From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)
Chapter 117: Do Not Disturb: Character Development in Progress

Chapter 117: Do Not Disturb: Character Development in Progress

Micah pushed open the door to the infirmary, his hand resting gently on Russell’s back to steady him. Russell was trembling and his steps unsteady. The harsh lighting inside made his dilated pupils more noticeable.

The nurse looked up from his desk and immediately stood up when he saw them. His brows pulled together in concern as he walked over.

"Why is he so pale?" he asked, his eyes locked on Russell’s face.

"He had a bit of fright," Micah replied as he guided Russell toward the nearest bed.

The nurse didn’t waste a second.

"Quickly, sit him down, wrap the blanket around him. I’ll fetch some warm water," he instructed, already heading toward the back.

Micah helped Russell onto the bed. Russell curled into himself slightly as Micah draped a thick beige blanket around his shoulders. His fingers gripped the edges tightly.

When the nurse returned with a cup of warm water, Russell took it in both hands.

After Russell took a few sips, his trembling lessened.

"Thank you..." He mumbled.

Micah stepped back, standing beside Darcy, who had remained silent the whole time. Neither of them said anything. This was not a topic any of them wanted to tackle.

Then the door swung open with a sharp creak. Archie entered, his tall frame filling the doorway. He radiated cold anger, a dark expression on his face, his jaw set, and his breath heavy. Until his eyes landed on his younger brother, the tension in his shoulder eased, and his eyes softened. He strode toward them. "You aren’t hurt, are you?" he asked, kneeling beside Russell so they were eye level.

Russell shook his head.

"Why didn’t you tell me? Has he always been like that?" Archie asked.

Russell’s lips pressed into a thin line. He looked like he was trying to swallow something bitter. He shifted under the blanket. "I... I did once," he said at last. "You said I didn’t get his jokes or meaning... and..."

He looked down at his hands, fidgeting with the cup.

"You know how I was always in and out of the hospital before... I thought maybe I was just sensitive. That it was all a misunderstanding on my part. So I never brought it up again..."

Micah stood beside Darcy, watching two brothers with a sharp intensity.

So that had happened before Darcy in the novel met Archie. Russell had fallen into that creep’s hands, and because Archie didn’t take his words seriously, Russell had lost all the trust in him. But why was there no mention of him in the ten years that followed in the novel?

Micah paused. A horrifying thought flashed in his mind.

"I should go beat that bastard myself!" Micah mumbled.

Darcy turned his head slightly. "You’ll get military disciplinary action."

Micah shot him a look, but didn’t argue. His gaze returned to the two brothers.

Archie lowered himself further and gently grabbed Russell’s hands through the blanket.

"I’m sorry...." he said with a hoarse voice.

Archie didn’t even want to imagine what might have happened if he hadn’t been there tonight. If his brother had been alone...

"Ah! Your hands!" Russell suddenly gasped. He reached out and tugged at Archie’s injured hand. "Why did you punch him?! What if you can’t play games anymore?!" his voice was filled with panic.

His ruckus made the nurse come over again. Seeing Archie’s bloody hands, he said. "Sit there, I’ll clean it for you."

Archie hesitated, glancing at his bruised and bleeding knuckles for the first time. During that time, he never once thought of gaming.

He sat obediently. The nurse examined the broken skin carefully.

"You are lucky. It’s all abrasion. Nothing deep. Just a bit of care, your hands will be as good as new," the nurse said.

Russell let out a breath he had been holding.

Micah’s gaze remained fixed on Archie’s hands. He knew from the novel just how serious Archie was about gaming. His hands were his livelihood, his dream. For him to throw a punch like that, not caring about the damage, it showed how much he cared about Russell.

Micah looked down. If anything had happened to Russell, Archie surely would have broken.

And the world would have blamed him for it. His family, friends, and even himself. They would call him a failure who couldn’t even protect his own brother.

This all happened two years before the story began in the novel. So anything could have happened. And maybe Archie had mistaken him for Ashley. With how trash that novel was, it wasn’t impossible.

No wonder Archie became a control freak, always managing Darcy’s circle. Keeping people out. Micromanaging everything... every friend, every conversation...

Darcy glanced at his watch. "We should get going." Then he looked at Russell. "Thanks for finding the culprit. But next time, don’t take such a risk. It’s dangerous. If you want to take the day off tomorrow, I’ll let the instructor know."

Russell shook his head. "No, I’ll attend."

Darcy gave a small nod. Before Micah could say anything, Darcy reached out and grabbed his wrist. Without a word, he pulled him toward the door.

Micah blinked. "Huh... wait.."

But Darcy kept walking. He had noticed that Micah’s attention was once again on that man, and he didn’t like it.

Archie didn’t stop them. There was no rush for getting acquainted. After he settled everything, he could easily find them.

"Brother... don’t tell Mum and Dad about this. Please?" Russell said quietly.

Archie stood and walked over to Russell again. He ruffled his hair gently. "Fine. But if they hear about it from someone else, don’t blame me."

"For now, that’s okay," Russell said.

"Oh, right!" Russell perked up suddenly. "I recorded everything he said. So, if that creep comes after you, just show it to him!" Russell added.

"You, kid..." Archie shook his head; his expression eased.

"Do you think they have accepted my apology? Will they become my friends?" Russell asked, looking at the door.

"Yeah, why wouldn’t they?! They stayed, didn’t they? That means they don’t blame you."

"Great," Russell said, finally smiling. "I really like them. Even that silver-haired boy. I thought he was scary at first... but he was the one who pulled me away. The first one to ask how I was doing!" he looked down, a faint blush on his cheeks.

"I misjudged him. He is nice. I like him."

Archie said nothing, but his green eyes softened. In his heart, he agreed. He liked that silver-haired boy, too.

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