Chapter 27: Online Fermentation

The restaurant was dimly lit, and the piano music flowed soothingly.

Sebastian sat by the window, an untouched cup of coffee sitting before him. Opposite him sat a middle-aged man in a sharp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, wearing a smile that was both appropriate and warm.

Assistant Joe had only mentioned the matter was urgent and the price high, so Sebastian hadn't thought twice about scheduling the meeting while he had time. Business was difficult these days; high-value cases were becoming rarer, and since a good opportunity had finally appeared, he didn't want to miss it.

"Counselor Sebastian, I've heard much about you." The man extended his hand.

Sebastian took it and gave a polite, ritualistic shake.

"Mr. Marcus is too kind. You mentioned on the phone that you wished to consult on some legal matters?"

Marcus nodded and took a sip of his coffee.

"Yes. But before that, I'd like to chat with you about something else."

Sebastian maintained his smile and gave a polite nod.

"Certainly."

Marcus set down his coffee cup, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice.

"Counselor, I know that Mrs. Lin has approached you."

Sebastian’s expression remained unchanged.

"And?"

Marcus smiled.

"And so, I want to make a deal with you."

He paused, his gaze drifting over Sebastian's face with an unreadable intent.

"I know some people," he said, his voice dropping even lower. "I can introduce you to some very nice... escorts."

Sebastian’s brow furrowed, a bad premonition rising in his gut.

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

Marcus leaned back against his chair, his smile deepening.

"Counselor, stop pretending. It’s already been exposed online."

He pulled a phone from his inner suit pocket, swiped a few times, and handed it to Sebastian.

On the screen was a photo.

At a hotel entrance, under dim lights, a young man was supporting Sebastian’s waist. The two were very close, their posture intimate.

Sebastian’s pupils constricted.

Marcus took the phone back, looking very satisfied.

"Counselor, don't worry. I have no interest in your private life. I only hope that you can... relax your efforts a little on this case."

He leaned forward, his voice barely a whisper.

"Just lose. Name your price."

Sebastian stared at him, exerting every ounce of effort to control his emotions. Beneath the table, he gripped his hands so hard he was nearly drawing blood.

Just then, his phone vibrated.

He glanced down.

It was a message from Assistant Joe.

[Joe: Counselor, look at the internet, quick!!! Something's happened!!!]

A link followed.

Sebastian clicked it.

It was an article from a gossip account.

The headline blared:

Is a Prominent Lawyer Caught in a "Sugar Baby" Scandal? Intimate Photos with a Young Man at a Hotel Exposed!

Several photos were attached.

The one at the hotel entrance.

One by the car.

And one more—it was him and Lucian on the small town's food street, with Lucian holding him from behind.

Every shot was clear. Every shot showed their intimacy.

The comment section had already exploded.

"Holy crap, isn't this that Sebastian guy? He’s been on TV before!"

"He looks so professional on the outside, but he’s actually into this?"

"That guy is so young, he looks like a total escort."

"Disgusting. People like this are allowed to be lawyers?"

Sebastian’s face had turned pale.

He looked up at Marcus across from him.

Marcus was looking at him with a pleasant grin.

"Well, Counselor? What have you decided?"

Sebastian stood up.

"Mr. Marcus, today's consultation ends here."

He turned on his heel and walked out.

Outside the restaurant, a stranger was taking photos.

A forced perspective shot.

The person intentionally adjusted the angle to capture a frame of him and Marcus "talking intimately" across the table.

Ten minutes later.

Another viral post went live.

Plot Twist in the Infidelity Scandal! The Husband Meets with Lawyer Sebastian—Secret Meeting at a Restaurant Exposed!

The accompanying image was the photo from the restaurant.

Due to the forced perspective, it looked as if the two were whispering in each other's ears, their posture far too close.

The comment section reached a fever pitch.

"Did this lawyer take a bribe???"

"Dammit, he’s going to help the scumbag bully the wife!"

"A piece of trash deserves a dog; they'll stay together forever!"

"Sisters, what’s this lawyer’s name? Red flag! Avoid him!"

The topic escalated rapidly.

The hashtag #CorruptLawyerHelpsScumbagBullyWife surged up the trending charts.

Mrs. Lin’s case was also dug up. Public opinion swung heavily in favor of the woman, attacking Sebastian.

"Client, run! There's something wrong with this lawyer!"

"He’s just trying to play both sides!"

"Disgusting! So disgusting!"

———

Back in the villa, Sebastian’s phone was hurled onto the floor.

He picked up the landline and dialed another number.

"Hello, PR company? Yes, I want the trending topics suppressed. As fast as possible!"

He hung up and dialed again.

"Is this the Cyberspace Administration? I want to report a case of malicious defamation."

He dialed once more.

"Counselor Zhang, have you seen the things online? Help me prepare the litigation materials. I’m suing those gossip accounts!"

Call after call, his voice grew more urgent and enraged.

Lucian rushed down from upstairs. He had obviously seen the news as well; it was clear someone was targeting him.

He pulled Sebastian into a tight hug.

"Calm down!"

Sebastian struggled for a moment but couldn't break free.

"Calm down?" His voice echoed through the empty living room. "How can I be calm?!"

He pushed Lucian away and pointed at the phone screen, his hands shaking.

"The client is questioning me! She called to terminate the retainer!"

He pointed toward the window, as if pointing at the invisible digital world outside.

"My photos are everywhere! Everyone is cursing me! How can I be calm?!"

His eyes were rimmed with red, his chest heaving violently. He was like a string pulled too tight, ready to snap at any second.

Lucian watched him, his heart twisting into a knot.

He hated his own weakness; he hated that he could do nothing!

He reached out and hugged him once more.

This time, Sebastian did not push him away.

He leaned against Lucian’s shoulder, his breathing rapid and his entire body shivering.

The living room fell silent, save for the ticking of the clock on the wall.

After a long, long time.

Sebastian’s voice came from his shoulder—raspy and exhausted.

"...I'm alright now."

Lucian held him even tighter.

He didn't know what to say.

He just held him, stroking his back over and over again.