Chapter 33: Blocked

Mrs. Wang moved quickly.

Early the next morning, she returned from the phone store with a brand-new device—the latest model.

"Mr. Sebastian, take a look. Is this okay?"

Sebastian took it and nodded.

"Thank you."

Mrs. Wang smiled, said nothing more, and turned toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Sebastian leaned back on the sofa, the brace still secured around his waist. He didn't dare move an inch. Unexpectedly, he found himself missing the way that bastard used to support his waist with his hands.

Wrapped in a wool blanket, his body felt warm, but his heart was freezing cold.

He unpacked the phone, inserted the SIM card, and turned it on.

The moment the screen lit up, notification pings erupted like an explosion, ringing incessantly.

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding—

He stared at the screen, watching the messages scroll up one by one.

From Assistant Joe.

From other colleagues.

From a few friends.

And—

From Lucian.

[Lucian: How are you?]

[Lucian: Reply when you see this.]

[Lucian: I was wrong, don't be angry.]

[Lucian: Hey?]

[Lucian: ???]

[Lucian: Are you there?]

[Lucian: Please reply to me.]

[Lucian: I’m begging you.]

Over a dozen messages, sent from yesterday until today. Sebastian stared at them for a long time.

Then he tapped on Lucian’s profile picture and clicked the three dots in the top right corner.

Block.

Confirm.

A prompt popped up on the screen: 【"Lucian" has been added to the blacklist】

He set the phone down and leaned back against the sofa, closing his eyes.

Mrs. Wang poked her head out from the kitchen.

"Mr. Sebastian, breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat now?"

Sebastian didn't open his eyes.

"In a bit."

Mrs. Wang gave a soft response and retreated.

Silence fell over the living room.

After a long while, Sebastian picked up the phone and opened the messages from Assistant Joe.

[Joe: Counselor! Something happened—did you know?! That cheating husband issued a statement!]

[Joe: He said the meeting at the restaurant that day was a normal legal consultation, the photo was just a forced perspective shot, and there is no improper relationship with you!]

[Joe: But...]

[Joe: But regarding Mrs. Lin, she has decided not to hire our firm anymore. She said that although things were clarified, the public opinion was too overwhelming, and she doesn't want to be dragged into it any further...]

[Joe: Counselor, I’m sorry. I couldn't keep her...]

Sebastian stared at the messages, his face devoid of expression.

He had expected this long ago.

The lack of trust from a client was the ultimate blow.

He scrolled down to continue reading.

[Joe: Also, that "kept escort" matter is still trending. However, the comments are starting to split. Some believe it, some don't, and some are saying you were framed...]

Sebastian’s finger paused on the screen.

He looked at those words—"kept escort."

Then he opened Weibo.

On the trending list, the topic was still there.

#LawyerSebastianKeptYoungMan

He clicked in; there were over twenty thousand comments.

【I still don't believe it, there are so many photos.】

【But the cheating husband already clarified his part, which means the photos could definitely be fake.】

【That’s a separate matter. How do you explain the hotel photo? They were so intimate.】

【Even if it’s true, so what? What does his private life have to do with you?】

【Exactly, a bunch of people with too much time on their hands.】

【Lawyers aren't allowed to date?】

【He’s dating a man! Isn't that disgusting?】

【What’s wrong with men? Did he eat your rice?】

Sebastian scrolled down one by one, and as he did, his finger suddenly stopped.

Then he did something he hadn't even expected of himself.

He tapped the icon in the top right corner.

He typed:

【I am Sebastian. Regarding the photos circulating online, I wish to clarify a few points:

The person in the photos is indeed me. The other individual is a personal relationship of mine, not a "kept" relationship as rumored.

We did indeed have a relationship, but it has ended. There was no financial transaction involved.

Regarding the accounts maliciously spreading rumors and defamation, I have instructed my lawyer to gather evidence and will pursue legal responsibility according to the law.

Thank you to the friends who care about me. I also ask uninvolved parties to respect the privacy of others and stop groundless speculation.】

His finger hovered over the "Post" button.

He stared at the text for three seconds.

Then he pressed it.

Post successful.

He set the phone down and leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes.

His heart was beating a bit fast.

But if he didn't do something, he was going to go crazy.

After that Weibo post went out, the comment section completely exploded.

【Holy crap! He admitted it!!!】

【Dating? With that guy???】

【So it wasn't a sugar baby situation, they were just dating?】

【So all that "escort" dirt was fake?】

【I told you, he didn't look like that kind of person.】

【They dated and then broke up? That’s so sad...】

【Wait, so he’s gay?】

【So what if he’s gay? It’s his business.】

【Where are the people who were cursing him before? Come out and apologize!】

The comments multiplied, and the retweets grew.

Some believed, some doubted, some were cynical, and some showed support.

But one thing had changed: the one-sided tide of insults was beginning to be diluted by voices of doubt and sympathy.

Sebastian didn't look at his phone again.

He leaned against the sofa, eyes closed, motionless.

Mrs. Wang walked out of the kitchen, saw his state, and let out a soft sigh.

She placed the congee on the coffee table and quietly retreated again.

Over the next few days, the public discourse slowly died down.

The trending topics were replaced by new subjects, new headlines, and new carnivals.

Sebastian's name was gradually forgotten by the public.

However, business at the law firm did not recover.

One after another, clients called to terminate their retainers. Some were tactful, some were direct, and some didn't even bother to explain. Joe spent every day answering calls until his hands were sore, hanging up only to sigh in the office.

"Counselor," he sent a message on WeChat, "another one left..."

Sebastian looked at the message but did not reply.

He didn't know what to say.

He lay on the sofa, the brace on his waist still unable to be removed. Wrapped in the blanket, he felt warm, but his heart felt empty.

He closed his eyes.

Stop thinking about it,

he told himself.