Chapter 83
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Choi Eunhui's Verdict
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The first time I met Choi Eunhui was back in middle school. I ran into her by chance while she was doing some medical volunteer work, and I ended up admiring her from afar.
In high school, I even went out of my way to attend her lectures. I'd hop on the subway all the way to the Gangnam branch of Haneul Clinic just to get treated there.
She seemed so impressive back then.
She cured my ankle sprain—which I'd left untreated for about six months—in one go. Her skills looked absolutely incredible.
And that look of concern in her eyes, along with her gentle smile... those stuck with me for a long time.
But now I've grown up.
I've honed skills on par with hers, and I've gotten sharp enough to see that her gentle smile isn't entirely genuine.
'Miss Han Yeowon.'
Among doctors, we generally address each other with titles like 'Director' or 'Doctor.' Even the head director uses them for deputy directors, and Professor Lee Minseok never dropped them with his own students, right?
Yet she's deliberately calling me like I'm her son's friend?
Her intentions were crystal clear.
She wasn't acknowledging me as a fellow physician or an equal competitor.
"I never imagined you'd see me as a classmate of your son, Director Choi. You must take a keen interest in his social circle."
I smirked and fired back at her words.
The current me wouldn't get upset or hurt over a jab like that.
"Well, no matter how busy I am, I have to keep tabs on Yeowon."
"What brings someone as busy as you all the way to Daegu? The bet between our branch director and Director I Haneul wrapped up yesterday. Do you have something to say about it?"
"Bet?"
When I cut straight to the point, Choi Eunhui put on a puzzled expression.
For a split second, I wondered if she was acting, but the next moment, she shot I Haneul a cold glare.
She really had no idea.
"Th-that's nothing major. More importantly, Director Choi, doesn't the franchise agreement say that if a branch director leaves, they can't open their own practice within a certain kilometer radius?"
"Hm?"
Put on the spot, I Haneul blurted out something irrelevant.
"This woman sucked up all of Haneul Clinic's techniques and then maliciously opened shop right in front of ours! Headquarters needs to take strong action!"
"I asked what the bet was about. What were the stakes?"
But Choi Eunhui ignored him completely and pressed on about the bet.
"Uh, well..."
Even after I gave him time, I Haneul couldn't answer.
"Director Park Jinsu? Care to fill me in?"
She called out the name of the quieter male deputy director.
"Oh, uh... Director Chu Miyoung of Seongsu Clinic came at us over business interference and those regional cafe comments. She proposed a head-on showdown—loser packs up and leaves."
He could've skipped the preamble, but he laid out the facts pretty accurately.
I Haneul's face darkened, while Park Jinsu trembled with a dumb look on his face.
"So that's what happened. What were the terms? Patient numbers?"
Choi Eunhui frowned as she glanced at the roulette wheel and frying pan.
"Sales."
"Ah, I see. So that's why Yeowon and Miyoung are here too."
Choi Eunhui nodded, arms crossed.
"Running with three people on constant two-person shifts... and losing to two people doing solo consultations nonstop. Got it."
She eyed I Haneul and the two deputies one by one.
Each one flinched under her gaze.
"And now you're dragging up contract clauses and asking me for help? Hilarious."
"......"
I Haneul just lowered his eyes silently.
"Unfortunately, that won't hold up. There is a non-compete clause barring deputy directors from opening within 10km for three years after resignation. But there's no such restriction after terminating a franchise. Of course, you can't use our ads or products."
"St-still..."
"And the contract has this clause: If a franchise branch director commits gross negligence that severely damages the brand—sparking boycotts or equivalent sales hits—the agreement is terminated, with legal liability."
Choi Eunhui recited the clause calmly.
I Haneul's head snapped up at the word 'terminated.'
"No way."
"Search Haneul Clinic on any portal site right now, and it's all about you, Director I Haneul. You wouldn't argue that's not gross negligence, would you?"
She's going to cut off the tail.
"I-I-I..."
Click. Choi Eunhui placed a hand on I Haneul's shoulder.
"Your franchise agreement is terminated as of today. Since it's come to this, just accept the results cleanly. Business here is done for anyway, right? Write an apology statement, lay low for a bit, then head to some other region. Oh, and don't worry—I won't make you write it yourself. Our PR team will draft it. Just hand over all your IDs and accounts."
"......"
I Haneul said nothing, but Choi Eunhui decided his fate on her own.
Once she'd said her piece, she turned to me.
"Just came to deliver that notice... and to see your face again. A bet, huh? Pretty clever."
I hadn't exactly proposed the all-in knockout myself, but I didn't bother explaining.
Truth be told, there wasn't even time.
Choi Eunhui flashed one last bright smile.
"Well then, see you around, Miss Han Yeowon."
And with that, she left the clinic.
She didn't even acknowledge me, Chu Miyoung, or I Haneul.
Picking me out specifically for a 'see you around'... I had a feeling this wouldn't be our last clash.
"What a character."
I was the first to speak in the clinic's heavy silence after she left.
"Whoa, that was scary."
Chu Miyoung clutched her chest and leaned on me.
The male deputy wanted to vent to the female one, but she shut him down cold.
Job gone like that. At least they'd get unemployment benefits, right?
Their careers were hilariously tangled now. Put 'Haneul Clinic Daegu Branch' on a resume, and everyone would know who they were.
I ignored them and gave I Haneul my final ultimatum.
"You'll close up shop, right? I'll give you a month to wrap things up."
"......"
"Word's already spreading through the Korean medicine circles—no one's buying your clinic anyway. Sell off the equipment cheap and pass it to someone in another field. That's my advice."
"......"
"Why no answer? Still can't admit it?"
I waved the monthly sales ledger and pressed him again.
"......Fine."
I Haneul finally conceded.
Total surrender. The curtain fell on our month-long war.
"Director Han, you worked so hard!"
Chu Miyoung hugged me tight as I finished treatments and prepared to head back to Busan, her eyes misty.
Groooan! I was feeling pretty great myself. All-in KO victory!
I Haneul was utterly wrecked, and Seongsu Clinic—both Busan and Daegu branches—were swamped.
"You too, Director Chu! We crushed everyone blocking our path—no more worries now!"
"Ha, seriously. Just thinking back to that danggui villain's first appearance gives me chills. Finally gone from sight! I really don't know how to repay you for this."
Aw, it wasn't that big a favor.
I got paid for my work, and I took my 10% cut from her sales—no need to call it a favor.
I just patted her back, telling her she'd been through a lot and done great.
"Now I'll need about a month for handover. Gotta wrap up my patients coming from afar. It'll be busy prepping to pass it to that junior I mentioned."
"Yes! Even after you leave, we'll stick to the seven-day-a-week system!"
Once handover's done and back to four days, I'll have some real free time.
Saved up a bit more investment cash than planned... Might be time to start that external decoction service soon.
Built a separate decoction room just for three branches—didn't make financial sense, so I'd held off.
But with all the buzz, Korean medicine community posts were popping up here and there: 'How do I join the Seongsu Clinic network?'
Of course, no actual inquiries meant they were probably just talk.
I wasn't planning a massive branch expansion anyway.
'Not like I'll die if I don't hit ten franchises.'
Business growth can wait...
"I'm here~."
"Good morning, Director! Lots of patients waiting again today!"
For now, focus on strengthening the core.
Next day back at Busan for work—patients still packed the place, and the staff looked beat.
They'd worked double the usual, so no surprise.
'Hmm, time like this calls for drinks! Celebration party?'
I wanted to throw a bash for all branch directors, staff, and even Yoon Hanbyeol for the help.
But four Korean medicine docs in one spot? Video call was the limit.
Even just Busan staff...
"No waitlist Kakao alerts? How many afternoon slots we got?"
"Fourteen ahead. You'll see them in about an hour and a half!"
The staff were trying their best to sound cheerful, but I could see their HP bars hovering under 20%.
Party now risked backfiring.
So I gave special bonuses to the hardworking crew.
"Kyaa! Director! I love you!"
Even without the 'special,' our contracts had solid incentives.
Overtime pay was standard, plus percentages based on patient volume and sales—everyone was walking away with bonuses equal to their salary this month.
On top, I handed each a million won in cash special bonuses.
"Oh my, thank you!"
"Director, you sure we can take this?"
Seo Ina and Gong Nari beamed openly, while Jin Minjeong and Hwang Sanghun took envelopes sheepishly. Seol Yuhee fidgeted, lips quivering.
"Of course. Record sales, record patients—you all busted your asses."
"Loyalty forever."
Seo Ina saluted playfully.
"Yuhee, you holding up okay? Must've been chaos with all the patients."
Bonuses done, I checked on Seol Yuhee.
Gong Nari and Jin Minjeong were hired for martial potential; Seo Ina had EX-grade mental fortitude despite average physique.
But fragile Seol Yuhee? I'd worried but been too slammed to check properly.
"Totally! Treatments from you made me super healthy! Haven't collapsed once despite the workload!"
Seol Yuhee hiked up her uniform top to flex... barely-there muscles.
...Not much to show, of course.
Even with good meds and PT, refining a slippery-weak pulse into a strong body ain't easy.
"Glad to hear it. Chat tomorrow, and I'll prescribe your next meds."
"Yes!"
Seol Yuhee grinned and bowed; Seo Ina and Gong Nari hugged their envelopes, beaming.
"Um, Director."
Then Jin Minjeong, who'd been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Yes? What's up?"
"Could you maybe take a look at my son sometime?"