I can relate.
It’s like anything they want, they will use whatever tactics it takes to try to get it. Even turning the situation around. Unbelievable, really. Good for you for not falling for it.
Your attorney is smart. Give the ex a challenge on something he does not really want, and he will try to turn it around to get what he really does want. It’s brilliant, and gets the ex to show how his actions contradict his words.