The butler froze in surprise for a moment but quickly regained his composure. The master remained silent, seemingly focused on the call. His cold, rigid expression was much the same as usual, but the strong pheromone scent radiating from him revealed his emotions unmistakably. If the butler had been ten years younger, he might have feared the mutation caused by such an intense scent.
“Continue.”
Though Winston was on the other end of the phone, as if sensing the atmosphere, he urged quietly. The butler listened silently as the report resumed. A faint voice could be heard faintly from the receiver, but it was difficult to understand the content, so the butler stood quietly, waiting for the master’s orders.
“Understood.”
Finally, Winston spoke. His low voice made the butler sharpen his ears.
“So where exactly are you now? That nasty hyena.”
There was a trace of laughter in his voice, but even a three-year-old would know it was not a laugh of joy. Suddenly, Winston stood up. The butler tensed inwardly, but the face reflected in the glass looked no different from usual.
“Good. Thirty minutes should be enough.”
Checking the watch on his wrist, Winston ended the call and immediately headed toward the bathroom. Handing the phone to the following butler, he continued in a casual tone.
“Prepare the car. We’ll leave in fifteen minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
The butler was surprised by how much he secretly worried about Yujin and Angela’s safety. He could understand worrying about Angela—she was an innocent child after all, and that was why he had let his guard down.
But Yujin?
Until now, he had been faithful to his role half willingly, half unwillingly, because he followed orders and because Yujin was chosen by the head of the Campbell family. Even after they left the mansion, the butler worried only about the master’s safety.
Yet now, thinking that they would actually find them, he felt uneasy. He was embarrassed by his own true feelings, which should have been relieved that the master’s wishes would be fulfilled.
If Mrs. Campbell found out about this, I’d be fired on the spot.
The thought complicated his heart. What troubled him even more was the fact that despite everything, he worried more about Yujin and Angela than the master. Hah, he sighed briefly as the master entered the bathroom, leaving him alone. He had never once doubted or questioned his duties, so feeling these emotions now was almost confusing.
A lot has changed since they came to this mansion. Thinking that he himself was one of those changes, he let out a bitter smile rather than a feeling of disgust.
Mr. Campbell wouldn’t harm them, would he?
He wanted to believe that, but he couldn’t be sure about Yujin. Winston wouldn’t vent anger on a little girl. After all, the child had no say, and the main culprit behind all this was Yujin anyway.
A deep sigh escaped him, but there was nothing he could do.
“Then, Jay, I had a good time today.”
At the front door, Grant smiled as his ex-wife returned the smile.
“How about one more cup of coffee? Just the grown-ups.”
Glancing meaningfully into the house, the ex-wife laughed and shook her head.
“Stop it, Jay. We agreed not to do this anymore.”
Grant smiled too, but it soon turned bitter.
“Still can’t do it, huh?”
His ex-wife gently stroked the shoulder of the man she once loved and replied.
“Jay, we broke up. You know that.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Grant nodded obediently and added,
“I’m still hoping for a little chance.”
“Don’t.”
She said plainly.
“We agreed not to. Besides, Jay, I’m seeing someone.”
For a moment, Grant blinked as if struck dumb.
“Who? That crazy guy with the cowboy hat? No way, I can’t accept him as my daughter’s stepfather!”
“Jay Grant.”
She sharply stopped her fuming ex-husband and answered calmly.
“He’s not him. Not crazy. Anyway, I’ll introduce you next time.”
With a sulky face, Grant closed his mouth, and the ex-wife smiled and added a warning.
“I’ll tell you now: whether you accept it or not doesn’t matter to me. You’re not my father but Phoebe’s father, got it?”
With a kind yet cutting tone, Grant could no longer resist.
“Okay.”
She gave him a warm hug as he slumped his shoulders, then stepped back.
“Well then, take care, Jay. Thanks for watching Phoebe over the weekend.”
“Anytime.”
Before the door closed, Grant quickly added,
“Any day, any time is fine. I’m not dating like you.”
His petty words made the ex-wife frown and smile wryly. Knowing his jealousy, Grant couldn’t help but ask.
“Did you go on a trip with that guy over the weekend?”
“Bye, Jay.”
The door slammed shut instead of an answer. Grant stared blankly at the closed door before finally turning around. As he walked toward the parked car, all sorts of fantasies flooded his mind. Imagining his ex-wife kissing a faceless man made his insides boil. Kate was elegant, wise, and beautiful. The only flaw was perhaps that she didn’t understand the world well. Surely some scoundrel tricked her with nonsense. She would be angry if he said so, but Grant was sincere. Dating that guy was proof she didn’t understand the world! He intended to say that boldly, even though he didn’t know who the guy was, not even his face or initials.
“Break up with that trash and come to me!”
Clenching his fists tightly, he shouted with all his might. Feeling somewhat relieved, he suddenly noticed a man standing not far away.
Uh-oh, someone else is here.
Embarrassed at being caught in such a pathetic state, his ears flushed. Grant quickly lowered his head and hurried forward. To reach the car, he had to pass that man. He walked almost running, then suddenly caught a faint scent. At first, he didn’t realize what it was, but as he got closer, the scent grew stronger.
...Huh?
An absurdly sweet scent spread all around. It was seductive, but at the same time, chilling.
What is this? Is it because of this scent?
The thought crossed his mind, but he shook his head. No way, it couldn’t be....
“Jay Grant.”
Just as he was about to deny it quickly, a low voice called him. Startled, Grant stopped and looked up. The man hidden in the darkness was enormous. Grant was tall himself, but this man seemed four or five inches taller. When he swallowed dryly, the man’s face suddenly felt familiar.
...Huh?
Blinking a few times, the memory finally returned.
“Oh!”
This time, he couldn’t help but exclaim aloud.
Winston Campbell.
How many people in the world don’t know this man? The emperor of finance. The king of the Campbell family. A man who owns everything.
Unconsciously, Grant took a step back, but the man grabbed his shoulder. Seeing Grant take a breath, he spoke.
“I have something to ask.”
There was no introduction. It seemed a waste of time. Grant knew that pretending not to know him was useless. Lost in confusion and fear, Grant didn’t know what to do when Winston whispered in a low voice.
“Where is Yujin?”
Yujin, half asleep, was startled awake by the bell ringing in the middle of the night. Checking his ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) phone hastily, he saw it was a call from Grant.
“H-hello? Grant?”
What time is it? It was still dark outside. Feeling around the side table for the clock, he suddenly heard Grant shout harshly on the other end.
“Were you Campbell’s partner? Why didn’t you say anything?”
For a moment, Yujin nearly dropped his phone in surprise.
