The Trap Set in the Shadows

This was also thanks to the external network he had built up while living his life until now.

He was still a renowned physician who received consultations from the government, an object of respect, and a symbol of medical authority.

“The Director’s words are valid, but if the hospital’s deficit becomes structured, the entire foundation will eventually shake.”

At the financial manager’s counterargument, Gu Myeongil replied coldly without taking his eyes off the materials.

“If an official recommendation for restructuring comes in from the board of directors, I will naturally accept it. However, until the final approval, we will proceed according to the hospital’s internal regulations.”

“The final decision-maker is the board of directors. If you act like this, it makes things difficult…”

“The person with ultimate responsibility for the hospital is me.”

The atmosphere turned chilling.

Sanghwan’s wife, Jeongyun, merely maintained a smile with an unreadable face.

Jaeseong was failing to focus, carrying a face that looked as though he had not fully sobered up yet to anyone looking.

It was just before Yeoun, unable to watch any longer, could turn on the microphone provided at the table to assist Gu Myeongil.

“Just as the Director said, how about we wait and observe the downsizing a little longer?”

Gu Sanghwan chimed in with a swirling, smiling face.

“The deficit margin can be sufficiently offset by other departments, and the government is also increasing medical tariff support. I think it is still premature.”

Though the substance of his argument and the seat he occupied were utterances on the side of the hospital, the financial manager flipped the slide as if relieved, treating it as though he had heard the final decision of the board of directors.

On the surface, it appeared that Director Gu Myeongil’s opinion had passed.

However, there was no one who failed to perceive that Gu Sanghwan was sticking his head up like a mole, deftly encroaching upon Gu Myeongil’s position.

Amidst an atmosphere where a subtle tension vibrated, the presentations concluded.

The next turn belonged to Yeoun and Jaeseong.

Gu Yeoun, the granddaughter whom Gu Myeongil had once unofficially recommended as the next candidate for permanent director of the foundation, and Gu Jaeseong, who was Gu Myeongil’s grandson as well as a grandchild of the Onsang Foundation.

The paths of the two were distinct.

Yeoun had proven her capabilities step by step to establish her footing even in a place where she lacked a single ally—in fact, even within the enemy camp where Gu Sanghwan and Park Jeongyun subtly kept their guard up—whereas Jaeseong failed to see much of the light despite carrying dependable maternal relatives, including Jeongyun, on his back.

Unlike Yeoun, who attended today while holding the nameplate of Strategy and Planning Director, Jaeseong had barely managed to sit in on the meeting through Jeongyun’s influence.

“What you are looking at now is the Phase 1 candidate site. As a region lacking medical infrastructure relative to demand, we aim to reach the break-even point within five years.”

Gu Myeongil listened quietly when Yeoun spoke, but when Jaeseong spoke, he interrupted midway to demand additional explanations under the guise of questions, lending strength to Yeoun.

It was a display that seemed to prove the rumor that Gu Myeongil favored his granddaughter over his grandson.

Gu Sanghwan and Park Jeongyun did not step forward.

Was it because Gu Jaeseong’s presentation was a mess that was too unbearable to listen to? Thanks to that, Yeoun was able to finish her presentation without any particular obstructions.

When the conference room doors opened, the heavy air that had accumulated inside scattered all at once in a single breath.

The lighting brightened.

After organizing their file folders, the attendees departed the conference room in the order of the seniority of their seating.

The sound of shoe heels spread over the thick carpet.

Yeoun wandered around searching for a suitable spot to check her personal cell phone that had rung before the meeting.

Then, in front of the emergency staircase, her eyes met with Gu Sanghwan, who was likely wandering around for a similar reason.

It was an awkward situation.

Gu Sanghwan smiled first and extended his hand.

“Yeoun, you prepared a lot for today. I enjoyed the presentation.”

Yeoun, whose face had hardened for a brief moment despite herself, put on a wide smile and accepted the handshake.

“Have you been well? Are you planning to take the stairs?”

“Yes, for the exercise. Since I’m only ever inside the hospital, I don’t get a chance to walk up and down stairs.”

“Me too. It’s funny how I won’t walk the stairs inside a building, but then I go to the gym and get on a stair climber.”

Though Gu Sanghwan’s phone rang continuously in the silent emergency staircase, the two of them chatted pointlessly about light topics like the weather or the lunch menu, acting as though they could not hear it.

“Are you still not seeing anyone, Yeoun?”

“Is there anyone who actually likes me? Please set me up with someone, Auntie. The men Grandfather brings along are all strange or lacking in some way.”

Before they knew it, they were exchanging pleasantries while addressing each other with casual titles, but they were not genuinely curious about each other’s well-being.

“What’s wrong with you, Yeoun? I met Representative Jeong a while ago, and he said he thought you were a celebrity.”

It meant she should have just become an entertainer.

“Oh, come on, Jaeseong Oppa suits being a celebrity much better. I don’t have the talent for it.”

It meant he should have made his own son—who loved women, loved alcohol, and loved playing around—become an entertainer instead.

In truth, nothing good ever came from the atmosphere flowing in this manner.

Because Yeoun possessed a weakness as well.

“By the way, what is Yehi up to these days?”

“…….”

“Does she still have no intention of returning to the country?”

Gu Sanghwan, who must have been furious already over Jaeseong’s promiscuous behavior, brought up Gu Yehi, exactly as expected.

She couldn’t live in America for the rest of her life, so shouldn’t she slowly be made to return? Is she receiving psychiatric treatment properly? He understood that she had gone through a difficult ordeal, but she still needed to overcome it. A lot of time had passed, so she needed to move on to the next stage now… Gu Sanghwan always poked at Yeoun’s insides with words disguised as worry.

How dare he.

Yeoun suppressed the rage boiling up inside her and forced herself to act casual.

“…It seems she has no intention of coming back yet. Maybe she hid a man she’s going to marry over there.”

“A man for Yehi to marry… I am curious. She’s had high standards since she was young.”

However, her rage was deep and her experience was shallow.

At his tone of voice that prattled on as if he knew her younger sister well, Yeoun ultimately lost her patience and spat out.

“Won’t Yehi marry a tall, strong man?”

Gu Sanghwan smiled without a word.

“Why, because that kind of incident happened before.”

“That kind of incident did happen…” trailing off his words, Gu Sanghwan opened the emergency exit door, telling her he would see her again.

Before they knew it, they were on the first floor.

“Ha, f*ck…”

The door of the black sedan parked in front of the hospital opened roughly.

The vehicle body shook from the rebound of the door slamming shut the moment it opened.

Secretary Yoon Yeajun, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, glanced at the rearview mirror.

Yeoun’s mouth was rigid.

“Did something happen?”

“I’m just pissed off… Oh, right, did the article about Gu Jaeseong go out?”

“No. We made contact, but the journalists had already been bought out. We were one step late.”

“Gosh, damn it…”

“Should we prepare again?”

“No. Gu Sanghwan’s phone was ringing off the hook earlier anyway, so they must have blocked it all already. Just put something else out. It’s not like Jaeseong Oppa causing trouble is a rare occurrence.”

Yeoun let out a deep sigh and checked the phone she had been unable to look at until now.

It was not her work phone, but her personal cell phone that she thoroughly hid from the outside.

Even on this phone, there was only one person configured to make it vibrate or ring.

Sender: Sucker.

It was a contact from her younger sister, Yehi.

She had specifically requested through Secretary Yoon to ensure she never contacted her first if possible.

Could something have happened?

Checking the text message with worry, Yeoun muttered a low swear word once more.

–Unni.. Are you doing well?

–I’m Yehi..꜀( ՞ . ̫ . ՞ ꜀ ) ꜆

–By any chance, you know.. Can you send me some money?

–I think around 100 million? would be enough..

To think the words she spoke after contacting her for the first time in several months would be this.

Yeoun asked, finding it absurd.

“What has the Sucker been up to lately?”

“As always, I am aware that she is passionately cheering for Player Gye Yusin.”

“Then why is she suddenly asking for 100 million won? She still seems to think 100 million won is some neighborhood dog’s name.”

“CEO Gu did raise the young lady rather indulgently, after all.”

“Should we use this opportunity to send her to a thirty-pyeong apartment? Put a cycle and a treadmill or something in there. People with unhealthy minds need to exercise.”

“She stated that she dislikes spacious houses because they are terrifying.”

“Then call her back to the house in Seoul. We can just give her a single dress room. Doesn’t that fit her size perfectly?”

“She stated that she absolutely will not go anywhere unless it’s Gwangmyeong, where Player Gye Yusin commutes. And you’re just going to scold her if you live together.”

“Look at the way she behaves. It just makes me want to mess with her more.”

Beyond the car window, the cityscape flashed past rapidly.

From the radio that flowed out softly enough to barely be heard, the news was being delivered that professional Baduk player Jo Yakdol, 9-dan, would hold a match against an artificial intelligence program tomorrow afternoon.

Yeoun closed her phone and looked out at the sky where the sunset glow had completely vanished.

Beneath the dark sky devoid of stars or a moon, a massive advertisement billboard on the exterior wall of a building was glowing loudly.

–Hey, Eunseo. Which hospital did they say ‘Gye’ goes to?

–Gyehwa Hospital!

–Hey, Minjun. Which hospital did they say ‘Gye’ had surgery at?

–Gyehwa Hospital!

It was an advertisement for Gyehwa Hospital, operated by Gye Byeongcheol, who was once Gu Myeongil’s close friend and business partner.

Yeoun, who was fiddling with her necklace out of habit, inquired.

“Speaking of which, what happened with Gye Yusin’s side?”

The car slid to a halt.

“Did they say they have any intention of making a deal with us?”

The road was experiencing congestion.

A horn blared from somewhere.

The secretary replied with something and recalculated the route on the navigation system.

“Splendid.”

A smile finally settled over Yeoun’s mouth inside the rearview mirror.