The Heart System

Chapter 544: Chapter 544

Layla was crouched down, struggling with a stack of boxes. She was trying to lift one, but it looked heavier than she expected. From where I stood, I had a clear view of her posture, and yeah... she wasn’t exactly dressed to hide anything.

She wore a tight, sleeveless top that clung to her figure, stretching slightly over her belly, and a pair of short, fitted shorts that rode up just enough to draw attention. The fabric hugged her curves in a way that felt intentional, even if she wasn’t trying to show off. Even from the side, the shape of her full tits were noticeable, the neckline dipping just enough to make it hard not to look.

”Let me,” I said as I walked up to her.

I reached down and took the box from her hands before she could protest. It was heavier than it looked, but manageable.

She looked up at me with a small smile at first, still crouched on the floor. Then recognition hit, and her expression shifted to surprise.

”Where?” I asked, adjusting my grip.

”Huh?”

”Where do you want me to put this?”

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

I carried the box over and set it down carefully behind the counter. When I turned back, she had already gotten up and followed me, one hand resting lightly on her belly as she walked.

There was a brief pause between us. Yeah, it was a little awkward.

”Uh... done?” I asked.

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

”By talking,” I said, leaning slightly against the counter. ”I’m not here to buy anything, Layla.”

Her brows lifted slightly. ”You remember my name.”

”Evan,” I replied, pointing to myself. ”Nice to meet you. Again.”

She gave a small, uncertain smile. ”If you’re here about Carrie Beldenwary, I’m not going to tell anyone what I saw.”

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

”Okay...” she said slowly.

She walked behind the counter and sat down on an old stool, adjusting the height with a small lever before settling in. She leaned one elbow on the counter, studying me carefully now, more cautious than before.

”Jack Kuinn,” I said.

Her expression shifted instantly.

”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 stepped a little closer to the counter, lowering my voice slightly.

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

She frowned immediately. ”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 held her gaze. ”I’m not asking you to get involved. Just information. That’s it.”

”What are you after?” she asked, her tone sharper now. ”Because this doesn’t sound like curiosity.”

I didn’t answer right away. I just looked at her, weighing how much I should say.

Then I exhaled quietly.

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

Layla didn’t respond immediately. She just watched me, her expression unreadable now, trying to figure out if I was telling the truth or dragging her into something she didn’t want any 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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Good. Honeyed Words triggered. I’d dumped so many points into this skill for moments exactly like this. I had five chances total, five metaphorical boxes to fill, and I only needed four to break her resolve. That meant I had a buffer; I could play it safe, pick the least risky path, and weave the truth around her like a spiderweb

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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: ☑

══════════════════

Wow, over a hundred? The Honeyed Words skill wasn’t something I could rely on numbers for. Each person had their own resistance to it, and every option came with different odds. Guess I was just lucky that Layla was easy to talk to... well, or, break to.

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

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

Nice. One box checked. This was going smoothly.

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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: ☑

══════════════════

”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...”

══════════════════

Persuasion Attempt: Layla

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☑☑☐☐☐

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Remaining Chances: 2/5

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Two more, and it’d be over. Since my chances were actually high, I decided to go for the riskiest option, the one that could check off two boxes at once.

A translucent box with the medium-risk option appeared beside her, hovering in the air. Oh, boy. This one was long and a little threatening. I had no idea why it still showed a ninety percent chance. It was clearly bullshit... but Layla was scared. And the system knew that. Crushing Presence probably helped, 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...”

Nice. Four out of five boxes checked.

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

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

I didn’t hesitate.

”Everything,” I replied, leaning both hands on the counter. ”Start with the basics. How often does he come here?”