From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 239: Surprise! It’s Du Pont

Jacklin stepped through the polished gates of the Ramsy estate, her heels clicking softly against the marble path as she moved with calm confidence. Dean and Emile walked beside her, both dressed in suits. They were here on a mission. Their eyes were sharp, scanning their surroundings.

As soon as Jacklin pulled out the invitation, a subtle buzz spread through the staff. Whispered glances were exchanged. Eyes widened briefly. It wasn’t panic, but more disbelief.

Jacklin caught it all with a brief flick of her eyes, but her expression remained neutral. He had anticipated this reaction. It had been a long time since the Du Pont family members had attended a private venue like this, at least not officially.

Then came a pair, an elegantly dressed woman and a gentleman with a composed expression. Their steps were measured and slow, their smiles polite but unreadable. It was clear they were the hosts.

Jacklin offered a polite nod. "Good evening, Mr and Mrs Ramsy," she greeted smoothly. "My uncle sends his deepest regrets for being unable to attend tonight’s celebration. I hope you don’t feel offended that we, the younger members of the family, have come in his place."

"Not at all. It’s our pleasure to have you here. Please come inside." Elina said, her voice smooth, pleasant.

Inwardly, she was really surprised. The Du Pont family? Here?

It was one thing to entertain business partners or old family friends at Micah’s birthday. But this? The Du Ponts were known for their discretion, their prestige, and their tightly controlled appearances. For them to send not just a representative but their youngest members to Micah’s banquet...

It was massive news. If word of this got out...

Elina didn’t feel happy. Micah was already in the spotlight enough... adding this? She feared the worst.

But there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn’t exactly ask them not to say their family name.

As if reading her mind, Jacklin leaned in slightly and lowered her voice. "Oh, I don’t mean to be presumptuous," she said with a faint smile, "but could I ask a favour? please do not mention our family name to anyone. You know, we are only here because of our youngest, Emile. He is young master Micah’s roommate. We don’t want things to get complicated..."

Elina’s expression flickered. For a moment, surprise and calculation danced in her eyes. Then she smiled, bright and pleasant, like someone had handed her an unexpected gift. "I didn’t know that. Of course. Please be at ease. We will keep it to ourselves."

Jacklin nodded and entered the grand hall with Dean and Emile.

Elina stared at their retreating backs. "That brat!" she muttered under her breath. "Why didn’t he tell us he is close to a Du Pont?"

Jacob adjusted his glasses and gave a thoughtful hum. "I am thinking... he didn’t even know that."

Elina shook her head and turned back toward the next group of arriving guests, her expression smoothing out once more.

******

Inside the grand hall, Jacklin scanned the surroundings. The room sparkled under chandeliers, filled with a sea of formally dressed guests, each more dazzling than the last. A group of musicians played softly in the corner.

"Can you see Micah? Or Asena?" she whispered to them.

"Nope. Too many people." Dean replied.

"Alright. Let’s split up. When one of us finds them, text others," Jacklin said and without a reply, she walked toward the centre of the hall.

Dean and Emile nodded and broke off in opposite directions, disappearing into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Micah handed Arlo back to Aunt Felicity. He gave the boy’s shoulder one last squeeze before straightening and checking his watch. The time was closing in. The birthday cake and speech should begin soon. He felt anxious. The time to call Darcy was near. Had he seen the post too?

Then a voice hissed near his ear. "Yo! Ungrateful roommate."

Micah’s head snapped around, his whole body tensing. "Emile?"

There he was, Emile, standing with arms crossed, curly hair sticking out, eyes burning with fury.

Micah’s eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"

"Really? You wanna go down this way?" Emile hissed, totally angry.

Micah laughed awkwardly, noticing several guests looking their way with interest.

"Let’s go talk somewhere private," Micah murmured, stepping close to Emile.

Emile glared at him. His mouth twisted, clearly holding back more. But surprisingly, he didn’t speak anymore and began to follow him.

Micah led him through a side corridor and out into the garden. He turned back as Emile exploded.

"How could you throw a whole banquet and not invite us? Us! Your roommates! I thought we were friends!"

Micah winced. "I’m sorry, okay? I just thought you might feel pressured. It’s this formal, stuffy kind of thing..."

"Like hell I believe that." Emile rolled his eyes.

"I didn’t..." Micah began, then stopped. "Wait, how did you even know about it?"

"Because of us," a new voice said calmly.

Micah jerked, looking behind. His heart stopped beating for a split second. His eyes popped out. Two figures stood in front of him, one familiar, the other, well, too familiar.

Why was Big Sister here?! Oh god. What if she recognised him? His blood went cold.

Micah’s stunned face puzzled Dean and Jacklin.

"You remember my cousin, right?" Emile asked, "He is Dean Du Pont."

Micah felt like he had been struck by lightning. What? Who? How?!

He felt the world start spinning around. One was Big Sister, knowing him as Asena. The other was Dean Du Pont, Aria’s future fiancé. The man he had turned Isatis city upside down, searching like a maniac. He even had asked Clyde, earning his wrath in return. And now, Dean was here. As Emile’s cousin and older brother. How had he missed that?

His gaze darted toward the Big Sister/ LioNessQueen. Who was she to Dean and Emile?

His stare was too obvious.

Jacklin nodded at him. "Hello. I’m Jacklin. Also, Emile’s cousin."

Micah felt he had fallen into a different world, not able to make sense of anything. Big sister was also a Du Pont?

His mouth opened. Then closed. "Huh?" he said, barely audible.

The three cousins exchanged glances. Micah’s reaction was too big. And weird.

Jacklin had never seen him up close, but from everything Emile had told her, Micah was confident. Sometimes annoying, so. Aloof. Charismatic. Yet here was a boy blinking like he had just been hit by a thunderbolt. Staring. Flushing. Speechless. Even looking at them stupidly with his mouth wide open.