Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 73

Guests were arriving one after another. Yujin leaned against the railing on the third floor, watching the increasing crowd below.

Huuuh.

A trembling breath escaped him involuntarily. He tried to loosen the tension in his shoulders but it wasn’t easy. It’s okay, I know them all by heart.

As he reviewed the information in his mind while watching each person enter, a voice suddenly spoke behind him.

“You don’t have to try to recognize everyone perfectly. Just pretending to know is enough.”

Startled by the indifferent voice, Yujin turned around. Winston was there, reaching out to grip the railing. Naturally trapping Yujin between his arms, he too looked down below.

“Most of the people here can’t even imagine that their counterparts don’t recognize them.”

Yujin’s heart raced at the warmth he felt behind him, making it hard to focus on Winston’s words. Why am I like this? He was flustered but things didn’t go as he wanted. Curling into himself, Yujin stayed silent. Winston asked from above his head.

“Did you understand what I said?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

Hurriedly nodding, Yujin quickly pulled himself together. This wasn’t the time to zone out. How important this moment was.

“You’re going to introduce Angie, right?”

Changing the subject quickly and pretending not to know, Yujin moved away. Winston took his hand off the railing with a slight delay. Watching Yujin hastily slip away, he spoke slowly.

“I was going to bring her.”

“You?”

Surprised by the unexpected words, Yujin asked. Winston spoke with an expressionless face.

“I thought she’d be playing in the room, so I planned to stop by briefly on the way.”

“And?”

Yujin glanced down, then back at Winston’s face as if asking why he was empty-handed, but Winston remained silent. In fact, he had opened the door and even come out to greet them. Yujin had thought that would be fine, but he was wrong. The child playing alone lifted her head at the door opening, got scared, and stepped back. Seeing the reaction, Winston frowned, freezing in place.

“There’s a party soon. I just came to pick her up.”

He said, suppressing a restless feeling even though he had definitely removed the pheromones.

Angela immediately hid behind the bed and shouted,

“I’m not going! I’ll wait for Daddy to come!”

“I’m telling you Daddy will take you.”

“I’m not going with you!”

Angela glared fiercely at Winston and yelled back.

“If Daddy hates someone, then I hate them too!”

At those words, Winston stiffened for the first time. For a while, he said nothing and just watched the child. Angela trembled with fear but stubbornly kept hiding and staring at Winston. Eventually, Winston had no choice but to leave silently.

Completely unaware of this situation, Yujin waited for an explanation, but Winston remained silent. Finally, Yujin sighed deeply and spoke.

“I’ll go.”

Turning to leave, only then did Winston speak.

“I heard your daughter said you hate me.”

What on earth was that about?

Yujin looked back at him with a furrowed brow and a sharp tone.

“Did you think I’d like you? Maybe your brain’s fried from those pheromones?”

Scolding himself for wavering even briefly, Yujin headed to Angela’s room. He must never forget how that man abandoned him. And what he said after they met again.

Whore, slut, public latrine.

Yujin took a deep breath and opened Angela’s door.

“Daddy!”

The child ran up smiling brightly, and Yujin lifted her up, returning her smile. Now, all that was left for him was Angie.

The hall where the party was held was already quite full. The butler said more than half of the guests had arrived. Winston held out his hand.

“Give me the child.”

Startled, Yujin tightened his arms and hugged Angela closer. Winston continued.

“Listen to me today. I won’t do anything bad.”

Urging quietly but firmly, Yujin hesitated and looked at Angela. Seeing the anxious expression and her shaking her head quickly, he firmly refused.

“I’m fine. I’ll hold my child.”

“Do as you like.”

Surprisingly, Winston accepted immediately. Just as Yujin was about to wonder at the quick concession—

“Ah!”

“Daddy!”

Yujin and Angela screamed simultaneously. Winston suddenly bent down and scooped Yujin into his arms. Yujin’s eyes widened as he was lifted along with Angela. Winston glanced at him as if asking if that was enough, then strode down the stairs.

“Wait, wait!”

Yujin shouted quietly in desperation.

“It’s dangerous. You’re not well... just wait a moment!”

“Daddy!”

Angela clung tightly to Yujin as if scared. Yujin begged repeatedly, and Winston stopped at the landing. Panting heavily, Yujin looked at Winston and said,

“Just carry Angela. I’ll get down by myself. That works, right?”

“I’m fine even now.”

“Not at all!”

Seeing Angela pale, Yujin hurriedly continued.

“I’m scared too, and look at Angie, she’s so scared. Right, Angie? It’s okay if Mr. Campbell carries you, right?”

Please say yes!

Yujin looked at the child pleadingly. Angela seemed to understand and hesitated but nodded. This would be better for everyone than going down the stairs so precariously. When Yujin looked up at Winston again, the latter finally bent down and put Yujin down. Without a word, he handed the daughter into Yujin’s arms. Yujin barely swallowed a sigh as he tried to step away. Angela still looked frightened but bravely pressed her lips tightly and endured.

It’s okay, Angie. I’m here with you.

Yujin mouthed the encouragement. Ignoring Yujin, Winston picked up Angela with one arm and pulled Yujin’s shoulder with the other. Caught off guard, Yujin was dragged forward. Winston said, looking ahead.

“From now on, stay quiet and do as I say.”

What exactly was he planning? Not even knowing the party’s purpose, it wouldn’t be easy to cause a scene.

If he wanted them to behave with the dignity befitting the Campbell family, that wouldn’t be easy either.

Sarcastically inward, Yujin took the first step as ordered. When they reached the hall, murmurs came from all directions. Was it finally starting? Just as he tensed unconsciously—

“Mr. Campbell, thank you for inviting us. This is a wonderful party.”

Yujin quickly recalled the face of the lady who had spoken first. Surely this was...

“I’m glad you came. Mrs. Butler, Mr. Butler. Your recent interview was truly impressive. Everyone should care more about the environment.”

Huh?

Yujin glanced up at Winston, who smoothly steered the conversation. There was no need for Yujin to recall the person. Just nodding along to the already introduced topic was enough, and Yujin awkwardly smiled and nodded. They talked with a few more people like that. Each time, Winston called the person’s name clearly and either introduced the topic or gave hints about who they were so Yujin wouldn’t be embarrassed. Thanks to that, Yujin could join the conversations without difficulty, and the others listened with friendly attitudes.

That wasn’t all. Winston even naturally mentioned Angela’s name during the conversations and smiled.

Suddenly, it all seemed too perfect. If a stranger saw them, they’d think it was a truly happy family.

Maybe that was the plan...

The purpose was clear, but the reason eluded him. What could Winston gain by acting like this?

The answer soon became clear. When the party was well underway, Winston suddenly took Yujin up to the stage with steps of different heights and grabbed a microphone. A short beep sounded as if to attract attention, and the noise calmed down, focusing everyone’s gaze on them. Only then did Winston smile and begin speaking.

“Thank you all for coming. Today is the first party I am hosting since inheriting the Campbell family. I am truly grateful to my partner who worked hard preparing this event.”

Surprisingly, he clasped Yujin’s hand and kissed the back of it briefly. Smiling softly, he continued without minding Yujin’s stunned expression.

“Last time, I couldn’t introduce my daughter. This is Angela Campbell.”

Yujin’s eyes widened. Yet Winston continued looking straight ahead.

“I am happy to show you my partner and precious daughter. I hope everyone here warmly welcomes my family.”

Then, with a strange smile, he added.

“Now, my partner and daughter are also members of the Campbell family. I trust no one will be rude to them.”

Winston’s gaze lingered unusually long. His slowly moving eyes clearly pointed at someone. After staring blatantly at a few faces, Winston smiled again. freewebnσvel.cѳm

“If anyone insults my family, it will be considered an insult to the Campbell family. You all know what comes next.”

The excited atmosphere in the hall suddenly grew heavy. People exchanged cautious glances. Just then, an employee arrived carrying two glasses of champagne on a tray. Seeing others raise their glasses, Yujin followed. Winston spoke.

“To the Campbell family.”

“To the Campbell family.”

Everyone echoed the toast and drank. Yujin carefully looked up at Winston’s face as he tilted his glass. Winston set his empty glass down on the tray and again pulled Yujin close by the shoulder. Quickly finishing his own drink, Yujin {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} followed Winston’s steps.

The large hand resting on his shoulder felt unusually warm. Was this what it felt like to have someone protecting you? Yujin never imagined Winston would behave this way.

For me...?

Yujin cautiously looked up at Winston. Watching his profile talking to others, he felt his heart pound a little.