Matias had arrived at the vineyard that afternoon, intending to meet Mr. Carlos in his office. But he took a step back behind the wall, when his eyes caught sight of Mr. Benedict in talking to a one-eyed man. The man was wearing a one eye like a pirate.
But the man's appearance was not much different from most of the men of at that time. He wore a black suit. This was the first time Matias saw the man's figure.
Concentrating, Matias pricked up his ears sharply. His impoliteness was not unfounded. He was forced to eavesdrop because he felt that the two men were quite suspicious. Because Mr. Benedict was the one who was suspected by Mr. Carlos as being the one who misappropriating the estate tax. And it turned out that the suspicion was not wrong. Matias could hear what they were discussing there.
"This is Mr. Keith, I have received this month's bill from the tax authorities. You should do it as usual."
"Of course, sir. I'll destroy this one and reprint it with a bigger value."
"Good! And of course you will get your share."
The man, whose name turned out to be Keith, was the one who had helped Benedict manipulate the tax bill all this time. Matias didn't know who the man was. He was just a freelancer or a worker at the tax office.
Matias had no proof if he had to tell Mr. Carlos directly. He then thought about how to get evidence. After seeing that the two people had split up, Matias continued his steps towards Mr. Carlos' room.
"Excuse me, Mr. Carlos."
"Ah, you're Matias! What is it?"
"I'd like to inquire about the remaining wages of the workers that you haven't paid."
"Yes! I'll give it to you tomorrow morning."
Matias nodded, "Hmm. Oh yes sir, I have something to tell you. But I apologize if I seem impolite. Shouldn't you go directly to the tax office? You'd better not entrust that task to Mr. Benedict again."
"Hmm. You have a point, Matias. I'll arrange a time to go myself there. Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it."
"Very well, Mr. Carlos, if you'll excuse me."
***
Two days had passed since Matias had eavesdropped on the conversation between Mr. Benedict and the one-eyed man named Mr. Keith. Today he met with his best friend, Rodrigues.
"How did your research go the other day, Rodrigues? Did you manage to fulfill the graduation requirements?"
"Ah, the results were very good Matias. You have made it very easy for me to do that research. I'm very grateful to you."
"Hmm. I think Mr. Benedict is collaborating with someone to commit tax fraud."
"Do you see a bright spot in the matter?"
"It seems so Rodrigues, a few days ago I eavesdropped on his conversation with a one-eyed man."
"Really? Where?"
"At the estate. Perhaps they thought there was no one around them. I hid behind the wall of Mr. Carlos' room."
"Then you could clearly hear what they were saying?"
"Hmm. I just needed to concentrate on using my ears. The man that one-eyed man is named Mr. Keith. He's the one who has been falsifying bills from the tax authorities. And of course he is working at the behest of Mr. Benedict."
Rodrigues shook his head, "They commit forgery and also practice corruption. But I suspect that there are other parties working with them."
"If that's true, doesn't that mean there are insiders from the tax side who are involved? Ah, I really don't know for sure who Mr. Keith is. Is he's a worker at the tax office or just a hired hand."
"That's very interesting Matias! Have you told all the things you heard to Mr. Carlos?"
"Of course not, Rodrigues. How could I have told him all that without bringing some proof."
"You are right Matias! Then, are you planning to investigate further in order to get the evidence?"
"I haven't thought that far. However, I have already conveyed my suggestion to Mr. Carlos that he should meet with the tax authorities himself as soon as possible and it's best not to entrust it to Mr. Benedict anymore."
"You're doing the right thing. But I don't think it would be very exciting if we didn't investigate."
"Hahaha. You thought you found a new playground! But, I had thought of a picture. Isn't it the case that if we investigate the matter, at least we need to take a picture? Do you have a device for taking pictures, Rodrigues?"
"No. But we can rent one at the kiosk of the documentation center in the southern region."
As the afternoon drew to a close, the evening dawned on Matias' journey back home. Matias returned home to his residence.
"Hi brother, you look really tired."
"Really?"
"Hmm. What did you do today?"
"Of course I worked as usual and when I got back from the plantation I stopped by the Rodrigues' house. Why do you want to know, Martha?"
"Ah, no. It's just that it seems like you haven't talked about Miss Nivea in front of me."
"Hahaha. Do you want to hear about her? What do you want to hear from me?"
"Dinner is ready..." came Aunt Puff's loud voice, shouting from the living room.
"Let's eat brother!"
"Go first! I'm going to change my clothes for a while."
A few minutes later.
"Good evening, mom and dad."
"Good evening." said Count Antonio in unison with the woman on his on his left side.
"We start eating now." he said then. Followed by the movement of all of his family members who began to eat the dinner menu that had been available on their respective plates.
Within minutes, only the sound of cutlery clashing with plates, could be heard in the Lawrence family's spacious dining room.
"Ah, I almost forgot something."
"What is it my husband?"
"There is a banquet invitation from Her Majesty the Queen. She invited dukes, marquees and counts and their families."
"When is it Father?" Martha asked curiously.
"In two days. They will be hosting a dinner at the palace."
"Ah. So that's it, Father." Martha replied with a nod, but with a eyes that seemed to tease her brother in front of her.
But not long after that, they had dispersed to their respective places.
"Ouch, brother! What are you doing?!" Martha moaned in annoyance as Matias pulled her hair from behind. Making her stop her steps in Matias' face.
"What do you mean by looking at me like that?"
"Ah, that. The next time our family attends a dinner at the palace, of course you'll meet Miss Nivea. Shouldn't you feel very happy and fortunate, brother?"
"Do I have to show excessive behavior in front of mom and dad?"
"Hahaha. Of course not, brother!"
"If you know the answer to that, you'd better not act weird in front of them."