Her eyes glistened.
She remembered the countless times Nia sang around their apartment as a teenager, unaware that the same voice would one day bring comfort to a stranger thousands of miles away.
Near the back, Holloway stood motionless.
He'd heard Nia sing at the restaurant.
But this was different.
There was no wager.
No laughter.
And no attempt to prove anyone wrong.
The song belonged to the two people singing it.
When the performance ended, Soo-bin looked toward Nia.
Her eyes were bright.
Nia smiled.
For a moment, the little girl seemed almost surprised by what she'd accomplished.
Then she laughed.
The sound carried through the room.
Min-jae stood.
Ji-eun rose beside him.
Then other audience members began standing, applauding the students with genuine warmth.
Within seconds, nearly everyone in the hall was on their feet.
Nia looked toward the crowd.
She saw Denise smiling through tears.
Malik clapping beside her.
Sun-hee holding Mrs. Park's hand.
And Holloway standing near the back, his expression solemn.
The contrast struck Nia.
At Haneul, the room stood because a powerful businessman recognized her as the stranger who helped his daughter.
Tonight, people were standing because music had brought them together.
The difference mattered.
Nia bowed gently.
Then looked toward Soo-bin.
The child took her hand.
For several seconds, they stood together beneath the warm lights.
Then Soo-bin leaned closer and whispered in Korean.
"언니, 이제 이 노래 들으면 행복해요."
Now this song makes me happy.
Nia felt tears gathering.
She squeezed the child's hand.
"나도 그래."
Me too.
And for the first time, the memory of the Seoul subway station felt entirely free of fear.
After the concert, Holloway approached Nia near the entrance.
Caroline stood a few steps behind him, speaking with Sun-hee about children's music lessons.
The millionaire waited until Nia finished greeting several students.
Then he spoke.
"That was beautiful."
Nia smiled politely.
"Thank you."
For a moment, he seemed uncertain.
Then looked toward the photographs covering the hallway.
"I didn't understand this place."
Nia studied him.
Holloway continued.
"I thought the building was the problem. Old rooms, expensive repairs, inefficient use of property."
He paused.
"But I wasn't thinking about what would disappear while the new building was being constructed."
Nia nodded slowly.
"That's what we've been trying to explain."
He looked toward her.
"I know."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then he said.
"I've told Elaine to proceed with the revised plan and bring the financing options to the board."
Nia felt her heart quicken.