"You're asking to see me now about the hospital loan extension? Weren't we supposed to meet in two days? Ah, I understand. I'll head over right away."

Director Kim Chul-Soo ran Hyo Nursing Hospital in Suwon. It seemed he had taken out a loan from a bank and was in the process of extending it.

And then it hit me. Before the regression, there had been an incident when HK Entertainment tried to scout a celebrity.

At the time, Director Hong Ah-Yoon from HK Entertainment had attempted to recruit the popular actress Park In-Jung. However, Park In-Jung had rejected HK Entertainment's offer out of loyalty to her original agency, Big Star Entertainment.

Instead of giving up, Hong Ah-Yoon had looked for another method and begun a setup. She arranged for Park In-Jung's youngest brother, who had been unemployed, to get a job at an HK Inc. affiliate.

Then, three months later, she sent Vice President Ha Ill-Kwon to Park In-Jung and began threatening that if she didn't transfer agencies, her incompetent younger brother would be fired. In the end, Park In-Jung moved to HK Entertainment to protect her youngest brother, who had been overjoyed to land a job at a major corporation.

Grabbing hold of a family's weakness and shaking a celebrity through it was the specialty of the Hong Ah-Yoon and Ha Ill-Kwon duo.

This was why I concluded that this suddenly rescheduled loan extension likely involved a scheme by HK Entertainment targeting Haru. For a conglomerate like HK Inc., pressuring a savings bank would be child's play. They would block the loan extension, seize on that weakness, and threaten Haru into transferring.

If, by any chance, the loan extension failed under HK Entertainment's pressure and the nursing hospital ended up in the bank's hands, Haru would have no choice but to move to HK Entertainment to save his father.

So I had to stop it before that happened. If necessary, I would even refinance the loan through Daehung Savings Bank instead.

Just then, after hanging up, Kim Chul-Soo set down his spoon. "Well... I should head to the bank about the loan extension. I was going to treat you to coffee after lunch, but we'll have to postpone it until next time."

"Did the bank threaten not to extend the loan?" I asked.

Kim Chul-Soo smiled brightly. "Oh, not at all. The branch manager contacted me personally and said that if I finalize the extension today, they can significantly lower the current 3.5 percent interest rate."

'They aren't blocking the extension, but they are even offering to lower the rate? Did I misjudge the situation?'

However, no matter how I thought about it, there was no other vulnerability they could exploit against Haru besides this loan. I decided I needed to follow and confirm it myself.

Just then, Kim Chul-Soo pushed his chair back and stood up. "Then I'll see you again later."

I immediately stopped him. "Mr. Kim. Since we're at it, why don't Haru and I come along? If Haru goes with you, who knows, maybe they'll lower the rate by another 0.1 percent."

Kim Chul-Soo smiled and politely declined. "I don't want to trade on Haru's name for my own affairs."

At the wedding, Kim Chul-Soo had promised to protect Haru and his mother no matter what. He wasn't Haru's biological father, but he had vowed to love him even more than one. Perhaps because of that, he had never once tried to take advantage of Haru's popularity.

At that moment, Haru set down his spoon and stood up.

Clack.

"I'm going too."

"Huh? No, Haru. Stay with your mom a little longer before you head back to Seoul."

Yet, Kim Chul-Soo's words were cut off by Natalia. "If your son says he wants to help, wouldn't it be strange for his father to refuse, honey?"

The moment Natalia said the word father, Kim Chul-Soo's face lit up. But since he wasn't Haru's biological father, he glanced at Haru nervously and continued hesitantly.

"Sh-should we?"

Haru looked at Kim Chul-Soo and smiled brightly. "If just showing my face might lower the interest rate, then I definitely have to go. And I need to head back to Seoul anyway, so let's stop by on the way."

Instantly, Kim Chul-Soo's voice boomed with excitement. "Okay! Then after we extend the loan at the bank, I'll treat you to dessert!"

"Come on. I'll buy."

"No, today's on me!"

At the way Kim Chul-Soo and Haru looked out for each other, Natalia smiled warmly.

"Then let's go."

"Okay."

I gathered my things and headed to Kim Chul-Soo's bank with Haru. I was determined to protect the happiness Haru had worked so hard to gain.

***

We arrived at the Suwon HS Savings Bank, Yeongtong Branch. This had been the main bank ever since Kim Chul-Soo's father first opened Hyo Nursing Hospital.

I parked in the first-floor parking lot behind and followed Kim Chul-Soo into the lobby. The moment we entered, the staff froze in unison.

"Isn't that Haru?"

"No way. His face is smaller than my fist."

"Isn't his skin unreal? His whole face is glowing."

"Is he wearing dewy makeup?"

"No, I heard he only uses Yetterang basic lotion."

"That's cheating. Totally unfair."

The female employees on the first floor were in an uproar, snapping photos with their phones. Even the male employees were staring as if they had just seen a unicorn.

At that moment, I noticed Kim Chul-Soo's shoulders stiffen with pride beside Haru. He looked like a doting father silently boasting that this handsome boy was his son.

Just then, the branch manager's office door swung open and Ahn Geuk-Hyun stepped out.

Bang.

The man, who looked to be in his fifties, spotted us and hurried over. "Oh my, Mr. Kim. You even brought Mr. Haru with you?"

Kim Chul-Soo nodded. "Yes. He happened to be visiting today, so we stopped by before he heads back up."

"Excellent. Please come anytime in the future as well. We'd be honored to have you."

"Thank you."

After greeting Haru, Ahn Geuk-Hyun turned his gaze to me. "Are you, by any chance... Mr. Jung Yoon-Ho?"

I nodded. "Yes. I'm Jung Yoon-Ho."

The next moment, Ahn Geuk-Hyun grabbed my hand firmly and shook it. "Oh! What an honor! To meet someone so famous in person!"

'Famous? Me?'

The employees who had been buzzing over Haru now began whispering about me instead.

"Wait. That's Jung Yoon-Ho?"

"You didn't know? What other talent agent gives off that celebrity aura?"

"I heard he's worth over a hundred billion won." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Forget the money. Didn't actresses vote him number one on their marriage wish list?"

Their comments kept drifting over. This was all because of Reporter Jang Moon-Ki. I swore I would settle that score with him someday.

But right now, something more important was at stake, so I pretended not to hear the murmurs.

Then Ahn Geuk-Hyun spoke again. "If you ever consider depositing with our branch, Mr. Jung, please contact me directly. I'll offer you the highest interest rate possible. As branch manager, I can authorize a little extra."

As if I had been waiting for that, I spoke. "Alright. Then shall we go in together and hear what products you have available?"

At that moment, Ahn Geuk-Hyun cut in firmly. "I'm sorry, but for a loan extension contract, we cannot disclose the details to anyone other than the borrower. Since this is simply an extension of the existing agreement, please wait in the VIP room next door. I'll come over once we're done."

For something as simple as extending an existing contract, his tone was far too decisive. In that instant, I knew instinctively that there was something behind this.

So I immediately grabbed Kim Chul-Soo's arm. "Mr. Kim, could I speak with you alone for a moment?"

"Why all of a sudden?"

"I'll explain over there."

After a brief hesitation, Kim Chul-Soo turned to Ahn Geuk-Hyun. "Mr. Ahn, I'll just have a quick word and be right back."

Ahn Geuk-Hyun nodded, though he looked slightly displeased. "Ah, yes. Of course. But please don't take too long."

"Understood."

Kim Chul-Soo nodded and gestured toward a corner of the lobby, leading the way.

***

At the far end of the lobby about ten meters away from Haru and the branch manager, I lowered my voice.

"Mr. Kim, I'm a bit concerned about this loan extension."

"Concerned? Why?"

That was when I told him what had happened with Haru earlier. "Before lunch, Vice President Ha Ill-Kwon from HK Entertainment came and tried to lure Haru away with all kinds of sweet talk."

Kim Chul-Soo's eyes widened. "Haru and his mother would never leave Hoop Entertainment. I can guarantee that."

I nodded. "I know that better than anyone."

Kim Chul-Soo let out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."

"But I can't help being suspicious that this suddenly rescheduled loan extension might be connected to Haru's contract. For example, they might offer to extend the loan if you help persuade Haru to sign with HK Entertainment."

Kim Chul-Soo's expression hardened. "That's ridiculous—"

"I'm sorry to say this, but when our industry is dirty, it's extremely dirty. Especially Vice President Ha Ill-Kwon. He's the type who doesn't care about means or methods. And if it's HK Entertainment, they could easily use HK Inc.'s influence to pressure a bank branch."

Just then, Kim Chul-Soo looked straight into my eyes and spoke firmly. "Mr. Jung. If they attach any condition like that, I will walk out immediately. Even if I go under, I will never make a choice that could ruin my son's life."

Kim Chul-Soo needed the bank loan to keep Hyo Nursing Hospital, which he had inherited from his father. Yet he valued Haru, who had become his son, even more than the hospital.

"Understood. In that case, I'll contact Daehung Savings Bank on my end to check if refinancing is possible. Please don't sign anything rashly," I said.

"Alright."

"And I'll do my best to match whatever terms Branch Manager Ahn offers. So if you can, secretly send me the proposed loan terms via Kk Talk."

"Will do."

"And one last thing..."

As Kim Chul-Soo turned to leave, I leaned closer and whispered quietly. "Start your recording app now."

"Ah. Yes, understood."

With his back to Ahn Geuk-Hyun, who was watching us, Kim Chul-Soo discreetly activated the recording app on his phone.

"Then I'll get going."

"Okay."

Kim Chul-Soo walked into the branch manager's office with Ahn Geuk-Hyun, putting on a bright expression as if nothing was wrong.

***

Haru and I were guided by a section chief named Kim Cheong-Gi into the VIP room next to the branch manager's office.

After showing us in, Kim Cheong-Gi bowed politely. "Mr. Jung, please wait a moment. I'll prepare some refreshments first."

"No, instead of refreshments, I'd like to speak with Haru alone for a moment. Would you mind stepping out?"

Kim Cheong-Gi hesitated, then bowed and left.

Click.

As soon as the door closed, I called Choi Yung-Ho, the president of Daehung Savings Bank. He answered cheerfully.

-Chief Jung, at this rate you're going to become our bank's top VIP customer.

Since I deposited all of my earnings at Daehung Savings Bank, Choi Yung-Ho joked with me. However, I didn't have the luxury of playing along. I got straight to the point.

"Mr. Choi. Could you extend a loan?"

Choi Yung-Ho burst into laughter.

-Hahaha. I never thought I'd hear the great Chief Jung asking to borrow money. I should brag about this to the chairman.

"It's not for me."

-Ahem. I thought so. Alright then, who are you helping this time? Ten billion? Twenty?

"No. Thirty billion won."

-That's not a small amount.

"It would be a secured loan. Using the land and building of Hyo Nursing Hospital in Suwon, owned by Haru's stepfather."

-Ah, that property? That's doable. What is it, about a thousand pyeong? Or closer to two thousand? Either way, it's possible.

"That's a relief. What interest rate could you offer?"

-Hmm... If it were up to me, I'd make it free, but we have internal standards to follow. It'd be hard to go below 2.5 percent.

"Could you finalize it by Wednesday?"

-This Wednesday?

"Yes. Within three days."

-It's tight... but I think we can manage. Your voice sounds urgent though. Something going on? Even if I'm busy, tell me. You never know, I might help.

After a brief hesitation, I explained the situation. I told him that although I wasn't certain, it seemed HK Inc. might be pulling strings to tie up Haru's stepfather through this loan extension, and then use it as leverage to force Haru to move to HK Entertainment.

-Those trash bastards... Where are you right now?

"HS Savings Bank, Yeongtong Branch."

-Is the branch manager there Ahn Geuk-Hyun?

"Do you know him?"

-Know him? Of course I do. How could I not know that piece of trash?

"Trash?"

-Yeah. He used to be a team lead in a private loan collection agency. Very cunning. Close with Japanese loan sharks, too.

So sending Kim Chul-Soo in with the recording app running had been the right move. Just then, a Kk Talk message arrived from Kim Chul-Soo.

Buzz.

[Director Kim Chul-Soo: 2% interest.]

After reading it, I spoke to Choi Yung-Ho. "They're offering 2 percent. Can you match it? I can make up the difference elsewhere if necessary—"

At that moment, Choi Yung-Ho cut me off firmly.

-That's a scam. Walk away.

"Excuse me?"

-Banking is fundamentally about borrowing money at one rate and lending it out at a higher one. Even we, as the number one savings bank, can't go below 2.5 percent without taking a loss. And HS is only third in the industry. Their break-even line would be around 2.7 percent. And you're telling me a mere branch manager, not even the bank president, is offering 2 percent? Hah. That's nonsense.

"Thank you for letting me know."

-Don't mention it. I'll review the loan details on my end and call you back. Until then, stop that contract from going through.

"Understood, sir."

After hanging up, I immediately sent Kim Chul-Soo a Kk Talk message with the key point.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: It's a scam. Daehung loan possible.]

As soon as I sent the short message, I saw Haru blinking at me.

"Hyung. Is Dad in danger because of me?"

I patted Haru on the shoulder to reassure him. "Don't worry. It's practically already resolved."

Once Kim Chul-Soo came out, I planned to tell him to switch the loan immediately.

Just then, Kim Chul-Soo's booming voice echoed through the wall.

-What did you just say? Huh?

In an instant, a chill ran down my spine. I had considered everything, but I hadn't fully accounted for just how much Kim Chul-Soo cherished Haru.

'Was Branch Manager Ahn Geuk-Hyun himself the trigger?'

The Kim Chul-Soo I had seen today treasured Haru deeply. If, by any chance, Ahn Geuk-Hyun had said something out of line about his son, Kim Chul-Soo might have thrown a punch. The problem was, if he ended up being arrested, they could use a settlement as leverage and demand Haru's transfer. I had to stop that from happening.

I immediately stood up. "Haru, stay here."

Nevertheless, Haru rose and stuck close to me. "No. I'm coming with you, hyung."

"Alright."

I threw open the door and headed straight for the branch manager's office.

'Ahn Geuk-Hyun. If you really tried to create a weakness around Haru, you're finished today.'