Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 116

The girl wore a pointed, tall witch’s hat tilted at a jaunty angle. Her dress matched the hat’s design—dark, rich fabric sprinkled with gold stars of various sizes. Around her waist was a bright red ribbon tied neatly. In her arms, she carried an oversized plastic Jack-o’-Lantern, as if born for Halloween itself. Her skin was strikingly pale, and her dark hair flowed over her shoulders. Even her lips were painted a vivid red. Winston was utterly captivated.

Yujin.

In an instant, Winston was transported back to the moment he first met Yujin. Absurdly vivid were the memories of that day’s sunlight, the scent of grass, and the breeze tickling his cheek. Back when it was just the two of them in the world. He suddenly recalled the youthful, puzzled face of Yujin meeting him for the first time and the clear, honest gaze he had locked with—his very first thought about him.

An angel.

It was as if small, delicate wings fluttered behind Yujin’s back. And perhaps it was true. If Yujin wasn’t an angel, then there were no angels in this world.

Of course, Yujin was older then than Angela is now, but if Winston had met Yujin at this same age, wearing that very outfit, surely he would have been just as cute—if not cuter.

Naturally. Who in the world could be more lovable than Yujin?

The memories Winston had tried to suppress flooded back all at once. Yujin smiling at him, stumbling through Spanish words, always pressed against the window, cheering and rushing to his arms whenever Winston came.

Winnie.

Remembering Yujin’s smile behind a pile of Halloween pumpkins made Winston’s heart ache almost unbearably. He felt the sudden urge to fly to the island immediately.

“Aren’t they adorable? I told you, no one at today’s party will be as pretty as Angie.”

The butler appeared suddenly behind Winston, whispering lowly. The butler had poured his utmost effort into both the party preparations and decorating Angela, so his pride was justified—but Winston thought the butler was wrong.

The party today? There won’t be anyone as cute and lovely as Angela in the entire world.

Winston didn’t deny the thought that crossed his mind. It was obvious that Angela was the cutest child alive.

Because she was Yujin’s child.

No one knew better how lovable and adorable she was than Winston. He had to. Since Harold’s passing, no one had watched Yujin as deeply and for as long as Winston had.

Even if someone else did, it didn’t matter. Winston would immediately send that person to be with Harold. Such things must never exist in this world.

“...Angie.”

Thanks to the butler, Winston was barely pulled back to reality and finally spoke.

“All set? Shall we go now?”

His own voice sounded too kind and sweet even to his ears. Angela tilted her head in slight confusion, and Winston deliberately averted his gaze from the butler’s face. Without waiting for an answer, he strode forward with long steps and suddenly lifted the child into his arms. Startled by the abrupt move, Angela clung tightly to Winston’s shoulder.

“Waaah!”

Holding onto the pumpkin with one arm, Angela pressed her whole body against Winston. Winston was surprised—he hadn’t expected her to be so frightened, and he felt a slight pang of guilt. But more than that, Angela was relying on him first; setting aside the cause, it was an unbelievable fact. Yujin would have been just as shocked as Winston. But the one even more surprised was Angela.

To think I’m relying on the enemy!

For a moment, Yujin’s face flashed through her mind. How disappointed would Daddy be? And what about my little brother?

Realizing she had made a huge mistake, Angela hurriedly pulled away. Turning her face with a sulky pout as if nothing had happened, suddenly the dizzying floor came into view.

“Eek... eekkk!”

Terrified, Angela screamed even louder than before and hugged Winston again. Huffing and puffing, clutching him in fear, Winston suddenly felt a mischievous impulse.

“Scared? It’s only this high.”

Angela couldn’t answer and just nodded her head so vigorously that it sounded like the wind was blowing. Thinking again of Yujin, Winston burst out laughing.

“Don’t worry, Angie.”

Just as Angela was about to get angry at the enemy’s laughter, Winston gently patted her back and said kindly,

“No matter what happens, I won’t let you fall. I promise.”

The soft voice eased a corner of the tense child’s heart. Hesitating, Angela pulled away and looked at Winston, who smiled as if to prove his words. Seeing that smile, her heart softened again, but Angela quickly pulled herself together.

“I don’t trust you, Mr. Campbell.”

“Okay, I get it.”

Unbothered by the child’s stubborn declaration, Winston answered and then moved away. Angela, startled by the sudden movement, quickly leaned her whole body against Winston’s shoulder.

Sorry, Daddy. This isn’t surrender. It’s a temporary truce!

Before coming here, Angela had even joined forces with Adeline, the boy two years older who had bullied her in the neighborhood, vowing to hate him forever. Angela was more excited by the fact she actually practiced the ‘alliance’ she saw in a drama she was into at the time. Anyway, since they had driven the common enemy off the playground, it was a huge success.

Since then, Angela had become a hero among children her age. She also forgot the past with Rosalind and became friends anew. A bond ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ strengthened by rough battles—that’s what a real girl is.

Just like Princess Rosalind.

Thinking of the cool heroine from the drama, Angela resolutely raised her head. Winston stopped on the stairs. Below, the guests they had invited gathered and waited. The atmosphere seemed ripe. Just as he thought to go down,

He suddenly felt a slight tremor. Turning his head without thinking, Winston froze when he saw Angela trembling and pale white. It was the first time he’d seen Angela so scared. This was different from being frightened by Winston’s pheromone scent.

“Angie, what’s wrong?”

Winston asked with puzzlement, but Angela only trembled while staring down at the people. Winston was inwardly flustered by Angela’s unexpected behavior.

Huff—Angela took a rough breath. Her eyes darted busily about, unable to calm down. The grand hall below was crowded with people. Unlike the usual emptiness except for occasional employees, this was a totally different scene.

What to do?

Suddenly fear surged. Angela was completely alone here. In a sea of strangers, there was no one to protect her. Her mind went blank, and her trembling wouldn’t stop. Seeing Angela gasping, Winston urgently called her name.

“Angie.”

Angela had always shown maturity and composure beyond her age, so Winston had never imagined she’d be this scared.

After all, she was just a three-year-old child.

Feeling pathetic, Winston barely stopped himself from swearing. To calm Angela, he gently asked,

“Don’t be so nervous. This isn’t your first party, right? You did very well last time, didn’t you?”

Angela vaguely remembered the last party Winston had declared her his daughter at. It had been somewhat fun. She hadn’t been so nervous. There was only one reason Angela could confidently finish a big party she had never experienced before.

“But now...”

Angela spoke with a face on the verge of tears. Looking at Winston nervously, she said in a dejected voice,

“Daddy isn’t here.”

At her words, Winston couldn’t help but sigh deeply. So many emotions flooded him that he nearly felt dizzy. He had the urge to bang his head against the wall but barely held back.

Right. How could he have forgotten that? He had seen with his own eyes how deep their bond was.

The situation now seemed similar to back then but was completely different. Angela could be so mature and composed because Yujin was there. She believed Yujin would always save her, so she dared to do anything confidently.

But now she was not. Without Yujin, Angela was powerless. Even though fear rose up to her throat, there was no one to save her. The child was utterly alone.

“...I.”

Winston barely moved his dry throat and finally spoke.

“I’m here, Angie.”