Chapter 107: The Unexpected Brain Tumor

That evening, when the director of Soonyang Medical Center heard Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae’s sudden explanation, the strength drained from his entire body.

Missing Chairman’s brain tumor was a blunder that might force the entire leadership of Soonyang Medical Center to pack their bags and go home.

“Anyway, you must keep the Chairman’s tumor a secret. And you said he had his regular check-up last month?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Bring all those records. We need to review them.”

The director picked up the receiver with trembling hands. As he gathered the check-up records, he prayed that there wouldn’t be a single trace of a brain tumor in them as he headed to Myungin University Hospital.

When he opened Chairman Jin’s hospital room door, the expression on the Chairman’s face was bright. Relieved, he carefully suggested,

“Chairman. How about transferring to Soonyang Medical Center now? Our surgery department also has many skilled individuals like Professor Jang Joon-hyuk.”

“My friend, do you think I came here because I don’t trust our medical center? I came to scout because the medical community keeps singing praises of Jang Joon-hyuk. Wait and see. I’ll put that friend in your hands, so use him well. Haha.”

He couldn’t be fooled by that smile and laughter. The director had to prepare for Chairman Jin’s blade, which could strike at any moment.

“But tell me, what’s the deal with the tumor? Didn’t you say he was fine just a month ago?”

Just as he thought, they were questioning his responsibility. One mistake here, and it was over.

While heading to Myungin University Hospital, doctors from Soonyang Medical Center kept sending text messages. No matter how they checked, they couldn’t find any sign of a tumor. He had no choice but to trust their skills.

“I hesitate to say this, but the tumor couldn’t have been found a month ago. It seems to be an acute tumor. I can’t say for sure until I see the CT scan.”

“So, you’re saying it definitely wasn’t there during the comprehensive check-up?”

“Yes, Chairman. Dozens of doctors thoroughly examined and confirmed it. Please believe us.”

Chairman Jin frowned at his pleading, as if he were a guilty man proclaiming his innocence.

“No! My dear fellow. What did I say? I’m just confirming things. Goodness, you’re making me feel awkward.”

“My apol- apologies.”

He bowed repeatedly, but it was already too late. The Chairman’s mood had soured. Naturally, an order to leave was given.

“You may go now. I need to rest. Oh, and only you are to know that I’m having surgery here. You understand what I mean, right?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

As the medical director left in a cold sweat, Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae brought Professor Jang Joon-hyuk to the hospital room.

“Oh, Professor Jang. Aren’t you being inconvenienced by having to come and go because of me?”

“Not at all, Chairman. It’s the duty of the attending physician. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Yes, have you checked?”

“Yes.”

Professor Jang Joon-hyuk handed over a thick envelope of documents.

“I’ve reviewed the test results from Soonyang Medical Center, but it’s difficult to say anything definitive.”

“Why is that?”

“I looked closely to find a tumor, while the doctors at Soonyang Medical Center were only checking if there were any abnormalities. We have different approaches.”

It was hard to tell whether he was making excuses as a fellow doctor or stating the facts.

“Hmm… that could be the case.”

“Yes. If I hadn’t known about the tumor, I might have also concluded there was nothing wrong.”

“Is it there?”

“Yes. There’s a very faint trace from a month ago. So, we should assume the change started a month ago.”

Chairman Jin simply nodded lightly and remained silent, so Professor Jang cautiously offered more of his opinion.

“I hope you won’t reprimand the doctors at Soonyang Medical Center for this. It’s neither their mistake nor their incompetence.”

Instantly, Chairman Jin’s sharp gaze pierced Professor Jang Joon-hyuk’s forehead.

“That’s for me to decide. It’s my family’s business.”

Faced with the fierce gaze and uncomfortable expression, Professor Jang hurriedly lowered his head.

“I apologize. I’ve overstepped my bounds.”

When he raised his head again, Chairman Jin’s expression was warm.

“Anyway… how about it? Have you thought about it?”

“Yes? Ah, not yet… I need to discuss it with my family and consider my ties with Myungin University….”

Chairman Jin chuckled as he saw him scratching his head.

“You don’t need to do that to increase your worth. Didn’t I already say I’d give you the best treatment? And a real man forges his own path. Who are you going to ask?”

Professor Jang Joon-hyuk looked as if he was carefully listening to Chairman Jin’s words before bowing his head again.

“Wise words, I’ll keep them in mind. I won’t delay.”

Once the composed Professor Jang left, 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 even a mistake, was it? He said it would have been difficult for anyone to find.”

“That’s how it seems….”

Chairman Jin’s suspicion hadn’t disappeared.

A hospital hiding a brain tumor, a timely car accident. It felt like all of this was happening according to someone’s script.

It was a vague suspicion, but he couldn’t easily shake it off.

Lee Hak-jae could fully understand Chairman Jin’s feelings.

Even he, watching from the side, still had lingering doubts shrouded in fog.

If the suspicion wasn’t cleared, they had to investigate. The two men’s opinions were the same.

“Let’s do this. Assign someone to keep an eye on the director.”

“Already taken care of. We’ll see if he blabs his mouth anywhere.”

It wasn’t just about monitoring his words. It was about finding out who he was contacting.

“Alright, and hold a board meeting in a couple of months and dismiss him.”

“You mean fire him?”

Chairman Jin nodded.

“No matter how I think about it, it feels unsettling. Fire him.”

“Understood.”

It wasn’t just because he felt uneasy that he was getting rid of the person. It was about keeping a suspicious person away.

And two days later, Chairman Jin lay on the operating table for the tumor removal, and Professor Jang Joon-hyuk, known as the hand of God, completed the surgery with incredible ease.

At this point, it couldn’t be hidden from the press any longer, and the group’s public relations department had to release a press statement.

It was natural that they didn’t reveal the truth, omitting the word ‘brain’ and emphasizing that it was a simple tumor removal surgery and there were no issues with his health.

Since it was a press release provided by their biggest advertiser, they tried not to get even a single word wrong, and there were no interviews. There was no need to bother Chairman Jin’s family by loitering around the hospital.

The children who had been waiting in front of the operating room ultimately returned without seeing Chairman Jin. All they heard was Lee Hak-jae’s cold words that they absolutely couldn’t meet him until he fully recovered.

Chairman Jin still needed more time. He would stay in the hospital room until he was sure that none of his children were doing anything foolish.

* * *

Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk regained consciousness ten days after the surgery.

I had been contacted, but I waited. There were family members who were hundreds, thousands of times more anxious than me. Their meeting was the priority, and it was polite to wait until their tears turned to laughter.

Two more days passed, and I nervously visited Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk’s hospital room when his family wasn’t there.

As I entered the hospital room, I met Kim’s eyes, his body wrapped in casts and bandages.

“Thank you.”

That was all I said as I bowed my head.

Kim Yoon-suk simply smiled at me without saying anything else.

“I knew you woke up two days ago. I wanted to come immediately, but I purposely didn’t visit to give you time with your family. I hope you understand.”

He still only smiled, making me a little uneasy.

“Is it difficult for you to speak?”

“No. I get my words mixed up a bit, but I’m okay.”

“I have many questions, but I’ll ask them slowly. Please rest for now.”

As I let go of his hand, which I had been holding tightly, he smiled and said,

“Chief of staff. You can talk. I’ve been resting for ten days, my mouth is itching, and I’m getting restless. Hehe.”

I sat down beside him again.

“Then, could you tell me about the day of the accident? Just as you remember it.”

He wasn’t fully lucid yet. It might be difficult for him to answer my questions, so it seemed better to let him open his itchy mouth 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 it felt awkward to leave work in the early morning….”

A sheepish smile appeared on his face, and he even blushed slightly.

“Actually, I had just gotten a new car, right? I wanted to break it in and also see how fast it could go, so I followed. It was early morning, so I knew the roads would be empty.”

He hadn’t followed to escort me. There was also some self-interest involved, which was why his expression changed.

“I see. It seems like getting a new car was a stroke of luck in many ways. You survived such a big accident.”

His expression changed again. This time, it turned stiff.

“Chief of staff.”

“Yes.”

“About the accident. Honestly, I can’t be sure. But the truck didn’t swerve as it came towards us. It was waiting.”

“Yes? Waiting?”

“I’m not sure, but that’s how it looked.”

Was it not an accident, but something disguised as an accident?

The unease that had been lurking in my mind reared its head.

Who could it be?

This question holds two parts.

Who is the culprit, and who is the target?

Was this unease the reason why grandfather hid the fact that he was fine?

Pushing the questions aside, I looked at Kim and slowly opened my mouth.

I had to ask a truly important question.

“It feels awkward to say this, but please don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to blame you, interrogate you, or even suspect your intentions.”

I paused, taking a breath to compose myself.

“Why did you sacrifice yourself? You could have died. No, it’s a miracle you survived.”

“You mean me taking the hit from the truck?”

“Yes.”

“Well… I trusted the car. I thought a BMW 7 Series sedan wouldn’t kill me….”

The answer I was looking for still hadn’t come. Kim took a breath and continued.

“Maybe I made a snap judgment in that short moment. This is the best opportunity to make the ultimate deal! That’s what I thought.”

“A deal? Ah…!”

“Do you remember? What you said when Chief Shin and I first said we’d be your men. You don’t demand loyalty, it’s just a deal. You’ll give us plenty of money, and in return, we have to provide something.”

“Yes, I remember.”

Loyalty only requires heart, but a deal also requires brains. If you lack skill and ability, the deal will always fall apart.

It was something I said to motivate their self-improvement, but I never expected them to interpret it this way.

“After I woke up from the coma, I thought carefully. How much is this deal worth? I wrote your life, your existence, on one side of the deal contract. How much should I write on the other side for the deal to be finalized?”

Kim looked at my face, his eyes shining.

“Now, please write in the blank space, Chief of staff. Something worthy to exchange for your life, your existence. Hehe.”

The composure in that laughter. The confident tone. He absolutely doesn’t look like a loyal servant.

This person, he’s grown so much in an instant. Is this what happens after facing death?