Chapter 42: Spiting Him

Sebastian spent the night at the law firm.

When he woke up, he checked the time.

It was 7:30 AM, nearly time for work to begin. He decided not to bother going home and instead tidied himself up before heading out to buy breakfast.

Having finished his purchase, Sebastian was about to re-enter the firm. Before he could even shake off the morning chill, a familiar and grating voice drifted from behind him.

"Well, well, Counselor Sebastian. All by yourself today?"

Mervin Lee stood with his arms crossed, twirling a fountain pen in his hand, a nauseatingly fake smile plastered on his face.

He sized Sebastian up from head to toe. "Where’s that little shadow of yours? Not clinging to your pant leg like usual?"

Sebastian came to a halt, the paper bag containing his breakfast crinkling under his tightening grip.

He had spent all of yesterday harboring a stomach full of suppressed frustration from the boxing gym, and with nowhere to vent it, Mervin’s face had appeared at the perfect moment.

He turned around, and a trace of a smile actually surfaced on his face—though it didn't reach his eyes, instead radiating a bone-chilling coldness. "What? Is Lawyer Lee’s skin itching first thing in the morning? Do you want to go a few rounds with me?"

Mervin arched an eyebrow, seemingly having expected such a reaction, his grin becoming even more punchable.

"Tsk, all these years and you haven't changed a bit. One word out of line and you resort to your fists. Truly worthy of... that kind of background."

"Good that you know."

Sebastian took a step forward, his aura flaring with an overwhelming sense of pressure. "It saves you the trouble of blaming me for bullying the weak after you lose in court later."

The smile on Mervin’s face froze for a split second, and his expression turned predatory.

He lowered his voice, his tone laced with teeth-gritting jealousy. "Sebastian, don't get too ahead of yourself. I heard business at your firm hasn't been great lately. Since that gossip about you keeping a 'toy' spread, you must have lost quite a few high-end clients, haven't you?"

"Not to the point of starving."

Sebastian’s expression remained indifferent. "As for you, Lawyer Lee, I heard you lost your divorce case against your wife a few days ago? Tsk. If you can’t even manage your own backyard, do you really have the energy to worry about my clients?"

That sentence struck Mervin exactly where it hurt.

He had indeed been plagued by scandals recently, becoming a laughingstock within the industry. With virtually no work coming in, his situation was truly embarrassing.

"You—!"

Mervin’s face turned livid. He pointed a finger at Sebastian, the hatred in his eyes nearly overflowing.

Sebastian didn't bother to give him another glance. He turned and strode straight inside, leaving behind a casual remark: "Watch yourself."

As the automatic doors slowly slid shut, Mervin spat in his direction before turning to leave.

...

On a spring afternoon, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the plane tree leaves, casting mottled shadows across the campus boulevard.

Lucian was irritably kicking a pebble by his feet, his brow furrowed with an expression that suggested someone owed him millions.

He was currently scouting for a storefront.

A milk tea shop near the school was up for transfer. The location was excellent, situated right on the mandatory path between the library and the teaching buildings.

Lucian calculated that if he could take over the shop and transform it into a trendy collectible hub, he would surely make a fortune.

But right now, his mind was filled with Sebastian’s disgusting face from the boxing gym the previous night.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He kicked a pebble with such force that it slammed into the curb with a sharp crack.

Chen, following behind him, let out a helpless sigh.

After walking a bit further.

"Hey, where do you think Xavier is going for dinner tonight? Should I pretend to bump into him? Or just message him for a date? Does this outfit look okay?"

"Speechless." Lucian couldn't help but roll his eyes.

While Lucian was staring blankly at the transfer notice on the shop, Chen couldn't resist speaking up. "Hey, do you think Xavier would like the style of this shop? Why don't we go in and take a look?"

Hearing this, Lucian shot Chen an annoyed glare. "Look at what? All you do is think about dating—have you achieved anything in your career yet?! All you do is date, date, date, date!"

"Bro, did you eat gunpowder for breakfast?"

Chen shrugged, looking completely innocent.

"I..." Lucian realized he had overreacted, then turned defensive out of embarrassment. "I'm going too! I'm going to that restaurant tonight as well!"

Chen froze for a moment, then realized Lucian was referring to the restaurant where he planned to take Xavier.

He groaned inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged. He even allowed a sympathetic smile to surface. "Fine, fine. If you want to go, go ahead."

The little calculator in his mind began clicking rapidly: With Lucian’s temper, he would surely be reckless and headstrong if he went, perhaps even getting into an argument with Xavier. When that happened, wouldn't his own image as a refined, gentle, and understanding brother stand out? Someone as smart as Xavier would surely see who truly possessed patience and cultivation! Perfect!

"Just as well," Chen thought smugly to himself, "let Xavier see who is the friend worth spending time with."

He patted Lucian’s shoulder, his tone so gentle it could practically drip water. "Since you want to go, should I help you book a window seat later? I heard the lighting there is very romantic, perfect for... a heart-to-heart."

Lucian shot him a suspicious look, sensing something fishy about Chen’s smile.

But then he thought, if he went there, took a few photos, and posted them to his social feed, it would be a great way to spite that Sebastian. He suddenly felt it was a great idea.

"Fine, book the best seat!"

Lucian waved his hand grandly, acting as if he were the one about to go on the date. "Be smart about it later; don't screw this up for me."

Chen nodded with a smile, but a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes.

He was already looking forward to seeing what kind of helpless yet amused expression Xavier would have when he saw Lucian’s explosive temper later.

And he, himself, would be the "savior" who diffused the awkwardness with his gentle consideration!

"Don't worry," Chen said softly, "I'm an expert at handling these... complicated situations."

On the other side, the employees at the law firm had already left for the day.

Sebastian was slumped over his desk, his forehead resting against the cold surface, trying to alleviate the waves of dizziness washing over him.

The pain in his lower back was infinitely magnified in the quiet office, feeling like a blunt saw rhythmically grating against his nerves.

He straightened up, moving sluggishly to grab several cushions from a cabinet, then limped his way into the breakroom.

He piled the pillows onto the sofa and leaned back cautiously, attempting to find a position that wasn't quite so agonizing.

He closed his eyes, but his mind uncontrollably conjured Lucian’s stubborn and disgusting face, along with Mervin Lee’s schadenfreude-filled expression.