CHAPTER 535: TRUST ISSUES

Micah slowly sat up. His eyes darted around the room as if trying to piece together what had happened. "What happened?" he asked, voice hoarse.

He pretended not to remember. It wasn’t because he wanted to deceive them, no, that wasn’t it. But as his mind cleared, he realised something important.

The ending he knew was different from what Darcy had seen. He was sure. Flora had died. Not him.

And for better or worse, he could not let Darcy know he also had experienced something similar. Because if he did, Darcy, clever and quick-witted as he was, would start asking questions. And with his habit of blurting things out before thinking, Micah was certain he would spill everything in no time.

No. Micah could never disclose the ending he knew to them. He could never tell Clyde that he was meant to die at the hands of those four. And could never tell Darcy the reason behind it all....was him.

Then why should he be the fool to bring it up first? Yeah. It was better to let them mention it on their own. He could act like it was the first time he was hearing about it. Back then, he had reacted too much to Darcy’s words and nearly gave himself away.

Another matter was Clyde.

Clyde was hiding something. The realisation stung in a way he hadn’t expected. The man who always acted so protective, so understanding, wasn’t being truthful either.

But what could he do about it? He couldn’t just confront the man in front of Darcy. He needed to gather intel first. And that would be to talk to Darcy alone. It was obvious Clyde was against him, knowing whatever Darcy was about to say.

And second, he needed to talk to Grandpa Lin again. This whole situation felt wrong. Too bizarre.

And with how Clyde had reacted, Micah had lost the only person he could have confided in.

He had told everything to Clyde except the truth about his death. And still the man had the nerve to hide things from him. Maybe he knew more than he was letting on. Maybe he had known all along. Micah should have realised it when Clyde easily bought his nonsense.

The seed of doubt was planted in his heart. Micah was scared of asking. Of what he might find, of knowing the truth. The possibility of betrayal and deception...

Inwardly, Micah shook his head, trying not to go deep into it.

It wasn’t the time.

Right. He had to just focus on the present. Dealing with the Lobart family and those four scums was far more important than chasing answers that would only hurt.

Hearing Micah’s question, Clyde looked at the silver-haired boy’s pale face. Did he not remember? His gaze flickered to Darcy and gave him a warning with his eyes.

"You don’t remember?"

"No, the last thing I saw was when we came back into the room. So what happened? Why am I lying here?"

"Nothing serious. Your blood sugar dropped, and you passed out, that’s all." Clyde lied. "Are you feeling better now?"

Micah blinked at him, feigning confusion. "Ah. That explains the fog, then. I blacked out. That’s why I could not remember what I was doing." He gave a weak, embarrassed chuckle.

Clyde’s shoulders eased, tension fading from his face. He didn’t seem to suspect anything. The last time Micah had collapsed, he had also forgotten things related to the past. So he sighed in relief, assuming this time was the same. Talking about the past was painful for Clyde and Micah anyway. He didn’t want Micah to remember more than necessary.

Suddenly, Micah pressed a hand over his stomach and winced. His face had gone paler than before.

"Hey? What is it?" Clyde asked, alarmed. He reached forward, but Micah raised a hand weakly to stop him.

"I’m hungry, I suppose," Micah muttered pitifully, lips curling into a small grimace. "You know I get stomachaches when I’m starving."

Clyde sighed, half-exasperated, half-concerned. "Darcy, get him some warm water," he said, standing. "I’ll go get something to eat."

Then he turned and left the room.

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Darcy with Micah in the room.

Micah listened to Clyde’s footsteps fading down the hall before turning his head toward Darcy. The boy quickly brought him a glass of water. "Here," he said, extending his hand.

Micah grabbed it and took a small sip, eyeing Darcy, who sat stiffly on the chair. He didn’t mince his words. "Why are you lying to me?"

Darcy flinched. His fingers twitched. "Lying? I don’t know what you’re talking about," he said, forcing his voice and expression to be even.

"I can understand Clyde, that worrywart, to hide it, but you?" Micah glared at him. "Come on, talk."

Darcy’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. He didn’t know what to do. On the one hand, it didn’t sit right with him to lie to Micah about such an important matter. What difference would there be between him and those four for deceiving Micah?

On the other hand, the Darcy of this world trusted Clyde too much. Especially anything related to Micah. That man would do anything to protect him. Even in the first life, Clyde had been the first to come running when Micah needed saving.

It was such a dilemma. One that tied Darcy’s tongue in knots.

Micah leaned forward slightly. "Okay then, tell me about those flashes you had. What does the Lobart family do to the Ramsy Empire? What exactly did you see in that moment? How did you two die?"

Micah pressed, his gaze locked on Darcy.

But Darcy kept his mouth shut.

Micah exhaled sharply through his nose, his temper flaring. "Seriously? You’re not going to talk even about this? Now you are siding with him? A few hours ago, you couldn’t even stand to look at Clyde!"

Darcy turned his head, averting his eyes.

"Fine," Micah muttered, his tone sharp as glass. "Don’t tell me. I’ll find out myself. There are plenty of ways to look into the Lobart family."

"Absolutely not!" Darcy burst out, shooting to his feet. "You must not go near them! Do you hear me? They are dangerous!"

"Why should I trust the words of someone who lies to me?" Micah raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

Darcy gritted his teeth and sank back down. "Micah, we are just worried about you," he said, his voice strained. "You know how impulsive you can be. He is older, more experienced in the business world. He knows what he’s doing. Just trust him, okay?"

"Wow! You’re even praising him now? What kind of potion did he give you to change your tune so fast?" Micah sneered, voice mocking.

Darcy rubbed his forehead, feeling already drained. "Please... I am still shaken from what I saw..." he said softly. "Losing my mum, seeing all that...if you went and got yourself into danger too?" His voice trailed off, tight with emotion.

Micah’s lips twitched, his annoyance flickering. So that was it...Darcy was pulling the emotional card now. His gaze flickered to Darcy’s hand. They were trembling.

Micah exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "Let’s talk about this another time," he said finally, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and hopping.

Darcy jolted. "Hey! Be careful..." He half-rose, reaching out as if afraid Micah might collapse again.

Micah ignored him, landing lazily, brushing down his clothes. "What? Did you really think I was dying or something? I was acting. Just needed an excuse to send him away." Micah threw a smug smile at him.

Darcy stared at him, then pinched the bridge of his nose. Frustrated.

Micah stretched his arms lazily, as if nothing had happened. "Anyway, I am out of here," he said, already walking toward the door. "You can stick with that liar if you want." His tone was dripping with disdain.

Darcy sighed quietly, shoulders slumped. For all his efforts, the young master was still as stubborn as ever. He stood, resigned, and followed Micah out. Someone had to keep an eye on this foolish young master; otherwise, who knew what kind of mess he would stir up? Worse yet, what if he got himself caught in something dangerous again?

Micah marched down the corridor, his mind fuming. These two... Clyde and Darcy had the nerve to team up behind his back!

It didn’t matter. He had to go to the Royal Dragon Pavilion himself. Grandpa Lin would give him the truth if no one else would. And he could eat there too. Hmph! That would show them!

His steps quickened. Let’s see who’s the boss now!

They thought they could treat him as a dimwit, hiding the truth, denying anything had happened.

Especially Clyde! He had behaved as if Micah’s memory loss was totally normal. Moreover, the two had formed an alliance to work against those four scums and the Lobart family, while keeping him in the dark.

Yeah. They treated him as if he were a damsel in distress needing their protection. Ha!