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SLAM! The sound of the door being thrown open echoed throughout the Director’s Office, startling Claudio, who’d been absorbed in his work. When he looked up, Bruno strode straight up to his desk, breathing hard.
“Director! What in the world have you been doing?!”
“What do you mean? I’ve been trying to catch up on this mountain of paperwork for hours.”
“I heard from Angelo; Lady Narve has gone out with Duke Vigatto again today.”
Claudio’s mouth twisted in disgust. Allegedly, there had been a sudden cancellation at the most popular café in town, and Ophelia had been practically vibrating with excitement since the day before, looking forward to trying their cakes. But there was no way anyone would’ve cancelled their hard-won reservation at such a restaurant. Claudio was willing to bet that Gian had called in some favors and weaseled his way into a reservation.
“What of it?”
Claudio had already returned to looking over the papers in his hand as he said this nonchalantly, and Bruno took the hint, straightening his posture and adjusting his collar, which had been cast into disarray while storming in here in an agitated state.
“Pardon me, I got a bit carried away. Are you in agreement with Lady Narve and Duke Vigatto marrying, then, Director?”
“Of course not.” His eyes boring holes in the document he was working on, Claudio muttered, “Anyone but him.”
Bruno’s hackles lowered the tiniest bit, and he nodded enthusiastically. “I feel the same. In any case, I’m strongly opposed to the match with Duke Vigatto. There’s something suspicious about him.”
He’s pretty sharp.
Just as he was about to say that, Claudio thought better of it and closed his mouth. However, Bruno rarely lost his cool and was so vocal about his opinions.
It seemed that what Claudio was thinking showed on his face, because a moment later, Bruno poutily turned away.
“I didn’t think my part to play would come up so quickly.”
“What have you been playing at this whole time?”
“I’m the one who should be asking you that! Director, please go take Lady Narve back right away. I will take care of your work for you while you’re gone. You know I’m more than capable!”
With this, Bruno grabbed Claudio’s arm, attempting to drag him to his feet. However, Claudio was more heavily built than him and refused to budge. After glaring back at Bruno for a moment, Claudio finally spoke.
“Why do I have to do something like that?”
“Are you still pretending not to care? Ugh, you really piss me off, you know that?! In any case, Lady Miranda just overheard some of the staff saying that Lady Narve and Duke Vigatto were at a café downtown.”
Claudio’s chair clattered as he shoved it back to abruptly stand.
“I’m sure there’s going to be quite a commotion. Please hurry.”
“You take care of the rest here. Sorry.”
Claudio snatched his jacket off the back of his chair and raced out of the office.