He let out a long breath before starting.
_"Stone is one of the groups we were competing against in that tender. There were other groups too even riskier ones that could've been tougher rivals but it didn't make much difference. Matthew had weighed all the consequences, the proposal and..."
Diana cut him off.
-What tender?
_"Allocation of several adjoining plots of land for development and construction. What kind of complexes would be built there was up to us."
_"A good win.
And Matthew wasn't about to lose it—you know, he really didn't take failure well.
Everything had to be his. And losing that project was not something he could even imagine, because he hated …"
-surprises
Diana finished for him.
Jacob nodded.
_"Exactly. Even the smallest flaw or unexpected twist could cost us."
_"And we were sure we held the winning hand. We offered the best price, and our plans for construction were flawless. But that night, they suddenly announced the project was awarded to Stone! The decision was made earlier than scheduled, and everything fell apart."
Diana listened carefully, dismissing theories in her head one by one.
-I see,
she said thoughtfully.
_"Don't get hung up on it. We'll sort it out soon enough."
-I know you will. But if there's an insider here, things could get a whole lot worse. Why else would they close the bidding earlier than the set time? Did Stone make a better offer? Was there a bribe involved or is something entirely different going on?"
She picked at the skin on her lip, deep in thought.
-How many people work for you?
_"Altogether? Or just here?"
-Come on, Jacob… help me out. I need details.
Jacob blinked a few times before answering.
_"Uh… around fifty guards in the main estate and nearby grounds. Another fifty patrolling the outer perimeter. Fifty more between the main gate and a five-hundred-meter radius. Dogs, too..."
Diana sighed.
-I don't care about the dogs. What about the ones even loosely connected to this place or to that company or office where all the talks about this project and tender happened?"
_"Seventy staff on the floor we have in the tower. The other floors belong to different companies and important individuals."
-Companies and important individuals? Right. I doubt the leak came from here. More likely it came from your workplace!"
She stood up.
-Get ready. We're going to the matthew's mansion. I've got a lot to do.
She opened her laptop and headed to the library. She tried not to let her eyes even accidentally meet Matthew's. she was still afraid of him. The library felt quieter. Matthew and Jacob stood with arms crossed, watching her.
-Can you get me a laptop with these specs in the next two hours? Everything I need installed and ready to use.
She held out the note toward Matthew and Jacob.
Jacob hesitated, took it, and skimmed it.
He nodded.
_"I'll have it to you soon."
And left the room.
+What exactly are you planning?
Matthew asked quietly.
Without looking up, Diana replied as she looking at her laptop:
-Do you trust me or not?
+What are you going to do?
-Answer my question. Do you trust me or not?
She expected him to snap, but instead his voice stayed calm.
+Until I know what you're doing, how can I decide whether I trust you?
-I'm going to find the mole. That's it. Assuming there even is one.
Matthew said nothing. He sank onto the sofa behind her, staring.
Diana took a deep breath. She undid her hair and tied it up in a messy bun on top of her head. She prayed she'd still be as sharp as she used to be. she hadn't worked in a while.
She unlocked her phone and started a video call.
Matthew's eyebrows shot up.
Italian? She was speaking fluent Italian. How many things about this girl had he been completely unaware of?
And he understood every word.
Diana spoke quickly with Luca. For half an hour, the phone sat on speaker while she worked on her laptop.
When she hung up, she turned to Matthew.
-One of my friends will reach the tower you mentioned in thirty minutes. Give him access. Put him in charge of the surveillance room. He knows what to do. Tell your men not to bother him. he gets snappy when they do. Can you arrange it?
+I can.
Diana went back to coding.
Matthew sent a few texts, then stared at her again. It was ridiculous, but in this state focused, typing away she looked incredibly sexy.
When Luca gained access to the surveillance room, he called Diana again. They synced up and got to work. Meanwhile, Diana glanced back and caught Matthew still staring at her. On her laptop, software was scanning people's faces one by one.
-Do you have the address of Stone's offices?
+He's got several. But the main one's just a few blocks down, in the tower at
Diana exhaled sharply, exhausted.
-Let's hope he's there. Give me the exact address.
As Matthew recited it, Jacob walked in holding a laptop. He set it beside Diana's and switched it on.
_"Here you go, kiddo."
Diana gave him a faint smile.
-Thanks. Jacob, can you have them make me a big thermos of coffee? Leave it by the stairs I'll get it myself.
Jacob nodded.
_"Where are you at so far?"
-Nowhere yet. Luca has to get inside Stone's place. He'll send over the data to be scanned, and then my real work begins.
Matthew and Jacob exchanged confused looks.
They had no idea what she was talking about.