Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 830

Chapter 830 Being Too Cynical

With his gaze locked on the man, Anthony stated, "You're not merely acquainted with Magus, huh?"

At that, the man was momentarily taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Following a brief contemplation, Anthony looked at him. "Well, how about you give me your time for the next few days? I can pay you by the hour."

Unexpectedly, the man was a touch ambivalent about accepting the offer. "What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing much, merely accompanying me around and answering my questions," Anthony replied.

A flash of conflict and hesitance showed on the man's gaunt face.

Although Thalia had no idea what Anthony had in mind, she knew that he must have a reason for doing so.

She promptly whipped out a stack of bills from her bag and fanned it blatantly.

At the sight of the money, the man's hesitance instantly vanished into thin air. He smiled obsequiously as he looked at Anthony. "You're sure I only have to do as you said, merely walking around and answering some questions?"

"Of course."

"All right, then. It's a deal!" As the man spoke, he hastened over to Thalia without a second's delay. Just when he was about to snatch the money away, Thalia took out half and gave it to him.

"Uh, what's the meaning of this?" the man questioned.

"Payment will be by the day. When you've held up the end of your bargain, I'll give you the remaining half."

When the man heard that, he threw her a chagrined look. "You're not even as decisive as a kid. He's far more generous than you are!"

Despite his words, Thalia remained unfazed. "That's only natural. He's merely giving the orders, but I'm in charge of the finances. I definitely have to be more cautious."

The man inhaled deeply. For all of his resentment, he still stuffed the money into his pocket. Then, he turned to look at Anthony. "So, where do you want me to accompany you?"

"The hospital."

The man was not at all surprised. He merely swept a gaze over Anthony before giving a dip of his head. "Okay, sure!" While saying that, he eyed them. "Can your car fit so many people?"

Anthony shot him a sidelong look. "Take a taxi. We'll follow at the back."

"A taxi?"

"You'll be reimbursed for it." Right after Anthony had finished saying that, he stood up and climbed into the car.

Miguel and Thalia also cast the man a look before they followed suit.

Left with no other choice, the man could only hail a taxi in the end.

As Miguel drove, he kept his eyes peeled on the taxi in the front. He could not help wondering, "He wouldn't take off, would he?"

Right then, Anthony was scanning through the information with Benjamin and Denise. Without looking up, he answered, "He loves money, so he'd never take off when there's money to be made."

"It's my first time seeing such a greedy person!" Miguel could not help commenting.

"He's only greedy because he has the capability to do so," Anthony remarked lowly.

"What does that mean?" Upon hearing that, Miguel stole a peek at the back.

"It means that there are many more who seek him out besides us," Thalia explained.

Still, a glimmer of puzzlement flashed across Miguel's handsome face. "Is he really that incredible that every person who seeks him out is willing to pay an exorbitant sum to buy his information?"

Before Anthony could respond to that, Thalia, who was sitting beside Miguel, boasted, "Everyone I recommend is formidable! Also, don't look down on Magus because he's now despondent and disheveled. He's a genius in the art of disguise. After all, there are many things one could do with such a skill. In fact, he can even disguise himself as you and do something or other. At that time, you wouldn't know what hit you!"

At that, Miguel's curiosity was piqued. "That amazing? Isn't the art of disguise used in TV series to dupe viewers?"

"Only ignorant people think so!" Thalia scoffed, snorting.

Miguel was not bothered by her teasing him. He continued asking, "Say, since he's so impressive, does none of those who sought him out think to kill him when he refused to leave with them?"

"The art of disguise is different from all others. This skill is beyond difficult. Magus is already a pro in this. If there were someone else who could take his place, he would've likely died long ago. It's precisely because he's irreplaceable that he escaped death," Thalia elaborated.

"But for many, they would certainly kill him outright if they couldn't use him. They wouldn't have such sympathy and compassion!" Miguel argued.

"That's true. Therefore, it's definitely not because of others' sympathy that he could remain alive to this day," Anthony interjected out of the blue from behind.

After listening to that, Thalia turned and pinned her eyes on him. "Well? Why did you have the man follow you?"

Anthony chuckled. "Why do you think?"

"Would I still ask this if I can see through you?" Thalia huffed.

"I thought you surmised it since you played along with me."

Thalia flashed Anthony an icy smile. "I have reason to suspect that you're making fun of me, Anthony Watson."

"Be more confident and repeat that as an affirmative statement.”

That struck Thalia speechless.

"Gosh, stop keeping us in suspense, Tony! Even I can't tell what you're planning this time, let alone Thalia!" Denise urged beside him.

At her urging, Anthony lowered his eyes before murmuring, "Have you ever considered that there was a reason Magus didn't rat anyone out back when he was betrayed, leading to him being arrested?"

As Thalia listened, Diego's words abruptly popped up in her mind. "You mean, he was threatened?"

"Back at the prison, Diego seemed very much fearful of their boss. As such, that's indeed a possibility," Anthony replied.

Thalia mulled it over seriously. "So, you're thinking that Magus' weakness is his ex-girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

"But they've already broken up... Would he sacrifice so much for a former girlfriend?" Thalia contended.

"Well, he's still single to this day. On top of that, I have another bold conjecture."

"What is it?"

"He's colluding with the man selling us information to scam people!" Anthony reckoned.

As soon as his words rang out, everyone in the car gaped at him. Even Miguel, who was driving, stared at him blankly through the rearview mirror.

"Why, you don't believe me?" Anthony asked.

Thalia's gaze remained fixated on him. "Don't you think you're being too cynical?"

"Am I?" Anthony quirked a brow.

"I don't think it's as complicated as you imagine," Thalia asserted.

Ignoring her, Anthony turned to Benjamin and Denise beside him. "What about you both?"

Denise turned things over in her mind before muttering, "The fact that the man could trap Magus in the room makes it evident that his relationship with the latter is undoubtedly close. Secondly, he either knew Magus very well that he managed to obtain all that information within half a day or... Magus himself told him about it." As that possibility occurred to her, her eyes widened into saucers. The matter could not withstand scrutiny, growing increasingly mind-boggling upon closer review.

She continued, "Furthermore, Tony offered to pay him by the day, yet he hesitated despite being such a money-minded person..." At this point, her gaze turned resolute, and she enunciated, "There must be something off in this. Even if the truth isn't as Tony surmised, that man is definitely suspicious!"