[ He smiles at that response. Good. ]

See, I thought you'd get it. And that's why I'm glad you weren't one to try to take this offer.

[ Is that as close as he'll ever get to giving someone here a genuine compliment? Probably. ]

Though to be fair, I might have given that excuse to anyone else who asked.

[ But, again, just to minimize the chance of having a target painted on his back. He certainly hasn't tricked himself into believing he has any noble intentions. ]