From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)
Chapter 49: Under The Microscope

Chapter 49: Under The Microscope

Darcy glanced around Elina Palmer’s office, letting his gaze wander across the space with subtle curiosity. The walls were lined with framed certificates and awards. Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling crammed full of thick textbooks and neatly organised journals.

On the polished desk sat a framed family photo. Darcy stepped a bit closer and tilted his head. Micah was there, noticeably younger, standing between two girls with a wide grin. Behind them Elina Palmer stood tall and composed, her hand resting gently on Micah’s shoulder. A man hugged Elina, perhaps her husband and their father, smiling proudly.

Darcy’s expression softened. There was warmth in that photo, a kind of familial harmony that didn’t seem staged.

At first glance, Micah’s mother seemed like a genuine person. She hadn’t looked down on his faded shirt or worn-out bag. No snide remarks, no long glances at his striking face. For someone like Darcy, who was used to being quietly judged, that was rare.

However, she had surprised him by taking a jab at Micah. Her words had seemed full of sarcasm. What was she getting at?

Was she testing him? Trying to gauge his reaction to her harsh words toward Micah?

The thought stuck in his mind as Elina returned to the office.

"I apologise for the delay, where were we?" Elina said calmly and sat down in her chair.

Darcy straightened, his features shifting back to polite attentiveness.

"Mr Edwood, I am sure you have heard about it from Micah. I’ve long admired your talent. I was honestly a bit disappointed to hear you chose the engineering department over our mathematics faculty. However, I understand. Engineering has its practical advantages in today’s job market. But I wonder, what is your take on fundamental research? Its value in long-term innovation?"

This was all it took. The conversation swiftly deepened, Darcy gradually becoming more animated. He leaned forward slightly, debating about his new ideas. Elina’s eyes lit up in return, her hands moving subtly as she offered counterpoint and posed questions.

Micah stepped into the room right then, balancing a tray with three glasses of water. He paused at the door, blinking at the unexpected intensity between the two. The conversation sounded like gibberish to him. He put the tray down gently, making sure not to interrupt, then slumped into the seat across from Darcy. He stared at the mother and son.

His chin rested on his palm, watching how Darcy’s eyes brightened with interest as she spoke, how his mother tilted her head just so, impressed but composed. A strange thought crept in. What would have happened if they hadn’t been switched?!

Would they become close like he and his mother, always bickering? Or would Darcy just be polite to her like a textbook good son?

"Micah?" Elina’s voice broke his thoughts.

Micah took his gaze away from Darcy and innocently looked at his mother.

"Ah? Are you two done?"

Elina’s lips twitched. She caught Micah staring at the boy in a trance.

And he had the nerve to tell her there was nothing going on between them.

"Yes, Mr Edwood was just about to leave."

"Oh," Micah said and jumped to his feet. "Then I’ll show him around the campus a bit."

Darcy stood, smoothing down the front of his shirt. He glanced sideways at Professor Palmer, who was now rubbing her forehead lightly as if fighting a headache while looking at her son.

He had already figured out the underlying meaning in her words. She wanted to get rid of him. But Micah totally missed it.

The corner’s Darcy’s lips lifted upward.

"If you excuse me, I will take my leave," he said politely, offering her a small bow of his head and walking toward the door. Micah followed quickly, just in time to hear Elina sigh loudly behind them. He turned back briefly, wondering what made her frustrated. But Elina waved him off with a tight smile.

"How was it? Do you collaborate with my mum?" Micah asked him the moment they stepped outside.

"Why do you care so much about it?" Darcy asked, with a smirk on his lips.

Micah laughed awkwardly and said. "Well, I know my mum could assist you in making great progress. Then, you won’t have to juggle so many part-time jobs."

"Oh, so you pity me?" Darcy said, a flicker of cold and hurt in his eyes.

"No, no." Micah shook his head defensively. "I just want you to have time to hang out with me more."

Darcy lifted his intense gaze from Micah’s face and replied. "If you say so."

"Yeah, I don’t know if my mum told you or not, but she has funded many talented people and made them the elite of the elite. They are now working in the High-tech Ramsy empire. Is it that bad I want my friend to also benefit from this?" Micah said.

"No, thank you for your help," Darcy said. His expression was unreadable.

Micah as insensitive as he was, totally missed the change in Darcy’s mood.

He began to talk about CQ University excitedly.

"CQ uni is always like a second home. I used to come here with my sisters all the time while waiting for my mum. But after I hit middle school, my mother forbade me to set foot here." he laughed. "Come on, let’s check out the cafeteria. I bet it is still the same."

Micah chatted the whole way, pointing out buildings, cracking small jokes, and describing how things used to be.

Darcy nodded occasionally, murmuring polite acknowledgements, but his mind was elsewhere.

Eventually, Micah noticed the silence.

"Hey, tired already?" he asked, slowing his steps.

"Let’s go, I take my mom’s car and drop you off."

"No, that won’t be necessary. I have to go pick up my mum’s medicine."

Before Darcy could finish his words, Micah interrupted.

"Where? I’ll drive you."

He grabbed Darcy’s wrist again and tugged him toward the parking lot.

"It’s alright, Micah, I can..." Darcy’s words were like stones sinking to the bottom of a lake. Micah ignored his objection.

Like hell, he would let Darcy meet Silas alone. He should supervise that damn creepy doctor!

Darcy let out a soft sigh but didn’t pull away. Micah’s fingers were warm around his wrist, and it was oddly comforting.

Darcy glanced sideways at him, his eyes darkening.

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