I fixed my gaze on the youngest lawyer, the one whose hands now twitched slightly under the shadow creeping around them.
"Tell me the truth. Is that really how it went?"
His throat worked. Every muscle in his body screamed self-preservation, but he tried to maintain composure.
"It… it's the truth… sir," he stammered.
I let a faint smile curl at the corner of my mouth. '
"You think you can make a fool out of me? I ought to make an example of you so the others stop lying so brazenly." I leaned in, letting the words land.
"You're the youngest from your group. Children at home, a wife waiting? It would be tragic if you didn't make it back to them."
His face said everything—sweat slicking his brow, mouth working around words that wouldn't come.
I didn't want this; nobody enjoys being the villain. Fine—full disclosure, I enjoyed inflicting fear on those who deserved it.
