Chapter 828 Anthony Is Downright Terrifying
As soon as Anthony spoke, Diego's gaze went to him.
Initially, he did not pay much mind to Anthony, assuming that the latter was merely a child. It was not until Anthony started talking that he perceived something out of the ordinary, thanks to his years of experience in the underground circles.
Hmm, this kid is something else.
He regarded Anthony with a grim look in his eyes. “Why should I trust you?”
“You're already in prison, and for such a long time at that. Is there still any need for me to sabotage you?” Anthony questioned.
Diego merely listened without saying anything.
Without beating around the bush, Anthony bored his eyes into the man and cut straight to the chase right then and there. “We came to seek you out to ask you about someone,” he revealed.
Diego's gaze radiated chilliness and disdain. He lifted his eyes languidly. “Who?”
“Twelve years ago, you and a few others stole a genuine painting known as 'Darkness' in Yartran. Do you still remember that?” Anthony asked.
Upon hearing that, Diego narrowed his eyes dangerously. A moment later, he chuckled out of the blue. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
Seeing right through him, Thalia reassured, “Don't worry, for we're not here to feel you out. You might be spending the rest of your life here, so there's no need for us to charge you with another crime.”
Despite having been exposed, Diego remained unruffled. He swept a gaze over her before leaning back against the chair, seemingly covering something up. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
Only when Anthony heard Thalia's reassurance did he realize what exactly Diego feared. Therefore, he went straight to the point. “I reckon you've heard of Magus, yes?”
At the mention of that name, Diego's brows furrowed imperceptibly. “Who?”
“Magus, one of those involved in the theft in Yartran. Back then, he was even abandoned at the crime scene,” Anthony enunciated.
Following that explanation, Diego's eyes narrowed a fraction. He contemplated for some time before drawling, “Oh, he's the person you're talking about. He's known as Magus?”
“You don't know him?”
Diego merely shrugged, looking as insouciant as ever.
It was clear as day that he was still wary about the matter.
Anthony pondered for a moment. “I'm here to investigate him, so you only need to answer my questions properly. I promise you that you won't be implicated in any way!”
However, Diego snickered. “Haha... Why should I answer just because you asked?”
Thalia fixed her eyes on him, all too familiar with scoundrels like him. Her eyes darkened, but her lips curved into a smirk. “You should be aware that your life is in our hands since we managed to find you and even gain entry here. With just a word from me, an accident is nothing...” She did not finish her utterance, but her meaning was already unmistakable.
At that threat, Diego's expression stiffened slightly. Sure enough, he then practiced much more restraint.
“What will I get in return if I answer your questions?”
“You're still hoping to get something in return?” Thalia snarled.
“What do you want in return?” Anthony interjected before the two of them went into a heated argument.
Diego shifted his gaze to Anthony. From the seating arrangements and the latter's demeanor and tone, he could tell that Anthony had the authority to call the shots.
“I want to get out!” he declared.
“That's impossible!” Anthony rebuffed firmly.
At once, Diego frowned. “If so, what can you give me?”
Anthony stared at him, looking both calm and composed. “Something realistic. You can ask for anything within the limits, but forget about delusional fantasies!”
In the same manner, Diego locked his eyes on Anthony. A while later, he uttered, “I want a bottle of wine.”
Anthony deliberated about it briefly before nodding. “Okay. But are you sure?”
“I'm here to stay, so what else could I ask for other than food and drink?” Diego lamented.
“If you want to convey a message to your family or something, that's fine too,” Anthony suggested.
No sooner had that subject come up than Diego's expression gradually darkened. “I'm an orphan and have no family!”
Hearing that, Anthony quirked a brow. “Sorry, I didn't know that.”
“Hadn't you investigated me before coming over?” Diego retorted.
“Yes, but those things could have been fabricated,” Anthony replied.
As Diego scrutinized the boy across from him, fear slowly crept into his eyes. Initially, he merely thought that Anthony held a higher “position.” After the simple chat, however, he realized he was far off the mark. In truth, Anthony's words and the logic behind them were downright terrifying.
Eventually, his guard went up another notch.
“Well? What do you want to know?”
“We want to know about Magus,” Anthony answered frankly.
“Isn't he... the one who's skilled in disguise?” Diego queried.
“Yeah.”
“He's been released, no? Can't you seek him out and ask him whatever you want to know?” Diego argued.
“If I could get the answers out of him, I wouldn't have come and sought you out!” Anthony riposted.
After mulling things over, Diego started, “I'm not all that familiar with him. He was merely responsible for helping us change our appearances. Other than that, I don't know much about him.”
“Weren't you both in the same gang... I mean, team?” Anthony asked, changing his wording for courtesy's sake.
Diego lifted his eyes and glanced at Anthony, wholly unbothered by it. Holding the latter's gaze, he explained, “He was close with our boss, but not me. We've only worked together once or twice.”
“Why did you all leave him there that time?” Anthony pressed.
“It was our boss' idea, and I don't know why either,” Diego admitted.
At that, Anthony's brows scrunched together. “Who's your boss, then?”
Speaking of that, Diego went silent.
He looked at Anthony. “I've told you everything there is to say. As for the rest, I have no idea either!”
Anthony knew that he had touched the man's bottom line. His gaze flickered, but he did not panic. Instead, he kept his eyes on the man, musing, “Your boss doesn't care about you in here?”
Diego averted his gaze, making it clear that he was avoiding something or other.
“Actually, things are much easier when one greases some palms in a place such as this,” Anthony continued.
Still, Diego kept his lips pursed and said nothing.
At that exact moment, Thalia chimed in next to Anthony, “Who knows, he was also abandoned. His boss will never care about him!”
With that, Anthony and Thalia started playing along with each other. “If he's really abandoned, shouldn't he have confessed in court? Then, he wouldn't be in here alone.”
“Exactly. I know, right?” Thalia agreed lowly.
Just then, Diego swung his gaze at them. “You just want to know why that person didn't rat us out back then, no? Fine, I can tell you the answer. At that time, our boss said that if he dared reveal the gang's identity, his family would die a tragic death. Say, who would dare ignore that threat?”
Following that answer, Anthony's eyes narrowed imperceptibly.
Diego proceeded to take a deep breath. “I've told you more than I'm supposed to. If you're only asking questions because of Magus, this should be enough. But if you have some other motive in doing so, here's a piece of advice from me—none of you can afford to offend Boss!” Having said that, he got to his feet and turned to the guard behind him. “I'd like to return to my cell.”
Anthony and Thalia exchanged a glance, the look in their eyes grim.
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