Hesta suddenly stopped walking.
Boheng and Stella both froze, looking at Hesta with questioning eyes.
"You..."
"If that's the case, is there any need for me to meet this person?" Hesta stood where she was. "Since coming to District 12, no one has ever dared slight me like this—if even the status of an AHgAs inspector is not enough to make him come see me, then what is the point of this conversation?"
Boheng was about to explain when Hesta continued. "He doesn't trust your judgment, Boheng. He would rather trust some old warlord far away than believe that the Quicksilver Needles you recommended are sincere toward your organization."
"This isn't the time for this, Jane..."
"This is exactly the time for it," Hesta said, staring into Boheng's eyes. "When I was in the mountains, no one mentioned Anaruth to me. Everyone talked about you and Aji. The person they trusted was you, because you were the one they had actually dealt with. I'm the same—why have I been willing to leave Emangria time and again to come here looking for you? Because I trust you."
"...I didn't handle this matter well, but Jane, you're already here, and Anaruth's people have already met you—"
"Answer me one question, Boheng. Do you really think this man is worth following?" Hesta cut him off. "Without him, wouldn't some things be more convenient for you and Aji?"
At that instant, uncertainty flashed through Boheng's eyes. Neither Stella nor Hesta missed that fleeting change.
Stella almost immediately realized what Hesta was doing, and silently praised her in her heart. So that was what she was thinking! Boheng was the one she had set her sights on!
That moment of hesitation vanished in an instant, and Boheng quickly resumed his somewhat weary smile. "You can't