From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 240: The Day Was Cursed

Micah stood frozen, rooted to the ground, with three Du Ponts standing in front of him. He blinked hard, heart thudding. He felt like he was dreaming.

Emile, his posh, idol-like roommate for over a month...was a Du Pont. And his cousin, Dean Du Pont? He was the one Micah had bumped into on orientation day.

And Big sister, whom he had met at the Fan club gathering while disguised as Asena, was a Du Pont too.

He stared at them, his mouth slightly parted. The world around him had turned oddly quiet, muffled, and blurred.

He raised his hand and pinched himself hard.

"Ouch!" he muttered under his breath. His skin stung, the pinch hard enough to make his eyes teary.

Nope. It wasn’t a dream.

"Hey, are you alright?" Jacklin asked, stepping forward slightly. "You look pale."

Micah swallowed hard, quickly ducking his head. He needed to escape. To hide. Leave the garden. The longer he stood there, the higher the chance that Jacklin might notice something. Some flicker of recognition. Some resemblance to Asena.

He had only met Jacklin twice. Thank god it hadn’t been more.

"Is it your stomach again?" Emile asked suddenly, his earlier anger replaced by concern now. "Did you drink again? I heard from Nick and Eddie that you snuck some last time. Didn’t Darcy give you an earful?" Emile paused, his tone grew in disbelief. "Where is he? Huh? Don’t tell me you didn’t even invite him?"

Micah stiffened. His expression turned more awful. He had forgotten just how much Emile knew.

Did he have to bring up his stomach problem? What if he said the Coughing blood incident next? And Darcy? His drinking alcohol? Oh god, all of his secrets were about to be revealed, airing his dirty laundry.

Stop, stop, stop! Please, don’t say another word, Micah pleaded silently, eyes wide.

This was bad. What if his family heard about it? They surely make a fuss.

His eyes darted around, frantic, checking if any family members were within earshot.

"I’m sorry... I feel a bit dizzy..." Micah said quickly, hoping to vanish before Emile opened his big mouth again.

"There you are!"

Then a loud slap landed on his back, pushing him forward. Micah stumbled forward with a gasp, caught off guard. His foot caught the edge of the pavement, nearly colliding with Emile, who reached out instinctively, as did Dean and Jacklin.

"Whoa!"

"Micah!"

They caught him, startled.

"What the hell, Edmund!" someone shouted across the garden. "What are you doing?"

Another voice followed. "Oh god, Micah! Are you alright?"

Micah turned his head slowly, as if in a daze.

There stood his maternal family, all in one row.

Uncle Edgar, tall and broad at 46, was already striding toward him with his wife and children. Ernest, his more easygoing uncle at 41, looked at him with concern. Then Edmund, the youngest and wildest at 26, stood in bewilderment, his hands still raised from where he had slapped Micah’s back.

Behind them stood the real forces of nature, his grandparents, Louis Palmer and Ida Fayer.

"Oh, dear," Ida murmured, her voice rising in pitch as she rushed forward. She cupped Micah’s face with both hands, tilting it up to look at him closely. "Why are you so pale, baby?"

"I’m fine, Mimi..." Micah mumbled weakly.

From the side, Louis Palmer reached over and smacked Edmund across the back of the head. "You brat!" he barked. "What was that for? I should have beaten more sense into you when I had the chance..."

Micah’s lips twitched. "Pops, not here. People are staring," he called to his grandfather.

Ernest stepped closer, scanning Micah from head to toe. "Are you sure you are alright?"

"Yes, yes, I’m fine," Micah said, brushing his bangs from his forehead. His gaze darted toward Emile and his cousins.

"Oh, sorry. Did we interrupt something?" Edgar said, catching the gaze.

"No, it’s fine," Jacklin said smoothly. "We were just catching up. We’ll head inside."

And just like that, the three Du Ponts turned and made their way into the banquet hall.

Micah sighed in relief. His body sagged with it. Even though he was close to hitting the ground flat-faced, he appreciated Edmund’s intervention. The sudden slap had been a blessing.

"Are you sure we didn’t get in a way?" Ida asked again, her hands still resting on Micah’s shoulders.

"Nope. They are friends. Just some casual talking," Micah replied, trying to straighten up.

"Good," Ida said, giving his cheek a gentle pat. "We arrived late and couldn’t find you inside. So your uncle was in a hurry..."

Before she could finish, her husband cut in.

"If it wasn’t for someone who made us wait for an hour getting ready..." Louis Palmar said, glaring at Edmund, his youngest son.

Edmund, however, didn’t respond. He stood there, staring into the air with a dazed look in his eyes.

"Oyi! What’s with you?" Edgar asked, frowning.

Edmund didn’t even blink.

"What the hell? Did he turn completely stupid?" Louis Palmer grumbled.

"Hey!" Ernest waved a hand in front of Edmund’s face. Getting no response, he slapped his face, not hard though.

Suddenly, Edmund jolted to life with the energy of a man possessed. His eyes lit up while he leapt enthusiastically toward Micah. "My dear nephew! Who was that beautiful blonde woman? Huh?"

Micah froze. Everyone else groaned.

"Are you out of your mind?" Micah said, massaging his temples. "She is so out of your league!"

"Why? Am I not rich? Young and handsome?" Edmund said matter-of-factly.

Micah gaped at him. "She is from a family with more prestige than Ramsys. You can figure out the rest."

"No, that doesn’t mean anything," Edmund argued, puffing out his chest, showing his flashy clothes. "I have my own charm, come on, help me. I have been in a dry spell for too long. You know I have high standards. Not just anyone gets to enjoy this amazing body!"

There was a beat of silence. Then, snorts erupted. Followed by full-on laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" Edmund asked.

"That is the funniest joke I’ve heard all year. You? high standards?" Edgar cracked up.

"Can you look at the mirror and say that?" Ernest chuckled.

"Enough." Ida Snapped. "Today, it isn’t about you, Edmund. Don’t ruin Micah’s birthday."

Micah looked at her, his lips twitching with something like a smile, or maybe frustration.

He felt exhausted, too tired to even explain to his Mimi that it was too late. The day was cursed. His birthday had all gone wrong.