Chapter 424: Micah vs. The Stubborn Bull
Darcy stepped closer, his shadow falling across Micah. He leaned in, tilting his head curiously, and brushed his fingers against the shell of Micah’s ear. The touch was light, almost playful. "Ah, why is it red? Are you hot?" he asked, his voice a mix of concern and teasing.
Micah practically jumped out of his skin. His hand flew up, clutching his ear as though Darcy had burned him. His whole body tingled like he was electrified. "What the hell?" he shouted, glaring at Darcy with a voice full of panic and outrage.
Darcy blinked, his expression turning innocent, though the corner of his lips twitched like he was fighting a smile. "Seriously. Do you have a fever? Or maybe heatstroke? You fainted at the beach, remember?"
Micah rubbed his itchy ear with quick, nervous movements as though trying to erase the sensation of Darcy’s touch. He was at a loss for words. He couldn’t exactly blurt out the truth, saying it was because he had remembered the kiss. That would be like opening a can of worms. He couldn’t wiggle his way out without hurting Darcy’s feelings or making the misunderstanding worse!
"Yeah. I am a bit hot after eating noodles." Micah mumbled instead.
Darcy’s eyes lingered on him, studying the faint blush that crept down Micah’s neck. Instead of backing off, Darcy reached out forward again, this time aiming for Micah’s forehead.
Micah ducked in panic. "Hey!"
"What? I wanted to check your forehead." Darcy said, his hand hung in the air for a moment before dropping casually back to his side. But his gaze fell lower, drifting toward Micah’s lips.
Micah jumped away like a cat shoved into a bathtub. Inwardly, he shouted: Where are you looking at?
Fuck! What if he kisses him again?
Darcy, however, only raised an eyebrow, his face unreadable, almost amused by Micah’s dramatic reaction.
At that moment, Zhou Royan stepped into the kitchen, her eyes sweeping the scene in front of them. Micah’s face was bright red, glaring at Darcy. Meanwhile, Darcy stood close, calm and collected.
"Good. You are up," she said, her tone warm.
Micah turned his head quickly. "Grandma."
"Come. We need to talk," she said, and without waiting for an answer, she moved to the living room.
Micah and Darcy followed her.
In the living room, Micah sat down stiffly on the couch. His back was straight, his knees pressed together, and his hands rested on his thighs, like a schoolboy bracing himself for a scolding by the principal.
Darcy, in stark contrast, dropped onto the other end of the couch with a casual slouch. He crossed one leg over the other, relaxed.
Zhou Ruyan looked at the two of them and shook her head inwardly. "So," she began, "have you sorted out everything?"
"Yes," Darcy replied immediately.
"What? Sorting out what?" Micah blurted at the exact same time.
Darcy turned his head toward him slowly and gave him a look.
Micah stared back, puzzled and a little annoyed. "What?" he demanded, frowning.
Darcy shifted his gaze away, back to Zhou Ruyan. "Yes. We are good. There is no need to worry."
"Hey! You! What are you spouting on your own like that?" Micah reached out and shoved Darcy’s arm slightly.
Darcy didn’t respond.
Zhou Ruyan’s eyes flicked between the two, her expression filled with worry. "Have you decided to change your names or keep them? What about moving? Do you want to announce to the public now or later?"
"I want to keep my name," Darcy said. "And I don’t care about Ramsy’s asset. Just make sure my mum and sister can move to a better place. I am capable of taking care of myself."
Micah’s head snapped toward him so fast his neck cracked. "Are you nuts?" His voice rose, sharp with disbelief. "They are originally yours! Do you think this is charity or something?"
Darcy didn’t flinch. He sat there, his posture still calm. "I have no need for them. And honestly, they don’t want me. Why should I go back to a family that’s unwelcoming?"
Micah slammed his hand on his knee. "Unwelcoming? What do you mean, they are unwelcoming? Have you even met them? Of course, it will be awkward. You are strangers for now. But..."
"Micah." Darcy cut him off smoothly, his voice lower, firmer. "I am happy where I am. I want to grow with my own efforts. Wasn’t it you who told me my gaming app would be a hit? That your investment going to be doubled? Was it all a lie?"
"No. Of course not! You are smart, capable, and you’ve already proven it! But this... this is Ramsy Empire you’re talking about! Not just some house or a few assets!" Micah snapped with frustration.
"I don’t need it," Darcy said simply.
Zhou Ruyan cleared her throat. "It seems you two still have unresolved issues. You’d better talk it out. Because once we return, things will get hectic. I am telling you this because you two are both adults now. You should take care of it, not your parents."
Micah swallowed hard and nodded reluctantly. He shot Darcy a glare out of the corner of his eye, but Darcy’s face remained calm and unreadable.
Zhou Ruyan rose gracefully to her feet. "I am going to meet some of my friends."
"Okay, Grandma. Have fun. Don’t tire yourself though." Micah said quickly.
Zhou Ruyan gave a faint smile, then left the house with the butler.
As soon as she was gone, the silence between Micah and Darcy grew thick.
Micah folded his arms across his chest, pouting. His brow furrowed, his foot tapping restlessly against the floor. His whole body radiated irritation.
Darcy turned toward him fully, resting his chin in the palm of his hand, elbow propped on the armrest. His eyes lingered on Micah, calm but intent.
"Stubborn bull!" Micah mumbled under his breath. "You don’t know what you are missing."
Darcy chuckled in response. "In ten years, I can have my own enterprise listed in Forbes. Why use some stranger’s money?"
"They are not strangers! They are your parents, flesh and blood."
"To me, they are," Darcy said, voice flat.
"Ugh!" Micah threw his hands in the air. "Why are you being so damn unreasonable?!"
"I am not. I am doing what I am comfortable with."
"No! You are just a stubborn, egotistical ass!" Micah spat and turned his back to Darcy. He was seething with frustration. He never thought their argument would be because of something like this, and not his hiding the truth from Darcy.
It was unbelievably absurd.