From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 237: No, I’m Not Available

Micah nodded and smiled so much that his neck began to ache and his cheeks felt stiff like plaster. The corners of his lips jerked, muscles protesting, but he kept grinning anyway. The grand hall buzzed with people filtering in, row after row, a mix of familiar faces and total strangers. After half an hour standing beside his parents, Micah’s head was spinning. His vision blurred slightly with the movement of tailored suits and shimmering gowns, and chatter kept going on and on.

Every few seconds, someone would begin to offer shallow compliments or throw suggestive smiles, their eyes darting toward him like he was a prize on display. Some even were bold enough to mention daughters, prospects, and fate with poorly disguised intent.

Micah’s jaw clenched.

They were trying to confirm whether the viral post was true, whether the Ramsy heir, the so-called ’famous waste’, was really taken, or was still a chance to shove their daughters into his path like bait.

Their greedy eyes flicked from him to his parents, calculating, measuring. As if he were a stepping stone to climb. As if their daughters were auction items in some sale.

Micah’s hands curled slightly at his sides. His knuckles cracked.

Micah wanted to punch them. Hard into the nose.

He could see how they masked their ambition behind fake smiles, their minds filled with cold transactional hunger.

He hated this. This kind of gathering where people showed their ugly sides and reminded him of the unpleasant past.

He hadn’t even had the power to stop his older sister, Willow, from being tied down to that helpless fool of the Gu family. He had tried to break that engagement, from making trouble to going on a hunger strike, but in the end, Willow spoke up, saying she was okay with being engaged to him.

Micah had no choice but to accept it. He hated Gu Donghai before, despised him even. But after that dream, at least now he knew that guy actually loved Willow. But it still something bitter twisted in him every time he remembered that.

His gaze flickered to the two of them. Willow was as cool as a cucumber, as always, and Gu Donghai stood beside her, as stiff as a marble statue.

Micah lowered his gaze and let out a quiet sigh.

Elina caught the sound and turned toward him. Her eyes narrowed slightly in concern, though her face remained composed in front of the guests. "Are you tired? You can go inside now if you want."

Micah shot her an exaggerated glare. "You saying that like I am the elder here! I am young and healthy, okay?" He puffed his chest out, like a rooster with its feathers standing up in offence.

Jacob chuckled under his breath and patted him on the shoulder. "Son, don’t get cocky. I still can take you down, easily. Don’t look down on your parents."

"Yeah. Yeah. I know." Micah nodded, pouting.

It wasn’t even an empty threat. Both of his parents had been training in martial arts for years now, Jacob with his quiet strength and Elina with her precise, terrifying strikes. It still amazed Micah sometimes. Who would believe that his mellow, soft-spoken father and uptight, perfectionist mother would be this invested in martial arts? Apparently, they started it because of him; they couldn’t keep up with his antics.

"You’ve shown enough tonight to shut down people’s mouths," Elina said, shooing him away. "Go on, take a break."

Micah didn’t need to be told twice. He gave a small nod, his stiff smile finally relaxing into something more natural, and stepped away from his parents.

It felt even more crowded than last year. He had barely stepped into the inner hall when several people gathered around him like moths to a flame. All bright eyes and forced laughter, trying to talk to him. Micah’s eyebrow twitched. Those hungry eyes, he saw some at the entrance.

He dodged two guests before a familiar face stopped in front of him.

"Micah! I haven’t seen you all evening."

Micah froze. It was Mrs.Ling. One of his mother’s friends. She was dressed in bright silk and had too much enthusiasm on her face.

Micah forced a polite smile. "Good evening, Auntie..."

"Come now, don’t run off so fast." She reached for his arm with perfectly manicured fingers. "I was just telling my niece how well you’re doing these days. Why don’t you come meet her? She is in finance."

Micah’s polite smile stiffened. "I... actually. I’m just on my way to..."

She was already tugging him a step sideways. "Nonsense, just a minute. You, young people, should exchange contacts. You could chat a bit then meet up outside, mm?"

Panic started creeping into Micah’s throat. He glanced around, looking for an exit, an excuse.

Then he spotted his grandfather.

Mrs.Ling was still chatting. "Now, where is she? Ah..."

"Sorry," Micah blurted. "My grandpa is looking for me. I’ll be right back."

He excused himself and ran away to where his grandfather was.

"What’s with you?" Albert Ramsy asked amusedly, sitting regally in an armchair on a raised platform, legs crossed and cane resting beside him. From up there, he could see nearly all the guests.

"Grandpa, you didn’t... put out some matchmaking notice about me, did you?" Micah whispered, bending slightly.

Albert Ramsy gave him a deadpan look, as though Micah had spouted total nonsense.

"Seriously?" Micah caught the meaning behind the look. "Then why are they acting like this? Throwing their daughters to me with full names, hobbies, height, and weight like some military recruitment drive?"

"You are of suitable age for engagement. Of course, they will make a move," Albert said dryly.

Micah made a face. "So I’ll stick with you until the party ends."

"No, thank you," Albert snorted. "I am not some relic warding off evil spirits. Let me enjoy my peace. Go annoy someone else."

Micah dropped his head and sighed, lips pressed together in defeat. His eyes scanned the room, searching for a corner that wasn’t filled with fake smiles and greedy eyes.

That’s when he noticed a small group of people in military uniforms near the side balcony. They stood tall, their presence heavy even without saying a word. And among them...

Micah blinked and walked toward them.

"Uncle Owen," he greeted casually, nodding. "Is there a problem..." Micah’s voice trailed off. "Eh? Instructor?"

Seth McKay turned around, feigning surprise. "Oh, cadet Micah, didn’t expect to see you here."

Micah glanced at Uncle Owen and then at the man standing beside the instructor. Both wore military uniforms, with dazzling medals attached to them. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

His parents were even inviting a high-ranking military officer now? He thought, a little stunned.

"It’s my birthday," Micah replied, straightening his posture.

"Oh, my bad. Major Grant, my superior, just took me here without saying a word," Seth said with a sheepish grin.

William’s lips twitched in response, staring at Seth. It was the other way around... it was Seth who threw a tantrum and dragged him here.

Micah offered a polite smile. "It seems you’re my uncle’s friends. It’s an honour. Please, enjoy yourselves."

Micah had noticed a flicker of discomfort across Uncle Owen’s face when he called to him earlier. He narrowed his eyes slightly. Whatever conversation they had been having before he walked up...it wasn’t just small talk. But he couldn’t stay and butt in.

Seth opened his mouth, trying to stop Micah from leaving when a kid ran into him.