The butler froze in surprise for a moment, but quickly corrected his posture. His master had gone silent again, seemingly focused on the call. His face, cold and expressionless, wasn’t much different from usual, but the thick scent of his pheromones made his emotions unmistakably clear. If the butler had been just ten years younger, he might have feared an onset of mutation from how intense the scent was.
“Go on.”
Even over the phone, Winston seemed to sense the shift and urged him on in a quiet tone. He continued listening silently to the resumed report. Though faint voices leaked from the receiver, the words were too indistinct to make out, and so the butler stood quietly, waiting only for his master’s command.
“Got it.”
At last, Winston spoke again. The butler sharpened his ears at the soft continuation of his voice.
“So where is he now? That filthy hyena.”
A hint of a smile flickered in his voice. But even a three-year-old would know—it wasn’t from amusement. After listening for a moment more, Winston suddenly rose to his feet. The butler tensed instinctively, but the face reflected in the glass looked no different than usual.
“Good. Thirty minutes should be enough.”
Checking his wristwatch, Winston ended the call and immediately headed to the bathroom. He handed his phone to the butler who had followed him and spoke in an indifferent tone.
“Get the car ready. We leave in fifteen.”
“Understood.”
The butler was surprised to find himself genuinely worried about the safety of Yu-jin and Angela. In Angela’s case, it was understandable—she was just an innocent child. He’d let down his guard because she was so pure and guileless.
But Yu-jin?
Until now, he had simply followed orders, fulfilling his role half-willingly, half-reluctantly, because Yu-jin was someone chosen by the master of House Campbell. Even after they left the estate, his concern had always been for his master’s safety.
And yet now, the thought of them being found filled him with unease. He should’ve been relieved that his master was about to get what he wanted, and yet he was deeply unsettled by the true feelings stirring within him.
If Madam Campbell knew about this, I’d be dismissed on the spot.
That thought left his mind tangled. What unsettled him even more was the realization that, despite everything, his concern for Yu-jin and Angela outweighed everything else.
“Ha… damn it.”
Left alone after his master entered the bathroom, he let out a short sigh. Not once had he ever questioned his work or felt conflicted about it. The fact that such emotions were surfacing now left him deeply confused.
A lot had changed since those two arrived at the estate. He, too, was part of that change. That thought made him let out a bitter chuckle rather than feel irritation.
Mr. Campbell wouldn’t actually hurt them… would he?
He wanted to believe that. But when it came to Yu-jin, he couldn’t be sure. Winston wouldn’t unleash his rage on a small girl—Angela probably hadn’t even had a say in any of this. The true instigator behind it all was Yu-jin.
Haa… A boiling sigh escaped him, but there was nothing more he could do.
***
“Well then, Jay, I had a lovely time today.”
Smiling at him by the front door, his ex-wife spoke with warmth, and Grant returned her smile.
“How about one more cup of coffee? Just us grown-ups.”
He glanced meaningfully inside the house. She let out a laugh and shook her head.
“Don’t, Jay. We agreed not to go down that road again.”
Grant smiled again, though it quickly turned bittersweet.
“So, it’s really not possible, huh?”
She gently touched the shoulder of the man she once loved.
“Jay, we’re divorced. You know that.”
“Yeah. I know.”
Grant nodded quietly, then added,
“Still… I can’t help holding onto a little hope.”
“Don’t do that.”
Her voice was calm and steady.
“We said we wouldn’t do this anymore. And besides, Jay… I’m seeing someone.”
Grant blinked, as if caught off guard.
“Who? Don’t tell me it’s that lunatic with the cowboy hat! No way—I refuse to accept that bastard as my daughter’s new stepfather!”
“Jay Grant.”
She shut him down with a firm voice, then continued coolly.
“It’s not him. He wasn’t crazy either. Anyway, I’ll introduce you properly another time.”
As Grant stood there sulking, lips pressed tight, she smiled and added a warning.
“Just so we’re clear—whether or not you approve doesn’t matter to me. You’re not my father, Jay. You’re Phoebe’s father. Got it?”
Her tone was kind, but it sliced like a blade. Grant had no room left to argue.
“…Got it.”
Shoulders slumped, he sighed. She gave him a gentle hug before stepping back.
“Take care, Jay. Thanks for watching Phoebe over the weekend.”
“Anytime.”
Just before the door closed, Grant quickly added,
“Weekdays too—whenever. Unlike you, I’m not busy going on dates.”
His petty jab earned a slight frown and a dry chuckle from his ex-wife. Even knowing how petty he sounded, Grant couldn’t stop himself from asking,
“Wait—don’t tell me you went on a weekend trip with that guy?”
“Goodbye, Jay.”
Click.
The door shut without an answer. Grant stood there, staring blankly at the closed door before finally turning away.
As he walked toward his car, his mind spiraled with wild imaginings. The image of his ex-wife kissing a faceless man made his insides churn.
Kate was elegant, intelligent, and beautiful. If she had one flaw, it was her naivety about the world. Grant was sure—some loser must’ve lured her in with a bunch of ridiculous sweet talk.
She’d definitely get mad if he said that out loud, but Grant meant every word.
That guy! The fact that you’re dating him just proves how naïve you are about the world! Grant was fully prepared to declare this to her—boldly, confidently—even though he didn’t know a damn thing about the guy. Not his face, not even his initials.
“Break up with that piece of trash right now and come back to me!”
Caught up in his fantasy, Grant clenched both fists and shouted with all his might. He felt a fleeting sense of relief—until suddenly, he noticed a man standing not far away, right within sight.
Shit, someone saw that.
The thought that someone had witnessed his pathetic outburst made his ears burn with embarrassment. Grant quickly lowered his head and hurried his steps. He had no choice but to walk past the man to reach his car. Practically speed-walking out of shame, he suddenly caught a faint scent in the air.
At first, he didn’t register what it was. But as he drew closer, the scent became stronger—overwhelmingly so.
…What the hell?
A dizzyingly sweet fragrance filled the air around him. It was seductive, yes, but also chilling—like something terrifying was hiding beneath the surface.
Is it because of that smell…?
The thought struck him, but he quickly shook his head. No way. That’s impossible—
“Jay Grant.”
Just as he denied the thought, a low voice called his name. Startled, Grant stopped in his tracks and looked up.
The man who had been hidden in the shadows was massive—truly enormous. Grant was tall himself, but this guy looked to be at least four or five inches taller. As he instinctively swallowed hard, something about the man’s face sparked recognition.
…Wait.
He blinked rapidly, and after a moment, his memory caught up.
“Oh!”
The exclamation escaped his lips before he could stop it.
Winston Campbell.
Who in the world didn’t know that name? The emperor of finance. The king of House Campbell. A man who practically owned the world.
Without realizing it, Grant stepped back. But Winston reached out and gripped his shoulder, stopping him. The firm hold made Grant inhale sharply, and that’s when Winston spoke.
“I have a question.”
He didn’t bother introducing himself—as if he knew such formality was a waste of time. And Grant knew too—there was no point pretending he didn’t recognize him. Trapped between confusion and fear, Grant stood frozen, unable to respond.
Winston leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
“Where is Yu-jin?”
***
The doorbell rang in the middle of the night, snapping Yu-jin out of his light sleep. He startled awake, heart pounding, and scrambled for his phone. The screen showed an incoming call—from Grant.
“H-Hello? Grant?”
What time was it? It was still pitch dark outside. He fumbled across the side table for the clock, but before he could find it, Grant’s voice roared furiously through the phone.
“You—were you Campbell’s partner?! Why didn’t you tell me?!”
Yu-jin was so shocked, he nearly dropped his phone.
No no RUN RUN RUN RUN YUJIN TAKE ANGIE AND RUN FOR UR LIFE