By Zephyria “Welcome, Mr. Campbell. It’s an honor to meet you.”
As soon as he got out of the car, the police chief, who had been waiting, quickly greeted him and extended his hand. Instead of shaking hands, Winston nodded briefly and headed straight into the police station, passing him by. The police chief, who hurriedly withdrew his embarrassed hand, followed him and hurriedly led the way, saying.”I received prior notice, but Sam is on patrol, and even though I urged him to come on time because there was something important, he’s still not here. He’s on his way now, so if you could just wait a little longer…”
Winston didn’t say anything to the flustered and helpless chief. The police chief led him to his office and hurriedly ordered another employee to prepare coffee and refreshments. Soon, the paper cup brought by the employee contained lukewarm instant coffee with a cheap aroma. Naturally, Winston didn’t even glance at the coffee on the table. Seeing his reaction, the police chief asked anxiously.
“Um, should I prepare something else? Juice, maybe there’s juice…”
“It’s fine.”
Winston stopped the police chief, who was hurrying towards the door, and opened his mouth for the first time, but that was all. He closed his mouth again, crossed his legs in the guest’s steel chair, and took out a cigarette case from his suit pocket. Seeing this, the police chief was horrified and quickly waved his hands forward.
“Oh, no, you can’t. No smoking. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
He had no reason to apologize. Winston was the one who broke the rules, and the chief’s right was to sanction him.
But how could he dare?
The other party was Winston Campbell. It took tremendous courage to say no to him. Even as he thought he had somehow managed to do so, the police chief was flustered and sweating profusely. He looked pale and didn’t know what to do, but thankfully, Winston put the cigarette case back in without a word.
Whew, just as the chief of police sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, a short knock was heard, and someone opened the door. Winston and the police chief turned their heads almost simultaneously, but it wasn’t the face they were waiting for.
“Chief, just a moment…”
The employee who opened the door waved to the police chief, looking embarrassed. He greeted him perfunctorily, as if he had been waiting for it, and hurriedly left the room. Left alone, Winston resisted the urge to smoke and instead clasped his hands together on his knees. The old and shabby police chief’s office had a strangely musty smell. It mixed with the cheap coffee scent, making him feel even worse.
Pathetic.
He was dumbfounded when he thought about himself sitting alone in a place like this. After Harold died, Winston was incredibly busy. He had to take care of everything, including company matters, funeral procedures, and asset management. Even though lawyers, property managers, and secretaries were the ones actually moving, he had to be aware of every situation without exception, and ultimately, it was his responsibility to make all the decisions. And to think that he had forced his tight schedule to be empty to come here and stare at the wall. He was already exhausted, so what was he even doing?
What was he expecting?
Winston’s eyes narrowed unpleasantly. Yu-jin’s criminal record was true. He had injured a prostitute, stolen her money, and ran away before being arrested. He was tried for it, but the punishment wasn’t severe. That was because there was a police officer who had worked hard to plead for leniency on his behalf at the time.
Sam Brown.
He slowly savored the name he had heard from his secretary. The report didn’t say why the police officer who arrested Yu-jin had gone to such lengths to help the criminal he had personally apprehended, but Winston thought it was obvious. He must have been charmed, that man too.
Wasn’t it obvious? When Yu-jin asked him for help in exchange for his body, the man wouldn’t have refused. Perhaps the deal was made from the moment he was arrested. Moreover, Yu-jin lived with him for a while after he was released. What better proof could there be? Wasn’t it too perfect a story?
But why did he come all the way here?
Deep wrinkles formed on Winston’s forehead. What did he want to confirm? Didn’t he already know enough? Wasn’t it enough to prove that his thoughts were correct?
His stomach churned as he imagined Yu-jin kissing and laughing with a man he didn’t even know. He could feel the pheromone scent spreading around him becoming even stronger. He knew. He knew what the emotion that had brought him here was.
He still couldn’t give up.
Disgust for himself welled up inside him. This was enough. No, it was too much. Get a grip, Winston Campbell, you decided you wouldn’t let Yu-jin control you like a fool again.
Winston got up from his seat without waiting any longer. Just then, a knock was heard, followed by the door opening.
“Mr. Winston Campbell? I’m sorry I’m late, the traffic was terrible.”
Winston stared blankly at the person who greeted him with a cheerful smile. For a moment, his mind didn’t work properly. …What? Now. What’s going on? He couldn’t react immediately and just stared, but the other person continued to speak.
“I heard you came to see me? What’s the matter?”
Her face showed the signs of age, but the playful smile on her face looked as innocent as a child. Winston couldn’t speak for a while before slowly opening his mouth.
“…Sam Brown?”
The other person nodded at the voice he let out as if squeezing his vocal cords.
“Yes, that’s right. What’s the matter?”
Winston could only stare blankly at the smiling face of the older woman who repeated the same words and smiled.
* * *
“I really had a great time today, Princess.”
As the sun set, Georgina, who had finished preparing to return, put her hands on her chest and said with sincere admiration.
“Will I have another chance to have an audience with you? I want to see you again.”
Angela nodded without losing her dignity until the end to Georgina, who blinked her eyes imploringly.
“Of course, Lady. Next time, I’ll invite you to a banquet. Please don’t refuse.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Georgina raised her voice in delight.
“Oh, refuse! Princess, I’m already looking forward to that day. I might get sick from waiting for an invitation from you every day. I’ll be urging Thomas to check the mailbox ten times a day. I’m already feeling dizzy.”
She put her hand on her forehead and acted elegantly, but Angela seemed dissatisfied. Angela, who was looking up at Georgina with a serious expression, gestured slightly with her hand. When Georgina tilted her head in wonder, Angela covered her mouth with her hand and whispered softly in her ear.
“Who’s Thomas?”
Georgina barely managed to hold back her laughter and covered her mouth like Angela, whispering seriously.
“He’s my servant, he does odd jobs.”
“Ah, I see.”
Angela, who had matched the scenario, returned to her solemn expression and raised her chin.
“Tell Thomas to come to the palace. I’ll give him a handwritten invitation.”
“Oh, Princess! How thoughtful you are…”
Yu-jin was watching the ongoing play between Georgina and his daughter from a few steps away with a tired expression. They had been continuing such plays all afternoon. Yu-jin and Charlotte, who had been humoring them appropriately, had long since given up, but Angela and Georgina showed no signs of getting tired. Rather, Angela was excited as if she had found the best childhood friend and was pouring all her acting skills into it with enthusiasm.
“The child is really cute and smart.”
Charlotte, who was standing next to him, whispered softly as she watched them quietly. Yu-jin smiled awkwardly and stopped trying to greet her. Charlotte’s expression as she looked at Angela was unusual. He blinked in confusion at her endlessly depressed and pitiful face, and Charlotte opened her mouth while still looking at the child.
“What’s it like to have a child? It must feel like you have the whole world…”
Yu-jin was embarrassed to see her face full of loneliness. What should he say? He didn’t know much about Charlotte, so it was difficult to speak easily.
“I…”
“Your Majesty!”
Fortunately, Angela spoke to him just as he was about to say something. Yu-jin secretly sighed in relief and quickly turned his attention to his child. Charlotte was silently watching them.