Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 81
“I’m glad Angie found a good friend.”
Despite his exhaustion, a relaxed smile crept onto Yujin’s lips. It had been a far more enjoyable day than he expected. Not just Angela, but Yujin himself had experienced a rare moment of peace. He never thought he’d be able to laugh and talk like this with the Campbells.
Contrary to his initial belief that he only needed to maintain minimal courtesy, Yujin genuinely engaged in conversation. Once Charlotte got used to the atmosphere, she chatted with them comfortably too. Of course, she still seemed to be watching cautiously, but compared to before, she was noticeably more relaxed. By the time they parted, they were seriously discussing plans to meet again.
They couldn’t leave immediately, so it was probably fine to spend time socializing in the meantime...
He even thought that after they left, they might exchange contact information — if they wished to, of course.
He’d think about the future when the time came.
Yujin gently urged the child to put away her toys herself and quietly watched. Seeing Angela diligently move around the spacious room tidying the scattered things brought a warm smile to his face.
It had been a peaceful day at last. Suddenly, Yujin realized why: from the moment he opened his eyes until now, he hadn’t seen Winston even once. He didn’t know when Winston would return, but at least it wouldn’t be for a day.
For now, they were free.
Thinking this, a sudden realization hit him. Could today be the perfect opportunity?
Without realizing it, Yujin sprang up and instinctively looked at the closed door, then let his shoulders slump.
How can I go anywhere if I can’t even ride in a car?
Sighing again, Yujin pressed his hand to his forehead. Angela called him with a puzzled voice.
“Daddy?”
Snapped back to reality by his daughter’s anxious tone, Yujin quickly smiled as if nothing was wrong and shook his head.
“It’s nothing, Angie. Something just crossed my mind.”
Is there no way?
Besides, when leaving the mansion by car, he needed a suitable excuse. And he had to lose the bodyguards.
What use are bodyguards to me anyway?
Anger welled up in Yujin, but he couldn’t make his daughter worried again. He tried hard not to show his emotions and calmed himself. Before, he had only worried about riding in a car, but now he realized there were more problems to solve.
This won’t be as easy as I thought...
Feeling a grim premonition, Yujin furrowed his brows. Angela tilted her head in confusion at her father’s expression.
Thirty minutes had passed since the plane stopped on the runway. It was already past the time to disembark, but the man sat motionless, chin in hand, lost in thought. Seeing the cabin crew’s unease as they nervously watched him, the secretary stepped forward.
“Mr. Campbell, we have arrived. Do you have any instructions?”
Winston didn’t immediately respond to the indirect question. After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke.
“No, I’m fine.”
Everyone tensed, fearing he might remain seated, but thankfully Winston understood the hint. He stood up with long strides, and the waiting staff quickly lined up on both sides and straightened their posture. As usual, he briefly greeted the staff, but seemed distracted. His vague words and quick departure left everyone puzzled, and they hurriedly prepared to leave. The secretary also hurried after Winston, confirmed he got into the waiting car, and then greeted him.
“Well then, Mr. Campbell, see you tomorrow.”
Winston nodded briefly, and the car slowly pulled away. Watching the sedan he was in, followed by a security car, the secretary only relaxed her shoulders after they fully disappeared from sight.
The short business trip was finally over. Though it was more of a personal errand for Winston than a true business trip.
Probably about his partner.
As she got into the parked car to head home, the secretary thought about it. If it was to meet the police officer she’d spent time with, it had to be that.
What could have happened?
Seeing Winston’s face when he finally emerged after a long while, the woman was shocked. His complexion was so pale it seemed all the blood had drained from his body, and from then until now, he had barely said a few words. Considering Winston had been lost in thought all along, it was clear something had happened with that police officer. But what exactly?
Though she couldn’t find an answer, her curiosity couldn’t be stopped. The very next morning, before work, while preparing breakfast, the secretary was startled by a call from her superior.
“What? Right now?”
It was an unexpected order, but she had no choice but to comply. Flustered, she quickly responded “Understood” and hung up.
What on earth is going on?
Unable to contain her curiosity, she finally began tearing at her hair.
With a small groan, Yujin shifted his body and slowly woke from sleep. Peeking open his eyes, he saw the familiar scene before him: the bedroom wall and ceiling, the window, curtains, the morning sun flooding in, and—
Winston.
Seeing the man sitting in a chair deep in thought, Yujin suddenly hesitated. Should he pretend to be asleep? Or just get up?
Though the hesitation lasted only a second or two, it was unnecessary; Winston seemed to sense his presence and immediately turned his gaze toward him.
Damn it.
Yujin thought, but now it was too late to pretend. Reluctantly lying there, they faced each other in a strange silence. Though Winston usually sneered and hurled insults at him, he was unexpectedly quiet. Yujin was inwardly puzzled and slowly got up.
“...When did you get here?”
He asked in a reluctant voice but also feared being ignored. Thinking it wouldn’t be surprising, he was taken aback when Winston spoke.
“At dawn.”
Yujin blinked, startled by the calm tone. Though ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) it was only a single word, it felt somehow foreign.
There was no hostility.
The attitude Winston usually had, sharp and pointed toward Yujin, was strangely softened. Maybe it was just a hallucination. It probably was. People don’t suddenly change for no reason. As he reminded himself of this, Winston continued.
“Did anything happen?”
Yujin couldn’t hide his surprise and stared at him. Surely he was mistaken, but Winston’s attitude confused him again. What was going on? Had something happened?
“...Did you go to the hospital?”
Guessing that his suddenly free day might have been because of that, Yujin asked. Winston tilted his head, as if to say, “What are you talking about?” With a suspicious look, Yujin continued.
“I thought maybe you heard bad news from the doctor. You suddenly seemed strange.”
Winston said nothing, only silently gazing at Yujin. Yujin felt his heart race for no reason. Could it really be? Responding to his anxious look, Winston said,
“No.”
After a long silence, Winston slowly added,
“I didn’t go to the hospital. I’m not dying of any illness.”
“R-Really?”
Yujin felt awkward and mumbled, unsure what to say. Saying “That’s good” sounded strange, and apologizing did too. Avoiding Winston’s eyes, he muttered scoldingly.
“I thought something bad happened because you suddenly acted weird. But forget it...”
Winston suddenly snickered. Surprised, Yujin froze, and Winston finished lightly.
“Sorry if you were expecting otherwise. Too bad, but I’m very healthy.”
Of course. Yujin belatedly realized he had worried for nothing and felt annoyed. Instead, he decided to be sarcastic.
“Right. A perfect opportunity to become the heir to the Campbell family.”
Prepared for another sharp retort, Yujin was surprised when Winston didn’t reply like that. Instead, Winston stared intently at Yujin’s face, making him nervous and stammer.
“W-What’s with you?”
Silence fell again. Winston didn’t answer, only kept staring at Yujin with a gaze whose meaning he couldn’t grasp.
Something about Winston was very strange today. Forced to watch him closely, Winston finally spoke after a long while.
“I met him.”
“Wh-Who?”
Anxious, Yujin blurted out without thinking, his heart trembling nervously, as if something bad might happen. When a bad premonition tingled at his fingertips, Winston finally spoke very slowly.
“Sam Brown.”
