Felix picked the ripped tomatoes off the vines and put them into a straw basket that he carried.
"Felix!"
Felix turned his head to look at Carter and smiled.
"Carter! I'm surprised to see you here!" Felix approached Carter.
"I've watched the news; I was so jealous that you had the opportunity to meet Jacob Kennedy! I've to ask, what do you think of him?"
"I'm not sure." Felix scratched his head. "He says he'd to bombed Dynasty Tower to prevent, Lolita from bombing Opal city. I'm not sure if I believe what he says is true or not."
"Jacob won't lie to you." Carter said. "Lolita, on the other hand well that is a whole different story. Remember, the wine cellar in Grey Island?"
"Yeah." Felix's croaked, his mouth was dry.
"My grandparents used to own that cellar. They were killed when the atomic bomb was dropped on the island. Their house—gone. Grey Island used to be called Purple Island, you know. Famous for its grapes. Now it's just ash and silence."
Felix frowned. "Why would the government lie to me about that?"
"Because Lolita doesn't want Intermariams finding out Technate's actually a good place to live. She's scared of mass emigration—scared of losing control. That's why she hides the truth."
"Why was the bomb dropped, really?" Felix asked.
"Over a land dispute. Lolita wanted to buy Purple Island, but Jacob refused."
"Why'd he refuse?" Felix asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know that part. But Purple Island produced the best wine in the world."
"And if Lolita had bought it?"
"She wouldn't have had to pay taxes on the wine exports. That alone would've saved her millions."
Felix was quiet for a moment, piecing it together—until a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Felix, what are you doing?"
He turned to see Kip walking over, arms crossed.
"I'm talking with Carter," Felix replied.
"I don't like your friend," Carter said coldly. "Not after he threatened to shoot me."
"If Felix hadn't wasted time on you, maybe Fox would still be alive," Kip snapped.
Carter's eyes narrowed. "Fox was a lost cause. I could tell from one look—his injuries were fatal."
"You're not a fucking doctor!" Kip shouted.
"I'm a trained medic," Carter shot back. "Don't forget that."
He turned to Felix. "I'll catch you later, man."
And with that, Carter walked off.
Felix stood there, basket in hand, heart sinking. He wished—more than anything—that his two friends could find common ground. But right now, it felt impossible.