It really wasn’t much, Yujin thought as he opened his mouth.
"Where’s the bathroom? I’d like to wash up."
The mansion had countless rooms and bathrooms. Yujin, unsure which he was supposed to use, asked politely, but instead of giving him the answer he wanted, the butler offered sothing else.
"There’s soone you need to et first. Please follow ."
"Wait a mont."
Yujin spoke quickly, then carefully laid Angela down on the bed. Fortunately, his daughter was already deeply asleep, softly snoring. He told the butler he’d be right out, closed the door, and undressed Angela, removing her shoes and clothes before changing her into pajamas. She needed a bath, but since she was sleeping so peacefully and the situation was what it was, he decided to let it go for today.
One day would be fine.
After hastily unpacking a few things, Yujin opened Angela’s sketchbook and wrote a large ssage on a blank page, placing it next to her pillow so she could see it right away if she woke up while he was gone. Angela, to her credit, already knew how to read and write, and she was quite good at simple math as well. Tis like this, her cleverness was a blessing. Feeling grateful, Yujin kissed her on the forehead.
When he stepped outside, the butler was still standing there stiffly. Facing him empty-handed, Yujin asked without hiding his wariness.
"Who am I supposed to et?"
It was already near midnight. What exactly did they need to talk about so urgently that they’d waited until this hour? Yujin felt uneasy as the butler stopped and turned his head.
"Mrs. Campbell."
Ah. He almost sighed aloud. There was only one person in this house referred to as Mrs. Campbell. The eldest daughter, who had briefly married into British nobility, insisted on being addressed as Lady, and the only daughter-in-law, who took the Campbell na, was never called Mrs. Campbell. Only one woman held that title, from the ti Yujin first arrived in this house as a child, and even now.
As if there was nothing more to say, the butler turned and began walking. Yujin followed silently without another word.
The quiet mansion echoed only with the sound of their footsteps. The grand estate, which once overflowed with laughter, now seed to hold its breath, aware of its master’s absence. The oppressive atmosphere pressed heavily on Yujin as he walked.
Retracing their earlier path, the butler opened a side door again, but this ti, they descended downstairs.
After what felt like a long descent, they reached a door. When it opened, Yujin couldn't help but let out a small breath of frustration. Yet another long hallway stretched out before him. He resisted the urge to shout "enough already" and kept walking, when he noticed sothing different about this corridor. The paintings lining the walls depicted only the mansion’s landscape or the faces of ancestors. When a portrait of a past matron wearing an antique dress ca into view, the butler suddenly stopped.
Yujin quietly watched as he knocked softly, waited a mont, then turned the handle and opened the door. Stepping inside without hesitation, the butler spoke.
"Mrs. Campbell. I’ve brought the guest."
His voice was utterly devoid of emotion, as if reading from a manual. The butler stepped aside and gestured with one arm for Yujin to enter. Yujin barely managed to suppress a deep breath and deliberately ignored the gesture as he passed him by.
The room, which seed to be a formal reception room, held exactly who Yujin had expected. Mrs. Campbell, and beside her, another man — Gordon, the eldest son. The mont Yujin faced them, he felt his face harden. This ti, however, he could do nothing about it.
Unlike Mrs. Campbell, who sat upright with a rigid posture, Gordon was sprawled lazily with his legs spread wide, one arm resting on his thigh, his whole body slouched like so street thug as he stared at Yujin.
Yujin clenched his hanging hands quietly. It’s fine, he thought to himself. This is different now. He had Angela. For her sake, he could be stronger than anyone in the world.
So it’s fine.
Just as he was reinforcing that thought, the butler spoke.
"Shall I prepare sothing to drink?"
"No, thank you."
Yujin rejected him at once. He knew perfectly «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» well the offer wasn’t ant for him anyway. Still, his firm refusal made it clear he didn’t want to drag this out. The butler glanced toward Mrs. Campbell, seemingly awaiting instructions. She gave a faint wave, signaling that was enough.
The sound of the door closing behind him echoed as the butler left. Yujin stood in place, unmoving. He laced his fingers together behind his back.
It was Mrs. Campbell who broke the uncomfortable silence first. She furrowed her brows and clicked her tongue softly.
"You’re still the sa. Still don’t know how to greet people?"
Her voice was especially sharp and full of thorns. Yujin only stared at her with an expressionless face. In the past, he might have hesitated awkwardly, missing the timing to greet and getting misunderstood. But not anymore. He simply didn’t want to initiate. The Yujin who used to be hurt by such coldness no longer existed. There was nothing they could say or do to wound him anymore. Never again.
Seeing Yujin remain silent, Gordon scoffed and spoke loudly, clearly for Yujin to hear.
"What do you expect from trash like him? A guy who sold his body to survive isn’t exactly educated, you know?"
Good thing he left Angela in the room. Yujin quietly sighed in relief and replied in a stiff voice.
"Is that all you have to say? It's late, I’d rather rest now."
At his question, both Mrs. Campbell and Gordon paused. It was obvious they hadn’t expected such rude and blunt words from him. Of course not, Yujin thought.
The old Yujin would never have dared. Back then, he would have been reduced to tears, desperate and apologetic, begging like he’d committed a cri.
You thought I’d still play that role, didn't you? Groveling to feed your superiority and pride.
But it had already been nearly five years. And in that ti, Yujin had changed. There was no reason to cling to them anymore.
Facing Yujin’s unwavering gaze, Mrs. Campbell seed at a loss for words. She took a sip of tea to compose herself. After calming down, she resud her usual cold deanor and spoke.
"Why bother making this complicated?"
She set her teacup down and raised her head. Her reptilian, piercing eyes locked onto Yujin.
"Why not just leave the mansion now? Disappear as if you were never here. In return..."
Trailing off deliberately, she gestured slightly — and right on cue, Gordon pulled sothing out of his suit pocket and set it on the table. Yujin looked down at the white envelope as Mrs. Campbell continued.
"You’re not stupid, so I’m sure you understand. There’s enough in there. Just take it and leave. No one here welcos you anyway."
Taking the envelope and leaving forever wasn’t a bad choice. After all, Yujin had co here for money. Compared to the vague uncertainty of Harold’s will, this was far more straightforward. Anyone would agree. Besides, when he decided to co back here, he had braced himself for everything. He was prepared to endure humiliation and disgrace, as long as he could get money.
So this should have been an easy decision.
It should have been.
And yet, Yujin hesitated. He couldn’t bring himself to reach out for the envelope. It wasn’t pride. That had been shattered long ago.
Then why?
Unable to understand his own feelings, Yujin simply stared at the envelope. Gordon sneered and added mockingly.
"Don’t even think about squeezing out more. You might end up with nothing at all. Do the smart thing. No way in hell your pathetic body’s ever going to earn this much cash in a lifeti anyway."
Gordon laughed loudly.
"Besides, your sugar daddy’s dead now. Who’s going to buy you anymore? Unless they’re blind or sothing."
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