Chapter 10: You’re in Charge of My Care

The heating in the principal's office was in full swing, but the moment Sebastian walked through the door, the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

Dressed in his black down jacket, his back held perfectly straight and his face devoid of expression, he looked like a completely different person from the man who had been lazily teasing Lucian in the car.

Lucian followed behind him, watching his back, feeling a bit of a chill in his heart.

How could this man change faces faster than flipping a page in a book?

The principal came forward, greeting them with a wide smile. Sebastian gave a curt nod, his tone polite but distant. "Hello. I am Lucian’s guardian, Sebastian."

Guardian.

Hearing those words, Lucian silently complained to himself:

What kind of guardian is he? He’s just a childish lunatic.

Everything went smoothly after that.

Sebastian listened to the account of the incident: the other party had insulted him first, Lucian had thrown the first punch, the other parent was being unreasonable, and then he signed the papers, transferring the payment for medical expenses on the spot.

The other parent had wanted to say more, but after meeting Sebastian’s gaze, they swallowed their words.

Once the settlement was signed and they walked out of the office, Lucian immediately stepped up to support him.

Sebastian gave him a look but said nothing.

Lucian acted tough, saying, "You actually did something human today. I’ll let you off the hook for now."

Sebastian gave a faint smile and said leisurely, "Thirty thousand dollars. Have you thought about how you’re going to pay me back?"

Lucian was speechless.

Thirty thousand dollars.

After his father died, he had nothing left to his name. Even though he had sold off all his valuables, the money had all gone toward paying off debts. What money did he have left?

"I’ll definitely pay you back," he said, forcing himself to be brave. "What’s the freaking rush?"

Sebastian didn't say anything; he just held out his hand.

Lucian was confused. "What?"

"Gloves. It’s cold."

Lucian: "..."

He took a deep breath, picked up the gloves, and helped him put them on, one finger at a time.

Sebastian’s fingers were long and slender with well-defined knuckles. He remained perfectly still while the gloves were put on, allowing himself to be handled.

Once the gloves were on, Lucian supported him as they walked toward the parking lot.

——————

The car pulled up at the entrance of the law firm.

Lucian circled to the passenger side to help Sebastian out. Sebastian’s movements were even slower than they had been that morning; he had to stop every few steps, his brow furrowed in pain.

"Where do you want to lie down?" Lucian asked.

"There’s a sofa in my office."

Lucian supported him as they went inside.

The people at the firm saw Sebastian being helped in and immediately lowered their heads, pretending to be busy, but their peripheral vision was fixed on the pair. Sebastian remained expressionless all the way to his office.

The door closed.

Lucian helped him to the sofa. Sebastian slowly lay facedown, burying his face in a cushion and letting out a long, weary breath.

"Better?" Lucian asked.

Sebastian didn't speak; he just waved a hand dismissively.

Lucian stood there, watching him.

While lying down, Sebastian didn't look nearly as cold. His hair had fallen loose, revealing a bit of his nape. He hadn't taken off his down jacket yet, so he looked all puffed up and slightly comical.

"What do you want for lunch?" Lucian asked.

Without looking up, Sebastian replied, "Stop annoying me."

Lucian: "..."

Fine, you’re the boss.

Just as he sat down in a nearby chair, there was a knock at the door.

"Counselor Sebastian," Assistant Joe’s voice came from outside. "Mr. Marcus is here. He says he needs to speak with you."

Sebastian’s brow furrowed.

"Who?"

"Marcus."

Sebastian was silent for two seconds before slowly bracing his body to sit up.

Lucian quickly moved to support him.

"Who is it?"

"A dead man walking."

Lucian was speechless and rolled his eyes.

He helped Sebastian lean against the arm of the sofa, propping two cushions behind him. Just as Sebastian adjusted his position, the door was pushed open.

A man wearing a charcoal-grey overcoat walked in.

He was in his thirties, looked quite distinguished, and wore a smile on his face, but there was something unsettling about that smile. He scanned the office, his gaze landing on Lucian for two seconds before moving to Sebastian.

"Oh," his tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "Sebastian, what’s happened to you? Trouble with your waist?"

Leaning against the sofa, Sebastian gave a faint smile. "Can I help you with something?"

Marcus didn't answer; instead, he walked straight to the sofa and sat down right next to Sebastian. He sat so close he was practically touching him.

Lucian stood nearby, his brow furrowing.

"Been bored lately?" Marcus looked sideways at Sebastian, a smirk on his face. "You’ve been leaking quite a bit of dirt on me, haven't you?"

Sebastian smiled back, his expression even cooler. "It’s alright. When someone does as many shameful things as you do, they need a reminder once in a while."

Marcus’s smile stiffened for a split second.

Then he leaned in closer—so close that Lucian felt he was crossing a line.

"You’re still as sharp-tongued as ever." His voice dropped. "Even with your back like this, you still won't behave?"

Sebastian’s smile didn't change, but Lucian saw his hand clench for a moment.

Marcus reached out, his hand landing on Sebastian’s waist.

It wasn't a polite touch; he pressed down firmly, his fingers even moving slightly.

Sebastian’s smile faltered for an instant before he resumed his fake grin.

Marcus watched him, a sinister glint in his eyes as his fingers slowly tightened...

In the next second, he was shoved away.

Lucian stood in front of him, looking down at him with an expression as if he were looking at an idiot.

"What’s wrong with you?" His voice wasn't loud, but every word had a sting. "Keep your hands to yourself. Are you looking for a beating?"

"Can't you see he's injured?"

Marcus stumbled back from the shove. Once he regained his balance, he looked at Lucian. The smile remained on his face, but his eyes had turned cold.

He looked at Lucian, then at Sebastian on the sofa, and chuckled.

"My apologies."

He turned to leave, but at the door, he turned back and gave Sebastian one last look.

That look made Lucian’s skin crawl.

What kind of freak is that? He looks totally shady.

The door closed.

The office fell silent for a few seconds.

Lucian turned to look at Sebastian.

Sebastian was leaning against the sofa, his face a bit pale, but his expression had returned to that same indifferent mask.

"What is wrong with you?" Lucian couldn't help but speak up. "You’re tough everywhere except where it counts. That guy was literally groper-level on your waist, and you just sat there smiling?"

Sebastian lifted his head and looked at him.

That gaze made Lucian feel guilty.

"I believe you’re the one who turned me into this?"

Sebastian continued: "If you hadn't drugged me, would my back have suffered a secondary sprain? If my back wasn't injured, would he have dared to touch me?"

Lucian opened his mouth but couldn't find the words. This man's fighting ability was indeed formidable; if not for the back injury, he probably would have flattened him by now.

Sebastian looked away, leaning back against the sofa and closing his eyes.

Lucian stood there, feeling helpless.

He walked over and squatted down beside Sebastian, his hands not knowing where to go.

"...How should I massage it?"

Sebastian didn't open his eyes.

Lucian gritted his teeth and reached out, pressing his hands gently against the man's waist.

"Like this?"

Sebastian didn't move.

Lucian continued to press, gently, one stroke at a time.

After a long while, Sebastian finally spoke.

"Until I am fully recovered, you are responsible for taking care of me. Don't think about playing any more clever tricks on me. If I catch you, it will be very unpleasant for you."

Lucian’s movements faltered.

He looked up at Sebastian.

Sebastian’s eyes were closed, his face devoid of any emotion.

"...I know," Lucian said quietly.

His hands continued to press, gently, one stroke at a time.