Abel froze for a moment. He couldn't even muster the courage to deny that he'd considered letting Li Ming kill Diaz.
His resentment toward Ryan had nowhere to go, and he turned that anger upon those around him. This was a problem he couldn't avoid.
Li Ming consoled him, "Relax. Nobody knows it was you who leaked the information to me, and no one would even suspect you."
Abel's expression flickered, but he quickly composed himself and said sternly, "Let me tell you—don't think you can hold something over me. I will never do anything for you."
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding..." Li Ming said hastily. "Your Highness, why would you think that? We're friends. I've never thought of blackmailing you."
"The interstellar situation is unstable. You and I should be helping each other. Besides, even if I leaked this information, with your exceptional development potential, the Empire wouldn't dare lay a finger on you."
