Sounds like the writer isn’t used to being challenged. I drop links in stories I disagree with and give it no second thoughts. If the author wants to hide the story, that’s their choice but it speaks volumes about their insecurity.

I get a lot of random stories on my own posts, some relevant, some not. I leave it to the intelligence of my readers on whether to go down a rabbit hole or not. A no context self-promotion isn’t going to be successful – a decent rebuttal might be. I have zero problem with this and neither should anyone.

If a rebuttal or related story is compelling enough, I have been known to link it underneath my article with a strong recommend.

Sounds like you got unlucky and pissed on a narcissist’s bonfire. No great loss to your life I’m sure. :o)