CHAPTER 335: MEET THE SISTER: LEVEL HARD MODE (PART 4)

The little cafe at the corner of the street smelled of roasted beans and sugar, the air warm with chatter and the occasional clinking of cutlery.

Micah was seated across from Willow, enjoying a slice of cake with hot cocoa.

Then he leaned forward, elbows resting on the edge of the table, fingers tightening around his fork.

"Let’s strike a deal with him," he said with a serious tone.

Willow blinked, her spoon halfway raised from her cup of cappuccino. For a second, she froze like a statue, unsure where he was going with this. She set the spoon down with a soft click. "What?" she asked slowly.

Micah’s lips curved into a smile at her reaction. "I know he likes you a great deal. So let’s use it to our advantage."

Willow stared at him as though he had just told her pigs could fly. Her voice sharpened with disbelief. "What are you saying? He likes me? The man just stands there like a statue whenever he sees me. Not even a twitch of emotion." She gestured vaguely with her hand, as if imitating Gu Donghai’s stiff demeanour, her lips pulling downward in mockery.

"No, no. I am a man. I can see it. He is just shy and clumsy. Too serious for his own good. You can even test it yourself if you don’t believe me." Micah said, his tone full of certainty, eyes glinting mischievously as if daring her.

Willow’s lips twitched. "Fine. Let’s say you are right. So what exactly is this deal you want to make with him?"

Micah straightened, his expression turning serious. "You know why Grandpa is against you becoming the next head of the family, right?" Micah began carefully, his gaze staying steady on her face.

Willow gave a simple nod.

"Grandpa is worried about the family name," Micah continued. "Your children will be Gu, not Ramsy. That’s the stumbling block. But that can be solved. Make a contract that your son will be Ramsy first. If there aren’t any boys... then you will select one from the Ramsy family, raise them as your own, and establish him as the Ramsy heir. Gu Donghai will accept anything you offer. Tell him you will take the CEO position and won’t let him interfere in the Ramsy business. Grandpa will agree to it too."

Micah wanted to make Ramsy’s future secure before Darcy joined the family. He remembered too clearly how, in the original novel, the sudden arrival of the true young master had thrown the shareholders into turmoil. Confusion and disheartenment had left cracks wide enough for rivals to sink their claws into the Ramsy empire. And Willow, caught in a delicate position with no definite heir, had borne the brunt of it.

Micah’s thoughts turned bitter. The fake Ramsy heir in that version had been a disaster. A greedy fool with no skill, grabbing at power with clumsy hands while Darcy, the real young master, was entangled with those scums. The chaos had left Ramsy taking a big blow. He would not let that repeat in reality.

If Darcy one day decided to inherit the Ramsy Empire, it would still take a few years of training. In that time, Willow would still be the one holding the reins. And Micah knew better than anyone that Willow’s sense of integrity would never allow her to cling to power once Darcy was ready. She would guide him, steady him, and then step back. Micah knew how much Ramsy’s company meant to Willow, so she would never use a dirty method to deal with Darcy. And if Darcy showed potential, Willow would hand it to him immediately.

But she needed the chance first.

Willow’s lashes lowered as she studied Micah, her heart unexpectedly tight. She could see it now, the fire in his eyes, the way his words didn’t waver. There was no hesitation. For once, her younger brother wasn’t joking, wasn’t throwing out some half-baked scheme. He was serious, dead serious.

Her heart filled with warmth. The only one who knew how much the company meant to her was Micah. She swallowed hard. "I’ll talk to him... but don’t get your hopes up."

Micah smiled, his expression softening as relief crossed his features. "Come on, have a little faith. You might be surprised." He tilted his head, lips curling with confidence.

Willow brushed her hair behind her ear, her fingers lingering on the strands as she thought. She really couldn’t see Gu Donghai having feelings for her. The man never once changed his expression upon seeing her. His greetings were curt, his conversations strictly business. If he liked her, then he hid it beneath a mountain of stone.

Yet, sitting here, across from her earnest little brother, she found herself wanting to believe in Micah’s words. Just a little. Was it because of the company? Or... because of the man himself?

Her lips curved faintly, almost against her will. A tiny chuckle slipped out, muffled as she lifted her cup to her mouth.

When she looked back up, her gaze softened on Micah. He had grown up. Truly grown up. He tried to tackle the situation in a smarter way than before. Not with force, not with rebellion, but with strategy. It wasn’t as if she had never considered this method herself. She had. But each time, she dismissed it immediately. What man in the world would accept something like that? To willingly place another family’s name above his own? Especially someone as proud, successful egoistic as Gu Donghai? The heir to a powerful family? It sounded impossible.

She sighed softly, blowing across the surface of her drink before taking another sip.

Still... Micah’s determination was infectious. She could just indulge him this time. Even if she believed reality would strike them down, she could let him hold onto that hope for now. And ridiculously, she wished deep down that he was right.

Willow gazed at her drink, her lips pursing. For a fleeting second, she let herself imagine it. Gu Donghai, serious face and all, admitting to something more. Her chest tightened, equal parts disbelief and longing.