56. Push Them Away

"With this notice, I officially make Matteo the guilty person in the process of smuggling the goods a few days ago. Therefore, Matteo is responsible for finding the original painting and resolving this matter without anyone's help!" Eston's announcement caused an uproar among the assembled clan members. Late in the afternoon, exactly two hours after his interrogation with Matteo, Eston immediately ordered all the clan members to gather. He deliberately did not tell them the purpose of gathering all the members. After the announcement, all the clan members whispered to each other. They were astonished, disbelieving, surprised, and some looked as if they had expected Matteo to be in trouble. Meanwhile, Matteo, who sat on one of the judgment seats, simply bowed his head. Matteo held back his embarrassment because almost all the clan members were now looking at him with accusing eyes. Matteo could not say anything, just fight back or give a defense. Because, in front of the clan members, he was already seen as someone who was guilty. "Matteo will not receive any orders or assignments until he finishes this painting business," Eston continued, looking at Matteo with firmness. A second after Eston's announcement, Matteo was excused from the place where the clan members had gathered. On the other hand, Eston had also come down from the dais with four of his personal bodyguards. As Matteo stood up, he heard whispers from the clan members. "How could he bring a fake painting and deceive Lord Eston?" "Yes, he has no shame. His position was already quite high, but he destroyed it with his actions." "I don't know what she was thinking to do that." "What a shame. Is it because she is Lord Eston's niece that she can do as she pleases?" As he walked accompanied by Eston's two bodyguards, Matteo did not answer or react to anything. The words irritated him, but he could not vent his anger. Matteo had already received enough bad accusations from Eston, so he could not worsen his image. "Matteo! Finish with the painting! You should not have been so careless!" One of the men who was a bigwig in the clan spoke up from his seat. "How can he be trusted if he acts like that?" On the other hand, Matteo only glared as he walked out. Dismissive gazes and cynical smiles from all sides were directed at him. But Matteo could not say anything, choosing to remain calm. As Eston and Matteo left, one by one the clan members also dispersed. On the other hand, Diego, who had witnessed Eston's announcement, could finally breathe a sigh of relief. His plan had actually worked. Diego had never felt greater satisfaction than at this moment. If the rumor that Matteo had been the one to bring the fake painting was confirmed, and then spread, then Diego's position as underboss was completely safe. Diego would also not have to go to the trouble of bringing Matteo down with another plan. "Sir, are you happy?" asked Fabian, who had been accompanying Diego. Diego stood up from his seat with Fabian. They stepped from this stand. "Of course. My plan for this one worked, I didn't look for help in vain." Diego chuckled at the end of his sentence. His face was completely lit up, showing satisfaction. Fabian didn't need to doubt what Diego was feeling right now. "I'm happy for you, sir. I know how hard you've been trying to find information about the painting," replied Fabian, who was calmer than Diego. Putting his hands in his pants pockets and walking away, Diego took a deep breath. After exhaling, Diego nodded in agreement with Fabian. "You're absolutely right. If my plan fails, then all my efforts to find information will be lost," Diego said, then shuddered at the thought of failing to execute his plan. "At least Matteo should feel this way. That way, the clan members will not fully trust him." Diego ended his sentence with a sly smile, feeling like he was flying above the clouds. His heart, which had been troubled by the success of the smuggling process, was finally released. "That's right. Your position will not be jeopardized. I understand that you want to protect your position as underboss." Fabian remained neutral beside Diego who did not stop smiling with satisfaction. Fabian did not dare to argue or forbid. Hearing Diego say that, Fabian just nodded his head as if he understood. But on the other hand, Fabian remembered something. "Oh, I remember, sir. Since your success can't be separated from the intervention of Rivaldo, your cousin, how about you go to him?" Fabian gave Diego the choice. At the mention of Rivaldo's name, Diego immediately stopped walking and was momentarily taken aback. He snapped his fingers as he remembered that when he was searching for information about the painting, it was Rivaldo who helped him investigate the details. It was Rivaldo who discovered the deepest facts about the fake painting. Diego spontaneously patted Fabian's shoulder enthusiastically. The look on his face had turned into a wide smile and he nodded his head repeatedly. "That's right. I have to go to the Ludovicci mansion!" Diego said excitedly. "Let's get there now, Fabian. Rivaldo needs to know the satisfying news we heard today." Fabian just nodded obediently. Without waiting too long, Fabian and Diego walked straight out of the mansion. The two of them were going somewhere: Ludovicci Mansion. ----- Diego's car stopped right in front of the Ludovicci mansion. Fabian immediately got out to open the door beside the chair where Diego was. From the other direction, the doorman of the mansion lobby descended the stairs to approach them. "Welcome, Mr. Diego," greeted one of the mansion lobby doormen. Diego nodded briefly in reply. "Yes, thank you." Then his gaze shifted to Fabian. "Fabian, hand over the car keys so this guard can park the car." Fabian was surprised to hear Diego's words. "Wait, sir, don't I just go straight home?" Diego shook his head briefly. "Not just yet. Let's talk to Rivaldo first, you haven't said hello to them in a while. Right?" At that question, Fabian hesitated because he always went straight home every time he dropped Diego off. But he couldn't say much as Diego had already walked away from him. As a result, Fabian followed Diego who walked around the front of the car. Just as they turned a corner, they saw Rivaldo standing at the entrance of the mansion. There, Rivaldo waved briefly at Diego. His unexpected greeting caused Diego to stop in his tracks, startled, and wave back. "Rivaldo! How long have you been standing there?" Diego asked from a distance. As he got closer to Rivaldo, he ran a little closer. It was as if he couldn't wait to meet his cousin. Rivaldo lurched forward when Diego's arm suddenly wrapped around him. "Oh my, how are you, Diego? You look so happy. Any good news?" asked Rivaldo, who also chuckled at Diego's beaming face. At a glance, Rivaldo also extended a fist to Fabian for a male high five. "Of course I have good news! More than good," Diego said with a smile that implied meaning. "That's why I came to you, Rivaldo." Rivaldo looked curious about what Diego was going to talk about. With an enthusiastic look on his face, Rivaldo patted Diego hard on the back and nodded briefly. "All right, then! Come in now. I've prepared a feast for you!" Rivaldo invited excitedly before breaking away from Diego's embrace. "Argh! You hit me, asshole?" Diego growled as he held the part of his back that Rivaldo had hit so hard. "Haven't you felt how I hit you yet?" Rivaldo responded casually, almost unconcernedly. He continued to walk away from Diego as if he didn't want to see him at all. As a result, from behind Rivaldo, Diego laughed sarcastically as he shook his head. "Lucky you're my cousin, damn Rivaldo," Diego replied, again cursing Rivaldo.