From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 234: Dear Family: It’s Not What It Looks Like

Micah stepped out of the shower, steam still curling around him. He drew a breath and ran a towel through his damp hair. His thoughts drifted, dark, heavy, and relentless as his gaze flickered toward the locked drawer, where he kept the copy of DNA test results.

Now that he was back at the Ramsy estate, reality was sinking deeper into his mind. His stomach churned.

The thought of how Zhou Ruyan might react to Darcy kept growing in his mind. Would she be disappointed in him, her fake grandson? What if, upon learning the truth, she felt hurt, betrayed that he knew it but hid it?

Micah frowned, his fingers pausing mid-motion in his hair. Technically, he discovered the truth before starting college. That counted for something, right? She should at least give him credit for coming to terms with this huge revelation on his own so quickly. But human emotions were unpredictable. What if she rejected him for keeping it secret until now? What if she didn’t want to see him again?

The anxiety gripped his heart like a cold fist. No. He couldn’t be selfish. He didn’t know how much longer his grandma would be around. He couldn’t waste time worrying about what was inevitable. Sooner or later, everyone would know it. He had to do what he came here to do.

With a new determination, he tossed the towel aside and dressed quickly. First came the crisp black shirt. He buttoned it up, leaving the collar just slightly open. Over it, he slipped a sleek, dark navy suit. The jacket hugged his shoulders perfectly, tailored to emphasise his slim waist. The inner lining shimmered faintly in the light. He pulled the cuffs down, then paused to adjust the silver cufflinks with tiny detail.

Micah grabbed his glasses from the nightstand and slipped them on. He took one more breath, slow and measured, then straightened his back.

As he made his way downstairs, the murmurs of voices grew louder. Laughter. Chatter. His relatives had already gathered in the living room.

He stepped into view.

"Oh! The birthday boy!" Vivian called out dramatically from the middle of the room.

Micah gave a short wave, flashing a grin. "Didn’t think you’d actually show, Vivian. You’re not allergic to me anymore?" he said with a teasing grin, voice smooth and lazy.

Before Vivian could return the jab, a blur of movement rushed past her.

"Hey, cousin! I made you a keychain!" Arlo jumped toward him, arms swinging excitedly. His little sneakers squeaked against the floor as he darted over, holding out a tiny object with both hands.

Micah leaned down slightly and took it from him. The keychain was shaped like a miniature sports car, painted crookedly bright red.

"Oh, it’s so cool," Micah said, eyes lighting up. "You made this?"

"Yup!" Arlo beamed, chest puffed out proudly. "All by myself."

From behind, Jemima stepped up, her expression filled with frustration. "Arlo! It was my turn to give cousin Micah the gift first this year!"

Arlo turned his head and stuck out his tongue. "Too slow!"

Jemima’s eyes welled up, her lower lip trembling.

"Hey, hey." Micah crouched down so he was eye level with her. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his voice softening. "Sweetie pie, why don’t you give me yours too right now? I’d love to see it."

Jemima sniffed, blinking her tears away. Then her face brightened as she pulled out a folded piece of paper from the little bag slung across her shoulder.

"I made this today at art class," she said proudly. "The teacher said I was the best."

Micah unfolded it carefully. It was a colourful drawing of a boy with glasses leaning coolly against a sports car. The figure had spiky hair and a crooked grin.

For an eight-year-old kid, that was really good.

He smiled, touched. "Thank you. This is amazing. You two are so talented!" Micah patted both Jemima and Arlo on the head.

Vivian, who had been watching, folded her arms. "Is the sun rising from the west today or what? Why does this troublemaker act so gentle all of a sudden?!"

Micah straightened up and adjusted his cuff with an air of arrogance like a noble prince. "Hmm... relax. I’m still the same menace, especially to the witches."

"Who did you just call a witch?" Vivian exploded.

Aunt Mabel, who had just walked in, let out a tired sigh. "Vivian, let’s at least arrive here for a minute before starting to pick a fight with Micah."

"It’s alright, Aunty. Today is my birthday, I might as well be... benevolent." Micah gave her a charming wink.

Vivian flared up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "You!" Then she gasped dramatically. "No way! Is it true, isn’t it? What else could explain this complete personality transplant?"

"Vivian Sanford!" Aunt Mabel called out in a threatening tone.

Vivian turned to her mother. "Even Aunt Elina told us not to bring it up, but that’s it. He was the one who crossed the line first." She pointed at Micah. "Where is your girlfriend? Bring her out! Let her see your true colours before it’s too late! That poor soul has been deceived!"

"What girlfriend?" Micah asked in bewilderment.

"Then, Boyfriend?" Aria asked, appearing at the top of the staircase with Willow beside her.

Micah looked up at them, then around the room. Everyone’s eyes sparkled with gossip, as if popcorn was popping out of their eyes.

"What’s going on?" Micah asked, voice cracking just slightly.

Jemima looked up at him innocently. "Cousin, we all saw it. The cake you got from your secret lover."

Micah’s face turned pale. His hand darted into his jacket pocket. He fished out his phone, nearly dropping it in panic. He unlocked it with trembling fingers and opened WeChat.

There it was. The WeChat moment he thought he had never posted or had set to private. But no, there it was. The post stood in the open, bright and glaring.

From the looks of it, everyone in this room had seen it. That caption didn’t mean a girlfriend or boyfriend. He wanted to brag that he had a friend...

He reread the caption. Again and again. No. It really sounded like a relationship announcement! Oh God!