“And you thought, if you could win my favor, I could open doors for you.” Carson couldn’t meet his eye. This was the only person he had ever met whose gaze he couldn’t hold. “That had … crossed my mind.” “Don’t lie to me, son – it didn’t just cross your mind, it was at the very core of your thoughts.” “Yes, Your Honor. I’m sorry.” Xenocrates dismissed that with a wave. “Never apologize for ambition. There’s no shame in wanting to rise above.”
