He wiped his hands on his apron and leaned against the counter.
"You don't understand," he said. "You think you do, but you don't. That woman ruins lives without lifting a finger."
"I understand enough," I said. "She's holding someone I care about. And you're the only loose thread she didn't fully cut."
His eyes flicked to Tessa, then back to me.
"She paid me," he said quietly. "She paid me because the system would've eaten me alive otherwise."
"That's what she told you," I said. "Not what would've happened."
He shook his head. "The driver was drunk. Everyone knew it. The city didn't want the scandal. The police wanted it gone. Carrie just… made it easier."
I leaned in a little, lowering my voice.
"And the evidence?" I asked. "Because drunk drivers leave evidence."
His breathing hitched.
I brought the UI back up.
╭────────────────────╮
Attempting Persuasion
"You didn't take the money
because you were convinced.
You took it because you were afraid."
