The millionaire froze.
For a moment, he looked toward Elaine.
Then back at Lena.
"We're planning a new cultural facility."
The teenager nodded.
"But where will we practice while you're building it?"
Holloway hesitated.
The answer he normally gave was about temporary relocation.
Development schedules.
Future improvements.
But Lena was looking at him as a student who needed a room next Thursday.
Not as an investor evaluating a five-year financial model.
Finally, he answered.
"We're reviewing that."
Lena lowered her eyes.
For a moment, her expression seemed disappointed.
Then she said quietly.
"My mom works nights. She can't take me across Queens for lessons."
Holloway didn't answer.
Nia watched him.
For the first time, he seemed to understand that a relocation plan wasn't merely a line in a budget.
It was a decision that determined whether a child could continue learning.
The tour ended in Sun-hee's office.
Holloway stood beside the cluttered desk, studying the photographs on the wall.
One showed Denise Brooks teaching a choir of children nearly ten years earlier.
Another showed Malik at twelve, grinning behind a set of borrowed drums.
There were graduation photographs, thank-you notes, and pictures of students who had gone on to perform professionally or teach music themselves.
Holloway looked toward the collection.
For several seconds, he remained quiet.
Then he turned toward Nia.
"How long have you been involved here?"
She considered the question.
"Since I was fourteen."
His expression changed.
"Fourteen?"
She nodded.
"My mother taught here. I studied Korean here. My brother learned drums here."
He looked back at the photographs.
For a moment, the magnitude of the place's history seemed to reach him.
Then he cleared his throat.
"Well, the new center would be larger."
Nia remained calm.
"Possibly."
Holloway frowned.
She continued.
"But a larger building doesn't help students who lose their classes before it opens."
Elaine nodded.
The millionaire looked toward her.
For several seconds, he seemed irritated.
Then he asked whether the proposed phased construction plan could be incorporated into the development.
Elaine explained that it was possible, but the budget and schedule would require major revision.
Holloway sighed.
"Which means lower returns."
Nia didn't argue.
She understood that investors expected returns.
But she also understood that a project advertised as preserving culture had to account for what would happen to the people creating that culture.
She looked toward Holloway.
"Then perhaps the numbers need to tell the truth about what preservation costs."
The millionaire stared.
For a moment, his jaw tightened.
Then he looked away.
He didn't apologize.