CHAPTER 500: THE JEALOUSY AUDIT: FILED AND APPROVED (PART ONE)

Micah set the containers on the kitchen counter, the faint clatter of lids echoing through the quiet apartment. The place smelled faintly of soup and spices. He took out each container, placing them neatly into the fridge, except for the one still hot to the touch. He set it aside on the counter, steam curling from its lid.

Clyde leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with that familiar unreadable gaze. His tone was calm when he finally spoke. "What do you plan to do with Leo?"

Micah shut the fridge door slowly and turned toward Clyde, his expression thoughtful.

"Mmm," he hummed loudly, tapping his finger against his chin. "Like you said before, I want to use him. Keep him close. Hold his leash tight." He paused, eyes flicking up, a serious expression filled his face. "That way he won’t be a threat to Darcy... not like in my dream."

He leaned his elbows on the counter, brow furrowing. "But I don’t want to drag La Riviere into it. And I can’t just hand him to another entertainment company either. That’d be reckless."

Clyde tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady, waiting for him to go on.

Micah suddenly brightened, eyes lighting up with an almost childish spark. "Oh! What if I open an entertainment company myself? You know, I auditioned yesterday for a role! At Ramsy Empire, no less! Can you believe it?" he laughed under his breath, shaking his head as if still in disbelief. "I thought my family would freak out if I ever tried something like that. But now that I’m not the heir anymore... maybe I can finally do whatever I want, right?!"

Clyde’s expression softened, the corner of his mouth curving in a faint smile, staring at the young man who talked excitedly about being a star. He remembered praising Micah once, saying he played Asena so well that even he was fooled. Back then, Micah had bristled at the compliment. But now... after the truth was revealed, at least to their families, Micah stood there with genuine excitement shining in his eyes, more open to pursuing what he really liked.

"That’s a good idea," Clyde said, voice low but approving. "I can send a few of my managers and assistants to help you get started. At least until you build your own team."

Micah’s face lit up immediately. "Really? Thanks!" He gave Clyde’s arm a playful punch, bouncing on his feet.

"Oh! Wait until I tell Emile! Haha!" He burst out, eyes wide with glee. "He will explode from jealousy!"

Clyde shook his head, feeling helpless. If his nephew heard that... he doubted he would have a peaceful day again, accusing him of playing favouritism.

Clyde had previously objected to Emile being an actor or idol. Well... at that time, he hadn’t had his past memories. But right now, he didn’t care. And it was better for someone watching over Micah, not letting that bastard, Leo, get close to him.

Clyde could never deny what Micah liked to do. He preferred to stay on guard instead.

"No. Wait." Micah mumbled, smile faltering. "I’ll need funding for that. And...I don’t really want to use Ramsy’s money or influence for it." Micah’s expression drooped, and his body stopped bouncing.

"Why not?" Clyde asked. "No one would object, would they?"

Micah shook his head. "Nah. It’s not that my family would stop me. I just...If something went wrong, I don’t want to drag Ramsy’s name through the mud."

Clyde nodded slowly, understanding more than he let on. "Well, in that case, use a proxy. You channel the money through a medium company, and they’ll act as the investor. That way, no one will trace it back to you easily."

Micah’s eyes widened, admiration clear on his face. "That’s the business prodigy for you. Great idea! Then how do I find a trustworthy medium?"

"Do you know why there is no record of La Riviere headquarters online, or any obvious link to Du Ponts?" Clyde said meaningfully. "Because I began to use that method years ago. Most of my employees don’t even know who their real boss is. So just leave it to me."

Micah clenched his fist and hit his other palm. "That’s right!" he glared at the man. "I still don’t know where your office is!"

Clyde raised an eyebrow. "What? Planning to visit? Show off your sovereignty as the boss’s partner?"

Micah snorted. "Yeah. I’d rather not end up on some gossip headline as your sugar baby, thank you very much! Seriously, no one even knows your face. People probably think you are a mummy by now!"

Clyde chuckled, shaking his head. "Right. I recall a certain person calling me a fossil once."

Micah rolled his eyes. "Exactly my point."

Clyde stepped closer, hovering over Micah. The playfulness in his expression faded, replaced by something darker. His gaze lingered on Micah’s neck, right where a faint mark peeked out from under his collar, the one he had left this morning, trying to calm down the disoriented Micah.

"So," Clyde said softly, almost a murmur. "You plan to hide our relationship for the rest of your life?"

Micah stiffened as Clyde reached up, brushing his fingers over the mark, gentle but deliberate. His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "Or do you enjoy the thrill of people chasing you, thinking you are still single?"

Micah winced, glaring at the man. "Look who is talking," he shot back, stepping back against the counter. "It’s not my fault I can’t exactly announce that I am dating you without people giving me nasty looks. Try showing your face once or twice in public first before demanding that of me."

Clyde’s hand didn’t move away; instead, his fingers trailed to the back of Micah’s neck, tracing the line of his skin. "Won’t that make me a good target? What if you get jealous then?"

"Ha!" Micah snickered. "As if any of those social climbers care whether you are old or young, handsome or ugly. What about that woman... What was her name again? Ah, Director Allen? She didn’t even know you were the big boss, and she still threw herself at you."

"Oh?" Clyde smirked. "You still remember her? Were you that jealous?" Clyde’s knuckles brushed his skin, making Micah shiver under the touch.

Author’s note:

📣🔔Ding, ding, ding! 🔔🔔📣📣

🎉🎉500 Chapters alert! 🎉🎉🎊🎊

A big shout-out to all my fans for accompanying me so far.

I love you all, kiss, kiss, muahhh! 😘😘😘