From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 610: The Guest List (part five/ Leo)

Leo walked toward the entrance crowded with

reporters, his steps steady and unhurried.

This entrance was different from the one Silas and the Du Ponts had used earlier. That one had been discreet, dignified, meant for people who didn’t need attention to assert their presence. This one, on the other hand, existed for a very specific purpose: Hype.

It was an entrance reserved for those who wanted to be seen: celebrities clawing their way back into relevance, politicians craving exposure, athletes riding the momentum of recent victories, businessmen eager to attach their faces to the next big headlines.

Anyone who understood the power of attention stepped here.

Leo belonged here tonight. The moment he stepped into view, camera flashes exploded around him as reporters shoved their microphones toward his face, firing questions.

"Leo! Over here!"

"Is this your official comeback?"

Leo paused just enough to let the cameras capture his face clearly, then offered a composed smile, warm, calm, and confident.

Liana slowed her pace beside him but didn’t interrupt. She trusted him to handle this.

"Leo, what are your plans moving forward?" a reporter called out.

Leo turned slightly toward her. "I plan to be careful with my choices," he said evenly. "I want to focus on meaningful projects and grow steadily. I’m not in a rush."

Another voice cut in. "What about your former manager? Do you feel vindicated after the verdict?"

Leo’s smile softened, not triumphant, not bitter. "The law has spoken," he replied. "What matters more is that the truth came out and that people feel safe speaking up."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"And your stance on sexual harassment in the industry?" someone pressed.

Leo met the reporter’s gaze directly. "There should be zero tolerance for it," he said. "Silence only protects the wrong people. Accountability matters." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

That answer earned him another wave of flashing cameras.

"What can you tell us about the new company you signed with?"

Leo let out a light chuckle, easing the tension. "They believed in me when I needed it most. That’s something I won’t forget."

"And is tonight part of your comeback strategy?"

He smiled. "I suppose you could say that."

The crowd laughed softly.

Throughout it all, Leo remained poised, answering sincerely, deflecting intrusive questions with grace, slipping in small jokes when the atmosphere grew too heavy. He could feel the public warming to him again, their curiosity shifting into approval.

Inside his chest, his heart beat fast, but not from nerves. From determination. He would do whatever it took to make Micah, his saviour, proud.

He would never allow even the smallest stain to touch Micah’s reputation.

******

Once inside the venue, the noise changed. The sharp chaos of the press faded into a controlled hum, soft conversations, polite laughter, and the faint clink of glasses. Warm lighting reflected off polished floors and sleek displays, bathing the hall in understated luxury.

Leo exhaled quietly, tension easing from his shoulders.

Liana walked slightly ahead, guiding him through the crowd. She introduced him to people as they went, actors with familiar faces, producers whose names carried weight, investors with calculating smiles. Leo shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and listened attentively.

What surprised him most wasn’t the people. It was Liana. She seemed to know nearly everyone. Not just professionally, but personally. She remembered names, asked after families, and referenced past collaborations with ease. Businessmen greeted her with respect. Influential figures smiled warmly at her approach.

That left Leo stunned. Who exactly was she?

As they moved deeper into the hall, Liana led him toward a group of four people.

Leo’s steps slowed as he caught sight of someone familiar.

Jacklin noticed them first. Her face brightened instantly, and she smiled delightfully.

Liana nodded politely. "Miss Jacklin, Mr Dean Du Pont." Then she turned toward another woman beside them. "Miss Willow."

Leo had not thought much of it at first. Jacklin was a fan, and he knew she came from a rich family. That her presence here wasn’t unusual.

But the moment he heard the family name, he froze, petrified. Du Pont? That family?

Had he heard wrong? Maybe it wasn’t the family he was thinking of?

But then Liana turned to him calmly. "Leo, these are the juniors of the Du Pont family. And this is the vice director of Ramsy Empire, Willow Ramsy."

Leo looked at Jacklin, Dean and Emile, then his gaze drifted to Willow, stunned.

His mind went completely blank. One was from one of Isatis’s most powerful families, the other was Micah’s sister.

Jacklin was pleased with the reaction. She chuckled. "Relax. This was my fault for not introducing myself before. I just wanted to stan my idol freely without making things complicated."

Leo blinked, clearing his throat. "I apologise. I was just caught off guard a little. I didn’t expect a fan from such a prestigious family."

Jacklin waved it off. "Don’t sell yourself short. You are incredibly talented."

Emile chimed in. "She’s right. I’ve watched your work. Your acting feels natural. Very captivating."

Leo smiled, warmth creeping into his expression. "Thank you. I really appreciate that. I’ll do my best not to disappoint."

Willow looked at Liana. "Aunt Liana, long time no see."

Liana offered her a polite smile. "Indeed. It had been a long time since we last met. How have you been dear?"

"Busy," Willow said with a small smile. "But well."

"So," Willow continued, tilting her head slightly, "you’ve returned to the industry?"

"Yeah, things led to it."

"Oh, do you accept rookies too?" Willow asked with anticipation.

Liana raised an amused brow. "Now that’s interesting. Who could make Jacob Ramsy’s eldest daughter personally recommend someone?"

"Oh," Willow replied helplessly. "It’s my little brother. Recently he has shown an interest in acting."

"Who? Micah? Really?" Liana asked, surprised.

There was a collective gasp around her.

Jacklin and Dean were shocked. Leo wasn’t any better.

Only Emile remained calm. He had completely forgotten to mention to his cousins that Micah had acted in an advertisement. That he had established a new company and had dragged him into it too.

Willow nodded, exasperated. "Yeah. I never knew he had such a talent. But you know Director Evelyn? She had praised him nonstop."

Liana’s eyes flickered. "Has he signed with an agency?"

"No," Willow replied. "We don’t have one. Most of our advertisements use famous stars from other companies. That’s why I’m worried. It’s good I ran into you, Aunt Liana. Your insight would be invaluable."

As the two were conversing, Leo was blinking at them, shocked. Micah Ramsy, his saviour, was interested in acting?

Suddenly his chest swelled, warmth spreading through him. Was it because of him? Even if it wasn’t, the mere thought of working side by side, sharing sets, exchanging lines, existing in the same space, was enough for Leo to feel elated. He could teach Micah, guide him as a senior in the industry.

The thought of how close they could grow made his head spin.

Ahh, he wanted to shamelessly boast about himself, promising Willow to take Micah under his wing.

But he knew better. He was just a minor celebrity. His fame wasn’t on par with superstars in the industry. It would come off as arrogant.

So Micah had opened the company... for him and maybe for himself?

But it seemed even his sister had no idea. Not even his manager, Liana Shannon, knew who was behind the new company, the one they were working for.

Could it be Luca’s mistake? No, he was so simple. Never assume things like that. It was probably Micah. But hiding it from everyone?

That was a bit strange.

Meanwhile, Emile, listening to their conversation, realised Micah had concealed even the new company from his family. But he was sure Leo was also one of Micah’s artists.

He studied Leo quietly. From his demeanour and speech to his aura, everything was top-notch. His composure in meeting influential people for the first time was impressive. He could see why his cousin was fond of him and why Micah had poached him.

He inched closer, ready to start the conversation, getting familiar with his senior, when a young man stepped before him.

"Ah...my god...Leo McKay!" the young man blurted. "I am your fan. Can I have your signature?"

The surrounding crowd stilled slightly.

Emile frowned, glancing at him, finding it strange. It wasn’t that no one was a fan of the celebrities in this hall. But the problem was the people in here weren’t your average Joe. No one would act like a bashful fan, striking up a conversation with so not-so-famous actor. It was beyond the composure of a person from an elite family.

This place was full of influential people. If everyone stepped up and began to chat with anyone... the order would be in chaos. The ethical code was always like that. A person acts as a middleman, introducing the new person to the other or vice versa.

So this young man was obviously breaking this unwritten rule. It wasn’t just Emile, others also threw disapproving glances at the young man.

Leo didn’t have an opinion, not finding it strange. He smiled politely. "Your name?"

"Noas... Noas Lobart."

Leo accepted the handkerchief he was offered and signed it neatly. "Nice to meet you."

"Thank you," Noas Lobart said eagerly. "I really admire..."

"Leo," Liana interrupted smoothly, her hand already on his arm. "There is someone I wanted to introduce to you."

She dragged Leo away.

Emile saw a flicker of annoyance on the young man before he left.

What the hell? He should be annoyed being cut off before he could talk to Leo, not this young man who had appeared out of the blue.

Who was this Noas Lobart? He had never heard of him. Was he from a new family? How rude!