Chapter 10

Chapter 010: Force Majeure (7)

The emergency medical team captain shook his head helplessly and immediately rushed toward the ambulance.

As he ran, he called out to Min-ah.

Good grief! They really won't give us a moment's rest! Hurry up!

Yes, sir!

Min-ah quickly ran toward the ambulance.

However, before climbing inside, she turned around and shouted at Hee-soo one last time.

PLEASE! MAKE SURE YOU THINK ABOUT IT!

Hee-soo simply nodded without saying anything.

That young man's worth one extra day of my life.

Of course I'm going to help him, even if you tell me not to.

He checked his watch.

There was less than an hour left before his shift ended.

Looks like I should start preparing to go home too.

After finishing his shift, Hee-soo headed toward KEPCO Hospital with Chief Jang.

Chief Jang glanced at him.

What's wrong? Are you planning to visit that young man?

Yes. Apparently, his personal circumstances are much more difficult than I expected.

That's right.

His name is Yoo Min-hyuk. He grew up in an orphanage in Mokpo before moving to Seoul.

Ah, you've already investigated him?

I figured you'd be curious, so I looked into it.

But why did he come all the way here from Mokpo?

Because he's attending university in Seoul.

What? Which university?

Well, it doesn't really matter, but he's actually your junior.

Hankuk University?

Yeah. He's studying business administration at Hankuk University.

Then he's my direct junior.

Exactly.

He must have been an excellent student back at the orphanage.

Probably. He was admitted through a special admissions program for socially disadvantaged students, but apparently his academic performance was still quite impressive.

You've really investigated him thoroughly already, haven't you?

Of course. You seemed particularly concerned about him.

Did you investigate his current medical condition too?

Yes.

I dispatched two doctors from our hospital to examine his condition and report back.

Naturally, you sent professors, right?

Of course. If I sent ordinary residents or fellows, do you think the doctors at that hospital would take them seriously?

Make sure you use Suseong's name too.

Obviously. That's the first thing I'd do.

Thank you for your hard work. Let's go, then.

Their car quickly arrived at KEPCO Hospital.

The moment Hee-soo stepped out, several reporters who had been waiting nearby recognized him.

They immediately approached and began firing questions at him.

Director Choi! Isn't that you?

Have you come here to visit the young man you rescued today?

What's your relationship with that young man?

Suseong's stock price has been rising continuously. Is there any connection between your firefighting activities and the company's financial performance?

Why exactly has a third-generation chaebol heir decided to become a firefighter?

Questions poured in from every direction.

Hee-soo immediately put on his professional smile for the media.

Although the interview was completely unexpected, he remained composed and confidently answered their questions.

I happened to hear about the personal circumstances of the young man I rescued today.

I'm not here as a representative of Suseong. I'm here simply as another human being.

If money is what it takes to save this young man's life, then I'm certain that anyone in our country who has sufficient financial resources would willingly contribute.

It just so happens that I heard about his situation, and I'm fortunate enough to have the means to help him.

That's the only reason I'm here. So I'd appreciate it if everyone would refrain from making unnecessary assumptions about my intentions.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hee-soo quickly entered the emergency department.

Several reporters tried to follow him inside.

However, Chief Jang and the other security personnel immediately blocked their path.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an emergency department. We can't allow you to enter and cause a disturbance.

We'll distribute an official press release later, so please return to your offices and wait for further information.

The reporters looked puzzled.

One of them immediately questioned Chief Jang.

Shouldn't you be publicizing a story like this even more?

Chief Jang shook his head.

As we've repeatedly emphasized, this isn't being done to promote Suseong.

Director Choi is helping that young man out of personal compassion.

That's why we'd prefer it if this matter didn't become a major news story.

Suddenly, a woman's sarcastic voice came from behind the reporters.

Do you seriously expect us to believe that?

Suseong has been struggling to respond properly to numerous challenges around the world.

Yet despite those difficulties, its stock price remains stable. Isn't that entirely because of these performances by Director Choi Hee-soo?

And whenever the publicity starts losing its effectiveness, don't you simply arrange another event like this to attract attention again?

Chief Jang maintained his warm, gentle smile.

You're Reporter Jo Yoon-hee from Samhan Ilbo, aren't you?

Yoon-hee was slightly startled when he immediately recognized her.

Ah, yes. That's right. You know who I am?

Naturally.

Your newspaper carries a great deal of our advertising.

Furthermore, aren't you the daughter of the chairman of Samhan Media Group?

Yoon-hee narrowed her eyes.

As expected. You're extremely thorough.

By the way, Reporter Jo, what exactly would it take to convince you that your suspicions are unfounded?

Director Choi is genuinely working as a firefighter for entirely sincere reasons.

The conspiracy theory you've just suggested is a very dangerous accusation.

Yoon-hee immediately responded.

You mean his supposed goal of developing equipment to improve South Korea's firefighting capabilities rather than promoting Suseong?

Yes, exactly.

As we explained in the press release distributed earlier, Suseong has already established a separate corporation called Suseong Safety.

We've also created a dedicated research laboratory.

Yoon-hee remained unconvinced.

What's so impressive about the largest conglomerate in South Korea establishing one small company?

Besides, I still have my doubts about whether that company was genuinely established for the reasons you've given.

Despite Chief Jang's explanation, Yoon-hee's suspicious expression didn't change.

Chief Jang continued smiling.

Shouldn't you investigate that yourself? After all, you're a journalist.

Yoon-hee immediately responded.

You'll have to take responsibility for those words.

Of course.

We'll cooperate with any form of investigation, provided that it doesn't violate Director Choi's personal privacy.

And that applies equally to every journalist currently standing here.

Not only Yoon-hee but also the other reporters gathered nearby were slightly intimidated by Chief Jang's confident attitude.

His words were practically a challenge.

He was openly declaring that they had absolutely nothing to hide.

Therefore, they had no reason to fear any investigation.

While Chief Jang and the reporters were engaged in their tense exchange outside, Hee-soo had already reached the young man he had rescued earlier.

Two professors dispatched from Suseong Hospital were waiting for him.

In addition, KEPCO Hospital's director and several senior professors were also present.

Director Choi, welcome.

Hee-soo greeted the medical staff respectfully.

Thank you, everyone, for your hard work.

And I'd especially like to apologize to our two professors. I know you're both extremely busy, yet I've asked you to travel all the way here.

Not at all. We're always happy to assist with something like this.

The director of KEPCO Hospital approached Hee-soo.

Director Choi, you've even taken the trouble to visit our hospital personally.

Please don't worry. We're already providing that young man with excellent medical care.

Thank you.

Hee-soo looked directly at the hospital director.

However, I'd like to know whether you have all the medical equipment necessary to treat him.

I heard that his chances of survival were quite low.

The hospital director immediately responded.

Absolutely.

We have a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the latest MRI equipment, and an excellent team of medical professionals standing by.

KEPCO Hospital has extensive experience and the necessary equipment to respond effectively to various kinds of disasters.

Of course, I won't deny that the young man's condition is extremely serious.

However, I'm confident that our experienced medical staff and advanced equipment will successfully save his life.

Hee-soo nodded.

I intend to provide this young man with every possible form of assistance so that he can return to living a normal life.

If necessary, I'm even considering transferring him to Suseong Hospital for further treatment.

The hospital director gave a polite laugh.

Hahaha. I certainly understand your intentions.

However, considering the patient's current condition, transferring him would be extremely risky.

What he needs most right now is stability and rest.

Understood. We'll respect your judgment on that matter.

However, I'd like your medical staff to cooperate directly with the medical team from Suseong Hospital.

The hospital director maintained his smile.

However, he firmly shook his head.

I'm afraid that's impossible.

We'll put our hospital's reputation on the line and take full responsibility for treating this young man.

So please don't worry.

Hee-soo's expression immediately turned cold.

A human life is at stake here. This isn't a matter of your hospital's pride.

If something goes wrong, KEPCO Hospital will have to discuss full responsibility for failing to treat this young man with Suseong's legal team.

Are you still comfortable with that decision?

The hospital director remained confident.

Of course.

We've invested in excellent medical professionals and advanced equipment precisely so that we can respond to emergencies like this.

His confidence was extraordinary.

Furthermore, his expression showed no signs of arrogance or empty boasting.

It was immediately obvious that he genuinely believed in his hospital's capabilities.

Ordinarily, the director might have tried to avoid further confrontation after hearing Hee-soo's warning.

However, he continued to display unwavering confidence.

Under those circumstances, Hee-soo had no choice but to compromise.

Very well.

Then I'll leave this young man's treatment entirely in the hands of KEPCO Hospital.

However, if even the slightest problem arises during his treatment, I'll immediately arrange for him to be transferred to Suseong Hospital.

Furthermore, my medical staff will monitor and care for him around the clock.

I'd appreciate it if you didn't object to that arrangement.

The hospital director couldn't hide his bitter expression.

However, Hee-soo ignored his reaction and continued speaking.

Therefore, I'd like you to prepare an office inside the hospital where our medical team can remain on-site twenty-four hours a day.

The hospital director couldn't immediately give him an answer.

Hee-soo didn't give him time to think.

Instead, he continued pressing him.

If you can't give me a definite answer, we'll have no choice but to transfer this young man to Suseong Hospital.

The hospital director looked extremely troubled by Hee-soo's insistence.

Eventually, he nodded.

Understood.

We can agree to that arrangement.

Only then did Hee-soo finally smile.

Excellent.

If his treatment goes well, I'll designate KEPCO Hospital as one of Suseong's partner hospitals.

And I can assure you that we won't hesitate to make substantial investments in your hospital.

The professors dispatched from Suseong Hospital were completely caught off guard by Hee-soo's sudden proposal.

Ah, um... D-director Choi...

The Suseong Medical Foundation is under the authority of your second-eldest brother, Chairman Choi Hyun-soo.

Hee-soo responded calmly.

I'm well aware of that.

But is there some kind of rule stating that only the Suseong Medical Foundation is allowed to invest in KEPCO Hospital?

Huh?

I believe Suseong Electronics could also invest in KEPCO Hospital and establish various kinds of partnerships.

Hee-soo's words left the professors even more flustered.

Ah, w-well, of course that's possible.

It's just that we're employees of the Suseong Medical Foundation, so...

Yes, I understand your position.

Hee-soo nodded.

First of all, I'd like to sincerely thank you for traveling such a long distance to help me.

However, before anything else, there's only one thing I want.

I want this young man to survive.

Everything else can be discussed afterward.

If something happens to him, there won't be any afterward.

Ah, understood. We'll do everything we can to help the medical staff here.

Hee-soo immediately shook his head.

I don't want you to think of yourselves as merely assisting them. I want you to take an active role in his treatment.

There will be no excuses.

When I called you here, it was because I wasn't even considering the possibility of this young man dying.

And I wasn't considering the possibility of him becoming permanently disabled either.

The professors looked uncomfortable.

W-well, it's difficult for us to make any guarantees like that.

I know.

Human beings aren't gods. Naturally, nobody can guarantee the outcome.

However, I expect you to do absolutely everything within your power.

I don't want any of us to have regrets afterward.

Hearing those words, the expressions of the previously flustered professors finally returned to normal.

One of them answered confidently.

Isn't that obvious?

We're dealing with a human life. We would never approach something like this carelessly.

We'll prove to you that we didn't become professors at Suseong Hospital by winning our positions in a card game!

Hee-soo had initially been somewhat doubtful.

However, after seeing the determination in their expressions, he began to trust them a little more.

He responded with a smile.

Of course, I'm not asking you to personally remain here and care for the patient around the clock.

Don't worry about that either.

We'll assign our most skilled fellows and other qualified medical professionals to monitor his condition.

Thank you.

Afterward, Hee-soo spent some time discussing the young man's condition with the medical staff gathered there.

Once he had finished reviewing the situation, he finally left.