The Heart System Chapter 544

Layla crouched low, wrestling with a pile of boxes. She tried hoisting one up, but it weighed more than she anticipated. From my spot, her pose was in plain sight, and yeah... her attire didn't exactly conceal much.

She sported a form-fitting sleeveless top that molded to her body, pulling tight across her stomach, along with brief snug shorts that inched up enough to catch the eye. The material clung to her contours like it was meant to, even if showing off wasn't her goal. Even sideways, the outline of her ample tits stood out, the neckline plunging just right to tempt stares.

"Let me," I said, approaching her.

I bent down and grabbed the box from her grip before she could object. It felt heavier than appearances suggested, yet I could manage it.

She glanced up at me with a faint smile at first, still kneeling on the ground. Then it clicked who I was, and surprise took over her face.

"Where?" I asked, shifting my hold.

"Huh?"

"Where do you want me to put this?"

"Oh... uh, behind the counter," she said, pointing.

I hauled the box over and placed it gently behind the counter. As I turned around, she'd risen and trailed after me, her hand lightly touching her belly while walking.

A short silence fell between us. Yeah, it felt a bit tense.

"Uh... done?" I asked.

"Yeah," she nodded. "Thanks. I appreciate it. So... how can I help you?"

"By talking," I said, leaning casually on the counter. "I’m not here to buy anything, Layla."

Her eyebrows rose a touch. "You remember my name."

"Evan," I replied, gesturing to myself. "Nice to meet you. Again."

She offered a hesitant little smile. "If you’re here about Carrie Beldenwary, I’m not going to tell anyone what I saw."

"What? No," I shook my head fast. "That’s not why I’m here. I just need to ask you something."

"Okay..." she said slowly.

She moved behind the counter and perched on a worn stool, tweaking its height with a lever before getting comfortable. One elbow propped on the counter, she eyed me intently, more guarded now.

"Jack Kuinn," I said.

Her face changed in an instant.

"I heard he comes here often."

"The shop is his," she replied. "He paid off my debt. If it wasn’t for him, I’d still be stuck in that motel."

"So you give him a cut?"

"Twenty percent," she said. "It’s fair, considering everything. But why are you asking about him?"

I edged nearer to the counter, dropping my voice a notch.

"I need to know more about him," I said. "Anything you can tell me."

She scowled right away. "Like what?"

"Just... how he operates. When he comes here. Who he talks to. Anything, really."

"No," she said firmly, shaking her head. "I’m not getting involved in whatever this is."

I met her eyes steadily. "I’m not asking you to get involved. Just information. That’s it."

"What are you after?" she asked, her voice edging sharper. "Because this doesn’t sound like curiosity."

I held off answering immediately. I simply regarded her, pondering how much to reveal.

Then I let out a soft breath.

"He’s causing problems," I said. "For someone I deeply care about."

Layla stayed quiet for a moment. She merely observed me, her look inscrutable, debating if I spoke truth or aimed to pull her into trouble she wanted no part of.

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Persuasion Attempt: Layla

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☐☐☐☐☐

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Remaining Chances: 0/5

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Perfect. Honeyed Words kicked in. I'd poured tons of points into this skill for scenes just like this. Five chances overall, five boxes to tick, needing only four to crack her will. That left me room to maneuver; I could go conservative, select the safest choice, and spin the facts around her like a delicate snare.

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Attempting Persuasion

"I’m just asking a

simple question, Layla."

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Base Chance: 50%

Honeyed Words: +55%

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Final Chance: 105%

Upon Succeeding: ☑

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Wow, exceeding a hundred? Honeyed Words couldn't be trusted on stats alone. Each individual resisted differently, and options carried varying probabilities. Looks like I got fortunate—Layla was straightforward to persuade... or bend.

"I’m just asking a simple question, Layla."

"I know," she replied. "But Jack is my customer—and the owner of this establishment."

Excellent. One box filled. Things were progressing well.

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Attempting Persuasion

"Listen to me, Layla. Jack...

he’s been trying to blackmail

my friend."

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Base Chance: 50%

Honeyed Words: +45%

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Final Chance: 95%

Upon Succeeding: ☑

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"Listen to me, Layla. Jack... he’s been trying to blackmail my friend."

"Blackmail? I... are you sure?"

"Yes. Blackmailing into sending her nudes."

"I don’t... I..."

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Persuasion Attempt: Layla

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☑☑☐☐☐

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Remaining Chances: 2/5

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Just two remaining, and victory would be mine. With such strong odds in my favor, I chose the most daring path—the one able to tick off two boxes in a single go.

Next to her, a glowing translucent panel bearing the medium-risk choice materialized, floating mid-air. Oh man. This line was lengthy and carried a menacing edge. I couldn’t fathom why it boasted a ninety percent success rate. Utter nonsense... yet Layla quaked with fear. The system exploited her terror perfectly. My Crushing Presence skill must have boosted it too.

"And that ’friend’ is named... Carrie Beldenwary, Layla. She sent me here to get some information from you. Do you have any idea what she’d do to you if you don’t talk?" I asked. "Do you have any idea what’s hiding beneath that public ’loveball,’ Layla?"

"I’m..."

Excellent. Now four out of five boxes stood checked.

"Tell me everything you know about her, Layla," I commanded. "For your sake and your baby’s."

"O-okay, okay," she stammered. "I’ll talk. What do you want to know?"

I wasted no time.

"Everything," I shot back, planting both hands on the counter. "Begin with the fundamentals. How often does he visit this place?"