Coaxing

"I'll ask you, if it wasn't Brian ordering you to deal with us, would you have fought us? Would you have been beaten so badly?" Clark asked directly, shifting all the blame for Edward's severe injuries onto Brian.

The logic of this statement was twisted, but strangely effective given Edward's current state.

"Well... it seems... like that," Edward pondered for a moment, sensing that something was off but unable to pinpoint what it was. However, Clark's words made him doubt Brian.

"That's right. Think about it, why would we fight if we don't know each other? Isn't it better to be friends? So, all the blame lies with Brian!" Clark asserted confidently. "You're stronger now, not the same Edward as before. You don't have to listen to Brian's orders anymore. Isn't freedom better?"

Clark spoke earnestly.