From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 242: A Step Before The Scandal

Micah slipped out of the grand banquet hall with a slow exhale, the heavy doors quietly closing behind him. The warm lighting and the chatter faded as he stepped into the cool night air. For a moment, he thought he could finally be alone. He had only taken one step down the stone path, just one, when a sharp voice rang out.

"Who’s there?!"

Micah stopped mid-step and turned around. Under the tall garden tree stood a striking woman in a red gown. Her figure was highlighted by the curve-hugging fabric, and her bright red hair tumbled down her shoulders in deliberate waves. She leaned lightly against the trunk, her posture graceful but oddly posed.

Micah looked at her questioningly. He didn’t recognise her. Was she a distant relative? A family friend? Or business partner? She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place her.

The woman took a shaky step forward, limping. One hand rested dramatically against her chest. "What a relief. I was just out here taking a breather when I tripped. Thank god, I ran into you," Shirley said.

Micah just looked at her. What was with his luck? First, that WeChat moment, then Emile’s surprise identity, and now this mysterious woman appearing out of nowhere?

He didn’t even know the woman. He couldn’t just shrug her off. He didn’t want to be rude. But what if she were an important figure? There was no doubt someone would say he was a disgrace to the Ramsy name. He didn’t want to create trouble tonight.

Shirley, however, misunderstood that look. Her eyes darted nervously. Did he see through her? Did he know she was lying?

She shifted slightly. "Could you help me? I think I sprained my ankle a little."

Micah’s eyes dropped to her outstretched hand, a bit uncomfortable. The scent of her perfume was strong, almost overwhelming. It made his nose wrinkle. Something about her didn’t sit right with him.

Shirley leaned a little closer, the hem of her dress shifting with her movement. What Micah didn’t notice was the subtle motion of her other hand adjusting the angle of her phone in her clutch bag. The screen was tilted ever so slightly, the camera already recording.

All she needed was a few seconds. A brief moment where Micah touched her. That would be enough. Enough to edit. Enough to twist into something scandalous. Enough to blackmail him. Or someone close to him.

But before Micah could step closer, someone called him. "Micah! I finally found you!"

Micah turned. "Instructor? Is there something you need?"

Seth strode into view, tall and sharp in his military uniform. His presence was commanding.

Shirley silently cursed the ancestors of this intruder. The moment the man stepped into the light, Shirley’s eyes widened, seeing that he was dressed in a military uniform. Her mouth went dry.

Seth looked at the woman and then at Micah. "What happened?"

"Oh, I don’t know," Micah said with a faint shrug. "This lady had apparently tripped."

"Oh, I’ll stay with her. Go call a staff." Seth said.

Micah nodded and left without hesitation.

The moment Micah was out of earshot, Seth’s smile faded. He turned sharply to the woman. "I don’t know who sent you, but your act was too clumsy. Get lost before he returns, otherwise..." he said, voice cold.

Shirley trembled under his sharp gaze. She could tell the man was not joking.

She didn’t wait for a second. Clutching her bag, she walked away quickly.

Seth let out a sigh. He didn’t want to meddle. But when his eyes caught the red gleam of a camera lens, he couldn’t stay hidden.

A few minutes later, Micah returned. He glanced around. "What happened?"

"Oh, her companion came and helped her away," Seth lied without batting an eye.

Micah thanked the staff and turned toward the instructor.

"Sorry to trouble you."

"It was nothing. Oh, can I have your contact number?" Seth asked.

Micah was taken aback. "Huh?"

"There’s something I’d like to discuss with you. But right now, it isn’t the time and place..."

"Oh, sure," Micah said and pulled out his phone, exchanging numbers.

"Thanks. I’ve got to head out. My superior is waiting for me," Seth said and left. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Micah scratched his cheek, totally baffled. Something about the whole situation was off. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but...

He shrugged it off with a sigh and turned toward the entrance.

That’s when he saw him. Darcy.

The boy stood quietly under a tree, a little distance away from the path. The soft garden light barely touched him, but Micah spotted the familiar silhouette instantly.

"Darcy," he called out, his voice brightening.

Darcy turned quickly at the sound of his name. And then he froze. His breath caught in his throat. Micah had dressed in a dark navy suit, well-fitted and smooth. Something he had not seen before. He looked handsome, refined. Like a prince.

His ears turned red almost instantly, recalling Micah’s post.

He had checked his phone after Micah had left his apartment. The moment he saw it, his heart had done a strange flip.

The picture, the cake. His cake.

But most importantly, that caption... Micah had written it like it meant more than it seemed. And Darcy had read between every word, every emoji.

He felt happy. His cake, the sloppy and ugly one, meant this much to Micah.

He felt that after meeting Micah, his life had changed for the better. He had found someone who cared, someone who saw his struggle, his burdens, the unfairness of his life. And instead of pitying him, Micah had offered his hand to help him, had treated him as an equal. Not someone to be looked down on, his family situation, or his worn-out clothes. Micah had never assumed he used underhanded methods to succeed, unlike those jealous classmates.

Micah had been his friend without wanting anything in return. He had put him first. Cared for him.

Darcy’s chest swelled. He was over the moon. Now with that post... he knew Micah at least felt something toward him, too.

Seeing Micah now, Darcy wanted to say something, but his voice was stuck.

Micah jogged toward him. "Sorry, something came up. Let’s go."

Darcy opened his mouth but saw a layer of pink on Micah’s neck. Oh... Micah was also embarrassed. Darcy didn’t say anything and quietly followed, lips tugging into a smile.