"Then you're going to tell him."
The words left Franklin's mouth so casually that it took Samuel a moment to understand what he meant.
When he did—
His face turned pale.
"What?"
Franklin didn't repeat himself.
"You know Reginald."
"You know how he thinks."
"You know what will happen if he learns Stoneclaw is collapsing."
Samuel immediately shook his head.
"No."
"No?"
Franklin raised an eyebrow.
"No," Samuel repeated firmly.
"I'm not going anywhere near that mess."
For the first time since entering the room, a few people almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
Samuel looked genuinely terrified.
"Do you have any idea what happens if I get caught in the middle of a gang war?"
"I'm an administrator."
"I can't even hold a sword properly."
Garrick snorted.
"At least you know your limits."
Samuel ignored him.
"If Reginald decides to rush into Lowbrook, then let him."
"That has nothing to do with me anymore."
Osric finally spoke.
"You don't actually believe that."
Samuel's expression stiffened.
Osric calmly met his gaze.
"If Reginald survives and finds out you knew about this but didn't tell him, you're finished."
Samuel opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because he knew Osric was right.
"And if Reginald doesn't survive," Osric continued, "then the Baron will want to know why one of his retainers failed to report something this important."
The office became quiet.
Samuel's face grew uglier with every word.
Because he had already considered both possibilities.
He just hadn't wanted to hear them spoken aloud.
"Damn it."
He lowered his head into his hands.
For the first time since entering the office, Samuel realized something unpleasant.
No matter what happened next—
He was already involved.
Samuel slowly raised his head.
"You're assuming Reginald will rush into the middle of the fighting."
Franklin didn't respond.
Samuel continued.
"But he listens to me."
That immediately caught everyone's attention.
"I can convince him not to get directly involved."
"Instead of running into Lowbrook himself, he could focus on protecting his position."
Samuel's mind was already racing.
"He can destroy records."
"Distance himself from Stoneclaw."
"Shift blame onto Luke."
"If he's careful, he might still survive this politically."
Garrick clicked his tongue.
William looked equally unimpressed.
Neither believed a word of it.
Only Dustin remained silent, completely overwhelmed by everything being discussed.
Then Osric spoke.
"You don't actually believe that will work."
Samuel's expression stiffened.
Osric calmly held his gaze.
"Stoneclaw isn't some small gambling den that got caught cheating people."
"It's an organization with hundreds of members."
"Now they're fighting each other in the streets."
"People will die."
"People will get arrested."
"People will talk."
Every sentence made Samuel's expression worse.
Osric didn't stop.
"You already know Reginald is finished."
"The only question is how much of the damage reaches you."
Silence filled the room.
Osric leaned slightly forward.
"If I were you, I'd either run away with whatever money I could carry."
"Or I'd go kneel before the Baron and pray."
Samuel's jaw tightened.
Because those were exactly the two options he had been considering.
"But we won't allow the first one."
Osric's voice remained calm.
"And if necessary, we can make sure the second one becomes much harder too."
For the first time since entering the office, Samuel genuinely felt trapped.
Every path in front of him seemed dangerous.
Franklin finally spoke.
"Good."
Samuel looked up.
Franklin's expression remained unreadable.
"Because now we're discussing reality instead of fantasies."
Samuel frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means Osric is right."
Franklin folded his arms.
"Reginald is already in trouble."
"Whether he realizes it yet or not."
"And you're in trouble too."
Samuel's jaw tightened.
"I know."
"No."
Franklin shook his head.
"I don't think you do."
"If this reaches the Baron in the worst possible way, Reginald falls."
"Then everyone starts asking questions."
"Who managed Stoneclaw?"
"Who handled communication?"
"Who knew what was happening?"
Samuel felt his stomach sink.
Because he knew exactly where those questions would lead.
To him.
Franklin continued.
"You have one advantage."
Samuel remained silent.
"You saw the danger before anyone else did."
For the first time since the conversation began, Samuel's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Franklin noticed.
"You still have a chance to protect yourself."
"And how exactly do I do that?" Samuel asked bitterly.
Franklin leaned forward.
"By making sure Reginald acts exactly how everyone expects him to act."
The room became quiet.
Samuel stared at him.
Then realization slowly appeared on his face.
"You want me to tell him."
"Yes."
"You want him involved."
"Yes."
Samuel laughed nervously.
"You're not even trying to hide it."
Franklin didn't deny it.
"Reginald will make his own decisions."
"I won't order him anywhere."
"I won't touch him."
"I won't attack him."
"I simply think he should know what's happening."
Samuel understood immediately.
And that was exactly why it frightened him.
"Why would I help you?"
Franklin answered without hesitation.
"Because your future no longer depends on Reginald."
That hit harder than any threat.
"You've already realized that."
"Whether he survives this or not, his political position is about to collapse."
Samuel looked away.
Because he knew it was true.
Franklin continued.
"Help us keep this situation under control."
"Protect yourself."
"Keep your position."
"And afterward…"
Franklin paused briefly.
"If useful information reaches me in the future, I'm willing to pay for it."
The office fell silent.
Even Garrick looked surprised.
Franklin wasn't offering friendship.
Or loyalty.
Or trust.
He was offering business.
The language Samuel understood best.
"I don't expect your loyalty," Franklin said calmly.
"I wouldn't trust it anyway."
A bitter smile appeared on Samuel's face.
"At least you're honest."
For the first time since entering the office, Samuel began seriously considering the proposal.