Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 83

83. The Upper Management’s Displeasure

7 hours ago-

Nuga Hotel. CEO’s Office.

Knock, knock-

“Come in.”

The secretary, appearing after the knock, bowed to Kim Seo-hyun.

“Are all the important schedules for today finished?”

“Yes, Madam President. Tonight’s dinner meeting has been rescheduled to a breakfast appointment tomorrow.”

“I’m aware of that. I’ll finish the remaining work and head home then.”

“Madam President….”

At Kim Seo-hyun’s gesture to leave, the secretary remained, looking embarrassed.

“Yes? What is it?”

“When you were doing the press interview earlier, the Chairman called.”

“I know. He wants me to clear my schedule for a family gathering this weekend to celebrate Father’s discharge from the hospital, right?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Not that? Wasn’t there a family gathering this weekend?”

“Yes, there is, but that’s not what the Chairman’s call was about.”

“Then what is it?”

“That’s… well… um….”

The secretary hesitated, as if afraid to speak.

“Are you toying with me?”

“No, Madam President.”

“Then stop stammering and speak plainly.”

“The Chairman instructed me to ensure you apologize to the doctors at our hospital by the end of this week.”

“I thought it was something significant.”

Unlike the hesitant secretary, Kim Seo-hyun snorted dismissively.

“I’ll handle it, so don’t worry and leave. I have documents to review.”

“Madam President, I apologize, but the Chairman specifically told me to get a definite answer from you regarding when you will apologize and report back to him.”

“I said, get out.”

“But….”

The secretary worried about Kim Seo-hyun’s potential outburst, but stood her ground, following Kim Geon-hyung’s direct order.

“Hey!”

Eventually, Kim Seo-hyun, unable to contain herself, erupted.

“Is the Chairman your father? He’s my father! *My* father. I, his daughter, will take care of it. How many times do I have to repeat myself? How many times?!”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll speak to the Chairman directly. I will, so don’t fret. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll be on my way then.”

“Please, just leave quickly.”

Thud-

As soon as the office door closed, Kim Seo-hyun muttered something contradictory to what she had told the secretary.

“Is he out of his mind? Why should I apologize to those people?”

This wasn’t the first time Kim Seo-hyun had received a call from Kim Geon-hyung instructing her to apologize.

Kim Geon-hyung had been urging her to formally apologize since the day after he met Tae-kyung and Eui-jin, but Kim Seo-hyun had consistently dismissed it with vague acknowledgments.

“Why did Father make such a promise with those kinds of people?”

Kim Seo-hyun still had no intention of apologizing, regardless of the circumstances.

“Apologize? Seriously, those nobodies have pride. It’s laughable.”

* * *

“Let’s conclude today’s meeting here. And effective today, there will be no more overtime.”

“Really?”

Jeong Hae-jin’s words, Eui-jin’s older sister and a senior partner lawyer at Jeong & Jang Law Firm, elicited enthusiastic responses from the junior lawyers and associates.

“You’re not going to suddenly call another meeting, are you?”

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen.”

“Suddenly not doing the overtime we’re used to feels strange.”

“It’s because the preparation is so thorough that there’s no need for overtime anymore. Everyone worked diligently. Go home and rest.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

After the employees departed, the secretary, summoned by Jeong Hae-jin, entered the office.

“You called for me, Attorney?”

“Schedule an appointment for me.”

“Yes, please tell me the details.”

“Do you have the contact number for the Nuga Hotel’s secretary office?”

“Of course.”

“Call and inform them that I will be meeting with CEO Kim Seo-hyun now.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Usually, meetings require appointments to coordinate schedules. This is especially true when meeting the head of a large company.

However, at Jeong Hae-jin’s sudden request, the secretary responded naturally, as if it were commonplace.

“Also, call and tell Secretary Lee to go home immediately.”

“It’s not even 6 o’clock yet.”

“There should be days like this too. She must be tired from working at such a demanding company, so have her wrap things up and go home early. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work, Attorney.”

Click-

“Attorney Jeong, I heard there’s no overtime today?”

As the secretary left, Lee Jeong-ik, Jeong Hae-jin’s husband and fellow lawyer, entered.

“Did you already hear the news?”

“Of course. I know everything about my wife. It’s been a while since we’ve left work together. Let’s go.”

“Are you able to leave work now?”

“Of course, I was organizing documents after hearing the verdict this morning.”

“Ah! That’s right. Sorry, I was preoccupied. I don’t even need to ask about the result, right?”

Jeong Hae-jin asked Lee Jeong-ik as she quickly prepared to leave.

“What’s there to say? When have you ever seen me lose?”

“I have. You lose to me.”

“Hey, this person doesn’t know anything. That’s because I concede for the sake of domestic tranquility.”

“I’ll pretend that’s the case. Whose car should we take?”

“We should take my car. Should we pick up some wine and snacks for the kids on the way?”

“But honey, I need to stop somewhere first. Is that alright?”

“Sure. Where is it?”

“Nuga Hotel.”

At the mention of ‘hotel,’ Lee Jeong-ik straightened his tie, which he had partially loosened.

“You know, I have a lot of documents to review when I get home, and I started work at 4 a.m. today, so I’m quite exhausted.”

“What is this man talking about, getting ahead of himself? Hey, Attorney Lee, you don’t do that with family.”

“Don’t I?”

“No, you don’t.”

“Saying I don’t suddenly makes me feel motivated?”

“That’s enough. I have to meet CEO Kim Seo-hyun. Let’s go quickly.”

“Why Kim Seo-hyun?”

* * *

“Yes, this is the secretary’s office. Yes. Hello? Yes! Now? What’s going on?”

-Well, I’m not sure either. Seeing as the lawyer said she would meet you in person and explain, it must be important.

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Hanging up, the female employee with a hardened expression approached the chief of the secretary’s office with quick steps.

“Chief, I think something happened?”

“What do you mean, something?”

“That’s….”

* * *

“What?! Someone’s coming to see me?”

As soon as Kim Seo-hyun heard the secretary’s story, she jumped up from her desk, reacting dramatically.

“Attorney Jeong Hae-jin from Jeong & Jang is coming.”

“Jeong Hae-jin, that crazy woman? Why all of a sudden? Did someone cause an accident? Is this human having an affair?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Did Sang-hyuk [Kim Seo-hyun’s brother] do propofol [a sedative drug] again?”

“That’s not it either. I checked with the head of the legal team and the head of security, and there was nothing unusual.”

“Then why is that crazy woman coming to see me?”

Kim Seo-hyun’s reaction was perhaps understandable.

Business people, especially owners, would immediately prioritize meeting with Jeong & Jang, even postponing existing schedules, fearing a lawsuit between companies or a scandal involving their families.

There was even a joke that it was reassuring to have them as allies, but terrifying to face them as enemies.

In fact, the Nuga Group’s legal team consisted of top talents in Korea, but Jeong & Jang was even more formidable.

Moreover, Jeong Hae-jin and her husband were famous as the legendary ‘crazy couple’ from the Judicial Research and Training Institute [a postgraduate program for aspiring judges, prosecutors, and lawyers in South Korea]. Both were top graduates of the bar exam and the Institute.

They were known for their passionate dedication during their time as judges, earning them the nicknames ‘Crazy One’ and ‘Super Crazy One,’ shortened to ‘Super Crazy’ and ‘Crazy One.’

What made these two people with such great intellect even more impressive was their family background.

Both came from families deeply rooted in the legal profession, considered the most prestigious of professions. Their families had also consistently contributed positively to society without any scandals, earning them respect from their juniors.

As such, Jeong & Jang Law Firm wielded immense power in political and legal circles.

“Ha! I hate Jeong Hae-jin, that woman, because she’s unlucky….”

The reason Kim Seo-hyun disliked her was simple: she harbored a subtle sense of inferiority towards Jeong Hae-jin, who consistently won the Great Female Leader Award every year.

“What is it? What’s going on that she’s suddenly coming and making a fuss? Annoying!”

Kim Seo-hyun, unaware that Jeong Hae-jin was Eui-jin’s older sister, even felt anxious.

“Madam President, the lawyer has arrived.”

“What! Already? Tell her to come in for now.”

Knock, knock-

“Attorney Jeong, welcome.”

“It’s been a while, CEO Kim Seo-hyun.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s the first time we’ve seen each other since the trial two years ago, right?”

“Yes. How have you been?”

“I’m always buried in documents. Thank you for making time for me, even though I came so suddenly.”

“What are you talking about? I have to make time, even if I don’t have it.”

Kim Seo-hyun put on an elegant facade and said things she didn’t mean.

“But what brings you here….”

“Since we’re both busy, I’ll get straight to the point. You know Dr. Kim Tae-kyung and Dr. Jeong Eui-jin from our hospital, right?”

“Yes?”

“The two who gave emergency treatment to Chairman Kim Geon-hyung a while ago.”

“How did you….”

Kim Geon-hyung’s incident was a closely guarded secret to prevent the stock price from falling. Kim Seo-hyun was surprised that Jeong Hae-jin brought up such a sensitive matter so casually.

“Is there any way we wouldn’t know about the affairs of Korea’s chaebol [large family-owned business conglomerate] families? Is the Chairman doing well now?”

“Ah, yes. He’s perfectly healthy.”

“That’s a relief. By the way, I heard that our CEO Kim Seo-hyun caused trouble for Dr. Kim Tae-kyung and Dr. Jeong Eui-jin. Our two doctors….”

“Trouble? You’re mistaken, Attorney.”

“Mistaken?”

“Yes. It’s not trouble; it’s just saying what needs to be said fairly. Those rootless things who don’t even seem like doctors were doubly annoying.”

Jeong Hae-jin felt a strong urge to throw water in her face. But one loses a fight when agitated. Instead, she maintained a calm tone with a measured smile.

“In other words, you simply said what needed to be said because those rootless things were doubly annoying.”

“As expected, you’re easy to talk to, Attorney.”

“But no matter how I consider it, slapping and making harsh remarks to a doctor who saved the Chairman’s life seems like trouble, right? That’s a nuisance. I believe it’s appropriate to apologize sincerely.”

“Apologize? You’re telling me to apologize to those things now?”

“You’re mistaken, Madam President.”

“Mistake! What mistake?”

Kim Seo-hyun’s excitement and voice were gradually rising.

“Is it a mistake to say what needs to be said to mere doctors?”

“Ha! CEO Kim Seo-hyun, do you still not understand the situation?”

“What situation?”

“Don’t you find it strange that I, Jeong Hae-jin, am here in person at my precious quitting time because of ordinary doctors?”

“…….”

Come to think of it, something was indeed strange. Isn’t Jeong Hae-jin known for only taking on high-profile cases?

Kim Seo-hyun began to suspect the real reason why this woman was bringing up the story of ‘rootless things.’

“Our CEO Kim Seo-hyun is also from a very prominent family, but it turns out that those two doctors are extraordinary people.”

“Extraordinary?”

“Yes. Their backing is on Another Level. They’re quietly living their lives as medical professionals, but it seems the upper management is very displeased that they suffered such treatment.”

“Ha! I almost forgot.”

Kim Seo-hyun attempted to probe Jeong Hae-jin, finding it difficult to believe her words.

“Did those two doctors hire Attorney Jeong with money? To get an apology?”

“Listen here, Kim Seo-hyun?”

“Wh-what… Kim Seo-hyun?”

“Yes. You don’t know exactly how much my retainer fee is, do you? You’ve always handled it at the company level. If you knew, you’d probably faint. And I don’t accept every job just because you offer money. I have a reputation, don’t I?”

“You, are you talking down to me now….”

“If you don’t want to be publicly humiliated, don’t interrupt me and listen to the end.”

Jeong Hae-jin suppressed Kim Seo-hyun, who was about to explode, with a single display of charisma.

“Oh, that’s right! The people involved said they would send a small gift in case you didn’t believe them.”

“A gift?”

“Open your email.”

Kim Seo-hyun, standing up from her seat, clicked on her inbox while standing in front of her desk. There was a video titled ‘Gift,’ as Jeong Hae-jin had mentioned.

Click-

“……!”

As soon as she clicked on the video, Kim Seo-hyun gasped and covered her mouth in shock.

“Am I right? There are people in the world who live with their backgrounds exposed, like you and me, and there are people who live quietly, like our client’s children. Do you understand now, CEO Kim Seo-hyun?”

“D-did you see this too, Attorney?”

“I saw it briefly while reviewing it. It seems like it would be quite damaging if this were released to the public. Would you be alright?”

“Is it enough to simply apologize?”

The video must have been incredibly damaging, as Kim Seo-hyun quickly lowered her defenses and became compliant.

“Now you’re talking. Then yes, just apologize.”

“Will this video be kept private if I apologize?”

“I can assure you of that. They are very principled people, so you can trust them.”

“Okay.”

“Then it seems like the matter is resolved, so I’ll be on my way.”

“Attorney Jeong? Just a moment.”

Kim Seo-hyun called out to Jeong Hae-jin, who was about to leave.

“Those two people… Whose children are they?”