Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 215

215. The Show

“The victim?”

“Yes. Quickly!”

With a sense of urgency, Go Gye-deuk planned to visit the victim first, bow his head, and apologize as sincerely as possible.

“Shouldn’t we go apologize? Apologize!”

“Ah, apologize?”

“Can’t you see how things are turning out? We need to create an escape route!”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Watching Go Gye-deuk, who was frantic, Kwon Soo-hyun called the resident who had been in charge of Gam Ji-yeon the day before.

– Yes, Professor.

“Oh, it’s me. About that patient from yesterday?”

– Patient? Who are you talking about…….

The resident who answered the phone thought to himself, ‘Is this guy crazy?’

He might be coming to the hospital to network without actually seeing patients, but that wasn’t the case for the resident.

Since they saw so many patients every day, asking like that was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

“Hey! Who else could it be? I’m talking about the department store victim.”

– Yes, we transferred that patient to another hospital.

“That’s not what I mean. Which hospital did you send that person to?”

– Hospital? We sent them to our hospital, but why…….

“Okay.”

As soon as the resident mentioned the hospital’s name, Kwon Soo-hyun hung up without needing to hear more.

“They said they sent them to our hospital?”

“What! Our hospital?”

The moment he heard the hospital’s name, Go Gye-deuk swallowed hard.

‘That’s the hospital where Kim Tae-kyung is!’

Go Gye-deuk immediately searched the internet.

– The victim was operated on at our hospital.

– The handsome doctor from the after-school exam prep [referring to a popular image of Kim Tae-kyung]?

– That’s right. He operated and saved them. Truly a master!!!

‘Why! Of all people, Kim Tae-kyung had to operate? This is a disaster!!’

The moment he found out that Tae-kyung had operated, Go Gye-deuk felt like everything was going horribly wrong.

“Out of all the hospitals, why did you send them there?”

“No, I didn’t send them? I just told them to send them to a smaller hospital……. But, Director, now that I think about it, you don’t need to be so anxious.”

Unlike Go Gye-deuk, who was in a panic, Kwon Soo-hyun, who had something to rely on, smiled slyly, a stark contrast to his earlier urgent demeanor.

“What do you mean?”

“Director, who am I? My father is a congressman with a gold badge [a symbol of a congressman], isn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

He had been so distracted by the sudden event that he hadn’t thought about it, but Kwon Soo-hyun’s father was indeed a congressman.

Since there was no corner of Korea where the power of a congressman didn’t reach, Go Gye-deuk’s shrinking heart began to relax.

“Professor Kwon, ask your father to help.”

“I already talked to my father before coming to see you, Director, so don’t worry too much.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He said he would meet with Congressman Gam Deok-chan and discuss it.”

Before coming to the director’s office, Kwon Soo-hyun, realizing the seriousness of the situation, had asked his father, a congressman, for help.

He had always escaped crises with his father’s help, and he believed that this time, too, his father would resolve it.

“Listen! Professor Kwon, just in case, let’s coordinate our stories. The reason we transferred the victim was because we had too many patients and had no choice. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Of course. I understand that very well. I’ll talk to the resident, so don’t worry and relax.”

“I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to have you, Professor Kwon.”

Go Gye-deuk patted Kwon Soo-hyun on the shoulder and felt a sense of relief.

‘Right, congressmen look out for each other. There’s nothing to be afraid of.’

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time.

Gam Deok-chan, who was in his office, was watching the public apology video of Yoon Bu-sil, the chairman of JQ Department Store.

– Dear citizens. Hello.

The apology, which took place in the department store plaza, was attended by key executives, led by Yoon Bu-sil.

– I am here today to apologize for the accident that occurred at our department store.

Above all, I bow my head and apologize to the victims and their families who were harmed by this accident.

We will work hard to compensate for the damage and prepare preventative measures, and we promise that this will never happen again.

– Congressman Gam Deok-chan pointed out poor construction this morning. Please respond to that.

A reporter waiting in front suddenly asked Yoon Bu-sil a question.

– From the guardian’s point of view, you may think so, but that is not the case at all. I will state it clearly in my name.

Click-

“What a load of crap.”

Gam Deok-chan turned off the TV and cursed, looking dumbfounded.

Clang-

“Congressman?”

The chief aide came into the office and announced that someone had come to see him.

“They’re here.”

“Really? Show them in.”

“Oh! Congressman Gam!”

The person who appeared, bowing his head deeply, was Kwon Oh-hyun, Kwon Soo-hyun’s father.

“It’s been a while, but I’m sorry to come to you with this kind of matter.”

“Congressman, would you like some coffee?”

“No. Don’t worry about me, Chief Lee.”

“You can go out.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The chief aide greeted them, exchanged a silent glance with Gam Deok-chan, and left the office, subtly touching the frame on the bookshelf next to the door.

“Congressman Gam, I have a useless son who seems to have made another mistake.”

“Mistake? Listen, Congressman Kwon. Why don’t you just be honest? Do you think I don’t know?”

“……!”

“I already know why my daughter suddenly transferred from Shinhwa University Hospital.”

“I’m sorry. I never dreamed that our Soo-hyun would take money from the department store people and send them away.”

“How can a doctor move a patient for money! Huh!”

“The truth is, he’s sitting in that position because of my power, so he’s not skilled.”

“Is that what you’re saying now?”

Gam Deok-chan continued, furious.

“Then he shouldn’t have become a doctor! I’m not going to let this go. I’m going to sue everyone.”

“Congressman Gam, I’m begging you like this. Can’t you just let it go for my sake? I’ll make it up to you.”

Kwon Oh-hyun bowed his head, trying to change Gam Deok-chan’s mind.

“Well, there is a way for me to calm down.”

“Really? What is it? I’ll do anything.”

Kwon Oh-hyun, who had been dealing with the fallout from the sexual harassment of a female employee, wanted his son’s case to pass quietly.

He was more concerned about his position as a congressman than his son.

“I haven’t even received a single apology from the parties involved. At least people should apologize first. What kind of rudeness is this?”

“I’m sorry. Wait a moment. Hello?”

At Gam Deok-chan’s words, Kwon Oh-hyun immediately called Kwon Soo-hyun, Go Gye-deuk, and even Yoon Bu-sil.

And exactly 30 minutes later, the three arrived at the office, vying with each other.

Clang-

“Congressman, I’m really sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

The three repeated the word “sorry” like parrots.

“Chairman Yoon Bu-sil? Is that all you have to say to me? I saw the video earlier, and you said it wasn’t poor construction, but I even spoke directly with the writer abroad. Are you still going to deny it?”

Gam Deok-chan was more thorough and not as easy to deal with as he had thought.

He took out the writer’s voice recording from his phone, along with a copy of the agreement between the writer and Yoon Bu-sil regarding the accident, and pressured him.

“I have nothing to say, even if I had ten mouths. Congressman, it’s all my fault. The truth is, it was poor construction.”

Yoon Bu-sil, greatly surprised to see the solid evidence that had not been released in the news, revealed all the facts.

“The writer suggested installing more safety cables, but I stopped them. But I never thought a real accident would happen.”

“Director Go Gye-deuk, and Professor Kwon Soo-hyun?”

Gam Deok-chan ignored Yoon Bu-sil’s apology and turned his gaze to the two.

“Professor Kwon Soo-hyun, you received gift certificates from the department store?”

Gam Deok-chan had met with the department store’s management team leader and subordinates, as well as the Shinhwa University resident, and confirmed all the facts.

“No, I don’t know anything about that. The truth is, the director told me I had to receive them.”

Kwon Soo-hyun had already been told by his father, Kwon Oh-hyun, to pass everything on to Go Gye-deuk.

“I didn’t know things would turn out like this either.”

“So, Director Go forced you to transfer them?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Is that true? Director Go?”

Go Gye-deuk couldn’t hide his momentary embarrassment at Kwon Soo-hyun’s attitude, even pointing his finger at him.

“I, I’m also wronged.”

Then he started acting just like Kwon Soo-hyun.

“Wronged? Does that mean you’re not at fault?”

“Of course not. I don’t know how sorry I am. But, Congressman, the truth is, I had no choice but to do that at the request of Chairman Yoon here. What power does a director who receives a salary have?”

As expected, Go Gye-deuk, like a snake, was trying to pass the blame on to Yoon Bu-sil.

“I didn’t want to do that either, but I couldn’t refuse Chairman Yoon’s request.”

“Wh, wh, what?”

Yoon Bu-sil, who was next to him, raised his voice, glaring at Go Gye-deuk with a dumbfounded expression.

“Hey, you crazy bastard? What? You’re saying I told you to do that? I even gave you more money because you said you’d take care of it.”

“Chairman. Other people will misunderstand if they hear that. I only visited you because of the donation, but you told me to send them far away.”

“Hey! You rat-like bastard. I knew you’d do that, so I even recorded my conversation with you. Do you think I’m going to take the fall alone?”

Yoon Bu-sil, with his eyes turned upside down, began to expose Go Gye-deuk’s flaws without holding back.

“Go Gye-deuk, you can’t do that. Who demanded money, saying he would get our sons out of the military, and sold me out? Everyone here knows that you receive kickbacks from pharmaceutical company representatives and treat general patients like cockroaches, only treating VVIPs [Very Very Important People] as patients.”

“No, Chairman, wh, what…….”

Go Gye-deuk, flustered, began to stammer.

“You’re going too far.”

“Too far? And that Kwon Soo-hyun or whatever, you took money from a congressman here to put that person in as a professor and even intentionally kicked out Teacher Kim Tae-kyung? The rumors going around are all about you, Go Gye-deuk. You’re the doctor who plays with patients. Just looking at this case, it’s obvious it’s you.”

“Listen to you! Huh! You came to me with money and asked me to get your son out of the military?”

“I’m not a piece of trash like you. You don’t even deserve to be a doctor.”

Gam Deok-chan’s office was reminiscent of an all-out war of exposure by non-recyclable trash.

“Can’t you all be quiet!!”

As if Gam Deok-chan, who had been quietly watching on purpose until now, had had enough, he made a strange expression and raised his voice.

“What are you doing, people who came to apologize?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Congressman, I’m sorry.”

“In my opinion, none of the four people gathered here seem to have their heads screwed on straight. Everyone, please leave now.”

“No, Congressman Gam. Don’t do this, let’s talk separately. Huh?”

“I don’t think I have anything to talk about with you?”

“I prepared this…….”

Kwon Oh-hyun, anxious because the apology scene had turned into a mess, quickly took out a white envelope from his suit jacket.

“Congressman, this is my sincerity [a euphemism for a bribe].”

And, as if waiting for it, Yoon Bu-sil and Go Gye-deuk, who were watching the scene, were trying to resolve the situation with money.

In short, the trash gathered here meant that no one was truly repenting for what they had done.

“You, you crazy people! What do you take me for……. Get a grip! You bad guys!”

Gam Deok-chan, shouting so loudly that the office shook, quickly called his aide.

“Chief Lee!”

Clang-

“Yes, Congressman? Did you call me?”

“Get these trash out of my sight right now. And you all better be prepared. Don’t ever show your face in front of me again, and rot!”

“Okay, everyone, let’s go now?”

“Ah! Congressman, I was wrong.”

“Congressman Gam! I’m counting on you.”

The four did not forget to spout nonsense until the moment they were forcibly dragged out by the aides.

Clang-

After everyone left the office, Gam Deok-chan, who had been standing still, walked to the bookshelf where the aide had approached earlier.

And he said, looking at the phone camera behind the frame.

“You have just witnessed the rotten corruption of a member of the National Assembly of Korea, the director of a large hospital, a doctor, and the chairman of a large corporation. There are still many people doing such dirty things in various parts of our country. As a member of the National Assembly, I will not condone such people in the future. Thank you for watching Gam Deok-chan TV.”

After finishing his words, Gam Deok-chan turned off the video being broadcast on his phone.

All the scenes of Go Gye-deuk, Kwon Soo-hyun, Kwon Oh-hyun, and Yoon Bu-sil, who had been fighting and exposing each other’s sins, were being broadcast live on Gam Deok-chan’s YouTube channel.

It was obvious that the congressman and the chairman of the large corporation would try to get out of this situation as much as they wanted.

Gam Deok-chan was worried about how to make them unable to move, so he decided to do a live broadcast.

He thought that if he called the four people at the same time and stimulated them one by one, a dogfight would surely break out, and that prediction was correct.

No matter how much money and power the congressman and the chairman of the large corporation had, they would not be able to escape from this broadcast, which the entire nation watched live.

And this amazing show that deceived everyone was all Tae-kyung’s idea.