Chapter 39
Daehok answered in a slightly sullen tone.
“I finished well. But suddenly scheduling like this… isn’t it a bit much?”
“That was at the patients’ request, so I couldn’t help it.”
“Next time, I’ll politely decline if a house call like this comes up.”
“Why? Do you want something?”
Surprisingly, Director Damon asked calmly.
It wasn’t because he knew who Daehok’s father was. It was different. He genuinely valued Daehok’s skills.
With Daehok’s level, any hospital in the U.S. would treat him as top-tier. No one would even think of turning away someone of that caliber.
This wasn’t about age or rank. America was that kind of meritocratic society.
Daehok didn’t intend to push away Damon, so he made a moderate request.
“I just want to take one thing with me when I leave.”
“What is it?”
“Next time I come in, may I bring one of your residents with me?”
At the same moment Daehok revealed his intention, Damon’s slightly surprised voice came.
“Oh? Our vice-director was just about to suggest the same thing.”
“Is that so?”
“You’re not trying to push Dr. Richard, are you?”
“I only push if it’s necessary.”
Daehok answered confidently, and Damon immediately acknowledged it.
“Even if you pushed from a cliff with a tractor, he wouldn’t budge.”
“Cough. So, did you accept that extra proposal?”
“No, I said I’d consider it, but I haven’t really thought about it.”
“Then, just reluctantly accept it.”
Damon seemed to catch on to Daehok’s meaning and spoke cautiously.
“The acceptance condition… only for residents recommended by Dr. Richard?”
“Yes, of course.”
“That’s not difficult. But what benefit does our hospital get?”
“Well-trained residents, right? You’ll recruit them.”
Daehok turned the question back on him. Finally, Damon understood.
“Like a trial experience at Johns Hopkins?”
“Exactly. If it’s not enough, adjust the conditions as you see fit.”
“No, that should be enough.”
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands. Have a good fair. I’ll see you next time I come to the U.S.”
Daehok bowed politely and hung up.
“Good. Everything went as planned.”
He clenched his fist firmly.
A meaningful gift was now ready. He didn’t expect the residents to notice. He would personally decide who qualified.
It wouldn’t be easy to meet Daehok’s standards.
Just as he smiled at how smoothly things went, his phone rang.
“Busy on the way back,” he murmured. It was a call from the CS nurse’s office.
A patient?
Daehok quickly answered, his gaze sharp.
“This is Richard.”
“One moment, Dr. Richard.”
“Huh? What…”
Before he could even wonder, a deep voice spoke softly.
“Dr. Choi, nice to meet you. I’m Dukki’s lawyer.”
“Did a lawsuit come up?”
“No. He instructed to double the surgery fee. It’s been paid just now.”
“That’s fast,” Daehok said, slightly surprised.
Only three hours had passed since the surgery. Even if Dukki had woken from anesthesia, not much time had passed. Recovery still needed monitoring.
Yet the lawyer’s voice sounded clear.
“I just got confirmation from the thoracic surgeon that the operation was successful.”
“Which specialist?”
“Dr. Risley.”
“Ah. Then I trust it.”
Dr. Risley was a respected mid-level specialist whose skills Daehok also acknowledged.
The lawyer spoke plainly.
“This is Dukki’s message: Thank you for performing the surgery, and I hope you return safely to Korea.”
“Please tell him to recover well.”
“Yes. That’s all.”
Click.
Daehok checked his mobile bank account with a calm expression.
-XXXXXX dollars.
Doubling the surgery fee was indeed substantial. He stared at the screen for a moment.
‘Should I just swallow it all?’
The initial coldness Dukki had shown bothered him.
He had received a sincere apology, so there was no grudge.
But getting twice the surgery fee felt slightly uncomfortable.
‘Getting money like this gives me a stomachache.’
Daehok definitely liked money. But he only wanted clean, guilt-free earnings.
Everything else? A trivial matter.
His eyes gleamed with a playful light.
Ding!
“Right, that’s it.”
He quickly operated his phone.
-Transferred half the surgery fee to XXX.
Someone far away, in a very hot place, received it.
“Hmph. Give one more to someone you dislike, huh.”
Daehok muttered, but his deeper intention was genuine concern for his mother’s well-being.
After everything was settled, it was almost time for the airport.
“Wind-like business trip, done!”
Daehok wrapped up his brief U.S. schedule and moved quickly toward Korea.
Back in Korea, on his way to Chung-Hyo Hospital, Daehok paused.
Towering ahead was the massive main building of Chung-Hyo University Hospital.
But his gaze wasn’t there.
