Chapter 114

Gavin's creditors, a pair of local gangsters named Bosh and Kurt, burst into his apartment. Finding Gavin naked, they greeted him with a mixture of amusement and menace. "Bosh, Kurt, what brings you here?" Gavin asked, his face paling.

Bosh, cigarette dangling from his lip, clapped Gavin on the shoulder. "Hey, kid. Nice girlfriend you've got!" Kurt echoed the sentiment, praising her beauty. The gangsters were impressed, unaware that the woman they'd seen was Bruce Haynes' fiancée, Roxanne, the second daughter of the wealthy Haynes family. The slum setting and Gavin's disheveled appearance made such an association inconceivable to them.

Gavin, his face now ashen, stammered, "She's just a friend."

Their derisive laughter cut him short. "A friend? Ha!" they scoffed, noting his disheveled appearance. The implication was clear.

"Cut the crap," Bosh growled. "When are you paying us back?"

"In a few days," Gavin replied, quickly lighting cigarettes for them.

Ever since their relationship began, Roxanne had largely covered their expenses, though she'd occasionally coax Gavin into buying her extravagant gifts—one handbag costing over $20,000. Unable to afford such luxuries, Gavin had resorted to loan sharks, accumulating tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

"Your due date was days ago," Bosh reminded him. "At least pay the interest!"

Gavin pleaded, "Bosh, Kurt, please, a few more days! I'm broke!"

Bosh sneered, "Broke? Then how can you afford to entertain such a woman? How much does she charge a night?" Assuming Roxanne was a high-priced escort, he proposed a disturbing solution.

Gavin's anger flared. "Don't insult her! She's a decent woman!"

Bosh's interest piqued. "A decent woman? If you can't pay, how about she spends a few nights with me? I'll consider it interest."

Gavin's face reddened with fury. "Bosh, that's not funny!"

"Then pay up!" Bosh snarled. His accomplices shoved Gavin. "We're being nice. Don't talk to Bosh like that!"

Despondent, Gavin wondered how he could possibly repay the loan.

Roxanne was wealthy, but Gavin's pride prevented him from asking for help. He feared Roxanne's disdain, believing she already despised his poverty.

He tried again, "Bosh, Kurt, a few more days. I promise."

Kurt was unmoved. "No. Pay up now. At least the six thousand dollar interest!" His eyes narrowed, face hardening.

Gavin begged, "I don't have it! You could beat me to death, and I still wouldn't have it!"

"Kill you? We'd never get our money! How about this? Your girlfriend spends a night with me. Maybe I'll waive the interest if I'm pleased."

Gavin cried, "No! Please, stop!"

"Who's joking? Pay up, or she plays with us!"

Gavin pleaded again, promising repayment within three days.

At the Everett mansion, Roxanne arrived, greeted by Butler Henry. Bruce greeted her coldly. Roxanne gave him his car keys, inquiring after his grandmother, Margaret.

Bruce led Roxanne to Margaret's room, where the ailing matriarch sat in a wheelchair. Bruce, attempting to appear affectionate, put his arm around Roxanne. He wanted to make his grandmother happy.

Roxanne greeted Margaret gently. Margaret, though not fond of Roxanne, wished to see her grandson married before she died. She decided that Bruce's happiness was paramount.

Margaret asked Bruce to retrieve her emerald jade jewelry—a family heirloom. Reluctantly, he fetched it from a safe.

The exquisite set—bracelets, necklace, earrings, and ring—was priceless. Margaret, her eyes filled with tenderness, gifted it to Roxanne.

Roxanne was stunned. Margaret helped her don the jewelry. Bruce, though outwardly pleased, was inwardly annoyed. He knew this gift signified Margaret's acceptance of Roxanne.

Margaret urged them to marry and have children soon. Bruce, embracing and kissing Roxanne, noticed a strange scent—a lingering aroma suggesting recent intimacy. Suspicion flickered. Roxanne's rosy complexion and slight weakness further fueled his doubts.

He suggested Margaret rest, offering to take Roxanne home.

Leaving Margaret's room, Roxanne's happiness was short-lived. Once in the car, Bruce's tone changed.

"Take off the jewelry," he commanded.

Roxanne, stunned, asked for clarification. He repeated the order.