Chapter 31: The House of Silence

“…….”

Hyunwoo stared blankly at the tall wall towering before him.

It was so high that it almost made him feel cut off from the outside world.

To think he would come back here on his own feet again.

Clicking his tongue, Hyunwoo frowned.

There wasn’t a single good memory tied to this house.

Even the body of the real Joo Hyunwoo seemed to flinch unconsciously, as if rejecting the place itself.

Well, it made sense.

He’d been oppressed since birth under the title of ‘heir.’

There was no way this place could hold fond memories.

Villains weren’t born evil without reason.

It was only surprising that someone like Hyunjin, who grew up in the same environment, had turned out so bright.

“Haa…”

“…Hyung.”

“…….”

When he turned around, Hyunjin was looking at him with a nervous face.

Hyunwoo swallowed down the discomfort that rose in his chest.

He couldn’t show weakness in front of Hyunjin.

“It’s fine. Let’s go in.”

“Y-yeah.”

Speaking as lightly as he could, Hyunwoo took the first step forward.

Then, standing before the heavy iron gate, he reached out and pressed the bell.

— Who is it?

“It’s me.”

— …….

After recognizing Hyunwoo’s face, the servant immediately opened the gate.

Without a word, Hyunwoo stepped inside.

“Woof!”

“……!”

At the same time, something black lunged toward him.

Startled, Hyunwoo widened his eyes.

“Ah!”

A heavy weight crashed against him, pushing him backward.

Falling to the ground, Hyunwoo quickly pushed away what had jumped on him.

“Tori, wait!”

“Pant, pant!”

It was Tori — the family dog.

Tori was a large shepherd, not exactly a small or cute pet as his name suggested.

Still, he had always been fond of Hyunwoo and often showed affection in his own clumsy, endearing ways.

Even now, though he had tackled him too roughly out of excitement, he wagged his tail and licked Hyunwoo’s face enthusiastically.

Seeing that, Hyunwoo couldn’t even be angry.

“I said wait!”

“Whine, whimper.”

Apparently, Tori still hadn’t realized how big he had grown.

When was the last time Hyunwoo had seen him before the regression?

He had been too busy to visit home, let alone play with the dog.

Tori was one of the shepherds raised for generations in the main household.

When Tori was born, Hyunwoo had just entered the world of the novel.

It must have been just before his university graduation.

Since he had lived at home until then, taking care of newborn Tori had been Hyunwoo and Hyunjin’s shared duty.

That small event had helped thaw the awkward relationship between the real Joo Hyunwoo and Hyunjin, letting them grow closer again.

Hyunwoo stepped back a little and gently patted Tori’s head as the dog wagged his tail wildly.

“You still think you’re a puppy, huh?”

“Woof! Woof woof!”

After the regression, Tori must be around five years old by now.

But every time he saw Hyunwoo, he still acted like an excited baby, bumping into him without hesitation.

Hyunwoo shook his head as the dog barked twice as if answering him.

“Tori!”

“Woof!”

Spotting Hyunjin standing behind, Tori bounded toward him, tail wagging.

Unlike Hyunwoo, who had been taken by surprise, Hyunjin managed to stay on his feet.

Watching the two play together warmly, Hyunwoo sighed and stood up.

“You’ve arrived, young master?”

“Ah… It’s been a while, Uncle Jang.”

It was Mr. Jang, who had worked in the main house for as long as Hyunwoo could remember.

Coincidentally, even the real Joo Hyunwoo had called him simply “Uncle,” so his full name escaped him.

Mr. Jang smiled kindly, his round face unchanged.

“The Chairman and Madam are waiting.”

“…Alright.”

As always, none of the household staff spared a glance for Hyunjin.

Even now, though he was standing right beside Hyunwoo, the servants only spoke to and guided Hyunwoo alone.

To them, Hyunjin was merely an unnecessary tag-along.

They probably didn’t even know that Hyunjin wasn’t the Chairman’s real son.

But even if they did, it wouldn’t have changed anything.

After all, as the child of a second wife and an omega at that, Hyunjin would never inherit the company.

To them, only the wellbeing of Hyunwoo — the rightful heir of Munseong Group — mattered.

It had been that way ever since Hyunwoo first possessed this body.

His mouth felt dry, as though he’d swallowed sand.

The real Joo Hyunwoo had always felt a twisted sense of superiority at moments like this, looking down on Hyunjin even more cruelly.

But for Hyunwoo, all it brought was a bitter ache.

“Let’s go, Hyunjin.”

“Ah, okay.”

Hyunjin, who had been pretending to shoot at Tori, quickly lifted his head at Hyunwoo’s call.

The bright smile on his face faded into gloom again.

It seemed like Hyunwoo would have to settle things with the Chairman quickly — for Hyunjin’s sake.

Determined, Hyunwoo walked across the wide garden and entered the mansion.

The main house was still as grand as ever.

And as always, there were too many people working there.

When he had first entered this world, Hyunwoo had felt completely overwhelmed by the heavy atmosphere.

Luckily, he had moved out right after graduating from university.

If he had continued to live here, he might’ve grown up like Hyunjin — timid and always watching others’ eyes.

“Let’s just eat and leave quickly.”

“Okay.”

As Hyunwoo whispered quietly on the way to the dining room, Hyunjin’s face finally brightened a little.

Seeing that hint of relief, Hyunwoo smiled faintly.

“It’s been a while, Father… Mother.”

“…….”

Bowing politely, Hyunwoo lifted his head and glanced toward the head of the table.

Chairman Joo Moon-hyuk sat in the center of the long table, and beside him was Hyunjin’s mother, Lee Nayeon.

Though their marriage was a cold, contractual arrangement, they still appeared together at these formal occasions.

They didn’t seem hostile — which, ironically, made their relationship harder to understand.

Marrying a woman who openly carried another man’s child,
never showing anger or shame — that was Chairman Joo Moon-hyuk.

And living unashamed of it, never hiding her past — that was Lee Nayeon.

Their kind of logic was something Hyunwoo could never accept.

Still, he kept his expression composed and sat down.

Hyunjin awkwardly bowed and quietly took a seat next to him.

Neither the Chairman nor Lee Nayeon even looked at him.

“If it weren’t for occasions like this, I wouldn’t see your face at all.”

“Well… You’re busy too, Father. Haha.”

The Chairman’s disapproving tone made Hyunwoo force a laugh.

The hypocrisy of it made him want to scoff.

He was one to talk — the man never called unless he had a reason.

Still, Hyunwoo kept his expression under control, careful not to show his irritation.

Whatever else he was, Chairman Joo Moon-hyuk was the absolute authority of Munseong Group.

It was better to play the obedient son than risk provoking him.

“When one leaves home, it’s easy to lose discipline.
Learn to distinguish freedom from indulgence.”

“Yes, Father.”

Though Hyunwoo thought it was utter nonsense, he nodded dutifully like an obedient child.

The conversation was one-sided — the Chairman lectured, and Hyunwoo listened.

It wasn’t particularly stressful anymore.

Lee Nayeon remained quiet as always.

And Hyunjin hadn’t spoken a single word since entering the room.

Though he still exchanged personal calls with his mother in private,
in front of the Chairman, both became completely silent.

Hyunwoo ate quietly, occasionally glancing at Hyunjin.

The food was made by top-class chefs, but somehow, it tasted bland in his mouth.

“…And Hyunjin, keep your weekend free.”

“Huh?”

Hyunwoo’s eyes widened at the sudden statement from the Chairman.

Until now, he had acted as though Hyunjin didn’t exist —
and now, out of nowhere, he was bringing him up.

But that was exactly how Joo Moon-hyuk was.

Hyunwoo could see Hyunjin flinch in panic beside him, trembling in fear.

The same thing had happened before his regression too.

The Chairman had suddenly called on Hyunjin, knowing full well that the boy could barely speak in front of him —
and demanded that he attend a matchmaking meeting.

Back then, it hadn’t been Hyunjin but Hyunwoo who had spoken up in defiance.

“What do you mean, Father?”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Then why does Hyunjin have to keep his weekend free?”

“…….”

The Chairman set down his fork and knife with a metallic clink and turned to look at Hyunwoo.

Though Hyunwoo and the Chairman shared no warmth, their resemblance was undeniable —
and that only made facing him more unsettling.

Still, Hyunwoo didn’t back down.

He met the Chairman’s gaze head-on, fists clenched beneath the table.

“Hyunjin, step outside for a moment.”

“Hyung…”

“Go play with Tori.”

“…….”

But Hyunjin couldn’t move, his face pale as he looked between them.

Only when the Chairman gave a small nod of permission did he finally stand up, shoulders trembling.

Hyunwoo glanced at his retreating back as he left the dining room.

Then he turned his gaze back to the Chairman.

“Don’t take it out on him.

You have business with me, don’t you?”