You Have Been Defended [EN]: Chapter 259

[After Han Young Electronics CEO Seol Hyo-seok successfully underwent surgery for glioblastoma, he hatched a plan to murder his younger brother, Executive Director Seol Hyung-seok. This involved Dr. Kim, a psychiatrist at M University Hospital, and nurse Ms. Gu. Their scheme was to induce acute shock by exploiting Executive Director Seol Hyung-seok’s antibiotic allergy, leading to his death. Nurse Ms. Gu, following Dr. Kim’s instructions, injected Executive Director Seol Hyung-seok with an antibiotic known to trigger his allergy, and he experienced acute shock within an hour. Fortunately, he survived, but unfortunately, he lapsed into a vegetative state.]

The Seol Hyung-seok case eventually became the subject of a current affairs program.

The announcer’s report was broadcast against the backdrop of Myungwoon University Hospital.

Although the angle was carefully chosen to avoid explicitly naming ‘Myungwoon University,’ the hospital features a distinctive sculpture in its front plaza.

Those familiar with the hospital would likely recognize it immediately.

Even without knowing the sculpture, Myungdae Hospital is the only university hospital in the area that starts with the letter M.

[Their wrongdoing didn’t stop there. They framed the attending physician, Dr. Yang Dong-jin, for prescribing the incorrect antibiotics and deliberately ignored the truth. We interviewed the victim, Dr. Yang Dong-jin.]

The screen transitioned to Dong-jin in his doctor’s coat.

[I was initially mortified. I would never make such a mistake, but they insisted I had prescribed and administered cephalosporin. The constant pressure made me question myself. Until the truth emerged, I couldn’t even face my colleagues at the hospital. It was a very difficult period. If my lawyer friend hadn’t inquired about the case, I might have had to resign.]

When the current affairs program first requested an interview, they asked Dong-jin if he was comfortable showing his face.

They offered to conceal his name and face if he preferred.

However, Dong-jin chose to appear with his face and name visible.

He believed that clearing his name publicly would help him restore his damaged reputation, as he had been falsely accused, and rumors had spread throughout the medical community.

[The exposure of Han Young Electronics CEO Seol Hyo-seok, specialist Dr. Kim, and nurse Ms. Gu’s heinous murder plot was made possible by the efforts of lawyer Cha Joo-han, who intervened to assist Dr. Yang Dong-jin, who had been wrongly accused of prescribing the wrong antibiotics.]

“Oh, the lawyer’s on!”

I, too, had been interviewed for the current affairs program.

I initially declined several times, suggesting they contact the prosecution, but they persisted.

The reason wasn’t hard to guess.

I suspected Lee Se-hwa intended to boost my public image by having me appear on a popular current affairs program before I joined her election campaign.

“Turn it off now.”

I could already imagine Kang Min-jae making a scene while watching me on TV, so I reached for the remote control on the table.

But Kang Min-jae, anticipating my move, grabbed the remote first and held it tightly.

“Ah, why? The lawyer must have looked great.”

“That’s right, lawyer. Let’s watch it together. You don’t appear on TV often, so it’s nice to see.”

Even Manager Oh joined in.

[The incident began with a conspiracy between Han Young Electronics CEO Seol Hyo-seok and neurosurgeon Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim, the eldest son of the director of M University Hospital, accepted Seol Hyung-seok’s murder request in exchange for Seol Hyo-seok promising to extend the director’s term and arrange a marriage within the Han Young Group. Dr. Kim promised marriage to nurse Ms. Gu, who he was dating, and instructed her to inject Seol Hyung-seok with the wrong antibiotics. During the investigation, Dr. Kim attempted to kill nurse Ms. Gu when she threatened to confess, but he was caught in the act. This provided conclusive evidence of all the events.]

Following my statement, the screen returned to the announcer.

[A Han Young Group spokesperson stated that, fortunately, Han Young Electronics Executive Director Seol Hyung-seok survived the attack but remains in a vegetative state. They also emphasized that CEO Seol Hyo-seok’s actions were entirely independent of other members of the Han Young Group. Han Young Electronics has removed CEO Seol Hyo-seok from his position through a shareholder resolution due to his attempted murder of his younger brother, Executive Director Seol Hyung-seok.]

“Ah, what? Is the lawyer’s part over?”

“What else is there to see?”

“You had more to say. Seriously, that’s outrageous! Why did they cut it out?”

Kang Min-jae grumbled and tapped the television for no apparent reason.

I don’t know why he was doing that when the television wasn’t broken, but he seemed quite upset.

I’m not sure why he’s acting this way when all the important points I made during the program writer’s visit were included.

In fact, the other things Kang Min-jae was so eager to hear were things I had to elaborate on because the writer asked me to speak for a bit longer.

“It ended at a good point, why are you complaining?”

[Currently, Dr. Kim and nurse Ms. Gu have confessed to the crime, while former Han Young Electronics CEO Seol Hyo-seok is denying the charges. However, the prosecution has stated that they intend to indict former Han Young Electronics CEO Seol Hyo-seok because the evidence of his crime is overwhelming, and his motive is clear: a fratricidal tragedy driven by inheritance. The ending is inevitably cruel.]

In any case, most of the evidence was handed over to the prosecution, and with the assistance of Deputy Chief Park Young-gi, the case progressed smoothly.

I’m not happy that Seol Hyo-seok is still denying everything, but Kim Sung-woo confessed willingly.

He was caught trying to kill Gu So-jeong, who was about to confess, and the recording of my phone call included his admission of guilt, leaving no room for doubt.

“I’m leaving work.”

I announced, putting on my jacket.

“You two should go home, too.”

Because of the current affairs program interview, Kang Min-jae had stayed late to watch it with me, delaying my 퇴근 [toegeun – leaving work] until now.

I had said I was leaving, but he insisted on watching it together, so I couldn’t leave either.

It’s already past 8 o’clock.

“Lawyer, you haven’t forgotten about the 회식 [hoesik – company dinner] tomorrow, have you? You can’t drive your car tomorrow. Got it?”

“I know.”

“Hehe. Then go home safely.”

As soon as I declared the Dong-jin case closed, Kang Min-jae, who had been sternly reminding me to focus on work, perked up at the mention of a 회식.

I got in my car, leaving Kang Min-jae humming.

[Are you coming?]

Before starting the engine, I checked my phone and saw a message from Dong-jin, who had just arrived.

He was so insistent on treating me to something expensive, so I was eager to see how impressive this place was.

I instinctively turned on the radio but switched it off and turned on music instead.

Everyone is talking about Seol Hyo-seok now, and I didn’t feel like listening to it.

I’ve decided to let go of this matter now.

It’s best to leave the rest to the prosecution and the Han Young Group.

My primary goal was to help Dong-jin, and I’ve accomplished that.

“Reservation name, please.”

“Yang Dong-jin.”

“I’ll show you the way.”

The place I arrived at was a very upscale restaurant.

It was my first time here, and the interior was stunning. I began to worry that Dong-jin’s expenses would be too high.

I should check the menu and, if it’s too much for Dong-jin to afford, I’ll discreetly pay the bill.

“Oh, you’re here?”

“This place is open late?”

Dong-jin also had a busy schedule, so we met at 8:30 PM.

As I arrived, it seemed like the private rooms were fully booked.

“This place is very famous. A VIP patient in the ward told me about it. He said that after watching the current affairs program, I should treat you to something extravagant. So, when I said I was planning to do that anyway, he recommended this place. It was very difficult to get a reservation, so I used that patient’s connections.”

“Hey, isn’t this too expensive for a meal like this?”

“It’s okay. I’m a doctor, right? I’m also a ‘사’ [sa – professional] job. Do you think you’re the only one who makes good money?”

“Still, you have dependents.”

“It’s fine. If it weren’t for you, I would never have had the chance to come to a place like this in my life, so if you think about it that way, this is a bargain. I ordered the course that they said was the most delicious.”

“Why did you order without letting me see the menu?”

“Because I knew you would look at the menu and try to pay if it seemed too expensive.”

You know me too well?

I’m starting to feel a little self-conscious.

“After seeing you on the current affairs program today, people I know are asking me to introduce you.”

“Introduce me to what?”

“They’re saying, ‘How did you become friends with someone like that?’ They’re saying you’re handsome and have a good heart, stepping up for your friend’s work. I even got a call from my wife asking me to introduce you!”

“Stop exaggerating.”

“Are you really not interested? I have a great junior colleague. Really.”

“I told you, it’s okay.”

I waved my hand and shook my head. After I declined twice, Dong-jin must have realized there was no point in pushing it, so he didn’t say anything more.

I was waiting quietly for the food to arrive when an employee suddenly entered the room.

“Lawyer, CEO Lee Se-hwa would like to say hello for a moment.”

It was an unexpected announcement.

Aside from the fact that the employee addressed me as a lawyer, I was surprised that Lee Se-hwa had noticed me.

“Is CEO Lee Se-hwa here?”

“Yes. She’s in the room next door. She stepped out for a moment and saw you when you arrived.”

At the employee’s words, Dong-jin’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Lee Se-hwa? The Lee Se-hwa I know?”

“…Yeah.”

“You know Lee Se-hwa?”

I had arrived later than Lee Se-hwa, so she hadn’t followed me in, but it felt awkward.

Lee Se-hwa is essentially a political benefactor, but she clearly wants something from me.

That’s why I feel uneasy around her.

For example…

It’s like a more blatant Kang Gwan-woong?

“It just happened that way.”

“Hey, if you’re going to say hello, can’t I come with you? I even voted for the Free Justice Party in the general election.”

“Oh, really?”

At that moment, Lee Se-hwa appeared in the doorway.

I thought she was asking me to come to her room to say hello, but I didn’t expect her to come directly.

“If you were in my room, I would have come to you.”

“These days, telling people to come and go makes you look like a 꼰대 [kkondae – old-fashioned person]. Cha 변 [Cha byeon – Lawyer Cha] doesn’t know anything.”

Lee Se-hwa smiled slyly and extended her hand to Dong-jin.

“You’re Dr. Yang Dong-jin, right? I’m Lee Se-hwa. Thank you for voting for the Free Justice Party.”

The playful tone made her, a middle-aged woman, seem more 센스 [senseu – sensible/stylish] and attractive.

That’s Lee Se-hwa’s strength.

A demeanor that is neither overly serious nor frivolous.

Dong-jin shook her hand and bowed deeply.

“I don’t know how the CEO knew my name, but it’s an honor to meet you. My parents are also supporters of the CEO. Haha.”

“I’m so grateful.”

“Ah! Maybe a picture…”

“Oh, of course. Of course.”

Dong-jin, who was excited, and Lee Se-hwa, who seemed to be in a good mood, took pictures together four times.

Because the previous ones didn’t turn out well.