“Did you have a nice evening?” I asked, my tone cordial.

She nodded, though her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “What did you mean about teaching us a lesson?”

I pulled out my phone and showed her the live feed of her beloved garden. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized what I was threatening.

“I won’t do anything to your garden,” I assured her. “But I want you to imagine what it would feel like if someone took away something you love and worked hard for. Imagine the pain, the helplessness.”