A week after the trial, Hyun-seong’s father finally opened his eyes.
Despite his nutritional levels being below normal, the medical team expressed relief that there were no major issues with his brain function or body, hailing it as a miraculous prognosis.
Min-sik’s hospital room became a hub of activity, with visitors flooding in daily. Lawyers from Yoon & Kang, politicians, and renowned businesspeople all paid their respects, congratulating the recovery of the head of Korea’s top law firm.
Those who had previously aligned with Vice President Kang Seok-ho’s faction were especially eager to show their support for Min-sik, fervently praying for his awakening and relentlessly flattering him. After all, who would dare show resentment towards one of the most influential figures at Yoon & Kang? For those who had once severed ties, knocking on the VIP room’s door as soon as possible seemed like the wisest choice.
However, amidst the sea of well-wishers, one man remained conspicuously absent until the very end. Despite dozens of unanswered calls inquiring about his whereabouts, Yoon Hyun-seong refused to show his face.
He didn’t step foot in the hospital until the day of discharge.
As the sliding door opened silently, In-hwa, who had been assisting her husband with his coat, turned her head to see the visitor. Deep wrinkles furrowed her forehead.
“Yoon Hyun-seong!” Her voice cut through the room sharply, a mixture of relief and frustration evident in her tone as her long-absent son finally made his appearance.
Hyun-seong, impeccably dressed in a suit, entered the room empty-handed, a stark contrast to the visitors who arrived bearing baskets of fruit and bouquets of flowers.
Min-sik, busy fastening his shirt buttons, furrowed his brows deeply at his son’s arrival. “The one and only son, and you don’t even care whether your father is dead or alive? That arrogant face doesn’t even flinch,” he remarked, his tone laced with disdain.
“You seem fine,” Hyun-seong interjected.
“Your son finally seems to have lost his mind.” Min-sik’s face contorted with anger, yet he still exuded a charisma that belied his recent recovery from a comatose state. However, Hyun-seong remained unfazed. No longer an eighteen-year-old seeking parental approval, he stood before them with a sense of detachment.
“I’ve seen your face. I’ll take my leave now. I have a meeting to attend,” Hyun-seong stated coolly, his gaze drifting indifferently between In-hwa and Min-sik.
Min-sik’s tone shifted, a trace of bitterness creeping into his words. “Your father was on the brink of death, and yet you’re uncomfortable now that he’s back? If things had gone as they were, Yoon & Kang would have been yours. Are you regretting that it didn’t unfold that way?”
“Let’s stick to the matter at hand. There’s no use beating around the bush,” Hyun-seong retorted tersely, his indifference palpable as he approached the bed.
There had never been a moment when Hyun-seong wished for his father’s death. Nor had there been a moment when he hoped for his awakening and recovery. He refused to become hypocritical, uttering words he didn’t genuinely mean, even if they remained unsaid in his heart.
Not even if those words concerned his own parents. Although, he couldn’t help but wonder if the situation might have been different had they been typical parents.
In-hwa put her phone and wallet in her leather bag. It was a luxury brand ‘Resort’ F/W season new bag that was hard to get even with a hefty price tag.
Zip. After locking the zipper, she muttered in a sarcastic tone.
“I don’t expect you to be a dutiful child, but you shouldn’t act recklessly. Are you here alone?”
“Secretary Kang is waiting outside,” Hyun-seong replied.
“Who cares about the secretary’s whereabouts. How is Prosecutor Seo Yi-soo?”
“Ah, while I was away, Chief Park In-seong adopted a prosecutor, and you got engaged to her. Of all the officials in the prosecution, such a naive person… I heard she’s an orphan with no background. And her sister died at the hands of Kang Jin-won? Now that all the issues are resolved, we should proceed with the divorce as soon as possible. You’ll be marrying another woman by the first half of next year.”
As the name ‘Seo Yi-soo’ was mentioned, Hyun-seong raised an eyebrow slightly. Her name held significance to be uttered casually.
Min-sik, now adorned in the jacket handed to him by In-hwa, brushed off the dust on his fingertips and frowned. He disliked the direction of the conversation from start to finish.