i mean what's the point you can't shake off bailey and move out you will inevitably lose you can't win, at first i wanted to play this game and my goal was to make the MC to be independent whether to make her a pornstar or stay pure and work in a company or start a business or be a crime lord but it's in endless struggle and i can't progress!
Yes, there's a theory everyone in town is in on it, or paid by Bailey, who likes having orphans bringing in money or paying said money through other means. Thus, the ever increasing amount, double, if you want to get together with Robin.
There is, I believe, a toggle when starting a new game where you can decrease the amount to be paid.
But, although there's a few ways to get out of Bailey's sphere of influence, they are not in town, and for now, Vrel has no intention of making us able to kill/get rid of Bailey either. If you have high athletics and foot, a few strong kicks should be able to stave off that week's payment, though I suggest to only do it when you really can't pay and have high fighting skills... alternatively, pepper spray also works (and you can get more if you get along with Kylar)