55. Closer to The Win

"Mr. Diego, do you know the latest news about Matteo?" Diego's attention, which had been focused on his paperwork, immediately shifted to Fabian. Diego immediately put on a confused and curious expression after hearing Matteo's name mentioned. "Any updates on Matteo?" asked Diego who then put down the pen from his hand. He stacked his hands together on the table. "Let me know. I've been busy with work lately, so I don't know anything about Matteo's updates." Fabian walked from the door of Diego's office to Diego's desk. Since Diego had signaled for him to sit down, Fabian immediately sat down across from his boss. Fabian looked very serious, which piqued Diego's curiosity. Diego had already guessed that this news would sound good. "What is it, Fabian?" "I saw Matteo come here earlier, sir. It seems that Big Boss Eston has summoned him for some urgent business." Hearing Fabian's explanation, Diego immediately thought that Eston had called Matteo for a painting. Diego was not too sure. But he knew by heart that Eston would only make a surprise call if there was a real urgent work matter. On the other hand, Diego still remembered his conversation with Eston yesterday about the fake painting. Somehow this was a perfect coincidence. Yesterday, he talked about the fake painting and deliberately accused Matteo. Then today Eston called Matteo out of the blue. Diego pondered for a few moments while tapping his pen on the table. "It looks like they were talking about the fake paintings from the smuggling a few days ago," Diego said, guessing. Fabian frowned and showed even more curiosity. "Talking about fake paintings?" Fabian asked. Diego nodded his head. After stopping the repetitive movement of tapping the ballpoint pen against the table, Diego leaned his back against the chair. "So after the arrival of the painting expert yesterday, I deliberately instigated Eston that someone had deliberately brought the fake painting. And in the conversation between the two of us, I deliberately offended Matteo in a very implicit way." "I pretended not to blame Matteo, but also to show Eston that there were only two possible main culprits: Matteo and the curator of the painting," Diego continued to end the conversation. Fabian was somewhat surprised about that. He didn't know until after Eston had found out about the fake painting. But he did not know that Diego had already talked about the possible perpetrators to Eston. "Looks like your guess was right, sir. Because Big Boss Eston wouldn't have called without something very urgent happening," Fabian said after some thought. Diego snapped his fingers. "I cannot help but be curious. Now, is Matteo still in Eston's room?" "Still, sir. What do you want to do?" asked Fabian who was confused to see Diego suddenly standing up. As a result, Fabian also stood up from his sitting position. With a passionate expression, Diego curved a confident smile. "I will pretend to come to Eston's room, but I am actually just waiting for Matteo," Diego replied. Without explaining the details of his plan to Fabian, Diego hurriedly walked away. Leaving Fabian who was still dumbfounded with the direction of his gaze following where Diego went. "Why is Mr. Diego in such a hurry?" Fabian muttered as he watched Diego's back move away. "Sir, do I need to follow you?!" Fabian asked, this time using a slightly louder tone. Diego simply signaled his refusal from the door of his office. Then he simply disappeared from behind the door. As if not caring about Fabian who was still in his room. ----- Diego's steps were full of excitement as he walked through the hallways of the mansion. Diego was still thinking of all kinds of possible reasons why Matteo had been summoned by Eston. Even though Diego had a strong belief that Eston wanted to talk about the fake painting. As Diego walked, he imagined the look on Matteo's face when he was blamed by Eston. "He must be devastated," muttered Diego, who couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. If he managed to incite Eston about Matteo being the possible perpetrator, Diego's position in the clan would be very secure. Diego would not have to struggle to find a way to undermine Eston's trust in Matteo. In the middle of his walk, Diego paused to stop the bodyguard. "Hey, wait, I heard Matteo came to the mansion. Did you see him leave?" Diego asked the bodyguard in front of him with a serious expression on his face. The bodyguard Diego stopped thought for a moment. But soon, the bodyguard looked down the hallway toward Eston's office. "It seems that Mr. Matteo has not returned, Mr. Diego," the bodyguard replied. "I haven't seen anyone walking out around this hallway." Diego breathed a sigh of relief. "Did Big Boss Eston tell you why he called Matteo?" "Big Boss Eston's right-hand man doesn't answer when someone asks about it," the bodyguard replied. Diego let out a long sigh. Diego tapped one of the bodyguard's shoulders twice. Then without saying anything else, Diego continued on his way to the last hallway-the turnoff to Eston's private study. Diego was about to turn the corner when he saw Matteo coming out of Eston's office. As a result, Diego stopped in his tracks and spontaneously retreated to hide behind the wall. Diego tensed up for a moment. Matteo's figure soon emerged from behind the turn. Because he saw Diego's presence, Matteo's steps immediately stopped. Both of them were stunned for a moment while looking at each other confused. "You?" Matteo, who was looking glum, pointed at Diego. Diego was still a little awkward because this meeting was so unplanned. But Diego pretended to act normally so as not to show suspicious gestures. After pretending to straighten the collar of his undershirt, Diego deliberately raised his chin slightly. "I didn't expect you to be here," Diego said, deliberately showing his surprise. Matteo let out a long sigh as he shook his head. From the languid look on his face, Matteo seemed to indicate that he did not want to talk to anyone. There was anxiety on his face. "Yes, Eston called me here. Have you not heard from anyone?" asked Matteo, his gaze probing Diego. Diego frowned, deliberately making Matteo think he knew nothing. "Nothing. I've been busy working since earlier," replied Diego, who looked indifferent. With his innocent face, Diego asked, "Hey, did you just get an award from Eston for your hard work?" Matteo did not answer. During his silence, he looked like someone who was both disappointed and embarrassed to say something. He did not want to say anything to Diego, nor did he want to open his mouth. "I knew it," Diego said with a long sigh of relief and put his hands on his hips. "I know you are very deserving of the award, Matteo. Your work, including the painting you brought yesterday..." When Diego stopped what he was saying, he looked at Matteo who grimaced faintly. Diego knew Matteo well. If nothing bad had happened, the man would have deliberately shown his arrogance to Diego. But this time was different. There was no pride on Matteo's face at all. There was no pleasure or satisfaction in his work. Diego could already tell that Matteo and Eston's recent meeting was a bad sign. Although Matteo did not say it directly, it was shown by his facial expression. Although Diego already suspected a bad conversation between Matteo and Eston, Diego still pretended to be amazed. "...Eston must have given you abundant and great credit, right?" At the end of his sentence, Diego deliberately gave a smile that implied great curiosity. Matteo did not answer. His sharp eyes watched Diego without moving in any other direction. "Why do you speak as if you know everything?" Matteo asked, his voice sounding cynical. In contrast to his expression, which showed no emotion whatsoever. Diego looked confused, pretending to be. "Your question is very strange," he replied. As someone with good intentions, Diego folded his arms in front of his chest-a gesture of someone who was somewhat offended by Matteo's words. "I had good intentions of supporting you, but you sounded sarcastic to me." Matteo took a deep breath, then exhaled in exasperation. Only then did he roll his eyes and turn his gaze in any direction. "I always feel annoyed whenever I see you, Diego. Now, it's even more annoying," Matteo replied without looking at Diego. Diego was honestly not offended at all by Matteo's words. The more Matteo showed his annoyance, the more Diego knew something was wrong with the man. Diego felt an inner satisfaction when he saw his agitation. "Matteo, can't you be a little kind? I was only congratulating you as a form of-" "I don't need to hear any words from you," Matteo interrupted. "Are you sure?" Diego looked at Matteo with narrowed eyes. "Ah, but I wanted to congratulate you on your hard work. You did your best to obey Eston's orders during the smuggling process." Matteo chuckled while shaking his head. "But unfortunately your words sound trite, Diego. I know that you don't really want to appreciate me." Diego made a puzzled face. "I didn't know you were this sensitive," he said, chuckling at the end of his sentence. "Matteo, I really want to be sincere with you right now. You accuse me of being insincere," Diego complained once more, "can't you see that I admire what you are doing? Eston would be proud of you too." This time Diego saw very clearly that Matteo winced in horror at his words. Matteo's reaction made Diego feel even more satisfied. But as before, he did not show that he was secretly pleased to witness Matteo's suffering. "You do not understand anything," Matteo said. Before Diego could respond, Matteo had already walked away. Leaving Diego still pretending to be stunned and wearing his innocent expression. Having waited a few seconds for Matteo to really move away, Diego finally chuckled. The laughter he had been holding back because he had witnessed Matteo's suffering. Diego shook his head repeatedly while placing his hands on his waist. "At least he did not jeopardize my position at this time. Eston will know that he is incompetent in his work," Diego muttered between laughing at Matteo. Still chuckling, Diego then picked up his cell phone to call Fabian. A few moments ago he had deliberately not asked Fabian to follow him. Diego searched for Fabian's phone number before waiting for the call to connect. "Hello, Mr. Diego. Is there something going on?" asked Fabian who immediately shot up after answering the phone. Diego chuckled. "Yes, Fabian. I was right about Eston calling Matteo. Now I want to ask you to do something." "Just say the word, Mr. Diego. I will do whatever you say." "Spread the word to the rest of the clan that Matteo has just made a big mistake. Matteo was incompetent in his mission in Bolivia."