Chapter 19: A New Suspicious Neighbor

The rental house was buzzing with energy as the triplets sat around his Dad's old laptop, completely absorbed in their online business. The faint sound of clicking keys and murmured discussions filled the cozy space as they brainstormed ways to improve their website.

"We should add rating stars," Seo-jun suggested, tapping his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "That way, we can track how satisfied or dissatisfied our buyers are after receiving our products."

"That's a great idea," Seo-min agreed, his eyes lighting up. "I'd love to know if people actually like my artwork. If they're not satisfied, I can improve my designs."

Seo-jin, the tech-savvy one of the three, nodded in approval as he began typing rapidly on his laptop. "I'll add a feedback section next to the rating stars. But we need more features if we want to make the website professional and engaging."

Seo-jun leaned forward. "Like what?"

Seo-jin smirked. "Well, for starters, we should add a 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQ) page. That way, we don't have to answer the same questions over and over again."

"Ooh, and maybe a live chat feature?" Seo-min suggested excitedly. "Some customers might want immediate responses."

"And how about a testimonials section?" Seo-jun added. "Satisfied customers can leave positive reviews to build trust for new buyers."

"Perfect," Seo-jin said as his fingers flew across the keyboard. "I'll also add a secure payment gateway section, a newsletter subscription for updates, and maybe even a blog for art tips and product inspiration."

They were so engrossed in their work that they almost didn't hear the knock on the door.

THUMP. THUMP.

All three brothers froze.

They turned their heads toward the door, exchanging uneasy glances.

"Who could that be?" Seo-min whispered.

His heart was pounding. It was already past sunset, and they weren't expecting anyone.

Seo-min quickly stood up, his face brightening. "Maybe it's Dad!"

But Seo-jun grabbed his wrist, his sharp instincts kicking in. "Think, Seo-min. If it was Dad, he'd use his key to open the door. Why would he knock in his own house?"

Seo-min gulped and immediately backed away, his earlier excitement turning into fear.

Another knock sounded.

THUMP. THUMP.

Seo-jun's stomach twisted.

Who in their right mind knocks twice without saying anything?

He pulled out his phone and quickly dialed a number.

"Grandma Song," he said in a hushed but urgent voice. "Can you come over? Someone is knocking at our door, but we don't know who it is."

Grandma Song, their elderly but fiercely protective neighbor, didn't hesitate.

"I'm on my way."

The call ended.

Seo-min clung to Seo-jun's arm, his anxiety growing. "What if it's someone dangerous?"

Meanwhile, Seo-jin didn't move. He was completely focused on his laptop.

"Guys," he suddenly said. "Come here. Look at this."

Seo-jun and Seo-min hurried over.

On the laptop screen, a grainy surveillance feed was playing.

Seo-min's jaw dropped. "Wait... did you just hack the security cameras near our house?"

Seo-jin smirked. "It's not hacking. More like... accessing publicly available footage."

Seo-jun squinted at the screen.

A man in a dark hoodie and a face mask stood outside their door, holding a small cake box in one hand while talking on his phone.

"Who the heck is that?" Seo-min whispered, his grip tightening on Seo-jun's sleeve.

"Let's find out," Seo-jin muttered.

Grandma Song arrived in record time, her gray shawl fluttering as she marched toward the house.

Her sharp eyes immediately locked onto the man standing by Seo-woo's door.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice firm. "And what do you want?"

The man, who had been talking on his phone, paused mid-sentence.

He slowly turned to look at the old woman, then muttered a quick "I'll call you back" into the receiver before slipping his phone into his pocket.

Silence.

Then, in a polite but oddly cheerful voice, he said, "Ah, hello! I'm a new neighbor. I wanted to introduce myself and give some red bean steamed rice cake to the house's owner as a friendly gesture."

Grandma Song's eyes widened.

For a moment, she looked startled.

"A new neighbor?" she repeated, her tone laced with suspicion.

The man nodded.

"Yes, I just moved in a few days ago. I figured it's good manners to introduce myself."

Grandma Song didn't respond immediately. Instead, she glanced back at the triplets' window, her mind racing.

Then, she turned back and forced a tight-lipped smile.

"The owner of the house isn't home right now," she said carefully.

Seo-jun, who was watching from behind the door, decided it was now or never.

He unlocked the door and cracked it open.

Seo-min and Seo-jin peeked out beside him.

The strange man's eyes lit up when he saw them.

"Oh!" He gave a small wave. "You must be the younger ones living here. Hello! My name is—"

He couldn't finish his sentence because he was shocked to see that one of the children was watching him closely.

Seo-jun didn't reply immediately. He was observing the man, trying to gauge if he was dangerous. But he felt that the man was also observing him. So suspicious.

Seo-min, on the other hand, was already fixated on the cake.

"Wait..." Seo-min muttered, leaning closer. "That's red bean steamed rice cake, right? I love that!"

The man chuckled. "I'm glad to hear that. I made it myself."

Seo-min's eyes sparkled.

Seo-jun elbowed him. "Dude, focus!"

Grandma Song, still standing protectively between them and the man, narrowed her eyes.

"You said you just moved in," she said, her tone sharp. "Which house?"

The man smiled, but there was something strange about it.

"Just a few doors down," he said smoothly. "I'll be around. Hope we can get along!"

Something about his overly friendly attitude made Seo-jun uneasy.

Still, before they could press further, the man bowed slightly, placed the cake on the doorstep, and walked away.

The triplets and Grandma Song watched him go.

Seo-jin broke the silence.

"Well," he said, staring down at the cake. "That was weird."

Seo-jun crossed his arms. "Something's off about that guy."

Seo-min, however, only had one thing on his mind.

"...So, can we eat the cake or not?"

---

Back at Lee Hye-sung's apartment, the atmosphere was lively—filled with soft chatter and the occasional clatter of utensils from the kitchen. However, amid the warmth of shared meals and friendly bickering, Choi Min-ho's phone buzzed.

With a sharp glance at the screen, he excused himself, stepping into the hallway.

Ryu Seo-woo, ever the curious one, squinted at him from across the room. Who's calling him now? Has Han Si-hyun's accomplice called him?

Choi Min-ho answered, his tone cool.

"Yes, Mother?"

Seo-woo, who had been casually loitering nearby, pretended to search for something on the living room shelf, his ears sharpened to catch any hints of the conversation.

On the other end, Madam Choi's voice rang sharp and commanding.

"Min-ho, I've arranged a blind date for you this weekend."

Choi Min-ho closed his eyes briefly, already exhausted by where this conversation was going.

"Mother, I already told you, I'm not interested."

"Oh, but you will be," his mother countered, her tone dripping with finality. "If you don't go, I'll ensure that every single penny of my inheritance is donated to charity. Not a single won for you."

Choi Min-ho's jaw clenched. He knew his mother well enough to understand that this wasn't an empty threat. If she said she would do it, she absolutely would.

He exhaled sharply, his pride warring with logic.

"Fine," he said through gritted teeth.

A sudden soft laugh came from behind him.

Choi Min-ho snapped his head around—only to see Seo-woo darting into the kitchen, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he joined Kang Eun-jae and Jang Yu-ki.

Choi Min-ho narrowed his gaze.

"That little—" He muttered under his breath before shaking his head. Forget it.

Just as he was about to return to his seat, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from his subordinate.

[Sir, urgent matter. Important guests will be arriving at the company soon. We need your presence immediately.]

Choi Min-ho smirked. How convenient.

He typed back swiftly.

[I'll be there in 30 minutes.]

He pocketed his phone and was about to make his departure when something caught his eye.

Han Si-hyun, who had been anxiously biting his nails earlier, was now grinning at his phone.

Min-ho's eyes darkened.

It was all too clear now.

Han Si-hyun wasn't just acting nervous before—he was working with someone.

"So that's the other accomplice of that cheap assistant," Choi Min-ho mused, watching the scene unfold.

Before he could act, Seo-woo ascended the stairs with Hye-sung and the duo.

Good. They'd be out of the way.

Choi Min-ho stepped in front of Han Si-hyun, blocking his way.

"I have a few questions about Lighthouse's comeback," Choi Min-ho said smoothly, though his tone carried an underlying weight.

Han Si-hyun visibly tensed.

"CEO, Mr. Lee would be the best person to answer your questions," Han Si-hyun replied without looking at the CEO.

Before Choi Min-ho could say another sentence, a voice roared from the second floor.

"HAN SI-HYUN!"

Lee Hye-sung.

Han Si-hyun barely had time to react before Lee Hye-sung stormed down the stairs, eyes blazing.

Unbeknownst to Han Si-hyun, Seo-woo had just played a recording upstairs.

A damning recording.

The moment the audio played, Lee Hye-sung's blood ran cold.

His assistant—his trusted assistant—was selling him out.

"You—!"

Without thinking, Lee Hye-sung's fist connected with Si-hyun's face.

Han Si-hyun stumbled back, clutching his cheek.

"W-What—"

"You dare ask why?!" Lee Hye-sung thundered, breathing heavily.

His eyes were wild with disbelief and betrayal.

"There was no doubt in my mind that you were a traitor, Si-hyun! You were supposed to help me, but you were easily bribed by someone! How dare you!"

Han Si-hyun trembled.

Lee Hye-sung added angrily, "Get out of my apartment! You are fired. Don't let me see you again. If you do, I will punch you several times!"

Si-hyun stood up immediately and grabbed his belongings before running out of Hye-sung's apartment.

Choi Min-ho, meanwhile, leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold with amusement.

Seo-woo, standing at the top of the stairs, smirked.

Their eyes met.

Choi Min-ho chuckled. This little troublemaker...

He had completely disrupted his plan.

"Tsk," Choi Min-ho muttered to himself, shaking his head. I would've resolved this neatly, but he just had to rush things.

He let out a low, amused laugh.

"Lee Hye-sung," he finally said, still entertained, "you should be more competent in choosing your people."

Hye-sung, still fuming, shot back, "Same goes for you, CEO."

With that, he turned on his heel and marched back upstairs, shoulders tense with rage.

Min-ho let out another laugh, shaking his head.

"Has he been influenced by that little helper?" he mused aloud, glancing back toward Seo-woo's direction.

The thought entertained him.

With one final smirk, Min-ho pulled out his phone and sent a message.

[I'm heading back to the company now.]

Then, without another word, he left the apartment.

---o---

"Little Theatre"

New neighbor: "I'm a good guy, I promise."

Seo-min: "The cake must come first."

Seo-jun and Seo-jin: "What a glutton!"