Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 32

Yujin blinked in shock at the unexpected words. The butler continued speaking in his usual businesslike tone.

"I’ll prepare something for the child and bring it to you. Is there anything else you need?"

Still stunned, Yujin blinked again before finally managing to answer, "No, that’s all."

The butler nodded formally and added,

"Understood. Then please wait in the dressing room."

With that, he turned and strode briskly into the kitchen. Unlike Yujin, who had hovered helplessly at the threshold without the courage to push through the crowd, the butler moved effortlessly through the throng of busy servants, opened a cabinet, and retrieved a plate. Every movement was clean, precise, and efficient—watching him, Yujin couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned.

"Wow, he’s cooool."

Angela, still in °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° his arms, let out a breathless sigh of admiration. She was completely mesmerized, unable to take her eyes off the butler. Yujin felt... complicated.

The ceremony didn’t take long. The priest, from the same church the Campbell family had long supported, officiated. After a formal exchange of vows, they slipped on the rings prepared by Winston’s secretary. There wasn’t even a kiss. As if instructed in advance, the priest skipped that part smoothly. That, at least, was a relief for Yujin. If they had been told to kiss in front of all those people, he would’ve refused in disgust.

Anyway, it was over. Yujin looked down at the ring now sitting on his finger, still unfamiliar. He could count the number of weddings he’d attended in his life on one hand, and even among those, he doubted any could compare to how bleak and awkward this one was. Anyone watching might’ve mistaken it for a funeral. That’s how cold the atmosphere was.

No one smiled. No champagne, no speeches. Not even photos were taken. Why they’d bothered with such an elaborate wedding was a mystery.

If the goal was to make it clear that I don’t belong in their world, they’re wasting their time.

Yujin thought dully as he looked at the crowd gathered around Winston. The moment the ceremony ended, guests flocked to him. Of course, Yujin had no guests of his own—maybe it was to be expected. Still, to ignore and exclude one half of the newlyweds so thoroughly was impressive in its own way.

It was only a means to an inheritance, after all.

These people had never known what it meant to respect someone. They’d ignored Yujin his entire life, so none of this felt new. His only concern now was where his daughter had gone.

Cain said he’d take care of her...

He recalled the butler’s words before the ceremony, but he hadn’t seen him since. Growing anxious, Yujin decided to find Cain first. He was in charge of the ceremony and the reception—someone would know where he was.

"Yujin."

He was hurrying down the hall when someone suddenly grabbed his arm. Yujin stopped and turned, only to find Winston frowning down at him.

"Where are you going? You need to greet the guests."

"Me too?"

The unexpected demand slipped from his mouth before he could think. Winston’s brow furrowed even deeper. Yujin flinched, but then remembered what he was doing and shook his head.

"Sorry, but I’m busy right now—"

Before he could finish, Winston tugged his arm sharply, pulling him into a firm embrace.

"Busier than this?"

Winston’s voice was low and quiet—so much so that anyone watching might think they were whispering sweet nothings.

"I need to find Angie."

Yujin matched his tone, keeping his voice low. Winston smiled, which to Yujin felt nothing short of chilling. But to others, it must’ve looked different.

"Sweetheart, think of the guests first."

He leaned in as if to kiss Yujin’s cheek but instead whispered by his ear.

"This is part of your duty. Fitting in with the people around me."

He straightened and added,

"Just like any other couple would."

"But we’re not like other couples."

Yujin frowned and tried to protest, but Winston didn’t budge.

"Then we should at least try to be."

It felt like talking to a wall. Was Winston always this impossible? At a loss for words, Yujin could only gape as Winston smiled at him.

"Shall we go? Everyone’s waiting."

"We could greet them at the reception..."

Yujin made one last attempt to object, but it was no use. Winston began walking, and Yujin had no choice but to follow. As he looked ahead, he saw a group of people watching them. Winston wrapped an arm around Yujin’s waist and led him forward. It might have looked like a simple gesture between newlyweds, but Yujin knew—it was restraint, meant to keep him from escaping.

There was only one way out of this situation: play along and finish the "duty" quickly.

Yujin forced a smile and bowed politely.

"Hello, thank you for coming. It’s nice to meet you..."

Why do I have to do this?

He couldn’t make sense of any of it. Everyone here, or hell, maybe all of North America, knew this wasn’t a real couple. So why the charade?

He let the guests’ chatter wash over him, mentally kicking himself, when suddenly Madam Campbell cut into the conversation.

"Winston, look who came. My goodness, it’s been so long."

Her voice was unusually cheerful—uncharacteristically so. Curious, Yujin turned without thinking and instantly froze. Standing next to Madam Campbell was a tall woman whose face he remembered all too well. How could he forget the day he hit rock bottom?

Winston, turning his head as well, showed no reaction. He simply let out a quiet "Ah," and spoke her name.

"Evelyn."

"Hi, Winston. It’s been a while."

With dark hair and sun-kissed skin, she blinked her long lashes and offered a beautiful smile. From head to toe, she exuded elegance—clearly a woman from a good family. She looked so right standing next to Winston, Yujin couldn’t help but think: Shouldn’t she be the one beside him?

She was, once.

Just as that old, buried pain started to ache again, Winston spoke.

"Say hello. This is Evelyn Bennett, an old friend and my mother’s friend."

At the last part, Madam Campbell’s face stiffened for a moment, but she quickly recovered and smiled as if it were nothing.

"Don’t be ridiculous, Winston. Evelyn and you were—"

"This is my partner. Yujin Campbell. We were married today."

Winston ignored her and introduced Yujin as he pleased. Pulling him close with that same arm around his waist, he smiled. The room felt strangely quiet for a moment—but not in a bad way.

Of course. There’s no better spectacle than this.

Yujin thought bitterly. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

The former fiancée and the current spouse, all in one place. Who wouldn’t be entertained?

Madam Campbell and Evelyn stood in silence, their expressions unreadable. Winston was the only one smiling.

This was just supposed to be a contract.

He had imagined things would be simple—clean. But everything was spiraling in a direction he hadn’t expected. For a moment, Yujin wanted to turn and run. But Winston’s arm, tight around his waist, made that impossible.

What do I do.

He couldn’t hide his panic as he lowered his gaze. And already, he was beginning to fear what came next.