35

"Doctor, what's wrong with Hwan? Why hasn't there been any improvement? He isn't talking or responding?", Jae asked Dr. Song who was monitoring Hwan's health.

Dr. Song hesitated, "Mrs. Jung. Um...I need to talk to your family members. Can you call Seokjin or Hoseok?"

Jae was concerned, "Why? What's wrong?"

"I need to talk to them. Please call your family."

"Doctor what is it that you are not telling me? Whatever it is I can handle it."

"I understand Mrs. Jung. Please. I request you to call your sons."

Jae clenched her teeth and dialed her son – Seokjin. Within an hour, Jin arrived with Hoseok and Jimin.

Everyone was seated in Dr. Song's room. "Doctor what is it?", Hoseok asked.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice. Well, we have done angioplasty but...there were complications from his heart attack. Mr. Hwan suffered cardiogenic shock, and as a result, he won't be able to speak or move."

Jae almost screamed, tears welling up, "No... No, this can't be happening..."

"I'm sorry, Mrs Jung. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but this is our job. We're doing everything we can, but it's a very serious situation." Everyone looked at the doctor helpless and in sadness.

"There has gotta be any treatment for this", Hoseok asked hopeful something to save his father.

"We are looking into it. There are treatments but it will be slow and the results will be gradual", Dr. Song assured.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh thank you. That's good right? Lets start the treatment right away", Hoseok said and everyone agreed.

"Not now...he needs some time to recover from the angioplasty. He needs time. We cannot rush into such things", Dr. Song said.

"Yes. Yes, of course. Sorry", Hoseok apologised.

"Its fine. But once he is at home and recovers, we can begin the treatment", Dr. Song assured.

"Great."

**************

A week has passed and Mr Jung is back at Jung Mansion. Jae didn't know what to do. Jin was still at Kim Mansion and Jae didn't know how to react. His father is in such a poor state and he is still going behind Namjoon. She doesn't know how to react and what kind of game Jin is playing. She was lost in thoughts when Jackson walked in the Jung Mansion with his subordinate Young-jae. Now that Hwan and Jae are at the Jung Mansion, things will be much easier unlike hospital. He must continue the investigation. He looked at the security and asked Young-jae to talk to the security. "Mrs Jung, we need to.."

"I know I know you need to ask questions to my husband, but he is still recovering. Moreover, he cannot talk or move. Can't you guys leave us alone?"

"I am sorry Mrs. Jung but this is our job. Actually, we need to ask you as well.", Jackson said.

"Me? What do you want to ask me?", Jae was surprised and in shock.

"About what happened. Did you notice any changes in Mr Jung's behavior before the heart attack?", Jackson asked.

"What do you mean", Jae asked.

"I mean was he acting weird or angry...was he upset about anything?"

"No nothing."

"No unusual behavior? Did he tell anything about changing the will?", Jackson prodded hoping to get something.

"No nothing. He seemed fine", Jae said as she paused to recollect something.

"Hmm..okay." Just then Young-jae walked in with the security. "Sir, this is So-jin. He says that there was a theft attempt few days ago."

Jackson turned to the security and asked him. "Did you see who it was?"

"No sir."

"Anything? Can you describe how he looked, height, weight, anything?"

"No sir actually I was having my dinner when Hwan sir called me. We looked around."

"Did Mr. Hwan see him?"

"No. He said he heard footsteps and we looked around but there was no one."

Jackson turned to Jae. "How about that Mrs. Jung? You didn't tell us there was a theft attempt."

"Officer, are you questioning me? I am going through so much I am not in the right mind. How dare you accuse me of...?"

"I understand Mrs. Jung. And I apologize. I am not accusing you of anything. Now, can you describe what happened that night?"

"Well, me and Hwan were in our room when we heard footsteps. We came downstairs and I was standing on the porch. Hwan looked around the security guard but they didn't find anyone."

"Oh..was something stolen?"

"No...nothing was stolen."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes", Jae confirmed.

"Mrs Jung if you don't mind, we would like to see your room."

"But why? I told you nothing was stolen. And besides, Hwan..he is resting..."

"Mam, we assure you we won't disturb him. We just want to take a look." Jackson dismissed the security who went back to the gate.

Jae nodded as she gestured Jackson and Young-jae toward their bedroom. They walked in and saw Hwan sleeping. They looked around and saw a safe on the corner of the room. He nodded to Jae who walked near Jackson. "What's in this safe?"

"Oh, some important documents, agreements, my jewelry.", Jae said casually.

"Mrs. Jung did you keep the will and the company documents in this safe?", Jackson asked.

Jae licked her lips. "Umm...yeah. I guess. Hwan knows all about it. He never really discusses all these things with me. Why?"

"And who else has access to this room?"

"Our servants, our sons, me, Hwan".

"So pretty much, everyone".

Jae affirmed. "And where are your servants? We need to question them as well.", Jackson queried.

"They went home. They don't stay here. They just come in the morning and leave by evening. What are you trying to say officer? Our servants did this? They are with us for years. And so is So-jin. They would never do such a thing."

"It's okay, Mrs. Jung. I didn't say anything."

Jackson looked around and turned to Jae. "Um...Mrs. Jung, if you don't mind, can I have a glass of water?"

Jae nodded and went near Hwan's table where a jug of water was placed. "Ummm...I need chilled water. I apologize but the climate is so humid. I will walk with you", Jackson quickly added. Jae hesitated but she went downstairs. Before leaving, Jackson looked at Young-jae and gave a slight nod. Jackson went with Jae downstairs while Youngjae took the time to scrutinize around the medicine tray that was lying around. He looked around Hwan's room. Nothing seemed off. He quickly placed a hidden camera in the bookshelf that was aptly placed behind Hwan's bed.

*************

After Jackson left, Jae began panicking. Jackson was like a bloodhound. He was hellbound to find the real culprit. She was feeling terrified for her son. What if they apprehend Jin? She quickly dialed Jin's number who picked up at the first ring.

"Jinnie"

"Eomma? what is it? Is everything okay?"

"Jackson was here."

"What? Why?"

Jae quickly explained what happened at Jung Mansion. Jin promised he would take care of it as soon as possible. He felt like punching Jackson. Why were people messing up things for him? He quickly got out of Kim Mansion and went to Min-ho's home. He dialled a number on the way to Min-ho that he will be meeting him while quickly dialling another number. On the other side of Seoul, the man was driving as fast as he can.

Lee Min-ho took a deep breath as he waited for Jin. He felt like kicking himself for the confession he made to Jin. It was a judgement of lapse on his side. Within a few minutes, the man knocked on Min-ho's apartment door. The man was frustrated, "What does he want now? I did everything he wanted me too." He ran his fingers through his hair as he entered the apartment. "I don't know. When does he ever tell me?", Min-ho sighed.

"I don't understand why the hell you told him about us?"

"Don't try to justify yourself...you are still an asshole."

"Are you backing him up on this shit? Can't you see all that he is doing is wrong in every way?"

"And what you did was right?" Min-ho glared at the man.

"Alright. I was scared. I didn't do what to do."

"So, you framed it on me", Min-ho barked at Song as he continued, "And your mess caused me my doctorate." Min-ho and Song were interning together at a hospital in South Korea and aspired to become a doctor and help people. During their internship at a hospital, Song and Min-ho were assigned to assist in a surgical procedure. As they worked together in the operating room, Song, who was in a position of greater responsibility, made a critical error during the surgery. Perhaps he misjudged the dosage of anesthesia, causing the patient to have a bad reaction, or he made a mistake in performing a crucial step of the surgery.

Despite Min-ho's attempts to point out the error and suggest corrective actions, Song panicked and chose to blame Min-ho. He convinced others that Min-ho was responsible for the mistake, despite Min-ho being in a more junior position and not having the authority to make such decisions.

Min-ho found himself unfairly accused and penalized for a mistake he did not make. Despite his protests and attempts to clear his name, he was ultimately barred from practicing medicine, while Song, by avoiding accountability for his actions, went on to achieve success in his career as a cardiologist.

"It was because of you I became a cheesy freelance photographer slogging every day to make ends meet. You made my life hell, Song."

"And now you are using Jin to get back at me for that", Song tried to defend himself.

"No....I back up Jin coz...coz....he is my friend. I am all that he has...and he is all I have...I kinda have to." Min-ho sighed. He knew what Jin was doing is wrong in every way but he can't help it but support Jin. He knew this is messed up. Jin is too blind to see this through. His psychotic behavior for his ex-boyfriend is driving him insane. He hasn't right from the moment he knew that Namjoon married Hoseok.

"Do you think he even considers you, his friend, Min-ho? He is a selfish jackass and once he gets Namjoon you will be out of his life. Its never too late. Its better you tell the police everything."

"I can't."

"Why not? Are you in love with him or something?"

"No...Its just..." Min-ho didn't know how to explain it to Dr. Song.

Before they could discuss further, the door flung open with Jin standing in front of them. Within a couple of seconds, Jin emerged and stood in front of them. He looked at Min-ho and smiled. Then he looked at Dr. Song with a poker face. "Song....or shall I call you Doctor Song....Did you do what I told you to?"

"Yes." Dr. Song got a vial out of his pocket and threw at Jin who caught it. Jin smiled as he stared at the vial in his hand. "Fantastic." He took out a bunch of notes out of his coat jacket and gave it to Dr. Song.

"Seokjin, are you sure you want this? I mean this is your father." Min-ho reminded him.

"Chill Min. I am not gonna kill him. I am not that merciless." Jin snickered. "This is just till I get Namjoon back in my life. And you..", Jin said as he turned to Song from Min-ho, "Make sure to stall the treatment till Joon is mine or else, you will pay."

"You are crazy....You are just so crazy, you fucker...I can't do this anymore. I am done. I am so done with this shit" Song began panicking and started to back off. Jin looked at Song coolly. "Really Song? I don't think the Seoul Hospital would be happy to know about your malpractice. Come on think about it...Medical malpractice, placing the blame on another student – Min-ho and the fact that you just injected insulin in my dad's body. I mean the vial you just gave me has your fingerprints all over it. That counts a lifetime in jail...Look at you Song...prison would be hell for a coward like you."

"See what you did", Song barked at Min-ho.

"Zip it. You are walking free in this world because of me. Do I need to remind you who my father is and my boyfriend is - The Jungs and the Kims. I will make sure your jail life be full of passionate nights."

"Fuck you."

"Na Song, I have class and you don't or else you wouldn't have backstabbed your friend right here."

Song scoffed, "You are getting back at me for backstabbing Min-ho while you are doing the same to your brother?"

Jin clenched his fists, "I am taking what's rightfully mine, Joon is mine. And About what you did to Min-ho, well....let's call it, poetic justice." Jin smiled evilly.

He paused when Song didn't say anything, "So, what's it gonna be Song?"

Song gritted his teeth. "Fine."

"I didn't hear you", Jin said in sing-songy way.

"Alright", Song barked. But before leaving, he turned to Min-ho, "I hope you are happy." He left Min-ho's apartment slamming the door shut.

Jin glared at Song's shadow walking away from them. He looked at Min-ho who was looking equally scared. "Relax Min-ho." As Jin turned, Min-ho grabbed Jin's hand. "Seokjin, please don't do this. You will end up hurting yourself."

Jin smiled genuinely at Min-ho. "Min-ho, my sweet friend. How can you be so naïve? Today's world is like dog eats dog. If we need to survive, we must be mean and selfish. If we are weak, people will stomp all over us. We are not pushovers Min-ho...I am not a pushover. I know exactly what I am doing. And don't worry. Once I marry Namjoon, everything will be alright. Jung Corporation will be mine and you my good friend....you will be by my side....my right hand." He patted Min-ho's cheek and smiled genuinely as he walked towards Min-ho's fridge to grab a soju. "Now....let's order some dinner. I am starving and I am sure you are too," Jin smiled as he took out his phone to order something.

Min-ho didn't know what to do. On one hand, he was happy Jin was on his side when he didn't have anyone. The fact that he was helping him seek revenge on Song made him feel proud to have a friend like Jin. But on other hand, he knew the things Jin is planning will hurt many lives. Jin is not realizing the depth of the consequences.

*************

TBC...

Song Seung-heon is Dr. Song

And we all know who Lee Min-ho is.