From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)
Chapter 38: Following The Trail of Blood

Chapter 38: Following The Trail of Blood

After finishing his conversation with Cora, Micah headed back to his room, unaware that his family was already preparing to visit Darcy’s house.

Still thinking about Cora’s high praise of Darcy, Micah impulsively pulled out his phone and dialled.

It rang twice before a familiar, cheerful voice picked up.

"What’s up?"

"Hey," Micah said, unable to hide the slight lift in his tone. "Do you still have work today?"

"Nope, the kid I tutor on Saturdays cancelled last minute."

Darcy replied, unbothered.

"Nice!" Micah grinned, already standing up.

"I am coming to get you. Let’s have some fun today!"

Micah said excitedly.

"Wait, what?" Darcy barely had time to react before the line cut off.

To Micah, Darcy felt like the little brother he’d always wanted, someone he could truly be proud of. And it wasn’t just Darcy’s intelligence or kindness, but the rare sincerity he showed him that sealed it. Having experienced too many letdowns, Micah was excited to hang out with Darcy.

Darcy was so perfect. Handsome, intelligent, kind and tolerant. It was as if he had inherited all of the good qualities of Jacob and Elina.

Micah, instead of feeling jealous, yearned to have Darcy as a brother and friend.

He grabbed the keys to one of the less flashy cars and made his way to the garage, leaving the estate just ahead of his parents.

"Wasn’t that Micah?"

Aria blinked, shielding herself from the sun as she looked down the drive in surprise.

"Where is he going?"

"Thank god he is not home. Save us from lying straight to his face."

Jacob said with a sigh of relief.

"So how bad is that neighbourhood that we have to ride in this old car?"

Elina asked, fastening her seatbelt.

"Bad enough. Better to look average than to draw attention. I’d rather not show up like bait for trouble."

Jacob replied, gripping the wheel.

"Don’t we have bodyguards for this sort of thing?"

Willow arched her eyebrow.

"We do, but better safe than sorry."

Jacob’s tone was dry, leaving no room for argument.

They drove in silence for a while before Elina frowned slightly.

"Shouldn’t we have called ahead? Showing up unannounced, What if it makes them uncomfortable?"

"No, if we called, Micah would have caught wind. What if he asks them not to tell us the truth? We wouldn’t get anything out of it,"

Willow explained.

"But what if they are not even home?"

Aria interjected.

"They will be. Their mother is always either home or at the hospital. She doesn’t go out much."

Jacob said, his tone softening slightly.

"What a hard life!"

Elina murmured, her voice filled with pity. She turned her gaze to the passing streets, watching as the city changed to worn-down scenery.

Arriving in the neighbourhood, Jacob parked without comment, but the others stiffened visibly. Elina’s mouth tightened into a thin line, and even Aria, always chatty, fell silent.

As they stepped out of the car, Elina caught a glimpse of a passing vehicle and froze.

She paused, narrowing her eyes.

"Was that Micah?"

"What?!" Aria turned her head, but the car had already vanished.

"Why would he be here?"

"Don’t tell me he found out we were coming? That brat!" Elina said, gritting her teeth.

"It doesn’t matter now. We’re already here. Let’s go." Willow said quickly.

The family walked to a rundown apartment complex. The paint on the walls had faded to a dull beige, and the stairwell echoed with every step they took. Climbing to the third floor was a workout itself, and their expression soured further with each movement.

"Didn’t you say her mother is sick? How does she manage these stairs?"

Willow murmured to her father.

Jacob had the same thought. "That shows how dire their financial situation is. But honestly, I didn’t investigate them thoroughly. I don’t even know what illness she has."

Even before they saw the family, their sympathy for them had shot through the roof.

Elina shushed them and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

A gentle voice asked.

"Sorry to bother you... Uh...is this Mr Edwood’s residence?"

Elina asked, trying to sound casual.

The door creaked open slightly, revealing a slender woman with tired eyes as she peeked through it.

"Yes? How can I help you?"

The woman had shoulder-length brown hair, round hazel eyes and fair pale skin. Wearing a bland skirt and a worn-out blouse, she appeared as though life had asked too much of her.

Elina stared at those hazel eyes, feeling her heart skipped a beat.

Those eyes... there were oddly familiar. But she couldn’t place it.

Noticing her mother’s pause, Willow spoke instead.

"I apologise for our sudden visit. Do you have a daughter named Nora?"

Flora Tilden tilted her head and nodded.

"Yes, is something wrong?"

"Oh, Nothing alarming. We heard our son had encountered her in an awful situation, and we just wanted to check if she was okay."

Jacob quickly intervened.

Realisation dawned on Flora.

"Ah, I see. Please, Come in."

She invited them inside.

The apartment was small but tidy. Worn-out cushions on the couch, a tea-stained mat, and an old TV in the corner.

"I am sorry, my children left earlier. I wasn’t expecting guests."

Flora said apologetically. "I’m afraid I don’t have much to offer."

"No, no... it is entirely our fault for not calling first. Please sit down. We don’t need anything."

Elina said, finally finding her voice.

Flora disappeared into the small kitchen and returned with plain tea. Her hands trembled slightly as she placed cups in front of them.

"I am really grateful to your son," Flora said, settling into the edge of a chair.

"When Nora and her brother came home that night, covered in blood... I was so scared. But When they told me what happened, I cried, thanking god for sending someone like your son."

Her voice cracked slightly, and she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

Elina’s throat tightened. She glanced toward Jacob, who sat beside her, his lips pressed together.

"To be honest, we came here for two reasons. One, to check on your daughter, and two, ... well... this is a bit embarrassing.., how to say it, our son did not tell us anything about how he got his stab wound. We were hoping you might know more."

Elina said awkwardly.

Flora blinked in surprise.

"Oh my... Is he shy? Or he doesn’t like to brag about it?!"

She said, her eyes kind.

The Ramsy family’s expression turned subtle. They couldn’t bring themselves to tell the truth. What shy? Why modesty?!

"Something like that."

Elina said with a strained smile.

Flora rose to her feet.

"I am afraid I don’t know all the details, I just know some bits and pieces. Let me call Nora."

Flora retrieved her phone and dialled. Her call immediately was answered.

"Nora, where are you, honey?"

"What’s going on Mum? Something is wrong with your body?" the anxious voice of Nora echoed.

"No, no... I’m fine. We have guests, that’s all. Just wondering when you will be back?"

Flora said.

"what guests?!"

Elina shook her hand, indicating not to tell anything.

She had a sinking suspicion that the driver in that familiar car was really Micah. Probably Nora was with her son.

Flora caught on.

"Just some neighbours. It’s nothing. I just wanted to start dinner."

"You don’t need to prepare dinner, Mum. We’re eating out. Say hello to Mrs Crane for me."

Nora said and hung up the phone.

Flora looked at the Ramsy family with a questioning gaze.

"Sorry, we didn’t want to interrupt their plans. We’ll come by another time to see her."

Willow offered smoothly. Then, she handed over a modest gift bag.

"These are some health supplements, good for young girls. Just something small."

Flora took it, visibly touched.

The family rose to their feet, and Flora walked them to the door.

"Thank you again for visiting. I truly don’t know how to thank your son for what he did. He’s a blessing..." Flora said, her voice soft.

They exchanged polite farewells and stepped out of the apartment.

Once outside, Aria, who was silent the entire time, finally spoke.

"Hey, didn’t that woman seem familiar to you? Like we have seen her somewhere before?"

The others didn’t answer right away. Elina’s hand curled slightly at her side, her gaze distant. She didn’t say it aloud. But those eyes were still burning in her mind.