Benefactor
Park Dong-min, an employee in the credit team, had started tailing Min-ho because of an offer too tempting to refuse—but he was quickly made. He could only return home safely after accepting the counteroffer. An unexpected turn had complicated everything, but his options were few. And to top it off, he had a pile of urgent tasks ahead.
At 5 a.m., when others were still asleep, he rose early and boarded a bus to the hospital where his mother was staying. Leaning his head against the window, his face was etched with worry. He didn't know the full details, but he was keenly aware he was caught in the middle of a power struggle among the elite.
What Park feared wasn't people—it was money, far more terrifying. If either side failed to keep their promises, he'd lose his job and his livelihood. It was a suffocating situation, but he couldn't turn back now.
I should've turned down that offer from Director Seo back then... He sighed with regret, but it was too late to take it back.
Soon, Park Dong-min arrived at the hospital. He couldn't burden his mother with his worries. Forcing a smile, he flung open the door to her room.
His mother, who had been waiting endlessly for her son, sat up in bed with a beaming smile at the sight of him.
"I told you not to come, son. You must be tired—get at least one more hour of sleep. Did you eat?"
"Yeah, I got up early, made some food, and came out."
"I'm really fine now, so don't come tomorrow. Got it?"
"It's on my way to work, so it's no trouble. How's your body feeling?"
"Much better since the surgery. I slept so deeply last night—first time in months."
She couldn't miss the shadow on her son's face. A mother's intuition caught his distress.
"Here I am, your mom, can't even support you, just dragging you down..."
"I told you not to say that."
"I'm okay now, so let's talk to the doctor about discharge later when he comes by, okay?"
"Mom, you had heart surgery. Where would you go? You need months more here. Might even need another operation."
She knew their finances were tight. It felt like she was lying in that bed, selling her son's blood. Helplessness wrapped around him like a shroud.
Instead of her quiet sigh weighing on him, the son comforted her.
"Don't worry about money. Just focus on getting better, okay?"
As the eldest son, he shouldered the family's entire burden. His mother's unspoken pain festered slowly.
"If only your dad were alive... You wouldn't have to go through this."
"I'm the eldest son and the head of this house. It's my duty."
"Next year, our youngest starts college... And we used all that tuition money on my surgery."
"I've got the tuition saved separately. There's another account you don't know about."
"Really?"
"Who do you think I am? Your son's at a big corporation. Stop worrying and let's eat breakfast."
It was a white lie he had no choice but to tell. Repeated hospitalizations and surgeries had drained every penny Park had left. He was scraping by on his monthly salary alone.
After tidying the room, Park straightened his tie, grabbed his bag.
"Seong-min will come this afternoon, and I'll stop by again tonight."
"I told you to rest."
"I'll be back. Take your meds properly."
The forced smile didn't last long. Closing the door behind him, Park let out a deep sigh.
Payday was next week, but it wouldn't cover his mother's bills. With living expenses and his youngest sibling's upcoming college tuition, his shoulders felt heavier than ever.
He trudged to the hospital billing office.
"Hello, Section Chief."
"I was just about to call you—perfect timing."
"This month's bill was high, right?"
"Including the overdue amount, you owe about 600,000 won this month. As you know, heart treatments have a lot not covered by insurance."
No matter that he worked at a big company—a first-year employee's salary was only 500,000 won. The monthly bills felt like a noose tightening around his neck.
"Um... This might be shameless, but could I pay in installments?"
Park had a history of late payments and delinquencies. Desperate, he came every month begging for extensions. The section chief always sighed.
But today, her response was different.
"No need to worry about money anymore, guardian."
"Pardon? What do you mean? No more money worries?"
"Not just the 600,000 won I mentioned—everything owed and future bills have been fully paid."
It was unbelievable. Stunned, Park pressed her.
"What? My mother's the only one who could pay her bills. Must be a mistake."
"Yesterday, near closing time, a sharp-dressed man in sunglasses showed up out of nowhere."
"A man?"
"He confirmed your mother's name and tossed a thick envelope before leaving."
"What did he look like? Height? Age?"
Though it was just yesterday, she pondered before answering.
"Young. Couldn't be over 30. Smooth skin like a rich heir, polite speech, hair about my length."
"How much did he pay?"
"Tossed the envelope—ten million won inside. You'll probably get change back when she discharges."
"I... really?"
"Why would a fellow wage slave lie? Anyway, that's the situation."
"Ah... Understood. Thank you."
It was baffling. He racked his brain but drew a blank. Checking the time, he hurried to a payphone to report.
"Director Seo, Park Dong-min here."
"Yeah, how'd it go yesterday?"
"As I said, except the first day, he drinks late every night."
"Agent Lee Min-ho drinks? No way. You must've seen wrong, Park."
"No, sir. Started with lunch soju, and yesterday he was at an Apgujeong nightclub till 4 a.m."
Director Seo sighed deeply.
"Really? Can you get photos if possible?"
"I'll do my best."
"I'm counting on you. You know what happens if this goes well?"
"Yes, sir. I do."
"See your face around tomorrow then."
***
At Min-ho's residence, to steer his second life successfully, Min-ho moved ceaselessly. He never skipped his morning workout, starting the day with the newspaper and news at set times.
Towel-drying his hair as he emerged from the bathroom, Lawyer Choi spoke.
"The ladies have the day off today. I'll prepare breakfast."
"Looking forward to your cooking for once, Lawyer."
"Egg custard and kimchi stew—your favorites."
"Can't wait."
Pausing on his way to the kitchen, Choi hesitantly broached the subject.
"What are your plans for President Kang Myeong-seon?"
"Even if she's family, if she draws her sword first, we cut off her head."
"Athena has the capital edge. We could proceed with acquisition, but as an affiliate, we should check Chairman's mood first."
"Exactly. He'd hate seeing it as family infighting."
"Do you have a specific plan?"
Folding the newspaper and setting it on the table, Min-ho replied.
"You can connect me with Gwak Hee-do, manager at Sangmyung Bank Myeongdong branch, right?"
"Yes, Korea University senior—personal friend. Easy."
"Set up a meeting. Noon tomorrow. You'll learn why later."
"Understood."
Min-ho's depths remained unfathomable. One more puzzle: Park Dong-min.
"Young master, maybe I'm overthinking, but may I say something?"
"Of course."
"About that Park employee last time. I still can't trust him."
"What didn't sit right?"
"He's not even 30, a newbie, and that trembling fear—unsettling."
Min-ho smiled, reviewing Park Dong-min's file again.
"Offered three times Director Seo's amount, plus mom's hospital bills and brother's tuition. Hard to refuse."
"I get the situation, but he's unvetted. We risk betrayal if we trust rashly."
"It's fine. He's probably at the gate by now."
"What?"
Min-ho rose, parted the curtains. Park waited as instructed.
"Paid his mom's hospital bill yesterday. Gave some orders too."
"That hospital visit yesterday—was that Park's mom?"
Min-ho nodded.
"At my age, dating all night or clubbing till dawn is normal. Why do you think he took Director Seo's offer?"
"Family?"
"Right. Not greed—mom's heart surgery bills and brother's tuition. Does he have room for double thoughts?"
"If I were him, I'd choose the same."
A choice made knowing the cliff's edge. Impossible without loving family fiercely. Min-ho knew his story well.
"He went to the hospital this morning. Probably skipped breakfast. Add an extra place setting."
"Bringing him inside..."
"It's okay. If he were that type, I wouldn't have offered."
Min-ho pressed the button, opening the gate. After hesitating, Park cautiously approached the entrance.
Min-ho opened the door; Park bowed hastily.
"Good morning, Agent. Credit team employee Park Dong-min."
"Anyone'd think I'd eat you alive. Skipped breakfast, right? Come in."
"Pardon? Inside?"
"Gonna stand out there? Come on."
"Ah... Yes, sir."
Inside, Park still floundered. Min-ho handed him juice.
"Caregiving's no joke. Drink this and wait. Breakfast's ready."
"I'm... really fine."
"Treat it like your home. Relax."
"Thank you. Cheers."
Calming his racing heart, Park eyed Min-ho closely.
Probably the guy who paid mom's bill... Matches the description. Should I ask?
Breakfast ready, Min-ho called.
"Come sit here."
"Yes, Agent."
At the table, it felt like sitting on thorns. After glancing around, Park picked up his utensils.
"How is it? Tasty?"
"Delicious."
Stiff smile, hands faintly shaking. Min-ho chuckled, steering the talk.
"What'd you report to Director Seo?"
"As you said—at a nightspot in Apgujeong till 4 a.m."
"His reaction?"
"Seemed puzzled. Asked for evidence if possible."
"Keep it up."
Min-ho was using Park in reverse to feed Kang Myeong-seon false intel. Just the prelude to tightening the noose.
After much hesitation, Park ventured.
"Agent... one question?"
"Shoot. What's up?"
"Well... I heard someone paid my mom's hospital bill last night. Description matches you, so..."
Min-ho set down his utensils, nodded.
"Yeah. Seemed tight, so I covered it. Billing say short?"
"No... that's not..."
Park set down his utensils, head bowed, shoulders heaving as tears flowed.
His unspoken burdens had festered to bursting. Endless bills, money squeezing tighter. A solitary war against debt with no end.
Min-ho's lifeline—he couldn't ignore the gratitude. He just wept bitterly, head down.
Min-ho and Choi said nothing, waiting silently.
Minutes later, wiping tears, Park confessed.
"Truth is... hospital bills had me desperate. Savings gone ages ago, borrowed from everyone."
"No one left to help, credit shot, just salary coming in—never enough."
"So... I was looking into private loans this month."
"I promised the money."
"Never dreamed you'd help like this. It'll take time, but I'll repay every won."
Min-ho patted his shoulder.
"It's business because there's profit. No pressure. Just keep doing this."
"Got it. Truly grateful. I'll give my all."
Min-ho turned to Choi.
"Time to lay more smoke. Lawyer, handle what I mentioned. I'll take photos with this guy today."
"Photos?"
"Explain later. For now, that."
"Understood."
Min-ho drew the blade to behead Myeong-seon. The real plan began.