CHAPTER 338: THE SEA KING’S HAREM

Emile leaned back against the bed frame with arms crossed, watching the chaos like it was free entertainment. Micah squirmed helplessly under Nick and Eddie’s playful but relentless assault, laughter and protests tumbling from his lips. After a while, Emile stood up and got out of bed as if he had all the time in the world.

He strolled over and tapped Nick and Eddie on their shoulders, a tiny smile on his face. "Alright, that’s enough. He is not someone you should mess with like that. You know the consequences might be something you could not afford..."

Micah’s entire body went cold. His laughter died instantly, eyes widening. Shit. Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it. His heart fell straight into his stomach. Beads of sweat prickled along his hairline.

He snapped his head toward Emile, glaring like a cornered cat. "Shut up!" His voice cracked, a mix of panic and warning.

Emile only smirked wider, blue eyes glinting with mischief. "I tried to help," he said lightly, raising both his hands in a mock gesture of innocence. "You are on your own."

Micah’s stomach twisted. He could practically hear alarm bells blaring in his head. He knew. He was going to say something. Damn it, he was scared.

Fueled by desperation, Micah twisted hard, yanking one arm free. He jerked his leg with all his strength, kicking Nick square in the stomach. At the same time, he grabbed Eddie’s wrist and twisted.

"Ow!" Nick wheezed, stumbling backward onto the floor.

"Ouch, my hand!" Eddie yelped, letting go immediately.

Micah scrambled upright, breathing hard, his shirt rumpled and hair sticking out in every direction. He brushed his clothes with both palms, trying to restore some dignity even though his cheeks were flushed crimson. He shot Emile a look heavy with meaning. "I let them intentionally beat me up. I deserved it," he said pointedly, as if daring Emile to contradict him.

Nick sat on the floor, rubbing his stomach. "Oh man, you are ruthless."

Eddie shook his wrists with a dramatic groan. "Yeah, seriously."

Micah exhaled, shoulders dropping slightly. "Look, I’m sorry I hid it from all three of you. But genuinely, I thought you would not enjoy something like that. You’d have to wear suits and act like something you are not. I didn’t want to drag you into that stiff environment."

Nick waved a hand, flopping back onto his bed like a rag doll. "We know. We are not that angry. We were just messing with you."

"Not me," Eddie said firmly, still scowling as he rubbed his wrist. "I am mad. Do you have any idea how many beautiful girls I’ve lost because of you? I could have scored something big there!"

Micah rolled his eyes.

"Knock it off! Like any of them would look at your way," Nick scoffed and threw a pillow at Eddie.

"Say that again?" Eddie shot upright.

Emile chuckled and sat beside Micah on the bed. "Well, he is right about one thing. The party blew."

"Hey!" Micah snapped. "My mother and sisters worked hard for that party!" He glared, pointing a finger at Emile’s chest.

Emile pursed his lips, holding back what he really thought. The gossip they overheard at the banquet indicated a different story. That the whole event was just for show. "I meant the people there!" Emile said instead. It wasn’t his place to meddle in Micah’s family life.

"Tsk. I don’t like them either." Micah clicked his tongue.

Nick stretched out his leg and kicked Micah’s foot lightly. "Anyway. You owe us a five-star meal!"

"Fine, fine." Micah rubbed his temples. "When do you want to go out?"

"Tomorrow night," Nick said with a mournful sigh. "I’ve got a report to finish tonight."

"Oh, right!" he suddenly perked up, turning his head sharply toward Micah. "By the way, is it true that two guys bet on carrying you in the game?"

Micah froze. "Huh?" His voice was a little too high-pitched.

Emile’s gaze sharpened. He straightened, eyes narrowing with interest. "What are you guys talking about?"

Eddie grinned, leaning forward eagerly. "Oh yeah. Russell told us you are Frosty. And we looked you up. Oh boy! The gossip about you..." He trailed off, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

Micah’s pulse spiked. He screamed in horror in his head. No... no...

"Who is DarkVyne? Or DarkLegand? Which one is Darcy?" Nick asked.

"I heard ShadowSlayer might be Archie, Russell’s brother," Eddie added quickly, eyes shining with excitement. "How do you get close to the SilverBlade captain?"

"You are collecting powerful players left and right," Nick accused with a grin. "Leading them on, making them chase after you, some people even said you were flirting with them on purpose."

"Yeah. And do you know what they called you? Helen of Troy!" Eddie cracked up laughing. "Oh crap. I can’t even..." he clutched his stomach, wheezing from how hard he laughed.

Micah’s entire face turned red, neck to ears, like a frog being boiled alive. "What the hell?"

Emile blinked, piecing together what they were talking about. His eyes widened. "Oh god! You are the famous sea king! How many fish are you raising?"

"What sea king?" Micah practically shrieked, voice cracking. "I am not a Playboy!"

Nick and Eddie burst out laughing, pounding the bed with their fists. "Sea king! Helen of Troy! Campus flower!"

Micah buried his face in his hands with a groan. He wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

"No wait!" Emile pushed Micah’s arm. "If you have so many suitors, why the hell are you seeing my..." Emile didn’t get to finish his words.

Micah lunged forward, slapping a hand over Emile’s mouth. His palm pressed against Emile’s lips. His heart hammered wildly, panic flashing in his eyes. "Shut up!"

Without a second thought, Micah dragged him up from the bed. Emile didn’t resist. Micah grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door in a frantic rush. "I have to talk to him alone."

"Wha...hey!" Nick sat up, blinking.

Eddie’s laughter cut short as he stared after them.

Both watched as Micah shoved Emile out of the room, the door banging shut behind them.

Nick and Eddie exchanged a look, furrowing their brows in confusion.

"Well, that was strange....What are they hiding from us?" Nick murmured.

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "Not a clue!"