Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 56

Angela was curled up tightly under the bed, holding her breath. Through the narrow gap, she could see the man’s gleaming shoes. As Winston continued speaking while undressing by the sofa, Angela listened tensely.

“You heard me, didn’t you? Or did something happen to your hearing without me knowing?”

“My hearing’s just fine. Same as my sanity.”

Angela flinched at the sharp tone in her daddy’s voice — one she’d never heard before. Her heart pounding, she perked up her ears as Yujin went on.

“If anything’s messed up, it’s your head. Then again, everyone’s brains melt around those pheromones, don’t they? That trait.”

Pheromones? Trait? What were they talking about?

Yujin had briefly explained once, but she couldn’t make sense of this. Holding her hands tightly # Nоvеlight # over her mouth, Angela focused hard on listening.

“I was only worried about you.”

There was a laugh in Winston’s voice, but even Angela could tell it wasn’t cheerful. The sweet scent in the room intensified, and fear crept over her.

“Speak clearly.”

Yujin’s tone was firm again. From under the bed, still trembling, Angela heard Winston’s response.

“I’m saying you didn’t need to spend money so frantically you collapsed. You do remember the contents of the will, right?”

You’re obsessed with money — that was what Winston was saying. Yujin, deciding this wasn’t worth his time, got out of bed.

“If you’ve got more to say, talk to yourself. I’m leaving.”

Winston immediately grabbed his arm.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“What good does it do me to stay here?”

Yujin shot back, locking eyes with Winston.

“Don’t worry, I’ll sleep in this room. Right next to you.”

He threw the line deliberately and turned to leave — but Winston didn’t let go.

“Let me go!”

Yujin yelled, trying to shake him off, but it was useless. Frustrated and furious, he gritted his teeth.

“Angela’s gone. She was sleeping with me... I need to check if she’s still in the room. Let me go!”

He felt humiliated. Yujin wasn’t short, yet this man made him feel small every time. Each time he was overpowered like this, he felt crushed — and angry. All he could do was yell.

“I said let me go! Are you deaf? Let go, right now!”

Winston stared down at Yujin’s furious, struggling face — then, suddenly, released him. Yujin stumbled back, glared at him one last time, and turned to storm out.

Daddy!

Angela, having seen the turn of her father’s heel, frantically crawled from under the bed and peeked her head out. The only way to calm her daddy down — and escape from here herself — was to catch him.

Daddy, I’m here!

She reached out desperately, but at that exact moment, the door shut. Angela froze halfway out from under the bed, her heart thudding wildly. Slowly, she turned her head. Her stiff, machine-like neck felt like it clicked with each movement.

The first thing she saw was the same pair of shoes. They looked as big as her head. Raising her eyes further, she saw long legs — so long it took ages to reach the waist. The man’s body was massive compared to her daddy’s, and when she tried craning her neck all the way up to the head, it was nearly impossible. Only when she braced her hands on the floor and pushed her upper body up could she finally spot the top of the man’s head — or at least part of it.

From her vantage point, the man was enormous. He might as well be touching the ceiling. Angela felt like she was seeing the giant from her daddy’s fairy tales. Specifically, the one who eats children.

I-I have to run.

She moved as quietly as she could, hoping to stay out of his sight. Winston still hadn’t noticed her. With his back turned, he was slowly loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. Angela kept crawling, sneaking glances to make sure the coast was clear. Just a bit more. Just a little further...

Creeeaak. The sound of her crawling filled her ears as she inched forward like a caterpillar.

But suddenly, she felt something strange. She froze, then slowly turned her head.

And met eyes with a pair of violet irises staring down at her.

“H-HIIIIIIIIEEK!”

Angela let out a shriek like she was having a seizure. Winston frowned down at her, bewildered. He had no idea where this child had come from, but this clearly wasn’t the time to be asking questions. The girl’s eyes welled up with tears, and her body shook all over. Her teeth chattered from fear. Even Winston felt uneasy seeing a terrified little girl reacting like that.

“You are...”

He had just started to ask when and why she was there — when suddenly, Angela screamed.

“Daddy can’t ride cars!”

Winston flinched at the unexpected shout. The girl was trembling, pale, on the verge of tears, but she shouted again, her voice cracking.

“He went out just to buy me clothes! That’s why he got sick and had to lie down!”

Waaah! She burst into full-on sobs, and Winston found himself at a loss. He had no experience with children — and crying children were his worst nightmare. Flustered, he ran a hand through his hair, which wasn’t even messy.

“Calm down, what are you even saying—”

“Don’t say mean things to Daddy! You’re bad! You’re a bad man!”

Before he could finish, Angela shouted louder, crying even harder. Dumbfounded, and now increasingly irritated, Winston reached out toward her.

At that exact moment, the door burst open without warning and Yujin rushed in, pale as a ghost.

“Angela’s missing ag—Angela!”

“Daddy!”

The moment Yujin saw his daughter lying on the floor in tears, he cried out in alarm. Angela, covered in snot and drool, let out an even louder wail at the sight of her one and only protector — her Daddy.

“Waaaah! Daddy! WaaaAAAAAAAH!”

“What happened?! What’s going on?!”

Yujin shouted, cradling her in his arms. His accusing glare shot toward Winston. Winston raised his arms, flabbergasted, trying to declare his innocence — but Angela wasn’t listening.

“Bad man! I’ll hate you forever until you die!”

“Angela! What are you saying?!”

Yujin, completely thrown off, carried her out of the room in a hurry. Even as she clung to him, Angela clenched her fists and kept shouting at Winston.

“I hate you! I hate you, you villain! I’ll remember this forever!”

Soon she disappeared from view, but her voice echoed down the hallway. Winston remained frozen in place, listening to the angry cries fade into the distance. Only when the door to the neighboring room slammed shut did her voice finally vanish. In the silence that followed, Winston stood alone, staring in the direction they’d gone.

“You can’t say things like that!”

Yujin slammed the door shut behind him as he ran into Angela’s room and quickly scolded her. But when he saw her tear-streaked face tremble again, he immediately softened. Angela sniffled and muttered,

“He said mean things to you. I hate Mr. Campbell. When I grow up, I’m going to... to get... revenge...”

“You can’t say stuff like that.”

Not knowing what to do, Yujin hurriedly set her on the bed. So she’d stayed in the room... she must’ve heard everything. That would explain her reaction.

“Angie.”

Sighing, Yujin looked her in the eye and said,

“Mr. Campbell didn’t understand what was going on. Once Daddy explains properly, he’ll apologize. So don’t hate him too much, okay? Remember, all those pretty clothes today — Mr. Campbell bought those.”

“I’m not wearing them. I don’t need them.”

“Angie...”

She was clearly deeply upset. Feeling helpless, Yujin could only hold her tight.

What do I do now...? She saw everything — the fight with Winston, every harsh word.

I was going to tell her Winston is her papa... when she’s older...

Eventually, Winston would leave him and marry someone more “suitable.” He’d have a child of his own, and even if he never knew about Angela, it wouldn’t matter to him.

But to Angela, Winston was her one and only Papa. She was still young now, and Yujin had hoped to wait until she was older — when he could be sure he wouldn’t lose custody.

But now that she’d been hurt so badly... if she ever found out the truth, the emotional damage would be devastating. Maybe it would be better if she never knew. Swallowing back another sigh, Yujin sat in silence, holding her tightly as Angela kept sobbing, still repeating curses toward Winston in a trembling voice.