He was sitting in his office on Madison Avenue when an assistant told him that Min-jae had toured East River Music House without notifying the development team.
For several seconds, Holloway stared at her.
Then he demanded to know who arranged the visit.
The assistant hesitated.
She didn't know.
But she mentioned that the waitress from Haneul had accompanied the investor.
Holloway's expression darkened.
"Of course she did."
He stood.
Walked toward the window.
And looked down at the traffic far below.
For months, his company had been developing an ambitious proposal for the waterfront site.
The project would include luxury residences, retail space, and a new cultural facility designed to appeal to international investors seeking a combination of financial returns and public reputation.
The music center was useful.
Its presence allowed the development to be marketed as culturally responsible.
But Holloway had never spent an afternoon listening to its students.
He'd seen photographs.
Read occupancy statistics.
And approved financial projections prepared by consultants.
He believed the existing building was outdated and inefficient.
He also believed sentimental attachment to old properties often prevented cities from making profitable improvements.
The problem was that Min-jae didn't want merely a profitable real estate investment.
He wanted a project that supported music education in a meaningful way.
And now the investor had discovered that the people running the center didn't believe Holloway's plan would preserve their work.
Holloway turned toward his assistant.
"Get me the project director."
She nodded.
He continued.
"And find out exactly what that waitress has been telling him."
The project director was Elaine Porter, fifty-one, a respected architect and urban development manager who had spent twenty years overseeing complicated construction projects.
Elaine wasn't dishonest.
She understood the difference between marketing language and contractual obligations, and she'd warned Holloway several times that the relocation arrangements for East River Music House remained unresolved.
But she also understood the pressure to keep projects moving.
When Holloway called, she was reviewing engineering reports.
He didn't bother with a greeting.
"Why is Han touring the building with a waitress?"
Elaine paused.
"I wasn't aware he'd scheduled a visit."
Holloway's voice hardened.
"Well, he did."
She took a slow breath.
"Then perhaps we should invite him to review the full plan."
Holloway laughed bitterly.
"He's already hearing the community's complaints."
Elaine remained calm.
"The community has legitimate questions about the relocation schedule."
He didn't answer immediately.
Then said.
"Don't tell me you've joined their campaign."
She frowned.
"Grant, I've told you for months that a six-month interruption isn't supported by the current construction schedule."