Chapter 493 - My Friend, My Brother.

"Do you know someone named Inigo?" Her eyes widened ever so slowly, sweat broke out on her forehead and back upon the abrupt question.

Matthew glanced at her and witnessed how her lips paled. Her reaction was enough as an answer even if she didn't answer his question. 'So, he's not lying.' He muttered internally.

Going back from earlier, Matthew recalled the entire conversation with Inigo and how he left with a powerful impact, causing him to space out and think about his words. 

[What transpired earlier]

"Stay away from that woman…" Inigo paused, his eyes never leaving Matthew's pair of russet eyes. "That woman you came with, Zia or Zoey as you all know her." He added, blinking his eyes ever so slowly.

"You know her?" Upon the mention of her name, Matthew's aura grew thicker and darker as his eyes glinted sharply. "You seem to know more than you should, huh?" He muttered, scoffing lightly as he smirked.

"Hehe…" Unfazed by the stifling air surrounding them, Inigo chuckled as he leaned his back languidly. "Correction, we know each other… very well." He stressed his last remarks, smirking back.

"No." without batting an eye, Matthew rejected his offer as Inigo was demanding something impossible in exchange for the chip. "I wouldn't be foolish to fall for your nonsense. If you have the chip, why don't you use it yourself? Why give it to me?" In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew spoke his mind as it was only logical for Inigo to use the chip for himself.

After all, the chip contained a program that could break even the government's security system. Therefore, the person who had his hands on that chip would be at an advantage. The reason General Bai was putting this mission on top priority.

They only told Matthew a different, small reason why he shouldn't participate in the auction. But in reality, they didn't want Matthew to get his hands on the chip as it would only tighten the leash he had around their necks.

Obviously, Matthew knew General Bai wasn't that foolish to believe he didn't know about that. Still, he didn't know the details about their operation and what details they were hiding from him. That's why he planned to snatch the chip before General Bai got his hands on it. Be it a failed sample or not, Matthew wanted to confirm it himself first.

"Didn't I tell you, you're like my friend?" In a matter-of-fact tone, Inigo tilted his head to the side. "That friend of mine is like a brother… he's more important than my real kin. The only person who believed in me and supported me all the way." He added, his mind wandered off to the memories in his head.

"But he's dead." After a beat, Inigo sighed as he shook his head sideways. "Too bad." He muttered, as if he was truly sad about that part of the story.

"So, you're giving it to me because I remind you of your brother?" Matthew's tone laced with sarcasm, chuckling at the funniest reason he had ever heard of. "What bullshit." He whispered, shaking his head sideways as he couldn't believe anything Inigo just said from that point onwards.

"Wrong." Despite Matthew's insulting take in his reason, Inigo remained calmed. He raised his finger, moving it sideways. "You don't remind me of my friend, my friend." He corrected, his lips stretching from side to side.

"Sure. So, what's that got to do with Zoey?" Since Matthew believed this conversation would go anywhere, he asked just for entertainment. He expected to hear something ridiculous, or he just bore romantic feelings towards Zoey like those cliche plots one would read and watch in a drama.

"Hmm…" For a moment, Inigo studied Matthew's lack of seriousness in their discussion. He rubbed his chin lightly before leaning his arms on the edge of the table once again. "Because I don't betray my family. You did nothing wrong to me and I don't want to make the same mistake." With his deep hazel eyes fixed on Matthew, Inigo explained that came vaguely to Matthew.

"Huh?'

"That woman… that foolish woman… she'll be the death of you." Without further ado, Inigo uttered which made the smirk on Matthew's lips fade away. "I am trying to help you, my friend. As I said, others betray me, but I don't betray my family." With that being said, Inigo placed his palms on top of the table and pushed himself up.

"You can have the chip, I don't need it in this lifetime…" He paused, gazing down at Matthew without much change in his solemn expression. "...but you will." As he turned and took one step away from the table, Inigo spouted before resuming in his tracks.

"Say 'hi' to Zia for me." Inigo waved his hand lightly in the air. He didn't look back anymore as his steps didn't falter. "Take care, my brother." He whispered, his eyes glinted menacingly as he left the restaurant.

Matthew, who was left alone, just watched him leave in silence. "She'll be the death of me…" He whispered, gazing down to the chip that Inigo left just like that. "What's going on…?" He wondered, picking up the chip as his mind wandered deep in his thoughts.

[END OF THE SHORT FLASHBACK]

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"You… how…." Speechless, Zoey stuttered as fear crept into her heart which one couldn't explain. 

Matthew who glanced at her once again pulled over to the side of the road. When he did, his hand reached for her trembling fist that was fisted tight in her lap. "Tell me, who is he to you?" he stared at her straight in the eye, questioning Inigo's existence.

He knew Inigo was playing a huge part in her life. He didn't want to guess. He needed an answer. Why? Because for some reason, Matthew couldn't really dislike the man. He didn't understand, but just like how his heart responded to Zoey, it was reacting almost the same towards Inigo.

It was as if Inigo was someone whom he could trust. Although he was shady, Matthew knew, deep down, the said man wouldn't harm him. But why? Her reaction was different than he expected.

"He is…" Her lower lips trembled but her eyes sharpened. "He is someone I want dead." Without further ado, Zoey raised her head and stared back at him.. Through her gritted teeth, she gave the answer he had sought.