Awakening of Patient 1
That evening, the director of Sunyang Medical Center felt all his energy drain away upon hearing the unexpected visit and explanation from Director Lee Hak-jae.
Missing the chairman’s brain tumor was a blunder that could send the entire leadership of Sunyang Medical Center packing.
“Anyway, you must keep the chairman’s tumor a secret. And you said he had a regular check-up last month?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Gather all the data. We need to verify it.”
With trembling hands, the director picked up the phone. As he collected the examination data, he hoped there would be no trace of the brain tumor as he headed to Myungin University Hospital.
When he opened the door to Chairman Jin’s room, he was greeted with a bright expression on the chairman’s face. Relieved, he cautiously suggested, “Chairman, how about transferring to Sunyang Medical Center now? We have many skilled surgeons like Professor Jang Jun-hyuk.”
“My friend, do you think I came here because I don’t trust our medical center? I’ve heard so much about Jang Jun-hyuk in the medical community that I came to scout him. Just wait. I’ll bring him to you, so make good use of him. Haha.”
Despite the smile and laughter, the director knew not to be deceived. He had to be prepared for the chairman’s unpredictable wrath.
“But tell me, what happened with the tumor? Didn’t you say everything was fine just a month ago?”
As expected, he was being held accountable. One mistake here, and it was over.
On the way to Myungin University Hospital, the doctors from Sunyang Medical Center kept sending messages. No matter how much they checked, they couldn’t find the tumor. He had no choice but to trust their expertise.
“I’m sorry to say, but we couldn’t detect the tumor a month ago. It seems to be an acute tumor. We haven’t checked the CT yet, so I can’t say for sure.”
“So you’re saying it wasn’t there during the comprehensive check-up?”
“Yes, Chairman. Dozens of doctors thoroughly examined and confirmed it. Please trust us.”
Looking like a defendant pleading innocence, Chairman Jin frowned.
“No! What did I say? I’m just confirming. You’re making me feel awkward for no reason.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
He bowed repeatedly, but it was too late. The chairman’s mood had soured, and naturally, he was dismissed.
“You can leave now. I need to rest. Oh, and make sure you’re the only one who knows I’m having surgery here. You understand, right?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
The director left, sweating, while Director Lee brought Professor Jang Jun-hyuk to the room.
“Oh, Professor Jang. Isn’t it troublesome to come and go because of me?”
“Not at all, Chairman. It’s my duty as your attending physician. Don’t worry.”
“Have you checked?”
“Yes.”
Professor Jang handed over a thick envelope.
“I’ve reviewed Sunyang Medical Center’s results, but it’s hard to say anything definitive.”
“Why is that?”
“I was looking for a tumor, while the doctors at Sunyang were checking for abnormalities. It’s a different approach.”
It was hard to tell if he was making excuses for his fellow doctors or stating a fact.
“Hmm… That could be.”
“Yes. If I hadn’t known about the tumor, I might have concluded there was nothing wrong.”
“Is it there?”
“Yes. Even a month ago, there were very faint traces. So, the mutation must have started back then.”
Chairman Jin nodded lightly, saying nothing more, so Professor Jang cautiously added his opinion.
“I hope you won’t blame the doctors at Sunyang Medical Center for this. It’s neither their mistake nor incompetence.”
Chairman Jin’s sharp gaze pierced Professor Jang’s brow.
“I’ll handle that. It’s a family matter.”
With a stern look and an uncomfortable expression, Professor Jang quickly bowed.
“I’m sorry. I overstepped.”
When he looked up again, Chairman Jin’s expression had softened.
“By the way… have you thought about it?”
“About what? Oh, I still need to discuss it with my family and consider my ties with Myungin…”
Watching him scratch his head, Chairman Jin chuckled.
“No need to play hard to get. I’ve already promised you the best treatment. A real man forges his own path. Who are you asking for permission?”
Professor Jang seemed to take the chairman’s words to heart and bowed again.
“I’ll keep your wise words in mind. I’ll decide soon.”
As Professor Jang left, showing confidence, Chairman Jin turned to Lee Hak-jae.
“What do you think? It doesn’t seem intentional, does it?”
“According to Professor Jang, it wasn’t a mistake. They said it was hard for anyone to find.”
“That’s true, but…”
Chairman Jin’s suspicions hadn’t entirely vanished.
A hospital hiding a brain tumor, a timely car accident. It all seemed orchestrated by someone.
Though vague, the suspicion lingered.
Lee Hak-jae understood Chairman Jin’s feelings well.
Even from his perspective, the fog of doubt hadn’t cleared.
When suspicion lingers, you must investigate. Both men agreed on that.
“Let’s do this. Keep an eye on the director.”
“I’ve already arranged it. I’ll make sure he doesn’t blab anywhere.”
It’s not about monitoring his discretion. It’s about finding out who he’s in contact with.
“Good, and in a couple of months, call a board meeting and dismiss him.”
“Are you saying to fire him?”
Chairman Jin nodded.
“No matter how I think about it, it feels off. Let him go.”
“Understood.”
It’s not just about feeling uneasy. It’s about distancing from someone suspicious.
And two days later, Chairman Jin lay on the operating table for tumor removal, and Professor Jang Jun-hyuk, known as the “hand of God,” completed the surgery with ease.
By then, it was impossible to keep it from the media, and the group’s PR department had to release a statement.
Naturally, they didn’t disclose the full truth. They omitted the word “brain” and emphasized it was a simple tumor removal with no health concerns.
As the largest advertiser, the media made sure not to get a single word wrong, and there was no further investigation. There was no need to linger around the hospital and bother Chairman Jin’s family.
The children waiting outside the operating room never got to see Chairman Jin. They only heard Lee Hak-jae’s cold words that they couldn’t meet him until he fully recovered.
Chairman Jin needed more time. Until he was sure none of his children were up to anything foolish, he would remain in his hospital room.
Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-seok regained consciousness ten days after the surgery.
He had been informed, but he waited. There were family members who had been far more anxious than him. It was only right to let them have their time and wait until their tears turned to smiles.
Two more days passed, and I visited Assistant Manager Kim’s hospital room, timing it when his family wasn’t there, with a nervous heart.
As I entered the room, I met the eyes of Assistant Manager Kim, who was wrapped in casts and bandages.
“Thank you.”
That was all I could say as I bowed my head.
Assistant Manager Kim just smiled at me without saying anything else.
“I heard you woke up two days ago. I wanted to rush over, but I held back to give you time with your family. I hope you understand.”
He continued to smile, which made me a bit uneasy.
“Is it difficult for you to speak?”
“No, it’s just that some words are a bit confusing, but I’m fine.”
“I have many questions, but I’ll ask them slowly. Please take it easy for now.”
As I released his hand, which I had been holding tightly, he spoke with a smile.
“Director, you can go ahead and ask. After resting for ten days, I’m itching to talk. Haha.”
I sat back down beside him.
“Then, could you tell me about the day of the accident? As much as you remember.”
He wasn’t fully recovered yet. It might be difficult for him to answer my questions, so it seemed better to let him talk as much as he wanted.
“Well… I thought the chairman’s escort vehicle was following, but only one car was moving. You told me to go home, but leaving at dawn seemed a bit unprofessional…”
A sheepish smile appeared on his face, and he blushed slightly.
“Actually, I had just changed cars, you know? I wanted to break in the new car and see how it handled, so I followed. It was dawn, so the roads were bound to be clear.”
He hadn’t followed me out of duty. There was a bit of personal interest, which explained his change in expression.
“I see. Changing cars turned out to be a stroke of luck in many ways. Despite the severe accident, you survived.”
His expression changed again, this time becoming serious.
“Director.”
“Yes.”
“About the accident… I can’t be sure, but it didn’t seem like the truck just veered off course. It was waiting.”
“Waiting?”
“I’m not certain, but that’s how it appeared.”
Was it not an accident but a staged one?
The unease that had been lurking in my heart resurfaced.
Who could it be?
This question had two parts.
Who was the perpetrator, and who was the target?
Could it be that the chairman kept his condition a secret because of similar unease?
Putting aside my doubts, I looked at Assistant Manager Kim and slowly spoke.
I needed to ask a truly important question.
“This might sound awkward, but please don’t misunderstand. I’m not accusing or questioning you, nor am I doubting your intentions.”
I took a moment to catch my breath.
“Why did you sacrifice yourself? You could have died. Surviving was nothing short of a miracle.”
“You mean why I rammed the truck?”
“Yes.”
“Well… I trusted the car. I thought, with a BMW 7 Series sedan, surely I wouldn’t die…”
The answer I was looking for hadn’t come yet. Assistant Manager Kim took a deep breath and continued.
“In that brief moment, I think I made a decision. This is the perfect opportunity for the best deal! That’s what I thought.”
“A deal? Oh…!”
“Do you remember? When Team Leader Shin and I first decided to work for you, you said something. You don’t demand loyalty; it’s just a transaction. You would provide us with plenty of money, and in return, we would offer something in exchange.”
“Yes, I remember.”
Loyalty only requires the heart, but a deal needs the mind. Without skill and ability, deals are bound to fall apart.
I had said it to motivate them for self-improvement, but I never expected it to be interpreted this way.
“After I woke up from the coma, I thought long and hard. How much is this deal worth? I wrote your life and future on one side of the contract, but what should I write on the other side to make it a fair trade?”
Kim’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me.
“Now, it’s your turn to fill in the blank. Something worthy of exchanging for your life and future. Heh.”
The confidence in that laugh. The assertive tone. He doesn’t look like a mere servant pledging blind loyalty.
This person has grown up all at once. Is this what happens when you survive a brush with death?