Chapter 154: Gradually (2)

“Ah, yes. Director Kim Da-hyun… She will call.”

Suhyuk subtly glanced at his phone while replying. It was difficult to say they were very close friends, but he was confident she would not ignore his call as she remembered her gratitude towards him.

[My analysis is 100% certain.]

‘I hope so.’

Of course, relying on Baruda’s analysis posed some problems. However, Baruda’s recent analyses had been quite accurate. Additionally, Suhyuk had received a letter of appreciation from Director Kim Da-hyun. If it were just a simple letter, it might have been different, but it contained significant financial compensation. Although he couldn’t reveal the exact amount, it was substantial enough to instill considerable trust even in strangers.

“Sure, let’s do it.”

Seeing Suhyuk’s confident expression, Shin Hyun-tae chuckled heartily.

Lee Hyunjong behind them shared the same sentiment.

“I’m counting on you, Suhyuk. How long must I endure that bastard Seo Hyoseok? He is bringing shame to our hospital. Yes, our hospital’s decline is entirely his fault.”

“No, hyung. That’s not true… The entire hospital wouldn’t crumble just because of Seo Hyoseok.”

“You’re taking his side now? Are you siding with him? Did he bribe you or something?”

“It’s not like that. Personally, I don’t like Seo Hyoseok either and want to fire him. However, your accusations are too extreme…”

“Nah, forget it. Forget it. This issue already causes enough headaches with all those meetings.” Lee Hyunjong waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed even at the thought.

Lee Hyunjong waved his hand with disgust at the mere thought of Seo Hyoseok.

Shin Hyun-tae watched Lee Hyunjong and wondered if this wasn’t the time for the director to intervene and resolve the issue. However, he didn’t voice this opinion aloud, knowing well that Lee Hyunjong was more of a typical doctor than a businessman. Honestly, becoming the director was just something that happened by chance; Lee Hyunjong had never shown any ambition for administrative positions. His only aspiration within the hospital was related to patients.

“Anyway… Suhyuk, I’m sorry. We couldn’t maintain proper conduct,” Shin Hyun-tae concluded the conversation by once again apologizing to Suhyuk instead of prolonging the pointless argument with Lee Hyunjong.

Lee Hyunjong wasn’t shouting and causing chaos like before, but Suhyuk was already accustomed to his behavior, so he didn’t pay attention to it. Instead, he dialed Director Kim Da-hyun’s number, which he had been waiting to call for some time now.

“H-Hello, Mr. Lee Suhyuk.”

He claimed this was his personal number, not listed on any business card. Rather than being connected to a secretary, Suhyuk reached Director Kim Da-hyun directly. The voice over the phone sounded full of energy, indicating she seemed to be doing well health-wise.

[Analysis result: Her voice definitely sounds stronger compared to when she was hospitalized.]

Baruda also made a similar assessment. However, during moments like these, Suhyuk often wondered if Baruda was genuinely analyzing or just trying to sell medication.

[Medicine? This is Baruda, the world’s best diagnostic and treatment AI based on evidence-centered medicine. I am the embodiment of medical science.]

‘Isn’t that… just your opinion?’

[How so? My statements are backed by data collected from hundreds of individuals you have encountered thus far.]

‘Umm… right. Can you please be quiet for now? I’m about to get busy.’

In reality, several hundred subjects were not considered significant in medical research. Even with well-designed studies, meaningful results could emerge from samples numbering in single digits, as seen in some research papers. However, Baru’s approach seemed questionable regarding sample size.

Suhyuk tried hard to recall the heartfelt thank-you letter he had received previously before responding:

“Yes, how have you been?”

“Yes, yes. There were no issues while taking the medication. My sister is also doing well now. Thank you very much.”

“No, not at all. It was just part of my duties as a doctor.”

It might sound arrogant, but Suhyuk genuinely believed he had done what any doctor should have done in his position. However, since not all doctors acted accordingly, he considered himself quite exceptional. Naturally, he didn’t voice this opinion aloud.

“Oh… By the way, what brings… Ah, is it about that research project? I did mention handling it promptly.”

Kim Da-hyun wasn’t entirely thrilled by the sudden phone call. Despite initial skepticism when she first joined the company, her competence had silenced critics, and she remembered Soohyuk’s request due to her efficient work ethic.

When Suhyuk initially joined the company, there were rumors about nepotism and favoritism, but his competence quickly silenced all controversies. It was impressive that she remembered Suhyuk’s request amidst her busy schedule.

“Yes, Director Kim. That’s correct. It has been approved.”

“Aha.”

Kim Da-hyun’s eyes sparkled as she recalled Seo Hyoseok, who had been assigned to her during her hospitalization. She corrected her slightly slouched posture.

As a tech enthusiast, she originally held little interest in hospitals after the Baruda project collapsed, leaving her without even the status of a second-generation heir within her group. However, upon being admitted herself, she realized one should never underestimate their importance, given their role in saving lives and impacting people’s well-being.

‘That man…is truly despicable, isn’t he?’

Her opinion was not solely based on what Suhyuk had told her. As expected of someone efficient, she conducted her own investigation, and his reputation was indeed appalling. She wondered how such a person could become a professor and maintain that position.

‘It seems HQ truly doesn’t care about the hospital…’

In electronics, neither a department head nor director with such a reputation would have lasted long.

“How many emails did you send? Did he deposit it yet? Into the research account?” Dahyun unconsciously furrowed her brow while speaking.

She tapped her fingers on the desk where some documents related to Soohyuk’s request were placed. From a purely professional standpoint, this matter wasn’t significant enough to warrant keeping files on her desk, but personally, there was nothing more important at the moment.

From a personal loyalty perspective, there was no more important matter at hand.

‘On paper, it’s worth five billion… But it’s actually my father’s life.’

The person who proposed this wasn’t a researcher, head of research, or even a reviewer. It was Seo Hyoseok’s father.

“Yes, as we originally submitted, two billion won has been received. The approval email also stated two billion.”

“Really? Two billion won? Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“By any chance, do you know where the approval email originated?” Kim Da-hyun stopped tapping her finger and flipped through the documents.

The sender’s name appeared on the email, Nam Ji-yeon, someone considered to be one of Kim Da-hyun’s trusted subordinates. She had overseen Taehwa Electronics’ mobile division before Kim Da-hyun joined and was known to have close ties with her father.

“It’s Woo Jiwon, Department Head of Taehwa Life.”

“Woo Jiwon is from Director Seo’s side. Look at this…? Did they really embezzle funds?”

“Ah, can you tell just by looking at it?”

“Of course, these are circumstantial evidence, and there is no physical proof…”

However, it was enough to consider as concrete evidence. He simply chose his words carefully due to his cautious nature.

“We’ll know for sure once we send in the audit team.”

An audit team…

Suhyuk felt uneasy despite not having done anything wrong. The hospital had its own internal audit team. Unlike other companies, the audit teams within hospitals primarily dealt with medical accidents, so hearing about them made Suhyuk feel suffocated. As a result, his voice trembled slightly without him realizing it.

“Ah… then how will this proceed?”

“You don’t need to worry about it, Ms. Sellner. I’ll handle everything.”

The response was incredibly reassuring. When was the last time he heard such trustworthy words?

“Why do you keep forgetting me? Don’t my advice make you feel more confident?” asked Baruda.

‘Uh, yes. Let’s say that.’

Indeed, Suhyuk had never felt this level of confidence except when diagnosing patients with Baruda’s help. Recently, their combined success rate for diagnoses had been 100%.

“But there doesn’t seem to be any solid evidence connecting them,” Suhyuk replied.

“When did evidence become important to you?” countered Baruda.

“People’s feelings matter too.”

[Anyone would think you were Lee Hyunjong’s son. How dare you have such similar personalities?]

‘What the hell?’

No matter what, it was somewhat insulting to be compared with Lee Hyunjong. It might be acceptable regarding medical skills but not their character. I wanted to get even angrier, but unfortunately, Dahyun continued speaking.

“The Appreciation Team work is unrelated to saving lives. As you will be busy with patients, I will just notify you of the results.”

“Should I… Will there be no problems?”

“It will happen as you wished. Ah, your research budget may increase. Normally, this occurs after executing projects.”

“Huh? Really? My research budget could reach five billion won?”

“It might happen, but nothing is confirmed yet. Well then, I will do what I can.”

Dahyun ended the call abruptly without any further pleasantries or even a goodbye. Sungyoon considered calling her back, but Baruda stopped him as it started analyzing something.

“W-What did she say?”

“I caught bits and pieces of your conversation. Appreciation team? Did she talk about the appreciation team?”

Moreover, Dahyun didn’t give him time to call her back.

Of course, Shin Hyun-tae leaned forward with interest. Even Lee Hyunjong, who had been feigning disinterest, now looked attentive.

“Please wait a moment. Let me explain slowly.”

He tried to organize his thoughts, but it was futile. It wasn’t due to Shin Hyun-tae. It was because of Lee Hyunjong’s presence.

“Slowly is bullshit. Speak quickly.”

“Hyung, don’t swear at your disciple… Our Soohyuk will be hurt.”

“So what if he is my son?”

“No, anyone would think he really is your son.”

“That’s how it should be understood, right? Eh? Isn’t it refreshing when the truth is revealed?”

“That… That isn’t true.” Strangely, Shin Hyun-tae seemed to agree with Lee Hyunjong during their conversation.

Anyway, due to their urging, Suhyuk quickly moved on to his explanation.

“In other words… Director Kim Da-hyun said she would handle it herself? She mentioned something about appreciation?”

“Yes. Based on the circumstantial evidence, there was definitely embezzlement.”

“Okay. However… Seo Hyoseok is one thing, but Woo Jiwon? He’s also slippery. Currently, he is cleaning up his son’s mess behind Director Seo’s back. Once the appreciation begins, he could find three billion won from somewhere and fill the hole.”

“Oh…”

“But if Director Kim Da-hyun said she would handle it, I presume she will manage somehow. After attending several meetings with her, I found what she had to say quite insightful.”

Someone unfamiliar with Lee Hyunjong might not grasp the significance of this statement, but those who knew him well understood how high a compliment this was. “Quite insightful” meant that Lee Hyunjong didn’t fall asleep during her presentations, even in conference rooms - no small feat indeed.

This statement alone highlighted how exceptional Director Kim Da-hyun was.

“Uh, is he still alive?”

Meanwhile, after ending his call with Suhyuk, Director Kim Da-hyun dialed another number. The recipient answered without any sign of nervousness.

“Yes, sir.”

“You visited the hospital as well?”

“Yes, we divided the team for this purpose.”

“Take charge of Woo Jiwon’s department. Seo Hyoseok will handle the hospital side before Director Seo notices anything.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If everything goes smoothly, you know what it means? If Director Seo leaves, I can exert more influence over Life Insurance.”

“Certainly, I’ll do my best.”