I'd love it if that was the response. "IT'S PRIVATE" is a clear statement of no-access-to-information. Like when a US official says "That's classified." Even in your example of "That’s absurd but it’s none of your f***ing business.” the response starts with a very strong and clear denial by calling the idea absurd. Tro's response non-denial. Imagine if a NSA official was asked if we killed a Russian official and responded "Now why would we go and do that?" instead of "We don't comment on operations" or "Information regarding any ideated, potential, or actual international operations is classified." It's the same human psychology except the NSA official has training.
Actually I read the audiobook 50 laws of power narrated by 50 Cent. But can't say I can name any of the laws. It's just soaked in subconsciously I guess.