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𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 | 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐋 BLOODHOUNDS
After the loss of the restaurant, the young girl, Tori, found herself thrust into a world she had never imagined. At just nineteen, she was suddenly responsible for navigating the complexities of adult life in the wake of devastating financial ruin exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The days that followed were a blur of bureaucratic meetings, legal consultations, and attempts to salvage what little remained of her grandparents' payments. Tori had no experience in managing a business, let alone a struggling restaurant, but necessity became her mentor. She quickly learned about debts, creditors knocking on the door, and the harsh realities of bankruptcy.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Tori was determined to honor her grandparents' restaurant and their hard work. With the help of a few loyal employees who had been with the restaurant since its inception, she decided to reopen, albeit on a smaller scale. They cleaned, renovated what they could afford, and devised a streamlined menu that focused on the restaurant's most beloved dishes.
Word spread slowly among the locals about Tori's efforts. Some patrons returned out of nostalgia, others out of sympathy for her plight. The initial days were a struggle to break even, but Tori refused to give up. She took odd jobs during the day to keep the restaurant afloat and spent her nights poring over financial statements and marketing strategies.
Though... all went down hill after multiple employees started getting COVID. Several employees fell ill, and despite her best efforts to comply with safety protocols, the restaurant had to close temporarily. This left Tori into going bankrupt again and sadly she was on the brick of closing the shop. The loss of income during this period pushed Tori to the brink of financial collapse once more.
Until she was met with loan shark, Park Min-jung. Min made a deal with Tori about an interest rate... and illegal interest rate. Min-jung, sensed Tori's vulnerability, proposed a deal that seemed too good to be true—a substantial loan to cover expenses with a repayment plan that initially appeared manageable — obviously Tori what she was doing, but she did have faith in herself that the deal would go smoothly. However, buried deep within the contract were clauses detailing exorbitant interest rates and severe penalties for any missed payments. That's the part Tori forgot about.
The interest rates soared, far beyond what Tori could realistically afford. Each passing week brought more aggressive demands from Smile Capitals enforcers. They would loiter outside the restaurant, intimidating patrons and the two staff who still worked there. She found herself isolated, unable to seek help from those she once trusted. Sleepless nights became the norm as she struggled to keep up with payments, sacrificing her own wages and personal well-being to stave off the looming threat of foreclosure.
You see, her grandparents owned 8,067,600 won. 8 . Million . Won — which is 6,000 USD dollars.
Despite her efforts, the debts continued to pile up. Min-jung's demands grew more brazen, threatening to seize the restaurant if Tori couldn't come up with a substantial payment within a week. Desperation drove Tori to consider risky options—borrowing from other lenders at even higher interest rates or selling what little remained of her grandparents' belongings.
