From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 619: A Minor Prank with Major Consequences (part three)

Inside the lobby, at a corner with fewer people, a standoff had formed between the Du Ponts and the Ramsys.

Willow was staring at Clyde, thinking to herself, What the hell did her little brother see in this man? Look, he had the gall to chit-chat with her as if nothing was amiss while a girl with white hair, so similar to Micah’s, was hanging on his arm.

"Oh, I have no idea you were so close to my brother." Her lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "If Micah knew you were here tonight, I’m sure he would’ve come too."

Behind them, Jacklin, Dean, and Emile were silently dying. They could practically hear the unspoken accusation hanging in the air. The trio was sweating buckets after buckets, watching the drama unfold. Uncle, you dare bring up Micah in front of Asena, and his sister, Willow? Are you looking for a beating? Uncle, are you insane? Who mentions their partner in front of another woman...especially when said partner’s sister is standing right there?

They doubted their uncle had completely lost his mind.

Emile’s forehead was already beaded with sweat. He chewed on his thumbnail, eyes wide with horror. How was he supposed to fix this?

Micah tilted his head slightly, confusion clashing with his panic. Did Willow know something? Why was she talking like that?

He had never said he was dating Clyde. Sure, he might have talked about him. A little. Maybe more than a little. But dating?

What Micah didn’t know, what he couldn’t possibly know, was that the Ramsy family had long since drawn their own conclusions. The way Micah spoke about the blond man back at the mansion. The way his tone shifted, softer, brighter. The way he got defensive when Clyde’s name came up. Willow had noticed. Elina had noticed. Even Jacob had noticed. So, Willow and others had long marked this mysterious person as someone Micah had feelings for.

Then there was the hospital incident. Elina, distressed and emotional, had once told them Micah cried because Clyde was hurt protecting him.

It wasn’t true, not entirely. But truth hardly mattered once assumptions took root. In their minds, the picture was clear: their naive, emotionally earnest brother had fallen for someone dangerous. Someone powerful. Someone who was difficult for the Ramsy family to go against.

So when Willow saw a girl with silver-white hair clinging to Clyde’s arm, her conclusion was immediate. That was his type. And Micah, foolish Micah, had simply been another casualty. Her impression of Clyde plummeted straight to rock bottom.

Clyde noticed it all.

The disdain. The cold appraisal. The subtle way Willow’s body angled away from him as though distancing herself. He wasn’t surprised. Still, something tightened faintly in his chest. This was someone Micah cared about deeply. And he had just disappointed her without even trying.

He exhaled quietly. He shouldn’t have let Micah come down to the lobby at all. Trouble had found them the instant they stepped into view. So much for harmless pranks.

Clyde inclined his head slightly. "Yes," he said evenly. "What a pity. I haven’t seen him for quite some time." He paused, as if thinking. "When was it?" he added casually. "Ah, right. It was just after your grandmother politely requested that I leave the villa."

Micah’s eyes widened like two large coconuts. What the hell was Clyde saying? His grandma had promised not to tell anybody about that time in the coastal town. Why? Why did it sound like he was airing grievances? Hello? Do you know they all think Micah was not here?!

Oh, they would surely misunderstand! Clyde was complaining to him. That grandma had treated him poorly compared to Darcy. Shit! He had no idea Clyde was the type to hold grudges!

His heart leapt straight into his throat. His grip on Clyde’s arm tightened reflexively, fingers digging into fabric. Oh no. Oh no no no.

To Willow, to Jacklin, to everyone else, it sounded exactly like Clyde was implying something scandalous. Like he had been wronged. Like he had been unfairly cast aside.

And Micah, who wasn’t even supposed to be here, felt his soul leave his body.

Willow was stunned. Her brows shot up, shock flickering across her face before settling into something sharper. Did this man, this Du Pont patriarch, really just complain about their grandmother? Publicly? In front of his companion? No, wait, what was he implying here? That he was close to Micah? Had a special relationship?

Her gaze snapped to the white-haired girl. Asena was staring at Clyde, mouth slightly open, eyes round with disbelief. She hadn’t known either.

Willow’s stomach twisted. So he was playing them both?

"What... exactly are you trying to say?" Willow asked slowly, her voice tight.

Clyde met her gaze calmly. Before he could answer, Willow exhaled sharply. "Never mind. I don’t think I’m quite following you." She straightened. "Regardless, I hope you enjoy your evening."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, heading straight for Liana.

Liana, who had been sipping her drink and observing the entire exchange with open interest, lifted her glass slightly as Willow approached. Clyde Du Pont... her boss and distant relative had surely known how to spice things up. She offered Willow a warm, professional smile. "Willow, darling. Come, tell me how the South Harbour project is going."

As they spoke, Liana subtly steered the conversation toward business, clearly trying to smooth over whatever impression had just formed. If nothing else, perhaps a collaboration proposal would distract Willow from her opinion of Clyde.

Because honestly? The man was hopeless. Hopelessly in love with Willow’s adoptive brother, and yet bold enough to bring a girl here and stir old grievances.

Behind them, Micah snapped. He pinched Clyde’s side hard with his free hand and shot him a vicious side-eye. What the fuck are you spouting?!

Clyde didn’t even flinch. He glanced down at Micah, the corner of his mouth lifting into an amused, almost indulgent smile.

Micah was absolutely fuming. This bastard. He was doing it on purpose.