A high-pitched squeal cut through the awkward silence, and a small figure flung itself onto Micah's arm before he could brace himself.
"Cousin!"
Arlo's voice rang with delight as he bounced excitedly in place.
Micah smirked, ruffling the boy's fluffy hair.
"Yeah? Were you bored? Do you want Big Brother to show you something fun?"
He reached out and playfully pulled Arlo's round soft cheek.
Almost immediately, a chorus of voices yelled in unison, except for Cora, who was too busy relishing her small cake.
"Don't!"
Micah blinked, raising a curious brow at them.
"What's with the reaction?"
A nervous chuckle came from his Aunt Mabel.
"Haha… we are just worried your parents will come looking for you later. After all, this banquet was held for you."
Mabel Ramsy stood elegantly dressed in a deep blue evening gown. At 43, she carried herself with the graceful confidence of someone who had spent years balancing family and career. Married to Graham Sanford, a well-known jewellery designer and a shareholder of his family jewellery store, had two daughters, Vivian and Cora, aged 18 and 15.
Mabel, being an Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist, was often caught up with work, causing her to miss most family gatherings.
Micah was fond of his two aunts. It was interesting how all three of Albert Ramsy's children inherited Zhou Ruyan's mild temperament rather than taking after Albert.
"Ah, right. That would be a problem. But after that, there will be plenty of time to hang out with my little cousin. Don't you think so?"
Micah tilted his head and said.
Felicity Ramsy wiped her forehead with a silk handkerchief and laughed awkwardly.
"Arlo will be fine. But You were discharged recently from the hospital. You should be a bit more careful."
Micah glanced at his second aunt, Felicity Ramsy. Though she was 36, her gentle demeanour made her seem younger and far removed from someone working as a doctor in the military hospital.
Her two children, Jamima and Arlo, were eight and five years old and were mostly raised in the structured environment of their paternal grandparents' military complex.
Micah had always enjoyed teasing them, nudging them out of their strict, disciplined upbringing.
But apparently, his aunt didn't seem amused by it.
"I am fine."
Micah replied, shrugging his shoulder.
"Sorry, we couldn't visit you at the hospital."
Graham Sanford's voice was heard, barely above a whisper.
Micah's gaze turned to his uncle, who looked genuinely apologetic.
Beside him, his cousin Vivian stood with her arms folded, a frown hanging on her pretty face.
"Yeah, we were on holiday. But thanks to you, we had to cut it short."
Vivian glared at him and said.
"Vivian!"
Mabel Ramsy sighed, rubbing her temple in exasperation.
Micah snorted.
"I see you are still as mean as ever. For the past six months, I thought you had mellowed out a bit, but it seems it was just the pressure of the college entrance exam keeping you in check."
Micah shook his head in feigned disappointment.
"Hah! Maybe I am a little mean, but what about you? Not one day passed after your acceptance letter arrived before you went ahead and screwed up! Sending yourself into the hospital and tarnishing Ramsy's family name."
Vivian retorted.
Micah's smirk vanished. He pointed at her and shot back.
"At least I don't bully my sister all the time! And what tarnishing? Did I murder someone? Or steal?! Huh? I was the patient!"
"Every time You two meet, it's like this! Are you dogs and cats? Why are you tearing each other apart? Stop it… for god's sake, you are adults now! Can you grant us a few minutes of peace?!"
Mabel Ramsy groaned.
"You still have not gotten used to it? I don't you how you have the patience to deliver babies when your tolerance is this low!"
Vivian said, giving her mother a look.
Mabel's eyes twitched.
"One more word, Vivian, and I'll have you working in your grandparent's store for the rest of summer."
Vivian's lips clamped shut and gave Micah a look of pure resentment.
Micah laughed.
"Is it that bad?!"
Aunt Mabel tilted her head close to Micah and whispered.
"Of course not. But the old folks at the store have sharper tongues than Vivian, she takes after them, but they can not tolerate each other. Believe it or not, the real version is far worse."
"Oh… so that's what it is…"
Micah nodded in understanding.
He remembered that in the book, his aunts had suffered immensely after the fake heir's reputation plummeted.
Both of his aunt's in-laws were unbearably harsh toward his aunts, criticising and insulting them for raising an eye-white wolf in their family, unfit as a mother to raise their grandchildren.
This led to a fallout between the couples.
It was so bad that even his cousins were affected. When Micah in the book had gone to them for help, they had turned their backs on him, accusing him of being the reason for their parents' bad relationship.
Micah had no special feelings for his two uncles. One was more timid than a mouse, and the other was more silent than air.
However, in the book, the situation even made them change.
Graham Sanford became a bitter alcoholic, taking his frustrations out on his family.
Owen Booker transferred himself to a remote area, running away cowardly from the problems.
His cousins also didn't fare well.
Micah sighed inwardly.
This swapped situation, in the book, had ruined so many lives.
It was not just Micah's doing in the novel that made the Ramsy family lose their prestige and reputation.
The real catalyst for Ramsy's downfall was those big shots who had fought over Darcy brazenly. These influential people had dragged Ramsy's name into the spotlight, competing for the real young master's attention.
Rumours had spread like wildfire, some whispered that Darcy was an incubus, a green tea, wrapping these young men around his little finger. Others accused Micah of being vicious and cruel, painting Ramsy's family as the villains.
Their business rivals saw this as a perfect opportunity to unleash a full-scale attack on the Ramsy family, dragging the worth of their shares to nothingness.
Even Elina's academic achievement had not been spared. Accusations of plagiarism and bribery threatened to destroy her future.
Willow and Aria weren't left unhurt either.
Micah shut his eyes, pushing down the rising frustration in his chest.
He couldn't let that happen.
His gaze focused on his relatives, their happy faces and light banter…
They had no idea what fate the author had in store for them.