Chapter 39: Controlling the narrative [2]
Kyle and Marcus. Both were popular, well-connected, the type who had influence across different social circles. Kyle was popular with the girls due to his looks and charm. Marcus was respected by the guys for his athletic ability and laid-back personality.
They were both part of the same friend group, popular kids got on well together.
"Hey, can I talk to you two for a minute?" Sebastian asked casually.
They exchanged glances but nodded, following him to a quieter corner of the hallway.
"I need a favour," Sebastian said directly. "You both know what happened yesterday. The story is spreading, and I need to make sure the narrative stays factual."
"What do you mean?" Kyle asked.
"I mean I don’t want people thinking I’m some helpless victim who got destroyed," Sebastian explained. "The truth is, three masked guys ambushed me. I held my own even though they attacked me with weapons initially."
"So you want us to... talk you up?" Marcus said, understanding immediately.
"Pretty much. "
Sebastian pulled out his wallet and extracted several crisp hundred-dollar bills—$500 for each of them.
"For your time and effort," Sebastian said, handing them the money.
Kyle’s eyes widened at the cash. "Whoa, that’s... that’s generous."
"I pay well for good work," Sebastian replied simply.
Marcus pocketed the money with a grin. "No problem, man. We’ll spread the word. By lunch, everyone will know you’re not to be fucked with."
"Appreciated."
Kyle, however, looked at the money in his hand, then back at Sebastian. A calculating expression crossed his face.
"You know," Kyle said slowly, "this kind of reputation management... it’s delicate work. Requires constant maintenance. Maybe we should discuss a more... ongoing arrangement?"
Sebastian’s expression remained neutral. "What are you suggesting?"
"Well, $500 is great for now. But if you want us to keep managing your image long-term, maybe we should talk about a weekly payment? Say... $500 per week each?"
Marcus looked uncomfortable. "Kyle, man, that’s not what we agreed—"
"I’m just being realistic," Kyle interrupted, his confidence growing as Sebastian didn’t quite disagree. "Sebastian clearly values his reputation. And we’re the ones with the social capital to protect it. That’s worth more than a one-time payment, right?"
Sebastian studied Kyle for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
"Come with me," Sebastian said quietly. "Let’s discuss this privately."
He turned and walked toward an empty classroom nearby. Kyle followed, still smiling, thinking he’d successfully negotiated a better deal.
Marcus hesitated, then stayed behind, clearly not wanting to be part of whatever Kyle was doing.
Inside the empty classroom, Sebastian closed the door.
"So, about that weekly arrangement—" Kyle started.
In one fluid motion, he grabbed Kyle by the throat and slammed him against the wall, his hand tightening around Kyle’s neck with surprising strength.
Kyle’s eyes went wide with shock and sudden fear, his hands instinctively grabbing at Sebastian’s wrist. No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to make it budge, as if Sebastian’s hand was a tight rope around his neck.
"I was trying to be nice," Sebastian said, his voice cold and flat. His face was inches from Kyle’s, his expression devoid of the friendly demeanour from moments ago.
"But it seems like you have nothing up there." He knocked on Kyle’s head with his free hand, the gesture almost mocking.
Kyle tried to speak, but Sebastian’s grip made it impossible. His face was turning red from the lack of oxygen, and fear was crippling his body.
"Let me explain something to you very clearly. I offered you $500 as a gesture of goodwill. You decided to interpret my generosity as weakness. That was a mistake, one that I don’t forgive quite as easily."
He tightened his grip slightly, and Kyle’s struggles intensified.
"Not only will you do this for free now," Sebastian said, his voice still eerily calm, "but you will also give me $100 every week. Every single week. Do you understand?"
Kyle’s eyes were watering, his face now purple. He nodded frantically.
"Good." Sebastian didn’t release him yet. "And if you don’t give me the money, or if you even think about going to the teachers about this, remember who my family is. The Fairfax name carries weight in this city. We fund half the school’s programs. My father knows the principal personally. Who do you think they’ll believe?"
He leaned in closer.
"You think you can extort me? I’ll destroy your entire life before lunch. Your parents will lose their jobs. Your college applications will get rejected. Your social life will evaporate. And no one will ever know it was me. Know your place."
Sebastian finally released his grip.
Kyle collapsed to the ground, gasping desperately for air, coughing and clutching his throat.
Sebastian straightened his uniform, adjusted his sleeves, and looked down at Kyle with cold indifference.
"First payment is due Friday," Sebastian said. "Don’t be late."
He turned and walked out of the classroom, his hands casually in his pockets, leaving Kyle on the floor still struggling to breathe properly.
Fool, Sebastian thought as he walked down the hallway.
His Silver Tongue skill had helped him identify the exact words to use—the precise threats that would break Kyle’s will without leaving any room for rebellion.
And his increased combat power meant he could back up those threats physically if needed.
As Sebastian rounded the corner, he saw Marcus waiting nervously.
"Everything okay?" Marcus asked carefully, noticing Sebastian’s calm demeanour but sensing something had changed.
"Everything’s fine," Sebastian said with a slight smile. "Kyle and I came to an understanding. You’ll still get your $500, and you’ll do what we discussed. No strings attached."
Marcus looked relieved. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it."
"Just make sure the story gets out properly," Sebastian said.
"You got it."
As Marcus walked away, Sebastian continued toward his classroom, his expression neutral but his mind satisfied.
By lunch, the story had spread exactly as Sebastian wanted.
"Did you hear? Sebastian fought off all three attackers before the teacher even got there..."
"Yeah, apparently it took three guys just to hurt him...the previous videos were out of context. "
And Kyle? Kyle kept his head down, avoided eye contact, and would deliver his first payment on Friday without complaint.