Chapter 240
"Just like you said, the nurse might be passing the buck because she doesn't want to take responsibility for her own screw-up."
"...Yeah, what other reason would she have to do this to me?"
"No, there's more to suspect."
"More?"
Dongjin looked up at me with a puzzled expression, as if he couldn't comprehend. He'd probably spent days racking his brain over this since it happened. Why on earth would a nurse do this to him? But without knowledge of my previous life, how could he possibly know?
When you factored in both the events from my past life and this one, the conclusion was clear.
"You don't have anyone who holds a grudge against you?"
"A grudge?"
"No matter how I look at it, this feels like someone deliberately trying to screw you over."
Dongjin's face twisted at my words. And who could blame him? It was only natural to hope this mess stemmed from simple human instinct to protect oneself, not from someone harboring real malice.
"What's the name of the nurse who said she administered the cephalosporin on your orders?"
"Gu Sojeong."
Since it was a name I'd never heard before, she probably wasn't involved in the previous life's incident... My guess that this was grudge-driven stemmed from the fact that even after I'd eliminated the risk factors, another incident involving Seol Hyeongseok had cropped up right on schedule. For my hypothesis to hold, the accomplice or principal offender had to still be around.
"...Hmm. For now, think about anyone who might have it out for you."
Dongjin looked flustered at the word "malice," but soon fell deep into thought. He had a good personality and wasn't the type to make enemies easily. Even he seemed at a loss, tilting his head in confusion.
"A grudge might be a stretch. Sure, someone might dislike me, but that's just how social life goes—you can't please everyone."
"Then think of it this way: Even without outright malice, is there anyone who stands to gain from your downfall?"
"Someone who gains from my downfall...?"
He mulled it over carefully, and it seemed a face finally surfaced in his mind. A fleeting image crossed my thoughts too in that moment.
"The director's son."
And the name from Dongjin's lips pointed to the exact same person I'd pictured.
"The director's son benefits. He's competing with me for promotion, and now that the section chief is gone, he's not getting the same push he did under the previous one. If I'm out, everything falls to him."
"Right. You said he already didn't like you much. Something about keeping the ace in check?"
"That was just a joke... Even if that guy's a pain in the ass, I can't imagine he'd go this far to drag me down. This is a huge deal."
Dongjin might think that, but I'd long since lost faith in humanity. People could destroy each other over the pettiest desires. Besides, in my previous life, the director's son had been a thorn in Dongjin's side too. They were rivals back then as well. And when you considered what Dongjin had said about the previous section chief favoring the son to curry favor with the director, it all fit even better.
"The patient ended up in a vegetative state, and now I'm facing a lawsuit! All for the sake of winning some promotion? That... that doesn't make sense."
While I was lost in thought, Dongjin had apparently been pondering our prime suspect too. But the more I turned it over, the more suspicious the director's son seemed. At first, I'd thought it illogical in my past life for the previous chief to force a proxy surgery just to boost the son. But on reflection, that wasn't the only reason. The chief lacked confidence in performing the Seol Hyeongseok surgery himself and couldn't afford to lose a VIP patient, so he'd engineered the incident. If things went south, he could shift the blame, and at the same time, eliminate Dongjin—the thorn in the director's son's side. A two-birds-with-one-stone plan.
The risk factor I'd failed to neutralize was the director's son himself.
"After this blew up, how did the director's son react?"
"I'm not sure. I was out of it and didn't pay attention. He did pass by once and ask why I'd made such a stupid mistake..."
The clincher was that the nurse had injected the cephalosporin into the Seol Hyeongseok patient. Meaning she was likely acting on the director's son's instructions. That explained why no nurse like Gu Sojeong had factored into the previous life—Dongjin's surgery had gone poorly then, so the chief had smeared him directly without needing her help. But with the previous chief gone this time, the son needed a new accomplice.
"You think the director's son put Gu Sojeong up to injecting the cephalosporin? And then told her to lie that it was on your orders?"
"Exactly."
"That's insane... No way..."
Dongjin still looked unwilling to believe it. But his opinion didn't matter right now.
"Are the director's son or Nurse Gu Sojeong on the ward right now?"
I'd just confirm it myself.
"...Probably both."
"Let's go meet them, then."
"Now? I've already talked to Gu Sojeong plenty. She's denying everything flat-out."
As I headed into the hospital, Dongjin hurried after me.
"I know. But you never know. I'm a lawyer—maybe a conversation will shake something loose. And talking to the director's son could help too."
Resigned to not talking me out of it, Dongjin simply pressed the elevator button for the ward. A heavy silence filled the spacious elevator. Dongjin stared at his feet before muttering softly.
"Hey, Juhan."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"...For stepping up like this."
"Don't be ridiculous. You'd do the same if I were in trouble."
"Of course, man. Still... I'm glad it's you."
I had to deliver good results for this Dongjin, who was leaning on me like this. Unlike in my previous life.
The moment the elevator doors opened, Dongjin led me to the break room.
* * *
"Who first?"
"Gu Sojeong to start."
At my words, Dongjin began dialing her number. With eyes everywhere, even if she was on the ward, asking where she was would just fuel gossip.
"But what are you gonna say to Gu Sojeong? You're an outsider. If some stranger suddenly starts asking about the incident, she'll freak."
"Just the truth. Tell her your lawyer friend is consulting with you. The patient's family is suing anyway, so it's smart to prepare."
Dongjin nodded awkwardly at my response.
"What if she asks if you've already hired a lawyer...?"
"Once you're cleared, no one will care. They'll say you prepared early and got a good outcome."
"True enough."
Gu Sojeong didn't pick up for a long time. Either dodging calls on purpose or tending to a patient, who knew? Dongjin sighed and hit redial.
"Dr. Yang Dongjin?"
Then a deep, low voice came from behind us. Dongjin, anxiously awaiting a connection, jumped up in surprise.
A group of doctors stood there. Two mid-level doctors in their forties, accompanied by peers or juniors of Dongjin's age or younger. The one who drew the eye was the tall, slender mid-level doctor. He didn't look that old—mid-to-late thirties, maybe. His name tag read Neurosurgery Section Chief Baek Changun. And beside him, another tag identified a Neurosurgery Professor.
"Chief. Professor."
Dongjin bowed to them, and Baek Changun turned his gaze to me.
"Looks like you have a guest."
"...Ah, yes."
"Hello."
I greeted them, and Baek Changun eyed me. The professor next to him widened his eyes.
"But this gentleman looks familiar."
"First time meeting you, Professor."
"Ah, I think I've seen you on TV. You're a lawyer, right? A really famous one?"
The word "lawyer" from the professor's mouth immediately stirred the young doctors behind them. They started whispering behind their hands. Baek Changun turned back with a stern expression, and they quickly clammed up.
"He is a lawyer, but he's here as a friend, not in any professional capacity. Lifelong buddies with Dongjin."
"I see. Lucky Yang to have such a famous friend."
The professor grinned slyly. Dongjin, clearly unprepared to run into the chief and professor here, still looked flustered.
"Having a doctor friend makes me feel more secure."
"Everyone should have a doctor buddy someday. You never know when you'll need one. Provided Yang can keep practicing medicine, that is."
The professor's words had bite. Sure enough, Dongjin's shoulders twitched.
"Making a mistake like that..."
The professor tsked at Dongjin, eyes fixed on him. I could well imagine the sidelong glares Dongjin was getting around the ward. Reckless idiot, I thought, but I didn't want to slip up here.
"Let's go, Professor."
Baek Changun, who had stood silently impassive, spoke up. The professor nodded and shot me another grin.
"Since you're a lawyer, help your friend out good."
He turned to lead the group away.
"Dr. Kim Seongwoo."
Before they could leave, I called out to the young doctor trailing the professor and chief.
"Mind if I ask you something? Got a minute?"
Kim Seongwoo blinked wide-eyed, clearly not expecting his name. Dongjin looked equally shocked—how do you know the director's son's name?
Truth be told, Dongjin had never mentioned it. I'd have to come up with an excuse later, but I didn't want to miss this chance. With so many eyes around, and Dongjin under hot scrutiny at the center of the scandal, being seen with a lawyer? Calling aside Kim Seongwoo for "business" would have the gossips buzzing that he was involved too. Couldn't let Dongjin take all the heat alone. Time for Kim Seongwoo to eat some side-eye. Even if he was innocent, his history of being a jerk to Dongjin made this fitting punishment.