The first bank Leo visited that day was Campbell Bank. The teller who served him was the very same girl now lying in bed upstairs. When she learned Leo was applying for a veteran loan, her attitude turned icy and sarcastic.
Leo wasn't one to take that lying down. He started mocking her—how she acted like a boss despite being just an employee. Leo, a man from the future, had mastered the art of swearing without swearing. Within minutes, the girl was sobbing. And right as her tears began to fall, her "knight in shining armor" arrived.
Dieter.
Leo knew Dieter. He was ten years older and had been Leo's neighbor growing up. A decade ago, Dieter had become the talk of the town when he married Teresa—a 41-year-old wealthy widow and partial owner of Campbell Bank. People never said it out loud, but no one respected Dieter.
In fact, the very first mission of Leo's rebellious Lynchburg Gang back in the day was to crash Dieter's wedding. And after that? Leo had routinely spied on the man and loudly spread the word around town that Dieter was a "five-second man."
So, unsurprisingly, Dieter despised Leo. During this latest encounter, two security guards were called to escort Leo out of the bank.
But Leo didn't mind—he'd gotten exactly what he wanted: confirmation that Dieter and the bank girl had an affair. Originally, Leo had planned to assign Charlie to watch them for a while, just in case. But he never expected the man to be this impatient and rush in to comfort the girl right away.
"You… what are you doing here?" Dieter gasped from the floor, half-naked and panicked.
"Delivering justice for poor Mrs. Teresa," Leo said mockingly. "Dieter, you're even worse than before. From five seconds to three, huh?"
He waved the tiny camera in his hand.
"You—!"
Dieter turned pale. He was the manager of Campbell Bank—but only because of Teresa's support. If she found out about this affair, he'd be done for.
"You want a loan, right?" Dieter grumbled. "Fine. I'll approve it tomorrow. Just give me the film."
Leo squatted beside him, patted his cheek, and said:
"You still don't understand the situation, Dieter. Actually, I'm starting a company, and we're a bit short on funds. How about... say, a $10,000 loan?"
"You're insane, Leo. The veteran loan caps at $2,000."
"That's your problem."
Leo shook the camera again.
Dieter suddenly remembered hearing about a blackmail case from a Campbell County sheriff at a banquet. His eyes flickered.
"I can scrape together $15,000. That's all I have in savings."
"You think I'm stupid, Dieter?" Leo snorted. "All I want is a loan. I'll prepare the collateral—and whether it meets the criteria or not, I'm sure a seasoned bank manager like yourself can figure it out.
Also… I've got a few friends who'll be coming soon to apply for their own veteran loans. I want you to push them through too. Approve the funds by the next day. Just like you said."
That last part made Dieter panic. His already-shaky nerves snapped.
"No way! If I approve that many veteran loans, HQ will dock our branch's entire year-end bonus!"
"Your biggest bonus in life is Mrs. Teresa," Leo replied smoothly. "Take my advice, Dieter—protect your current lifestyle."
—
"Why did it take so long to get a signature?"
Back at the hotel front desk, the receptionist asked.
"The manager had a few questions," Leo replied calmly.
It was already close to noon when Leo stepped out. Luckily, his second destination—the jewelry store—was just down the block.
Feiss Jewelers also doubled as a pawn shop. Its owner, Feiss, was a sixth-generation craftsman. They were old acquaintances. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Leo produced three pounds of gold foil.
Feiss examined it and said, "48 ounces. I'll give you market price plus $15 per ounce."
Leo frowned. In New York, the black-market rate was closer to $61 an ounce.
Feiss shrugged. "Two months ago, I was paying $65. But lately, too many returning veterans have been showing up. This is the best I can do."
Leo nodded. Fair enough. He wasn't the only one smuggling spoils of war.
He walked away with $2,400. Then he spent $120 on a beautiful pair of earrings.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
Emily beamed as she put on the earrings. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed Leo deeply.
Though she came from a wealthy family and owned countless pieces of jewelry, these earrings held special meaning—they were the first gift Leo had given her.
"So tacky. Gold jewelry? Really?"
A voice cut in from behind. It was Carlo—and Johnny.
Emily frowned and retorted sharply:
"I think they're lovely, Carlo. And it's none of your business."
Leo noticed something. Whether standing up to her brother or now confronting Carlo, Emily was fierce and assertive.
But only in front of him did she show her softer, gentler side.
Carlo's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. Emily's words—"none of your business"—cut deep. Rage flickered in his eyes as he glared at Leo, then stormed into the theater with Johnny.
Emily found Carlo's behavior odd. Just days ago, they'd been laughing together at the bar.
In response to her concern, Leo briefly told her about what happened yesterday morning.
Emily began to suspect that Carlo's obsession with the 20% stake might be connected to her family's recent problems. She'd heard about the workers' growing anger, and about Uncle Ricardo stepping down as union leader.
It all unsettled her.
Her father, Michael, had locked himself inside the lumber mill for two months now. Aside from Jack, he saw no one—not even her.
Leo saw the worry on her face and gently pulled her into an embrace.
"So, what movie are we seeing today?" he asked softly.
"Leave Her to Heaven, I think."
"Leo!"
Leo turned to see Dot coming toward him, holding the hand of little Dolores, who wore a bright pink princess dress.
Dot looked excited as he hurried over. But due to his disability, his movements were clumsy—and drool ran from the corner of his mouth, causing people nearby to laugh.
But Dot and Dolores were used to it. They'd always been laughed at—but those same people often helped them when it really mattered.
Leo embraced Dot tightly, ignoring the drool.
When they were younger, Leo had once bullied Dot. Ricardo had found out and beat him soundly. Later, when Leo nearly drowned in the river, it was Dot who saved him.
In return, Leo had gone out of his way to help Dot over the years. But after Dot got swindled into a marriage, Leo distanced himself—he disliked the woman.
Still, their bond remained strong. After so long apart, both were emotional.
Meanwhile, Dolores squealed and threw herself into Emily's arms. She adored Emily—who had gifted her that very princess dress.
Leo learned that it was Carlo who had given Dot the movie tickets. He didn't think much of it. After all, Carlo had always looked after Dot and his daughter within the Lynchburg Gang.