CHAPTER 510: UNDERCOVER DISASTER IN A SKIRT

After a few minutes of silence, Azalea parted her lips finally. "I... I was so foolish."

"You were not foolish. You were just in love. And that beast took advantage of it, of you. The fault is his alone. Don’t be hard on yourself," Micah said gently, trying to comfort the woman.

"What should I do now? I feel like a clown," she whispered. Then she clasped her mouth, gagging. "I accused Leo... an innocent person, someone I was a fan of... I defended that animal instead. Oh God. I’m a fool."

Micah stood up, his skirt swaying with the sudden movement. He knelt beside the woman. "It’s alright. You trusted the wrong person. It happens. And right now...You don’t need to do anything. They are dangerous people. Let the professionals handle them. Take a break overseas for a while. I’ll arrange it. When you come back, everything will be dealt with."

"Why? Why are you doing this? I’m just a stranger... I even accused your idol of rape..." she said, choking up.

Micah couldn’t answer with the truth. He patted her shoulder. "I have the privilege and the power to help. Isn’t it the responsibility of the strong to protect the weak? That’s my motto. I know it sounds strange. But that’s just who I am. And aside from that, I can also gain something from that. So don’t worry. I am not the one holding the short end of the stick."

Azalea shook her head, baffled by the answer.

Micah stood up. "Take your time. My people are outside. When you’re ready, they will handle the rest. Don’t say anything to anyone. There is no need to get you involved in this dirty mess."

She grasped his wrist and squeezed it, not releasing it for a moment. "Thank you," she whispered.

Micah smiled in return and turned to leave the room. What ’his people’? They were all Clyde’s. But he couldn’t brazenly utter the Du Pont name in front of Azalea and put Clyde at a disadvantage. Even if they traced it back to him, Micah preferred to be the only one targeted.

*****

Micah left the restaurant, the soft chime of the door fading behind him as the afternoon air brushed against his face. The blue sky was fading to grey as dark clouds rolled in. He walked aimlessly, hands buried in his coat pockets, eyes unfocused. His thoughts were still on that woman’s crumbled expression, blaming herself for being a victim.

He walked down the street, lost in thought. He didn’t even realise where his steps had taken him until the hum of music drifted through the air.

Micah blinked. He had wandered into a large, open square full of people. Strings of decoration hung from poles and trees, turning the plaza festive. The air buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the faint smell of roasted chestnuts from a nearby stall. A crowd had gathered at the centre, clapping and swaying to the rhythm of a song.

"What is going on?" Micah mumbled, but his words were swallowed by the noise around him.

As he moved closer, some murmurs reached his ears.

"Hey, did you see that guy just now?"

"Ah... he was so dreamy..."

"Do you think he is an idol?"

"Why is he signing here?"

"Yeah, his watch was more expensive than my car!"

"Maybe he is some new singer we haven’t heard of yet?"

Micah frowned slightly and followed the voices until the crowd thickened ahead of him. People were packed shoulder to shoulder, their phones raised high to record the performer.

Then he heard the voice. The singer’s voice was smooth and velvety, rich with emotion, making the love song more heartfelt.

When the last note faded, the square erupted in cheers and applause. The singer bowed, grinning, and the people showered him with bills and coins. Micah’s lips curved slightly despite himself until he finally caught a clear look at the performer’s face.

He froze.

"Cousin, did you see that?!" Emile asked, practically bouncing with excitement as he held up a small pouch of tips. "Look how much they gave me! People love me already!"

"Yeah, yeah. You were awesome." Jacklin said dryly, completely unimpressed.

"You are not helping!" Emile frowned, tossing his curly hair back. "I wanted real feedback! I’m going to sing this song for the talent show next week! Show some feelings, point out my mistakes!"

"I did not sign up for this," Jacklin muttered, looking at the man standing beside her. "Dean, you said I just had to come here, and in return, you’d help me with Leo’s issue! What’s this?"

Dean chuckled beside her, arms crossed. "Hey, don’t blame me. He nagged me to death until I agreed."

Emile huffed dramatically, planting a hand on his hip. "I didn’t have the courage to come alone, alright? And your opinions matter to me! But look at you! Both of you!" He pointed his fingers at them. "I regretted it! Your boring and impatient expressions had killed all my confidence. Honestly, why are you caring so much about this guy? If I didn’t know you better, I would think you were in love with him or something." Emile said, staring at Jacklin.

"Cut the nonsense. You just wanted to show off in front of me." Jacklin retorted.

"Show off? I’m practising my art!"

"If you have got so much guts," Jacklin said, crossing her arms, "why don’t you tell little uncle you want to be an idol instead of getting me here. I can’t help you."

Emile groaned. "Cousin! You know he would definitely say no! But if you talk to him, he will soften! Please?"

"No, it’s no," Jacklin said firmly. "Can’t you see I work behind the scenes for the same reason? Little Uncle hates the limelight. If you drag our family name onto the stage, onto the spotlight, he will cut you off!"

Emile deflated a little but tried one last attempt. "What about I go with a pseudonym?"

"Stop it," Jacklin said, sighing. "In the end, someday the truth will be revealed! Think before you act."

"You’d have a better shot if you ask your roommate," Dean chimed in.

Emile pursed his lips. "I said it before it’s no use! He would make fun of me, then pull some crap on me because I asked for a favour."

Dean paused for a second then nodded. "Yeah. He would."

Micah gritted his teeth, berating Emile inwardly. That jerk talked about him like this in front of Dean and Jacklin! When did he ever bully him? The two had already been dissatisfied with him being with Clyde, what if their impression dropped more?

He wanted to leave, but the flow of the crowd had him stuck in the middle, hearing their conversation.

He cursed himself for walking this way. Even with his hat and mask, it wouldn’t take much for them to realise he was Asena. What if big sister, aka Jacklin, recognised him?!

Micah was not in the mood for a Q&A session with Jacklin about why Asena didn’t hit it off with Clyde, or what Asena’s relationship was with Ramsy’s family.

He didn’t want to lie but he couldn’t utter the truth either. What a dilemma!