Looking down at her with a cold gaze, Winston extended his hand.
“Give it to me, Mother.”
His tone was slow, deliberate—but that only made Madam Campbell feel more threatened. When she noticed the fine hairs on the back of her hand standing on end, she let out a breathless, incredulous laugh. But it didn’t take long for her to collect herself.
In fact, fury surged within her, directed not at her son but at herself—for faltering even for a moment. The audacity. How dare he show that kind of attitude toward her. Lifting her chin, Madam Campbell glared fiercely at her son.
“Go to the bathroom this instant. Take a cold shower. I refuse to look at you in this state any longer.”
She urged him sharply—but Winston didn’t budge.
“I said, give it to me.”
Even though she delivered the order in her usual commanding tone, it had no effect on her son. Instead, he gritted his teeth and growled out the same words again, sending Madam Campbell into a deeper state of disbelief.
“What on earth is the matter with you?”
At last, her voice broke into something more shrill, taut with irritation.
“Is this really the time to be sulking like this? If that lowly creature’s disappearance means you can’t receive the inheritance, then find another way. What the hell do you think drinking yourself stupid like this is going to change? Have you given up on everything? Pull yourself together! If anything, now’s the time to be even more clearheaded!”
Her scolding hit like a blast of ice, but Winston’s expression only twisted in response.
“Inheritance?”
He scoffed in disbelief, gaze drifting aside as he let out a short breath and a crooked smile. Then his eyes swung back to her.
“I couldn’t care less about that. Just give me the drink.”
“What did you just say?”
Madam Campbell’s mouth opened and closed a few times before her eyes flared with rage.
“It’s not about the inheritance? Then what the hell is this? Don’t tell me… You’re not telling me you’ve come to this because of that filthy thing, are you?”
That last line was laced with contempt, even though it came from her own mouth. It was such an absurd suggestion that it nearly made her laugh—nearly. But that flicker of amusement evaporated the moment she saw Winston’s blank expression.
No reaction.
Her smile froze, and her features slowly stiffened.
“You’re joking… You must be joking. That’s ridiculous, completely….”
Madam Campbell wanted to deny it. She had to deny it. But her son’s face, plain in her sight, made it impossible.
“Winston. Tell me it’s not true.”
Her voice trembled, laced with a fury she could barely suppress. This was unthinkable. Unacceptable. Her son—her perfect son—had fallen for that whore.
How dare you betray me again.
Her breath turned ragged, and her shoulders quivered as she bit down on her lip. Rage flooded through her like boiling water.
Because of that disgusting whore.
“Winston!”
The scream tore out of her, raw and furious. And it didn’t stop there—Madam Campbell kept shouting, her voice rising as she lashed out at her son.
“Snap out of it, Winston Campbell! Are you trying to disappoint me again? Have you already forgotten what happened to you because of that thing? Are you really going to throw your life away all over again because of that whore? How could you, how dare you do this to me!”
Her rage boiled over. She could no longer hold it in. In the end, she said what should never have been said.
“That thing probably seduced another man and ran off! You’re being a fool for clinging to him like this. You can never have that whore—and you shouldn’t! Never!”
In that instant, Winston’s pupils flared gold. The faint pheromone scent that had been drifting in the air, mingled with the smell of alcohol, suddenly surged in intensity, engulfing the room.
Madam Campbell recoiled in shock, her shoulders jerking involuntarily. She even forgot that she’d been the one yelling just moments ago.
“…Why not?”
Winston finally spoke. In contrast to his mother’s screeching, his voice was low and subdued—but his bloodshot eyes blazed with raw fury as they fixed on her.
My son is looking at me with eyes like that.
The realization struck her like a blow, knocking the wind out of her.
While she stood frozen in place, dumbfounded, Winston pressed on, his words sharp and fast.
“Why not? Why can’t I have Yu-jin? What reason is there?”
For a moment, Madam Campbell was completely speechless. Her mind blanked out, as if someone had flipped a switch and shut off her thoughts.
Even so, Winston didn’t let up. With growing intensity, he drove her into a corner.
“Tell me, Mother. I’ve had everything the world could offer. So why not Yu-jin? Why is he the one thing I’m not allowed to have? Why?!”
She could only blink, stunned into silence.
Winston sneered.
“Father’s dead now, too.”
That did it. Whatever fragments of reason she’d been clinging to shattered.
SMACK!
A sharp crack echoed through the room.
The skin that had drained pale suddenly began to flush red. For the first time ever, she struck her son across the face—hard. Her palm stung, but the fury inside her was far from satisfied.
As she raised her hand to slap the other cheek, Winston moved.
“…Hiiik!”
The moment his large hand came into view, Madam Campbell flinched in terror and instinctively cringed back. The thought of being struck filled her with primal fear, and she shut her eyes tightly.
She braced for the blow, certain sparks would fly before her eyes—but the world remained silent.
When she hesitantly opened her eyes, Winston was staring down at her.
That contemptuous gaze—looking at her like she was pathetic—dealt her another crushing blow.
Still frozen in place, she watched as Winston reached out again. She instinctively recoiled once more, but he ignored her reaction and, without hesitation, snatched the bottle of liquor away right in front of her.
Madam Campbell could do nothing but stand there in stunned silence as her son slumped onto the sofa and began pouring himself another glass.
“…Hah.”
Only after her thoughts returned did a new emotion settle in: humiliation. She exhaled a choked breath and immediately turned her back on him.
Without waiting a second longer, she stormed out of the room with furious steps that bordered on a run. But Winston didn’t call after her. He didn’t say a word.
That, more than anything, deepened her shame.
How dare you. How dare you—how DARE you.
Her face burning crimson with rage, Madam Campbell practically marched through the corridor like a soldier on patrol.
How do I erase this fury?
There was only one answer.
The reason her precious son had defied her… the reason he had humiliated her like this… was all because of Yu-jin.
I should’ve killed him when I had the chance.
She once again chewed over her regret.
If only she had killed him back then, Harold would never have left behind that will. Winston wouldn’t be betraying her again now.
It was all because of that lowly whore.
I have to find him.
She already knew just how desperately Winston had been searching for Yu-jin. But no matter how hard he tried, Yu-jin had vanished without a trace.
He had to be somewhere in this country. She was sure of it.
The inheritance no longer mattered. What mattered now was her wounded pride—above all else.
Foolish girl. You failed.
The memory of Charlotte made her blood boil all over again. There had been multiple chances to get rid of Yu-jin, and yet somehow, he had managed to survive each time.
What an unbelievably lucky bastard.
But that luck wouldn’t last. Not anymore.
Standing before the elevator, Madam Campbell took a deep breath.
One way or another, Yu-jin was gone now. If he had disappeared from Winston’s life forever, then so be it. But if Winston found him again—if Yu-jin showed himself once more, no matter how—
Then this time…
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.
Stepping inside with a glacial expression, she solidified her resolve.
This time, I’ll make sure he dies.
Beyond the closing doors, her face brimmed with murderous intent—like a wounded snake ready to strike.
***
“Thank you for coming, Mr. Grant.”
Yu-jin welcomed him warmly into the house and brought out some tea. Grant wasn’t alone. He had come with his daughter, wearing a gentle smile as he spoke.
“I’m sorry for dropping by unannounced. I tried calling, but I couldn’t reach you.”
“Oh, I must not have heard it ring.”
Yu-jin apologized sheepishly, but Grant just smiled reassuringly.
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d check in on your manuscript progress—and see if you needed anything.”
“I appreciate it, but no, not at all. You’re not interrupting anything.”
Yu-jin quickly shook his head.
While the adults chatted, the children—roughly the same age—sat facing each other in the living room and began to play.
“This is Princess Diane’s castle. The dragon protects the castle from bad guys.”
Angela eagerly explained, proudly showing off the toy castle Yu-jin had bought her.
so cute i luv angie…ALSO U BITCH MADAM CAMPBELL HOW ABOUT WE TURN U INTO THE WHORE INSTEAD