From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)
Chapter 73: Almost Back To Before

Chapter 73: Almost Back To Before

Across the city, in the glass-walled office on the top floor of the La Rivière Enterprises building, Clyde Du Pont leaned back in his leather chair and stared at the glowing message on his screen. Another tip?!

His expression turned thoughtful. What was the catch? The sender had already proven themselves unusually well-informed. First, the Shoele project, now this? SAFA Pharmaceutical was one of the largest domestic players, even a slight hiccup in it would spread like wildfire and shake the entire pharmaceutical industry. Du Pont’s family had its own company in this field, they were rivals from old times. Yet, the news hadn’t reached him until now.

How could someone have such first-hand news?!

Clyde tilted his head back slightly, eyes narrowing. He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. His fingers tugged over the edge of the wooden beads on his wrist.

Was it someone in their circle?! A corporate insider leaking information? Or was someone aiming higher? Trying to establish contact with the Du Pont family itself?

Was this goodwill? No. Clyde’s lips curled faintly. No one offered such profitable tips without a motive.

Trying to buy a favour? Or test his reaction?!

He reached for a glass of mineral water and took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving the phone.

Then, he pressed a button on his desk.

A few seconds later, a knock sounded at the door, and his assistant stepped inside.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Find a way to trace this WeChat ID," Clyde said, tapping on the screen before handing over the phone.

"Understood." the assistant took it without hesitation and left the room.

Clyde resumed his work. He wouldn’t play into the mystery sender’s hands so easily. Whatever they were after, they would reveal it sooner or later.

Even though tracing them might be like a shot in the dark, he still would not overlook it.

And if the sender slipped just once, Clyde would be ready to catch them.

*******

Meanwhile, Micah sat cross-legged on the hotel bed, his fingers clicking on the keyboard, exercising his reaction time and wrist control.

He had expected not to receive any reply from RiverBridge and had put his phone aside.

The information was accurate. He knew his grandfather too well.

Albert Ramsy wouldn’t step in to solve injustice. But if he did, he would deal with everything in sight to eliminate threats before they could rise. Weakening the SAFA pharmaceutical and cutting off Durant’s ability was the best way to ensure they would not retaliate against the Ramsy Family.

Silas’s family losing its power was a good thing.

Micah’s jaw tightened.

However, what if they used their remaining influence to pressure Darcy to back out of the case? What if they turned to threats or manipulation?!

Just as that thought flashed in his mind, his phone buzzed, sharp and unexpected.

Micah’s heart skipped a beat. He bolted upright. Darcy’s name filled his screen.

Micah’s fingers hovered for a moment, hesitating. He hadn’t replied to any of Darcy’s messages for days. He kept telling himself it was for the best.

But Darcy never called...

What if something had happened?!

Micah couldn’t just abandon what he had started. What if the Durants had caused trouble for Darcy?!

Connecting the call, Micah opened his mouth.

"Hello," he said, after a long pause.

"Oh, good. You picked up." Darcy said relief was visible in his voice. Micah could practically hear the tension melt from him.

Micah’s back stiffened. "What happened?? Are you okay?!" he anxiously stood up.

"Can you come to our house? There is a bit of a situation here..." Darcy said softly.

Micah didn’t even think. "I am on my way!" His body moved before his brain could reason. He shoved his phone into his pocket and dashed toward the street. Flagging down the first available taxi, he climbed inside and gave the Edwood address with a focused urgency that startled the driver.

Back at the Edwood residence, the atmosphere was tense and quiet.

Darcy looked at the black screen on his phone and calmly put it away. His back was straight, eyes sharp. There was no sign of fear or anxiety on his face. Only an unreadable expression.

Seated across from him in the modest living room was a woman who did not belong.

Luna Francis wore a silk blouse and tailored skirts that probably cost more than their monthly rent. Her jewellery was subtle but unmistakably expensive. The kind of elegance that screamed old money, even in its modesty.

Darcy glanced at the women. Even though she had tried to dress low-key, after working all these years, he could tell with just one glance that their worlds were far apart.

Luna offered a gentle smile. "I am terribly sorry for the trouble our company has caused your family," she said, voice warm and apologetic. "It was never our intention. I assure you, we are doing everything to make it right." She reached into her handbag and slid a small black card across the table.

"This is a VIP badge. It grants you priority access to affiliated pharmacies. Whatever your mother needs, just show this. Discreet, no records shared."

Darcy didn’t even glance at the card. His gaze remained locked on her.

Luna shifted slightly, the smile faltering. "I know this may seem sudden... But I didn’t want this misunderstanding to grow worse. My son ... he is not perfect. But truly, he had no knowledge of the misconduct. Silas has made enemies, and I fear someone exploited the situation to discredit him."

Her voice cracked at the end, and she dabbed her eyes delicately with a lace handkerchief. "We’ve worked for decades to build what we have... It’s hard watching it unravel."

Darcy stared at the woman coldly. If he were a naive young boy, he would have believed her nonsense immediately. But what a pity.... He wasn’t.

"So, you expect me to believe that someone in your company misused their power for years, and neither you nor your precious son knew a thing?!" Darcy said with an arched brow.

Luna blinked rapidly. "It was an oversight. One we deeply regret. And one we’re trying to make it right, quietly and respectfully."

Darcy leaned back against the worn armrest of their couch, unimpressed. "Is that so?"

There was no one else home. His mother had been taken in for a hospital check-up yesterday morning, and Nora had stayed by her side. So when Luna Francis had showed up unannounced, Darcy had nearly slammed the door in her face. But then, he had paused.

After last Monday, Micah had been avoiding him, distancing himself. Darcy wasn’t stupid. He could feel the shift in the air, in the messages that stopped arriving, in the silence between them.

Micah was embarrassed or maybe ashamed. It made sense. That prideful young master probably hated being seen as vulnerable, tearing up in front of him. He must have thought Darcy would think less of him. His lordly ego surely had taken a hit.

So, Darcy devised a small gamble.

He thought using this opportunity would be a good way to break this awkward situation between them.

And he was right.

Micah had dropped everything the second he heard Darcy was in trouble. He even had forgotten what had happened back then, talking to him normally.

Darcy allowed himself a small smile, hidden behind his calm mask. He just had to wait. Micah would arrive soon. And then, perhaps everything could turn back to how it was before.