Chapter 6 - The Counter-Strike
Tristan’s smirk faltered. "What are you talking about?"
Julian stepped forward, pointing at the watch in the Dean’s hand. "A genuine Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime uses a hand-stitched alligator strap. That strap is stamped leather. Furthermore, the sweeping second hand on a real Patek is flawlessly silent. If you hold that to your ear, Dean, you'll hear it ticking."
The Dean blinked, hesitantly bringing the watch to his ear. His eyes widened. Tick. Tick. Tick.
"It's a fake," Julian announced to the crowd, his voice ringing with absolute authority. "A cheap, canal-street replica. Worth maybe fifty dollars."
The crowd erupted into furious whispers. The elite students of Kingston abhorred many things, but nothing was a greater sin than wearing counterfeit luxury.
Tristan turned pale. "He... he swapped it! He must have stolen the real one and put a fake in my bag!"
"Why would I steal a fake watch just to keep a fake watch?" Julian asked smoothly. He pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped a button. "Besides, I don't need to steal."
Before anyone could process what was happening, the Dean’s cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, and the color instantly drained from his face. He answered with a trembling hand.
"Y-yes, Chairman? Yes... yes, he's right here. No, it was a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding! Yes, sir. I understand."
The Dean hung up, looking at Julian with absolute terror. The Chairman of the Kingston Board of Trustees never called directly.
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"Mr. Vance is cleared of all charges," the Dean stammered, shoving the fake watch into Tristan’s chest. "Mr. Sterling, if you ever waste my time with counterfeit garbage again, you will face suspension. Disperse! Everyone, disperse!"
As the crowd broke apart, murmuring about Tristan’s fake watch, Julian caught Tristan’s eye. Julian smiled—a cold, terrifying slash of a smile. The war had officially begun.
