Chapter 488: Caught Between Life and Death

I headed to Il-seong Hospital to visit Seo Jae-hoon.

“Has there been any news yet?”

In response to my question, Manager Ma, seated in the passenger seat, turned to face me.

“No, there hasn’t been anything yet.”

If Manager Ma couldn’t find anything quickly, it seemed like he had definitely received cash in full.

After all, if there was a balance in the bankbook, it would have been discovered by now.

Who could possibly give someone such a huge amount of cash to buy a luxury car outright?

“Is the guard waiting at the hospital?”

“Yes, that’s right. They take turns waiting, and it just so happens that he’ll be there now.”

“You mentioned that the cash flow of one of the two was suspicious, right?”

Manager Ma nodded again.

“That’s correct. Coincidentally, that one was the first witness to Seo Jae-hoon’s suicide.”

“Let’s meet him first.”

“Yes, Boss.”

The car accelerated even more.

A short while later, we arrived in front of Il-seong Hospital.

As soon as I parked at the front door and stepped out, the waiting hospital director greeted me.

“Welcome, President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

I extended my hand to the director, who hurriedly grasped it, looking flustered.

I could see the director’s fingertips trembling.

“You must be Director Yang Jin-woo, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“Yes, yes. That’s correct. I’m Yang Jin-woo.”

I glanced around, cutting him off as his voice began to rise.

“Let’s go inside first. There are too many eyes on us.”

“Right. Allow me to guide you.”

As we walked, we exchanged no words, simply following his lead to the VIP ward.

It wasn’t until we were in the elevator that I spoke to the director.

“By the way, I heard you called me. It’s quite intriguing that you would show loyalty to that man. Did everyone else turn their backs on him?”

“······.”

It seemed he couldn’t tell if my words were praise or criticism, as he maintained a stony face.

He merely bowed his head in silence.

“Why are you bowing your head like that? It’s a compliment! I don’t dislike loyal people.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course, it would be better if that loyalty extended to me, though.”

“······.”

“Just saying.”

I smiled gently at the hospital director, who looked petrified.

Before I knew it, the elevator reached the floor of the VIP ward.

“First, let’s go see Chairman Seo Yong-geon. I’m curious about how he’s doing.”

“What? But only family members…”

“Haha, Director Yang, you’re so naive. How does the world operate solely on principles? If it did, Seo Jae-hoon wouldn’t be here in the first place!”

“······This way, please.”

The director began leading me deeper into the hospital.

We passed through three tightly secured doors before finally reaching the hospital room of Seo Yong-geon.

Through the glass, I saw Seo Yong-geon—alive, but not truly living.

I stared at Chairman Seo Yong-geon for a long time before finally speaking.

“Open the door.”

“······.”

“Let me in. I need to see him for myself.”

After a brief hesitation, the director nodded towards the camera.

The tightly shut door opened automatically.

I walked in slowly.

The few steps from the entrance to the bed felt somehow distant.

I finally stopped by the bedside, silently observing Seo Yong-geon.

“······ He’s become too thin.”

“He’s barely holding on with nutritional supplements.”

The Seo Yong-geon I remembered was a robust middle-aged man.

But now, all that remained was skin and bones, like a mummy.

“Is he really alive?”

“Yes. He’s alive.”

“What are the chances of him waking up?”

“······You should assume they are nonexistent. They are only prolonging his life at this point. He’s just clinging to breath.”

I shook my head unconsciously. It’s shocking how one person’s greed could destroy another’s life.

I was curious to know how far such depravity could go.

“Director, can I ask you just one thing?”

I shifted my gaze from Seo Yong-geon to the director.

“Can you make Seo Jae-hoon like this? Caught between life and death, in other words?”

“What? What do you mean…?”

“I know everything. Seo Yong-geon’s current state is all your doing, isn’t it?”

The director hung his head low. Even that seemed disingenuous, prompting me to raise one corner of my mouth.

“Can you make Seo Jae-hoon like this, yes or no?”

Seeing Seo Yong-geon’s condition face to face didn’t seem too bad to me.

I thought it might be acceptable to subject Seo Jae-hoon to the same fate.

“But…”

“Think carefully before you answer. I said I like loyal people, but I value those who show that loyalty to me even more. Eventually, this hospital, owned by Il-seong Group, will fall into my hands as well. And I’m not interested in running a hospital.”

The director lifted his head. Being smart, he must have grasped what I was implying.

“Can you do it or not?”

“I can…”

The response came quietly, but I didn’t care. I nodded and smiled.

“Alright. I understand.”

I took a final look at Seo Yong-geon’s face before turning away without a shred of regret.

“Now, let’s head to the room where Seo Jae-hoon is.”

As I walked away, only the dry, mechanical noises filled the air.

“What was his condition when he was first brought in?”

“There were signs of choking around the neck.”

“Did he attempt suicide?”

The director shook his head slowly.

“We couldn’t draw conclusions from just the wounds. However, it is true that he attempted to strangle himself with a towel. What’s strange is that there were no signs of any struggle. When someone is being choked or has their breath cut off, it’s instinct to thrash about and resist.”

“So there were no signs of resistance from Seo Jae-hoon at all?”

“No. There are tendencies to either appear drowsy when in that state or to choose suicide without resistance.”

I listened to the director’s words as we slowly walked along.

“Did Seo Jae-hoon say anything?”

“He only mentioned that he wanted you to be contacted.”

As we turned a corner, I spotted a man in guard attire sitting on a chair.

Two individuals who looked like security personnel stood guard at the door of the hospital room.

The guard, recognizing the director and me, stood up and walked over.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Chief Hong Seok-gi.”

He had two mugunghwa badges on his shoulder. Manager Ma handled the conversation on my behalf.

“It’s nice to meet you. I think this is the first time we’ve met face-to-face. I’m Ma Seok-dae.”

“Oh, Ma Seok-dae! It’s great to finally see you in person after only talking over the phone.”

A smile of relief appeared on Hong Seok-gi’s face, while Manager Ma’s expression was as cold as ice.

“How are things being handled? We asked you to keep a close surveillance, didn’t we?”

“I don’t know. I’m just as surprised. Who would have predicted that someone would hang himself while I stepped out briefly?”

“Do you really think that makes sense?”

As Manager Ma continued to press, Hong Seok-gi’s response was tinged with irritation.

“What can I do if he’s determined to die? If it weren’t for me, he would have succeeded! Besides, I’m in a bind too because of that. I have to write a report and draft a statement… Ugh, I’m done for. Really.”

I figured there was no point in hearing any more pointless excuses. I turned to the director.

“Let’s go meet Seo Jae-hoon now.”

“Hey, wait a minute! Who are you?”

Hong Seok-gi blocked my path with his arm.

“Who do you think you are to try entering without my permission?”

Manager Ma’s eyes grew fierce. He spoke in a low voice as if reciting a mantra.

“This is President Kim Mu-hyeok, someone we arranged to meet today.”

“I don’t know him. If you want to enter, you must ask for permission, you know?”

Hong Seok-gi feigned ignorance, rubbing his thumb and index finger together.

What kind of person is this? The moment I scrunched my brows, Manager Ma grabbed Hong Seok-gi’s finger with force.

“Ah! Ouch!”

With a crack, Hong Seok-gi screamed in agony.

Ignoring him, I stepped toward the hospital room.

“Stop! Block him!”

Hong Seok-gi, his face flush from pain, shouted at the guards.

The faces of the guards blocking the door were still youthful.

I couldn’t bring myself to get angry at the guards, who were flustered and unsure what to do.

I smiled and gestured to them.

“Are you the Security Corps?”

“Yes! That’s right.”

“You’re doing a hard job. It’s already been established, so even if I go in, you two won’t bear any liability.”

The two exchanged anxious glances and then looked towards Hong Seok-gi.

Hong Seok-gi was now letting out a loud growl.

“Hey! What are you all doing? Do you want to go to solitary confinement? Block him! Don’t let him in!”

Before Hong Seok-gi could finish, Manager Ma twisted his finger again.

Hong Seok-gi’s body shuddered as his eyes rolled back.

“Don’t worry. There won’t be any issues with your service records. Now please step aside. There’s no need to worry about that man.”

Finally, the two stepped aside. Unlike someone, they listened well.

“Thank you. What are your names?”

After glancing at their name tags, I turned back to Manager Ma.

“Manager, please arrange for these two to get a reward vacation, and also provide them with separate vacation pay.”

“Yes, I’ll contact them now.”

They were young men drafted into the military at an early age.

Sometimes, fortune should favor them too.

I patted their shoulders once before opening the door and stepping inside.

Inside the room, Seo Jae-hoon was leaning back comfortably on his bed, reading a book.

When he saw me, Seo Jae-hoon offered a faint smile.

“You’re here?”

“Didn’t you almost die? Looks like you’ve lost your mind. You’re smiling even after seeing me.”

“Right? It’s the first time I’ve been that happy to see Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Seo Jae-hoon replied unbothered and chuckled.

The urge to tear that grin off his face was almost overwhelming.

“You said you had something to talk about. Do we have anything left to say?”

Seo Jae-hoon glanced at the hospital director standing behind me.

“Director Yang, could you leave us for a bit? I appreciate your effort in bringing him here.”

“Ah… Yes. Of course.”

The director quickly lowered his head and left. Now only the two of us remained in the room.

“Don’t just stand there, come over and sit down.”

Why is he acting so friendly? I recalled the last hostile glance he shot at me, which made me uncomfortable.

As I took a seat, Seo Jae-hoon opened his mouth first.

“After barely hanging on, I realized how futile everything is.”

“So that’s what you called me for? Yeah, I was a bit shocked to hear that. To think you’d try to take your own life, you’re not someone who’d do such a thing.”

“Me? Commit suicide?”

Seo Jae-hoon asked back, wide-eyed. Of course, he wouldn’t do that.

There was no way someone like Seo Jae-hoon would take his own life.

“I would never commit suicide, not unless I’ve completely lost my mind.”

“What madness are you talking about? You know why I’m confused, right? So who did it? Who hung you?”

“I don’t know. I just thought it wasn’t you, so I called you in.”

He spoke as if we were just close friends having a casual chat, completely at ease with me.

I glared at Seo Jae-hoon with an emotionless stare.

“Why would I want you dead? If I wished it, you wouldn’t be here anymore. You would’ve been dead long ago.”

“Exactly, huh? You’re definitely not the one… So, tell me about it. I was asleep when someone strangled me from behind. Before long, I passed out, and when I woke up, I found myself here. That’s all there is to it.”

After finishing his words, Seo Jae-hoon fell silent.

Someone choked him while he was asleep?

This had to be related to the guards.

Whether it was directly done by them or if someone allowed it to happen, he was undoubtedly involved.

I would need to confront the guards outside. I wonder who was entangled in this mess?

Things are getting interesting. I couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Seo Jae-hoon looked up at me quietly.

“You seem to have more to say. Haven’t you confirmed everything already? I have no intentions to kill you…”

Before I could finish, Seo Jae-hoon interrupted me.

“Save me. I don’t want to die. If I go back to prison, I’ll definitely die. I’ll do whatever you say, so please let me live.”

His plea was pitiful, but his expression remained the same cheery face as always.

“You’re begging for your life? Did I hear that wrong?”

“No, you heard correctly. This is why I called you to meet.”

“I knew you were insane, but it seems you’ve gone even further after recently surviving this.”

“Find whoever tried to kill me and eliminate them. Then I’ll do everything you want me to do.”

Why do stupid people keep saying the same things? Is there some academy for this?

I sighed deeply and stood up.

“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that. You should rest well and prepare to go back to prison.”

“Kim Mu-hyeok! I’ll do everything you want…”

I glanced down at Seo Jae-hoon, who was raising his voice in desperation.

As he sensed my cold gaze, he fell silent.

“What could you possibly do? Your influence in Il-seong Group has been overshadowed by Seo Hee-kyung, and you’ll be spending your life in prison. What could you offer? Even if you could offer something, I’m not interested in a dog that shows its belly.”

After that, I turned away without a hint of hesitation.

“Hey! Kim Mu-hyeok! Hey!”

I heard Seo Jae-hoon desperately calling out to me from behind.

He attempted to rise from his bed as if trying to follow me, but with his left arm bound to the bed, he couldn’t catch up.

I left the hospital room while hearing the sound of handcuffs clinking as Seo Jae-hoon turned over.

When I stepped out, the guards saluted me.

They were standing straight, signaling that Manager Ma must have finished arranging their leave.

I turned to see Manager Ma waiting by the door.

“Looks like you already contacted them.”

“Yes. A reward vacation for these two should have been issued to the prison warden by now.”

“Well done. Let’s get out of here. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.”

Hong Seok-gi had already wrapped his fingers in bandages.

I shot him a sideways glance before heading towards the elevator.

“And that guy. Get him and make him spill everything he knows. There should be some evidence if we put pressure on him.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Through the slowly closing elevator door, I glanced back at Hong Seok-gi, who watched us with a glare.