Chapter 24: A Father's Dilemma

The living room was a mess-but the good kind of mess. Brightly colored paper, glue sticks, and tiny paintbrushes were scattered across the floor as the triplets busily worked on their props for the upcoming parent-child talent show.

Seo-woo sat on the floor with them, helping wherever he could, though most of the artistic direction came from Seo-min. His second-born was a little genius when it came to crafts, his tiny fingers working quickly as he designed what he called "the coolest backdrop ever."

"Hyung, you should add more stars!" Seo-jin, the youngest, suggested, bouncing on his knees as he watched Seo-min work.

Seo-jun, the eldest, was scribbling furiously in a notebook. His brows were furrowed, deep in concentration.

Seo-woo peered over. "What are you writing?"

Seo-jun looked up, grinning. "I'm working on the skit! Since we're doing a sing-and-dance performance, I thought adding a short story would make it more fun!"

"A skit, huh?" Seo-woo rubbed his chin, pretending to be deep in thought. "As expected of my brilliant son!"

Seo-jun puffed up with pride. "It's going to be awesome! I'll make sure it's funny too!"

Seo-woo chuckled, his heart warm as he watched his children's enthusiasm. He couldn't ask for anything more.

Just then, his phone buzzed on the table.

Seeing the caller ID, Seo-woo sighed and answered.

"Hye-sung? What's up?"

Lee Hye-sung's voice came through the speaker. "No problems, don't worry. I just called to let you know that Lighthouse's comeback performance is next week. Their first stage is on Friday night at Everyday's Music."

Seo-woo barely had time to react before the triplets, who had been eavesdropping like tiny spies, gasped in unison.

Friday night?!

Seo-jun clutched his notebook, Seo-min dropped his paintbrush, and Seo-jin clamped a hand over his mouth dramatically.

Seo-woo frowned. "Friday night?"

"Yeah," Hye-sung confirmed. "It's their first performance for this comeback, and I'd really like you to be there."

Seo-woo exhaled, already shaking his head. "Sorry, Hye-sung. I have an important event with my children that night."

The triplets exchanged looks, their little hands clenching their clothes in anticipation.

"Oh?" Hye-sung sounded surprised. "Is it really that important?"

Seo-woo glanced at his kids, who were practically holding their breath. He smiled. "Yeah. It is."

There was silence on the other end for a second before Hye-sung sighed. "Alright, I understand. I'll let Lighthouse know what you said. Do you have any words of encouragement for them?"

Seo-woo thought for a moment before speaking. "Tell them to perform like it's their last. No regrets. Cherish every moment on stage."

"Got it."

With that, Seo-woo hung up. Before he could put his phone down, three little bodies crashed into him.

"Dad, you're the best!"

"I love you, Daddy!"

"Thank you, Dad!"

Seo-woo was stunned for a moment, but then he laughed and hugged them back. "What's with all this affection all of a sudden?"

Seo-jin pouted. "You picked us instead of work. That makes you the best dad in the world."

Seo-woo felt his chest tighten. Of course I'd choose you. Always.

But just as he was basking in the warmth of their love-

Ding!

A translucent blue screen popped up in front of him.

[Special Quest Alert!]

Attend both the Parent-Child Talent Show and Lighthouse's First Performance at Everyday's Music.

Reward: A crucial clue regarding the fire accident that led to the original Ryu Seo-woo's death.

Seo-woo's blood ran cold.

What...?

The system had been quiet for days, only giving him minor daily quests. But now, out of nowhere, it dropped this bomb on him?!

"No, no, no. This is impossible!" he muttered under his breath, glaring at the screen. "The talent show is at night! The performance is also at night! How am I supposed to be in two places at once?!"

The system, as always, remained infuriatingly silent.

Seo-woo clenched his fists. He had already planned to celebrate with his kids after the talent show. But this reward...

A clue about the fire accident that killed the original Ryu Seo-woo.

A lead on the mystery that had been haunting him since he transmigrated into this body.

His gut twisted.

If he could find out the truth behind that fire, he might be able to uncover the real reason why he was here in the first place.

Seo-woo swallowed hard, looking at his excited children.

Could he really do both?

And more importantly-was he willing to risk it?

---

Ryu Jung-woo leaned back in his seat, nursing his drink as the dim neon lights of the upscale bar cast a cool glow over the scene. His phone buzzed, and he quickly glanced at the message from his subordinate.

"Boss, there's movement near the Second Young Master's house. Someone's sniffing around, asking questions about him and the kids."

Jung-woo's grip on the glass tightened. Seo-woo hyung and the kids...

A second message came through.

"We've stationed some of our guys nearby just in case. Should we take action?"

Jung-woo's jaw clenched. The thought of someone threatening his hyung and his nephews made his blood boil.

"Stay on alert. If anyone gets too close, make them regret it. Call for backup if necessary."

"Understood."

Jung-woo let out a breath, slipping his phone back into his pocket. He was about to take another sip of his drink when movement near the entrance caught his attention.

A group of young men and women walked into the bar, their laughter filling the space. Among them, a man with snow-white skin and delicate features stood out. His silky hair framed his face perfectly, and his lips curved into a knowing smirk.

Jin Yu-jin.

Jung-woo knew of him, of course. Everyone in the industry did. Rumors swirled around him like a storm cloud. Some said he was Seo-woo hyung's biggest rival, constantly competing for resources and attention. Others whispered that Seo-woo hyung bullied him.

Jung-woo wasn't the type to believe baseless gossip, but he had no doubt that this man was trouble.

But before he could look away, Yu-jin's gaze locked onto his. A slow smile played on his lips as he walked straight toward Jung-woo, his movements deliberate, confident.

Jung-woo's instincts screamed at him to stand up and leave.

Too late.

Yu-jin slid into the seat beside him, closing the distance between them like a predator cornering its prey. Without hesitation, he reached for Jung-woo's arm, his fingers tracing lightly over the expensive fabric of his sleeve.

"Ryu Jung-woo," Yu-jin purred, his voice dripping with amusement. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person."

Jung-woo stiffened.

"Can't say the same," he muttered, pulling his arm away.

Yu-jin chuckled, completely unbothered by the rejection. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against Jung-woo's neck.

"Your reaction is so different from what I expected," he mused. "Usually, people fall for me a little quicker."

Jung-woo scoffed. "Try harder."

Yu-jin's eyes gleamed with challenge. "Oh? You're tempting me, Jung-woo."

Before Jung-woo could reply, Yu-jin's fingers trailed up his arm again, this time slower, more deliberate. Jung-woo knew what he was doing-testing his boundaries, seeing how far he could push before he got a reaction.

And the worst part?

It was working.

A strange heat settled in Jung-woo's chest, spreading like wildfire. His body felt sluggish, his thoughts muddled. The smell of Yu-jin's perfume, the way his lips curved into that knowing smirk-it was too much.

Jung-woo clenched his fists under the table.

He had to get out of here.

Standing abruptly, he downed the rest of his whiskey in one go. "Excuse me," he said gruffly, heading toward the bathroom.

He was just two steps away from the bathroom when a slender arm looped around his.

Jin Yu-jin.

Jung-woo's jaw clenched. "What the hell are you doing?"

Yu-jin pressed against his side, his voice dropping into a low whisper. "Come with me."

Jung-woo's heart pounded against his ribs.

"To the hotel," Yu-jin added, his fingers tightening around Jung-woo's arm. "Let's have a private talk. Just the two of us."

Jung-woo's mind screamed at him to refuse. He knew Yu-jin was seducing him, playing some game he didn't fully understand.

And yet-

For a brief second, his resolve wavered.

His lips parted. He was about to say yes.

And then-