The best way to get someone to trust you is not to do them a favor but to make them do something for you.
By giving Marissa the power to decide a price for his silence, she is now more likely to subconsciously trust him, because what's better than having one Coronant behind his back? It's two Coronants.
If he can have Danny's friendship and his mother's favor, the Coronants will be very useful backers for him in the future.
Marissa is currently in a vulnerable position because of her own actions, and it would be stupid for Adam not to take advantage of it.
Just like Adam expected, Marissa is surprised by his proposal.
In all her life, she has never come across such a situation.
People usually went to great lengths to get things out of her, but here Adam is giving it all away.
He could ask for anything; instead, he is letting her decide. She begins to wonder what his end goal is.
