Chapter 141
The next morning, Jang Taesik sent over the head nurse's personal details via email. It included her photo, name, age, and even her current workplace. Her work schedule was there too. No idea how he'd gotten his hands on all that, but it deserved praise. Not that there was time for it right now.
"Just as we thought—not another hospital, but the Gangwon branch."
Oh Yanghun said, scanning the file.
"I'll head out now." I slipped on my coat.
It was almost certain she'd been demoted due to friction with Go Yunseong, not a simple resignation. If she'd left Wooshin Hospital entirely, getting her testimony would have been easier. Her sticking around at the branch nagged at me a bit.
"Right now?"
"Yeah. Her schedule shows she's off tomorrow and the day after. If we miss her today, it's a three-day wait."
We'd barely been in the office ten minutes, but we had to move fast. The branch was in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province—too far for a day trip otherwise.
"Going alone?"
"Gotta bring Kang Minjae along. Be back later." I headed downstairs and peeked into the cafe. Kang Minjae was emerging with three fresh coffees in a carrier.
"Huh? Lawyer? Come to see me off?"
He grinned when he spotted me outside.
I didn't answer, just reached into his coat pocket.
"Huh? What? Looking for something?"
"Car keys."
I hit the remote, and lights flashed on a sleek foreign car in the lot, freshly washed and gleaming.
"Where we headed? Tell me! I'm coming too!"
Kang Minjae trailed after me toward the car, chattering away.
"Sure."
I'd planned to have him drive anyway, but I'd play it like I was doing him a favor. He remembered griping last time about being my chauffeur.
"Where to?"
"Byeolma Hospital in Yeongwol."
"Yeongwol?" Kang Minjae buckled up in the driver's seat, eyes wide. "Ohhh. The head nurse is there now, huh."
He punched it into the navigation without prompting.
"Byeolma Hospital—Wooshin Hospital Gangwon branch, right?"
He confirmed the screen as I nodded, then sighed.
"Sigh. Demoted for sure. Let's roll."
Yeongwol wasn't far. We pulled up just before lunch.
Byeolma Hospital was smaller than Wooshin Hospital but a solid secondary facility. Ivy climbed the outer walls, lending an eerie vibe. Demoted from VIP ward head nurse to this? She must have been furious.
Inside, a modest lobby greeted us—biggest in the area, yet empty on a weekday. Just one clerk at reception, dozing off.
I clapped sharply in her face.
"Wha—huh—uh...."
She jolted awake, wiping drool and straightening up.
"Take a number over there...."
I ignored her, glancing around. We were alone. But Kang Minjae slyly pulled a ticket anyway—and the screen immediately called his number.
No clue what the point was, but he handed it over.
"Here for outpatient? Which department?"
"Not outpatient. Here to see Nurse Seo Hyejin."
"Nurse Seo Hyejin? What's your relation?"
The clerk eyed us.
"Lawyer. Got some questions for her."
"Appointment?"
"No."
I'd called en route, but no answer. Figured she was swamped. Didn't expect the ghost town.
Too early to judge—wards might be busier. Secondary hospitals needed over 100 beds; locals were rare, so patients could be elsewhere.
"Minjeong-ah, we're grabbing lunch."
A group of nurses passed the lobby, calling out casually.
"Where to? Soon-i's place?"
"Got anywhere else?"
"Then get us one soft tofu stew for reception. Two egg fries."
"Got it."
The lead nurse wrapped up and headed out. Amid them, I spotted a familiar face.
"Nurse Seo Hyejin."
She startled, turning from the group heading to eat.
"Who are you?"
"Lawyer. About Go Yun—"
"Oh, Nurse Seo Hyejin! Hi there!"
As I cut in, Kang Minjae stepped forward with a grin, shooting me a pout over his shoulder. Probably peeved at my directness.
"From Lawyer Cha Juhan's office. There was a little incident in the ward where you worked at Seoul Wooshin Hospital. Wanted to ask about it. Called but you must've been busy—no answer—so sorry to drop by unannounced. Haha."
He rattled it off, handing her two business cards.
Seo Hyejin took them, eyeing us.
"You guys go ahead and eat."
She shooed the nurses. They left, one young one lingering worriedly, but Seo smiled it off.
Not like we were here to arrest her.
"Sorry to interrupt lunch. Maybe grab a bite nearby and talk?"
Kang Minjae scratched his cheek awkwardly.
She shook her head.
"No big deal. Here about Go Yunseong?"
Straight to it—perfect.
"Yes. Somewhere quiet?"
"This way."
She led us to a small rest area behind the hospital. She sat on a bench; Kang Minjae dashed to the vending machine for drinks.
"How'd you know I like Pocari? Thanks."
She took the can with a faint smile.
"Go Yunseong's lawyer was from Taegwang, but your business cards don't seem to be. So you're the lawyers for that Wooshin Construction employee, right?"
"That's right."
"Got a bunch of unknown calls lately, so I screened them. Sorry. Leave a message?"
"Yeah, but nurses are swamped, figured that's why. Really sorry for the surprise visit without scheduling."
He bowed; she waved it off.
"Nah. Not busy here. See? Barely any people."
The area was lush, with walking paths—empty save one old patient in gown smoking on a bench.
"Great location, fresh air and all. Still, demoted from VIP to this? Kinda depressing."
She gave a wry smile, sipping.
I'd worried she'd clam up, but she opened up unprompted. Good for us—no convincing needed.
"You said demoted here because of Go Yunseong?"
She met my eyes. I don't judge by looks alone, but she seemed decent. Hoping her words matched, I waited.
"Right. Specifically, after standing up to him."
She let out a long sigh. Long story, probably.
Head nurse in a major hospital VIP ward? Seasoned pro, immune to difficult patients. Go Yunseong was a monster, sure, but a vet like her should've handled him.
Our business first, though. Verify.
"Go Yunseong colluded with Wooshin doctors to fake a diagnosis—claimed 8-week injury and checked in. Correct?"
She answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Not just yes—she spilled details like she'd been holding it in forever.
"Limbs totally fine. Bruises, gashes, tears? Never saw dressings once. Guy with a swollen jaw who couldn't chew brought in outside food, gamed in his room, drank booze. Doesn't add up. Twenty-plus years nursing—no way that's 8 weeks."
Go Yunseong treated the room like a hotel from day one. Wooshin hospital, so why not? But her standing up to him got her shipped here?
"What sort of incident was there with you, Nurse Seo Hyejin?"
She sighed, face clouded.
"Not me directly. One of my nurses. I protested to Go Yunseong about it, and that's what got me here."
One of her subordinates. With the unwavering [Truth] above her, I pressed.
"What happened?"
"After he was admitted for the assault, Go Yunseong sexually harassed the nurse."