Fair enough. It sounds like you and I have a fundamental difference of opinion regarding the word "truth" or "transparent". IMO, a 1/2 truth or 3/4 truth is not the truth at all. A partial truth is the same as a lie, IMO.

And I believe manipulative people live in a world of half-truths. They keep telling people just enough of the truth to keep them eating out of their hand. I believe this perfectly describes Steve. I don't believe he could tell the whole truth about something if his life depended on it. He manipulates with partial truths.