Chapter : 33
“Ms. Yoon, this really isn’t a bad deal. Isn’t that right?”
Choi Moo-kwang asked confidently.
To be honest, it was a tempting proposal.
If the interest rate were cut in half, the monthly payment would also be halved.
Even if the interest couldn’t be paid on time, the store wouldn’t be at risk of going under.
Most importantly, it would ease his grandmother’s worry.
Her knees weren’t good, and standing all day without rest had always weighed on her. Taking medicine only helps so much.
On top of that, his father’s hospital bills weren’t small either.
It was a proposal too tempting to reject outright.
“Do I really only have to have one meal a month? Without any other conditions?”
“If a man says one thing and does another, what use would that be? Of course, leaving food on your plate, like today, wouldn’t do. At least eat properly, wouldn’t you agree?”
Iseol looked down at the meat that still covered about two-thirds of her plate.
The thought of sitting across from Choi Moo-kwang and eating with him again made her stomach knot.
Even if she was struggling just to pay the interest, was it really right to have a meal every month with a thug loan shark?
Without even knowing why he was making this offer?
When Moo-kwang twirled his fingers, a large manager waiting in the hallway stepped forward.
Iseol flinched, remembering the pain of being grabbed by him last time.
The small eyes set in his slick, oily face radiated danger.
“Did you call me?”
“How much interest is Yoon Sang-won paying?”
“I believe it’s twelve percent.”
“Cut it in half. Extend the repayment period by ten years.”
“Are you serious?”
When Moo-kwang frowned slightly, the manager immediately bowed his head.
“Understood.”
At that moment, Moo-kwang’s phone rang from inside his jacket.
“Take that call upstairs, and think it over.”
After Moo-kwang left, Iseol pulled out her phone and checked the missed call.
As expected, it was from Tae-shin.
She sent a message:
[I’m fine. Don’t worry.]
[I’m near the restaurant. Should I come get you?]
He’s near here? Did he follow the limousine? That’s dangerous. The area is crawling with Moo-kwang’s men.
[No, don’t. Please.]
[Are you really okay?]
[Yes, I’m fine.]
[Then ask to be dropped off at the nursing hospital where your father is admitted. We’ll meet there. Call me if anything happens.]
He even knew her father was in the nursing hospital.
Then he must also know Moo-kwang’s identity and what kind of company Future Credit is.
How far does his information reach?
Even as a fugitive, he seems to know everything.
It was scary to think that Tae-shin might not be what he appears to be, yet at the same time, it made her even more curious about him.
Moo-kwang returned after finishing his call.
Iseol stared at the steak plate she hadn’t touched.
She cut a piece of meat with her knife, chewed, swallowed, and then took another bite.
If she survived this, she would need a digestive pill.
The two men’s gazes fell on her.
“I really can’t do it.”
If Tae-shin found out about this situation, she had a bad feeling he wouldn’t leave Moo-kwang alone.
Tae-shin was already being chased and his life threatened, but if Moo-kwang noticed and probed, it could be disastrous.
The manager scowled and moved his massive frame.
“Has this woman lost her mind? Our master is offering his grace, and she dares to refuse? Does she want to die?”
Iseol hunched her shoulders and turned her head. Moo-kwang raised his hand to stop the manager.
“You, get out.”
“Sir…”
“Can’t you see our teacher’s scared?”
When Moo-kwang raised his voice sharply, the manager backed down without a word.
“…I’m too scared to eat together. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to refuse.”
“Scared, yet you speak so clearly.”
“You promised not to hurt me.”
“I did. Well, if you dislike it that much, it can’t be helped.”
So she was letting it slide.
Moo-kwang stared at Iseol for a moment, then instructed his staff to bring dessert.
Three desserts were placed on the table.
“I didn’t know what you’d like.”
Iseol chose the strawberry shortcake with fresh cream.
“The private loan market isn’t like it used to be. With maximum interest rate regulations and constant government interference…”
“…?”
“I’ve been lenient because of your situation, but it can’t continue. From next month, you’ll have to pay back the principal as well.”
She suspected he wouldn’t go easy, and she was right.
“Choi Moo-kwang, you really are a thug, aren’t you?”
“But at least for Ms. Yoon Iseol, I can try to be a gentleman. Just think it over.”
Moo-kwang, who had finished his wine without touching the desserts, handed her his business card.
“If you change your mind or need to say anything, contact this number. It’s my direct line.”
Back in the staff locker room, Iseol folded her dress neatly, placed it in the box, and returned it to Moo-kwang.
As promised, he ensured she left without a hair out of place.
Iseol asked to be dropped off at the nursing hospital, as Tae-shin had instructed.
Moo-kwang suddenly had business to attend to and ordered his men to see her there safely.
It was only after the limousine was completely out of sight that Iseol finally relaxed.
She reached for her phone to call Tae-shin when someone draped an arm around her shoulder and led her.
Startled, she looked up to see Tae-shin, his hat pulled low.
He took her to a black car parked behind the funeral home.
There was no funeral; the place was quiet.
“How did you know I was here?”
The man in the driver’s seat had a tense expression.
It was an unexpected look.
“Is that important now? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. Just a little indigestion.”
“Huh.”
“You… worried a lot?”
“Did you know what kind of guy he is and still follow him? Alone? To an empty restaurant? What did you think he would do—reckless!”
He was angry. No, it wasn’t just anger; it was a complex mix of emotions.
“I had no choice. If I hadn’t gone, my grandmother and the other guests could’ve been hurt.”
“You should have called the police, or me, or found another way.”
“He promised he wouldn’t hurt me. We were only supposed to have a meal together.”
“You believe that promise?”
“….”
“Why? Because he seems to like you?”
Before she could marvel at his uncanny insight, he pressed further.
“Didn’t you think it might be more dangerous because of that? Do you really think a thug who stabs someone’s stomach with a sashimi knife would have a conscience?”
The harshness of his words made her instinctively frown.
For the first time, Iseol realized Tae-shin wasn’t all that different from Choi Moo-kwang in terms of his world.
His intense expression was as chilling as Moo-kwang’s.
Although she felt forced to follow at the time, she could now understand why Tae-shin was worried and angry.
“Tae-shin, you won’t hurt me either, right?”
“That’s…!”
His tone grew calmer after a deep breath.
“You saved my life. I have no reason to hurt you. But he’s different.”
“I’m sorry I worried you. But he also has no reason to hurt me. I’m his nephew’s teacher, after all.”
“That doesn’t mean anything to guys like him.”
“Anyway, I’m back safely. Calm down. You’re really scary when you’re angry.”
The fire in his eyes gradually faded.
For someone usually so calm and restrained, this display of emotion felt unusual.
“I’m not angry. Sorry if it sounded that way.”
Tae-shin exhaled slowly, as if calming himself, and ran his hand through Iseol’s hair, checking she was unharmed.
