Free Web NovelI went to Ilseong Hospital early in the morning for Grandma’s comprehensive medical checkup.
“Manager Ma. Please take good care of Grandma.”
“Yes, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Boss.”
After giving instructions to Manager Ma, I held Grandma’s hand tightly and spoke.
“Grandma. I have something to take care of. You’ll be fine without me, right?”
“Of course. I’m not a little kid. Don’t worry and go do what you need to do.”
“I’ll be inside the hospital, so if anything comes up, call me, okay?”
“Oh my, what could possibly happen in a hospital? It’s fine. Go on, hurry.”
Grandma waved her hand, and I sent Manager Ma a look asking him to take good care of her.
After exchanging greetings with the two of them, I took the elevator up to the hospital director’s office.
The secretary seated in front of the office recognized me and opened the door.
“President Kim Muhyuk. Welcome.”
“Director, you’ve been well, right? I haven’t seen you since the inauguration ceremony. I spoke with the Chairman yesterday.”
“Haha. I’ve been doing well thanks to you. It’s best not to come to the hospital too often, but still, please drop by from time to time, President.”
Cracking a light joke, the hospital director naturally guided me to the seat of honor.
The former hospital director had been promoted to Chairman, and the newly appointed director, Park Jaeyoung, was a sharp man who knew how to read the room.
“I heard that your grandmother is having her health checkup at our hospital today, so I personally gave the instructions.”
“Thank you for taking such care.”
The director brought over a stack of documents from his desk and sat down.
“These are the results of the health check your grandmother received six months ago. After reviewing them, there were no abnormalities. However, given her age, there is a general decline in overall bodily functions.”
It might sound excessive, but I was worried about Grandma’s health, so we had agreed she would undergo a checkup every six months.
“What about her heart? About ten years ago, she once went into cardiac arrest.”
“Yes, we’re aware. Her cardiac function shows no major issues. In fact, she’s healthier than most people her age.”
I had heard this many times before, but every time I heard it, I still felt relieved.
Hearing that there was nothing wrong with Grandma’s health was like a talisman to me.
“That’s a relief.”
“Your grandmother must be very fortunate. She has such a devoted grandson. My own grandson is just entering elementary school, and he’s already so stubborn, honestly.”
“Haha. Kids that age are all like that. I wandered quite a bit myself when I was young.”
“You, President?”
“Yes. If it weren’t for my grandmother, I probably wouldn’t even be able to sit here face to face with you, Director.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
“Well, that’s because you don’t know my past. More importantly......”
After confirming that there was nothing wrong with Grandma’s health, I brought up the real reason I had come to see him.
“Have you prepared it?”
“Yes.”
The director slid a file folder with no writing on it across the desk toward me.
The biggest reason I never let go of Ilseong Hospital was precisely this.
Through the documents the director provided—lists of VIPs, their medical histories, records of conversations they had while staying at the hospital, and visitor logs—I could easily secure all kinds of information.
In South Korea, aside from Korea National University Hospital, no hospital could rival Ilseong Hospital’s services.
But Korea National University Hospital served as a national hospital, so VIPs had no reason to go there. They preferred Ilseong Hospital, where the medical services were far superior.
Thanks to that, Ilseong Hospital had accumulated data on countless chaebol families.
For example......
“Chairman Seo Jaesang’s health condition isn’t good.”
“Yes. It appears to be a hereditary disease. It’s the same illness his father, former Chairman Seo Maenggeon, had.”
“It’s not something that can be cured, is it?”
“No. It’s a condition he’ll have to live with until the end of his life. However, the progression can be slowed. It doesn’t significantly interfere with daily life, but he does need to be hospitalized from time to time for comprehensive examinations.”
Nodding, I reviewed the list of people who had visited Ilseong Hospital over the past year.
As I went through the names one by one, a familiar name caught my eye.
“Chairman Choi Woosik visited the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“That robust man? What could possibly be wrong with him? He’s still young. I believe he just turned forty.”
“Ah, Chairman Choi Woosik didn’t visit because he himself was ill.”
The director flipped through the documents and handed several pages to me. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
As soon as I saw them, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.
“A paternity test? Who was it for?”
The documents he handed me were paternity test results.
I checked the name of the subject listed.
“Choi Seungwoo? Isn’t this Chairman Choi Woosik’s second son?”
Astonishingly, Chairman Choi Woosik had ordered a paternity test for a son born to his wife.
“That’s correct.”
“So what were the results?”
“Please turn one more page, President.”
At Park Jaeyoung’s words, I quickly flipped the page.
“......Non-match?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand. This was something that must never be revealed to the public.
The second son of a top-ten chaebol not being his biological child?
If this fact came out, it would immediately cause serious problems for management control.
Chairman Choi Woosik had already been embroiled in a management rights dispute due to foreign asset management firms.
With my help, he had barely managed to reach a dramatic settlement, but if this were revealed, the stock price would likely plummet again.
Yoon Hyunju, Chairman Choi Woosik’s wife, held nearly as many group shares as he did.
“So Director Yoon Hyunju had an affair and gave birth to another man’s child? You really can’t judge people by appearances.”
Yoon Hyunju was known in business circles as the model wife and mother.
Unlike other chaebol wives, she was said to never interfere in management and to focus solely on raising the children.
“But Chairman Choi Woosik also has an illegitimate child, doesn’t he? That child is a boy as well, right?”
If you asked whether Chairman Choi Woosik had been faithful in his marriage, the answer would be no.
“Yes. That paternity test was also conducted at our hospital. He was confirmed as the biological father.”
It was Chairman Choi Woosik who had fathered an illegitimate child first.
The eldest son, Choi Jinwoo, had since been registered in the family registry and was being raised by Yoon Hyunju.
“Interesting. They gave as good as they got. Choi Jinwoo and Choi Seungwoo are only a year apart in age, right?”
“Yes. There’s a one-year difference.”
“Director Yoon Hyunju doesn’t know about this, does she?”
If she did know, the picture would be even more interesting.
“The only ones who know are the Chairman and myself. Even the staff who conducted the test didn’t know whose DNA they were analyzing.”
How should I use this? I put the documents down, rubbed my chin, and sank into thought.
For now, keep it a secret.
“Make sure none of this information ever leaks outside. I’ll speak to the Chairman personally. You understand what I mean, Director.”
He was a man who knew how to keep his mouth shut. That was enough for him to understand.
I folded the paternity test documents and slipped them into the inner pocket of my suit jacket.
Then I resumed reviewing the rest of the list.
But nothing else of note came up.
Setting the documents aside, I gave Park Jaeyoung further instructions.
“Manage the VIPs thoroughly. Raise the quality of service for them even higher. Make it so they have no choice but to come to Ilseong Hospital.”
“Yes. That’s why we’re planning to build a new ward exclusively for VIPs. We’ve already purchased the adjacent land......”
“Ah, I heard about that from the Chairman. You made a good decision. These are people who dislike public attention, so separating them entirely sounds like a good idea. Don’t worry about the construction costs—build something truly impressive.”
“Thank you.”
To keep Ilseong Hospital firmly in my grasp, this level of investment was nothing.
At the mention of covering the construction costs, Park Jaeyoung broke into a wide smile and bowed his head.
“I’d like to have lunch together, but since I promised to eat with my grandmother once her examination is finished, it’ll be difficult today.”
“No, that’s fine. I’ll make sure to treat you properly next time.”
“Haha, I should be the one treating you. I’ll coordinate with the Chairman and set a date.”
After chatting with the director about various things, I suddenly checked the time.
It was already this late.
“Director, could you turn on the news? There’s something I need to check.”
At my request, Park Jaeyoung turned on the TV and flipped to a news channel.
— Medvedev, Head of the Presidential Administration, arrived today via Incheon International Airport.
The news was running a breaking report on Medvedev’s visit to Korea.
The anchor explained Medvedev’s background in detail. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
— Head of the Presidential Administration Medvedev is a figure with great influence not only in politics but also in Russia’s business circles......
Ignoring the anchor’s explanation, the screen showed Medvedev arriving.
He stood before the reporters with a stern expression.
— Hello. I am Medvedev.
His first words were in Korean. After finishing his greeting with slow but quite clear pronunciation, he continued speaking in Russian.
— I like Korea. I have visited Korea several times, but I think there is no city as good as Seoul. I hope this visit becomes an opportunity to further deepen the friendly relations between Russia and Korea.
After briefly sharing his impressions of the visit, questions about the purpose of his trip followed.
— The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that this visit is for discussions on building an oil pipeline connecting East Asia. Is that true?
Receiving the question through an interpreter, Medvedev smiled gently as he answered.
— I will speak about the details after all schedules are complete. We haven’t even started yet. It would be inappropriate to put negotiation agendas on the table before we begin. I will hold a proper press conference after everything is finished.
Medvedev answered the reporters’ questions diligently, but when you listened closely, his words were empty of substance.
Slippery as an eel.
“He’s become quite the politician compared to before.”
“Pardon? Do you know him?”
“We’re acquainted. He wasn’t like that in the past.”
“As expected, President, your connections are extensive. I’ve heard he’s the second most powerful person in Russia.”
“Yes. He is the second most powerful. But he’s still just second. You know what kind of country Russia is.”
Second most powerful sounded impressive, but it was a position that could be lost with a single cough from the Russian president.
As Park Jaeyoung and I talked, the questions continued, and Medvedev kept giving vague answers.
— The Japanese government has stated that it would invest a massive sum of one trillion yen if Russia builds an oil pipeline connecting Japan. Has Korea made a similar proposal? Or perhaps an even larger one?
A man presumed to be a Japanese reporter asked in English.
— It is true that there was a proposal from the Japanese government. However, it is burdensome to cover such enormous costs with an investment of one trillion yen. The Korean government has made no proposal whatsoever to the Russian government.
— Then why did you choose Korea instead of Japan? Isn’t this visit meant to pressure the Japanese government rather than negotiate with Korea?
Was this what baseless confidence looked like? A very Japanese-style question, viewing everything through a Japan-centered lens.
— What would Russia gain by pressuring the Japanese government? Important matters between nations are not handled in such a manner. Perhaps you should consider becoming a novelist instead of a reporter. When your novel is published, I’ll be sure to buy a copy.
Everyone laughed loudly at the Russian-style humor—except for one person.
The Japanese reporter’s face turned bright red, and he fired back another question in a sharper tone.
— If that’s not the case, then this visit makes no sense. Japan is a larger country than Korea. To proceed with such a major project with Korea instead of Japan is not beneficial for Russia either.
— I prioritize Russia’s national interest. Our government believes cooperation with Korea is more important than cooperation with Japan. That will be all.
Medvedev’s expression hardened instantly as he finished his final answer and moved away briskly.
Reporters chased after him with more questions, but he did not respond further.
Watching the TV, Park Jaeyoung murmured in admiration.
“He speaks very decisively. He seems to like Korea. Is he a pro-Korea politician?”
“Pro-Korea, maybe...... For now, let’s say he is.”
At that moment, the phone in my pocket vibrated. I took it out and checked the number.
What was so urgent that he contacted me like this? I curled one corner of my lips into a smile as I spoke.
“Director, would you mind giving me a moment?”
“Of course. While I’m out, I should personally check on your grandmother’s examination.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
After the director bowed lightly and left, I answered the call.
— President Kim Muhyuk. This is Medvedev.
“You arrived in Korea sooner than I expected. I just saw you on TV.”
— Haha. Yes. I’m on my way to the embassy right now. I regretted not being able to greet you when you left Russia.
I hadn’t contacted Medvedev at all before leaving Russia.
That was probably part of why he had rushed to Korea so urgently.
“We’re seeing each other again now, aren’t we?”
— Still, it’s hard not to feel regret. Ah, President Kim. Are you free tomorrow evening?
“Hmm...... I’ll come to the hotel where you’re staying tomorrow evening. Let’s have dinner together.”
— Dinner sounds good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.
The call with Medvedev ended quickly. Before hanging up, I recalled the delight in his voice and let out another chuckle.
“Looks like the fire’s reached his feet.”
Medvedev knew very well that if his connection with me was cut, he would become like a gourd with its vine severed.
That was why he was trying so desperately to hold onto me now.
“Shall I get moving?”
Ending the call, I left the director’s office and headed back down to where Grandma was.
