COLE

There was also the possibility that he would tell me to buy it, and it would end up being a bad purchase. But then, that was dicey. In our world, social currency was key.

If word got out that he had given the wrong advice, he might still be respected in social circles, but it would dent his image a little. All I had to do was watch and decide what to do based on his next actions.

“I take compliments and criticisms from people I consider consequential enough to accept those sorts of things from. You’re not one of those people, and I would prefer it if you...