Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 77

Winston still kept his gaze fixed on the documents and asked absentmindedly.

“What about?”

“About that.”

Mrs. Campbell snapped irritably.

“Haven’t you heard how he’s been living all this time? Are you going to keep letting that filthy thing inside the house? You need to take action immediately!”

Until then unresponsive, Winston finally looked up. His expression remained blank, devoid of any emotion. Feeling a chilling atmosphere, Mrs. Campbell hesitated, but Winston spoke.

“It’s Yujin, not ‘that thing.’”

“What did you say?”

Mrs. Campbell’s face twisted in disbelief, eyes wide. Winston continued, ignoring her expression.

“Anyway, he married me and publicly declared to everyone that he is part of the Campbell family. So, Mother, you must respect that.”

Mrs. Campbell was dumbfounded and couldn’t find words. She just stared at her son with eyes wide and mouth agape. Winston finished.

“Call him Yujin from now on.”

“Winston.”

“For your information, the child’s name is Angela. They call her Angie.”

“Winston!”

Mrs. Campbell finally lost her temper and stood up abruptly. Her face flushed red with anger, but Winston showed no change in expression. She aggressively confronted Winston, emotions unleashed.

“What on earth are you thinking? Get a grip. Are you going to be swayed by that thing again?”

“Of course not, only fools would do that.”

Despite her harsh tone, Winston’s voice remained calm. Mrs. Campbell could not understand her son at all. Her anger surged as she snapped sharply.

“Then why did you do such a thing? It’s been barely a year of marriage, and you even held a party! There’s no need to acknowledge that openly! It would have been enough to just call him to the mansion when you needed a child!”

At her fierce outburst, Winston gave a short laugh. Raising one side of his mouth in clear mockery, he narrowed his eyes and asked,

“Like Father?”

“Winston!”

Mrs. Campbell exploded in rage. Her shout echoed through the office, but Winston barely moved an eyebrow.

“Maintain your dignity, Mother.”

“How dare you say that to me... How!”

Her long-suppressed anger burst forth wildly. She threw her hands up and down, paced in circles, and even punched the back of the sofa repeatedly. Winston merely watched her coldly. He had long understood that this was her nature. She only put on an icy calm facade for others’ eyes. And after several experiences, Winston knew the best strategy was to leave her be in moments like this.

Ignoring her as if she didn’t exist, Winston returned to the documents. Mrs. Campbell, still furious, turned to leave. Disappointed by his reaction, she breathed heavily but spoke in a calmer tone.

“So then, explain why you did such a thing. If you don’t convince me, I won’t stay silent.”

What was he supposed to say?

Curious, yet unwilling to waste more time, Winston answered.

“For the family, of course.”

He spoke flatly as if reciting a typical phrase written on a wall. Mrs. Campbell uttered a short, stunned “Hmph,” but he continued without care.

“There is no other reason. I hope you don’t overinterpret it. Exaggeration is unpleasant.”

He checked the time; it was already ten minutes past noon. Oh no, the secretary must be waiting. Today’s lunch would be a simple sandwich in the office while reviewing documents. The catering was probably prepared early, so someone was waiting without a meal.

Without delay, he pressed a button on the phone. After ordering lunch to be brought in, there was a knock and the middle-aged secretary stepped inside. She glanced at Mrs. Campbell, gave a slight nod, then placed a neatly wrapped lunch box and coffee on the desk before leaving.

“May I take a longer lunch break to make up for the delay?”

“Go ahead.”

Winston readily agreed and sent her away. Mrs. Campbell, watching the light steps retreat, snapped rudely.

“You’re too soft with the subordinates. Is that necessary?”

“No need to treat them badly.”

Winston answered absently again. Throughout, his attitude remained indifferent. Mrs. Campbell reluctantly accepted that no further discussion was possible.

“Fine. You look busy, so I’ll leave now.”

As she retreated, she added one last thing.

“I’m relieved to see you have no special feelings for that thing. After all, if you got bewitched by it again, you’d be the biggest fool in the world.”

With a deliberately short laugh, Mrs. Campbell left. Once alone, Winston put down the documents and rubbed his eyes with thumb and forefinger.

That biggest fool is right here, Mother.

Though angry at himself, he had to admit it. When he first heard it from Gordon, it was a big shock. Prostitution and robbery—what kind of life had he been living?

My suspicions were right.

He was originally that kind of trash. He had taken enough hits and wouldn’t take any more. Yujin himself had admitted it. It was all true.

Still, why did his heart feel so uneasy?

Part of him still doubted. Though unpleasant, perhaps he had been falsely accused. Yujin might have been reckless but he wasn’t a kleptomaniac.

At Delight, if you wanted something, you could have had anything, so there was no need to steal.

But that sarcastic thought was soon overpowered by another opposing one. Had he really been that extravagant? The annex where Yujin had been left nearly abandoned contained almost nothing except essentials. Even the clothes were old-fashioned, possibly years old, ill-fitting.

Yet he wore them without care.

Recalling their first date, his mind blanked for a moment. Yujin was entranced by the endlessly spreading night view, his laughter echoing loudly, and his cheeks blushed bright red while looking at Winston.

Maybe he could live like that when he didn’t know. But after knowing, it was impossible.

Recalling all the gifts and praise he had given Yujin was staggering. Probably, that was when Yujin opened his eyes. That was when greed for money and luxury started.

...but he still didn’t steal.

At that time, neither his father nor he was there, so of course, stealing was the only option. No, still...

Lost in repeated thoughts, his face serious, he finally made up his mind and called the secretary. After hearing the hurried phone pick-up, Winston spoke.

“It’s break time, but sorry, I have instructions.”

“Yes, please.”

This was unprecedented. The secretary was confused by the unexpected order to interrupt her break and leave early. But what followed was even more surprising.

“...A background check on Yujin Campbell?”

“Yes.”

Winston answered shortly and continued.

“Check his criminal record. Find out who handled the case, and when it happened.”

It was just to confirm that he wasn’t wrong. Once he knew exactly how low Yujin had sunk, he wouldn’t be shaken anymore.

“...Understood.”

The secretary hid her surprise and ended the call. To have a criminal record for a newlywed partner—what was this about?

She knew various scandals about Yujin Campbell but had never trusted tabloid rumors and ignored them. However, this was too big to simply ignore.

What was going on?

As she blinked blankly, a waiter brought her ordered meal. After a casual “thank you,” the secretary saved what she had heard ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) on her phone.

What does it matter? I just have to do the work I’m given.

Having three children and now middle-aged, she was still able to work with excellent treatment because of her discretion and unquestioning obedience to her boss’s orders. She never dreamed of losing her good job by being careless.

There was a confidentiality clause, too.

Taking a deep breath, the secretary bit into a double-patty hamburger. Truly a place worthy of magazine coverage. She happily devoured one quickly and ordered another.

And the report on the secretary’s investigation came just two days later.