From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)
Chapter 116: A Candle for the Fool

Chapter 116: A Candle for the Fool

There was a soft rustle outside the storage room.

Micah held his breath.

Then a loud male voice rang, cocky and annoying. "Hey, cutesy!"

Micah cringed at the word. He stiffened and immediately peeked at Archie beside him, checking his reaction.

The Esports captain wore a serious expression on his face, his brows lowered slightly, which was enough to show he wasn’t pleased.

The voice didn’t sound respectful at all. Who the hell was that? And did he seriously call Archie’s brother cutesy?

Micah couldn’t believe someone had the guts. The second male lead’s build was just too terrifying. Did the guy have a death wish?

Russell’s voice came next, tense and clipped. "Ashley."

The rude voice, aka Ashley, answered again. "So what’s so urgent that you had to call me right after your military training?" His tone was light and a bit smug.

There was a short pause.

"I just saw the freshman rep today during training," Russell’s voice was hesitant, "I wanted to ask about what you showed us that day... Was it true?"

Micah leaned closer to the door without thinking, his eyes wide, listening.

"Damn! You fucking dragged me out here for this shit?" Ashley’s voice turned sharp.

Micah winced and turned to Archie. His jaw had tightened, teeth clenched. His green eyes had turned dangerous. He looked like he was one word away from losing it.

Micah silently lit a candle in his head for the idiot outside. Clearly, this guy didn’t know who he was messing with. Or maybe he just never talked like that when Archie was around.

"It’s important to me! Just answer me!" Russell sounded firm now.

Ashley gave a short laugh, mean and sharp. "Fine. But it won’t be free. Are you ready to pay the price?"

Micah’s eyebrows shot into the air. What?

He turned his head toward Darcy, silently asking, Did you hear that too?

Darcy’s expression also had turned serious. But his gaze wasn’t on Micah, they were staring through the crack in the wall near the door.

Darcy’s eyes narrowed. Now that he could see Ashley, something clicked in his head. That face. That messy hair hanging over his eyes. He remembered him. He was one year ahead of him in high school. They never had a class together. So he didn’t even know his name.

But he had remembered his face. It had been a chaotic day. One of the girls in his class had asked Darcy for help, saying someone was stalking her. Darcy didn’t want to get involved and didn’t even have time for that. But as bad as his luck was, an assistant teacher overheard them and told Darcy to accompany the girl for the day while they contacted the girl’s family.

Darcy had reluctantly agreed. The next morning, his picture with that girl was all over the school’s group chats and forums, painting him as a hypocrite, dating a girl while being on the student council.

Darcy had no idea what was happening until one of the teachers had called him, apologising for their delay in dealing with it. Then they brought a young man, forcing him to apologise to Darcy, saying he was behind the rumours. That guy was Ashley.

Darcy hadn’t cared and had left. He had bigger things to worry about. His mother’s sickness had been flaring up again.

But ever since then, the whispers never really stopped. His classmates never looked at him as before.

And now this same guy was still at it.

Micah followed his line of sight and noticed he could see outside from this angle. He leaned forward for a better look, unknowingly blocking Darcy’s view through the wall crack. As he shifted, his balance slipped, his body tipped backward, straight into Darcy’s chest.

Darcy blinked and came back to himself, startled by the closeness. He grabbed Micah’s waist with one hand, steadying him before he fell right into the door. It was a reflex, nothing more, but the sudden warmth against his palm made him freeze for a second.

Micah didn’t notice the hand at all. He was too focused, leaning forward like a curious cat watching the drama.

Ashley was clearly visible now. His hair was a mess, covering his eyes. His face had a lazy stubble that looked more like he forgot to shave than trying to look cool. His height was average. His oversized clothes hung loose on his thin frame. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed and into a trash can. Overall, total disaster.

Suddenly, Archie’s hand shot forward and yanked Micah back by the collar. Micah yelped in surprise and stumbled back, nearly tripping over a broom.

"What are you doing??!" Micah hissed, glaring up at Archie.

"You were putting pressure on the door. It was this close to swinging open." Archie said flatly.

Micah huffed and snapped his head away, grumbling under his breath. "You could’ve just said that..."

Anyway, it wasn’t the place and time to bicker with Archie.

Outside, the conversation was heated up, not noticing the ruckus in the storage room.

Russell answered. "Yes, what is your price?"

"Oh, Wow! You sure switch so quickly! First, it was my cousin Elly you were obsessed with, now it’s that dirt-poor bastard? You’re really something!" Ashley said, stepping closer.

Russell stepped back. "Just answer, why are you talking nonsense?"

Ashley chuckled low, sharp. "Sure, I’ll tell you. He always acted like he was above it all, cool and aloof. But behind the scenes? He was cozying up to weak girls for sympathy, asking for favours. And that’s not all. I even saw him getting cozy with that Olympaid teacher. My buddy got cut from the team, bet he didn’t have the right kind of charm, huh?!"

"Do you even have proof? Did those girls ever say they were scammed? Why didn’t your buddy file a complaint if it was so serious?" Russell fired up questions.

Ashley lost his temper. "What are you? His lawyer now? You don’t believe my words? I am Elly’s cousin! And besides, that bastard never denied one of them! Surely he had a guilty conscious!"

There was silence for a second. Then Russell asked quietly. "Did you post all that on the campus forum too?"

"You bet I did!" Ashley said proudly. "Everyone deserves to know what kind of guy he is!"

Russell took a deep breath, his fingers trembling. He had suppressed his fear to record every word Ashley said. His aggressive behaviour had really shaken him up. He had never encountered someone this unreasonable and erratic.

Ashley smirked, his voice dipped with mock sweetness. "That should be enough for you...unless you want a little extra, hmm?"

Then suddenly, he yanked Russell’s arm. The force made Russell yelp. "Ah..." he tried to break free, but Ashley’s strength was more than it seemed. "Let me go..." he exclaimed.

Ashley tightened his grip, ignoring his struggle.

"You got what you wanted, now it’s my turn," Ashley said, pulling Russell toward the old gym. He leaned close, breath warm and reeking of arrogance.

"Come on. Be a good boy and I’ll give you something sweet. You like rewards, right?"

His words weren’t finished when the gym door opened from inside, and Archie stormed out like a bullet. His fist connected with Ashley’s jaw with a sickening crack.

Ashley dropped like a sack of potatoes.

Micah jumped and ran forward, grabbing Russell by the shoulders and dragging him away from the scene.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of worry. He didn’t know if Russell had understood what Ashley implied.

Russell didn’t answer, just nodded slightly, his face pale as paper.

Darcy stepped beside them, checking Russell over quickly. "He is shaking. Better get him into the infirmary."

Micah nodded, then glanced back.

Archie wasn’t done. He was on top of Ashley now, fists flying, his face blank but deadly calm. Micah didn’t linger. He turned back and, with Darcy’s help, led Russell away toward the dormitory.