because he thought she was asleep.

"Madam has been in her room since you left"

"She hasn't eaten?"

"Yes sir. We tried calling her for dinner, but she sent the servants away"

Her room was two rooms opposite his. He knocked on her door a few times.

"Cressida, it's me. Are you in there?"

"What do you want?" She asked in a dull voice.

"You should come down for dinner"

"I'm not hungry" her voice had a tone of finality in it, but he refused to give up. He kept knocking until she flung the door open.

"Is there anything else?"

"Dinner is ready"

"I told you I'm not hungry"

"You have only had breakfast"

"Cedric, I'm busy. I'd appreciate it if you leave"

"I'll have dinner brought to you. You should eat something"

He turned around and left.

The servants were stunned when they say their employer carrying a plate of toast.

He had thought he would have to knock time and again but surprisingly, he was asked to come in.

"Is the room to your taste? You can have it redesigned. If you don't like it"

"No. I like it. Thank you for this" she pointed at the toast.

He wanted to as her something but thought better of it. It might put Kevin in a tight spot.

He never had a problem with having dinner alone, but that morning, having her seat at the table with him created a warm feeling in his heart.

He tossed and turned trying to get some sleep but could not. He stood up and headed to his study to work. In the process, he lost track of time.

Cressida squirmed in her sleep.

"No! Stay away from me!" She whimpered, her heart pulsating wildly.

He brought his disgusting face close to hers, her sa blue eyes jerked open. She sat up and sighed. Why was she having this nightmare about that bastard? She glanced at the wall clock. It was way past midnight.

She felt dehydrated and needed some water.

On her way downstairs, she paused at his study when she saw the door was ajar, and a faint light coming from inside.

She peeped in. He must have turned off the light because the only light she could see was the one coming from his laptop.

He was wearing a T-shirt that had a few buttons at the top. They were all undone. She could see his open chest.

"Why are you still awake?"

She was so mesmerized that she didn't realize he had seen her.

"Uh…. I just woke up. I need to get water"

"Are you alright? You are sweating"

The air conditioners were on, so it was odd.

"I'm fine. I'll let you do your thing"

She shut his door and went into the kitchen.

Cressida made her way into her art gallery. The remodeling was pretty much done, just some finishing touches and it will be ready. The air hung heavily with the scent of old paper and oil paints. She closed her eyes, relishing the scent with a smile. It felt good to see her dream of owning an art gallery coming true.

Some art pieces were already hung. The paintings were all hers for now, but she planned to reach out to other artists soon.

She was on her way to her office when her phone rang. It was a call from Lavender, Amy's little sister. Cressida smiled. She was already planning to visit them after leaving the gallery.

"Lavender, what—"

"Cressida, please I need your help" her voice was shaking.

"What is it?"

"It's all because of mum. She didn't come home last night so we went to the gambling house she visits and found her passed out drunk at the entrance. Some people came and said she owed them money and wanted it back. They want to take Amy, please help"

Cressida was beyond shocked. Amy's mother gambled?

"Where is your mum now?"

"She's here and awake, but she's not in her right senses yet"

"I'm coming now. Send me the address"

She found the place and entered. The gambling house was filled with the stench of alcohol.

It wasn't difficult to find them as they were still arguing. She had arrived in time to see a man about to slap Amy in the face. She ran and grabbed his hand mid-air.

"Cressida? What are you doing here?"

Amy asked surprised.

"Let go of me! Who the hell are you?" The man said.

She let go and slapped him hard across the face.

"Trying to bully a girl? That just shows how much of a coward you are"

These people were common thugs and loan sharks who were addicted to gambling. Nothing scary about them. The one talking to her must be their boss.

"How dare you — Ah!"

She kicked him in his groin. He doubled over, holding his dick in pain.

"Take your mum and get into my car. It's a black sedan. You will find it outside. Here's the key" she said to lavender, putting the key in her hand. "Quick!"

"You are not coming?"

"I am. You should head out first"

"I'll stay with you"

"That goes for you too, Amy. I'll be with you shortly"

The others came at her, but she whooped their asses in a matter of minutes till they were all on the floor.

She felt that wasn't enough. She grabbed their leader by the collar to his knees and brought out her penknife.

He gasped as the cold steel touched his temple.

"Please don't kill me. I'll do whatever you want"

"How much is she owing?"

"Ten thousand dollars"

"Promise you won't disturb them again"

"B..... but she is owing me a huge amount of—"

She brought the knife to his neck.

"I promise!"

"Good. I'll hold you to that. Do you have a business card?"

"Yes" he reached into his pocket and gave it to her.

"I'll find you and pay you your money. " She pushed him and walked out.

Amy came out from the car when she saw her.

"Thank goodness. I thought something had happened to you. How did you know I was here?"

"Lavender called me"

"I'm sorry I dragged you into this"

Cressida glanced at Amy's mother who had fallen asleep at the back seat.

"Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"You were busy planning your life. I couldn't burden you with mine"

"Burden me? That man would have done something bad to you if I hadn't stopped him"

Cressida exhaled sharply.

"What exactly happened? She wasn't like this before I left"

"I have no idea. She visited this place ones in a while, then got addicted. She borrowed that much to gamble"

Tears clouded her eyes. It broke Cressida's heart into a million pieces.

"Get into the car"

She took the key from Amy and started the car.

***********

Cedric received a call from his private investigator.

"Gavin Clark owns a waste disposal company. I asked around and nobody said anything good about him. He has a son, but his wife left him years ago because he was a chronic cheat. He would force himself on his factory worker threatening to fire them if they refused or tell anyone. Basically, he's a rapist"