Chapter 173: Stylist (1)

In my past life, Stylist Lee Mi-Ri lived and died for money.

She had maintained good connections in the New York fashion scene, which she leveraged to help her affiliated celebrities break into the American market.

Recognizing her talent, the company had met her salary demands every year. Lee Mi-Ri's fee started at 100 million won the first year and nearly jumped by an extra 100 million won each subsequent year.

Ultimately, Lee Mi-Ri’s salary soared to 700 million won before I died, making her the highest-paid employee in the company aside from Kim Dong-Soo and me.

This caused her to receive criticism from other company employees, being called a ‘money-crazed bitch.’ But the grudge she held about money buried deep in her heart was something I dared not judge.

Her husband, who had boarded a deep-sea fishing boat to earn money for their daughter's overdue hospital bills, went missing in the middle of the Pacific after six months. And with the insurance payment delayed, their daughter died without being able to undergo surgery.

Without knowing such circumstances, Do Ran-Hee kept nagging relentlessly.

"Mr. Jung, a stylist has to go around shops and pick up outfits. Don't you think that would be tough for someone without field experience?"

"Don’t you trust me?"

Do Ran-Hee raised both hands above her head to make a heart shape. "I do trust you. Absolutely loyal."

"If you’re going to trust me, do it 100%. You’d be surprised by how Mdm. Lee Mi-Ri works."

Lee Mi-Ri was a rigorous person who even scoured the rough back alleys of New York to visit shops personally. She also had experience making an unknown designer a star overnight. Compared to that, sourcing clothes from Korean sponsorship agencies would be a minor task for her.

Moreover, there was something only she could do.

"She's someone who could even bring back outfits from the New York Fashion Week runway," I added.

Do Ran-Hee's eyes widened. "Isn't that only possible for top celebrities? Oh...that would be possible for Cherry Blossom since they're a top celebrity."

'

She's getting carried away.

' I thought to myself.

"While Cherry Blossom is doing well, claiming to be a top celebrity is a bit too early," I replied.

"Then how will she manage to get the outfits?" Do Ran-Hee wondered.

I explained to Do Ran-Hee that Lee Mi-Ri was close friends with talented rookie designers from around the world who had flocked to New York to become the next Marc Jacobs or Vera Wang.

"That's amazing. But why can't she find work and is just hanging around?" Do Ran-Hee asked with curious eyes.

"It's because people are jealous."

"Huh?"

"There's a separate fashion scene in Korea very different from New York's. It's not easy for foreign-trained professionals with no connections to break in."

"Oh..."

"And her daughter has been continually ill which kept her from focusing on work."

Only then did Do Ran-Hee nod in understanding.

"Anyway, I'm going to meet with Ms. Kang and then head down. Can you start the car for me?" I asked Do Ran-Hee.

"I'll go check on the folks in the basement recording studio one more time and wait for you in the parking lot." Do Ran-Hee replied as she hurriedly gathered her belongings and headed for the elevator.

I took a deep breath and checked the planner where I had first looked for Lee Mi-Ri.

[Everyday V10]

[Date: February 1, 2021]

-08:00 p.m. Stylist Lee Mi-Ri's only daughter, Chae Eun-Byul. Hanmaum Hospital Funeral Hall. Wreath delivery.

'

As expected. It's still the same.

'

At that time, Kim Dong-Soo who was on a business trip in New York had someone recommend Lee Mi-Ri to him. So he had asked me to look into Lee Mi-Ri, and coincidentally, it was the day her daughter Chae Eun-Byul had died.

-Send a wreath in my name. Go to the funeral personally to pay your respects as well.

The Lee Mi-Ri I met during the visit to pay respects at the funeral was still unforgettable in my mind. Her devastated look after having lost her husband and child one after another made my heart ache even though I didn't know her.

That's why I intended to save her daughter and husband as well this time while recruiting Lee Mi-Ri. If both of them ended up dying despite Lee Mi-Ri joining my team, it would all be for naught. Also, I had no intention of letting her go through such terrible pain.

After all, the pain my team members endured was the pain I would endure as well.

To resolve this issue, I needed to meet with Kang Ji-Yung since my plan required a substantial amount of money.

***

At Seoul Hanmaum Hospital, an exhausted-looking couple whispered in low voices in the hallway outside the administration office.

"Honey, what should we do? If we don't pay Eun-Byul's hospital bill by this week, they're going to discharge her."

The man sighed deeply. "How much was it again...?"

"The overdue amount is over 30 million won. If we can pay at least 3 million won now, they'll extend it for another month."

Lee Mi-Ri and Chae Sang-Woo once thrived in the American fashion industry but were now enduring tough times in Korea after their sudden return due to their daughter's diagnosis of childhood leukemia.

"

Sigh

..." Chae Sang-Woo sighed deeply again at Lee Mi-Ri's worries.

Even though he had been carrying loads at the Dongdaemun Clothing Center until the day before and was running on no sleep, his daughter's condition worried him more than his own.

"Okay, I'll try to get some loans. I can't just give up on Eun-Byul like this," Chae Sang-Woo added.

The loan he was planning to receive was from an illegal company, as he could no longer receive any more loans from the bank. Since he had promised to board a deep-sea fishing boat soon, he was confident he could solve everything with the 20 million won advance payment he was going to receive.

With that in mind, Chae Sang-Woo thumped his chest confidently.

Lee Mi-Ri tried hard to hold back her tears because Chae Sang-Woo had lived as an editor for a fashion magazine and was a man who had never done physically demanding work.

His frail constitution and poor appetite made his slender arms tremble from carrying fabrics all night in the market.

Lee Mi-Ri bit her lip hard and said, "Honey."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

Chae Sang-Woo tilted his head. "What are you sorry for?"

"It's...it's because of me...that Eun-Byul got sick."

Lee Mi-Ri, who had her child at the late age of 38 seven years ago, blamed herself as she thought it was her late pregnancy that had caused her daughter's illness.

Hearing this, Chae Sang-Woo burst out angrily. "What are you talking about!? What does your age have to do with Eun-Byul being sick? Haven't I told you not to talk like that? And Eun-Byul will get better! So, so..."

Chae Sang-Woo couldn’t continue.

If only they had the money, there was a chance to save their daughter’s life. The doctors had said Eun-Byul was doing better than other children with leukemia. But without the money for a bone marrow transplant or treatment, Eun-Byul's condition hardly improved.

At that moment, a girl's voice came from the hospital room.

"Mom, is Dad here?"

It was a clear yet tremulously weak voice.

Chae Sang-Woo wiped the tears from his wife’s eyes and said, "Honey, we agreed to only smile in front of Eun-Byul, right? Don't cry."

"O-okay."

"Just trust me. I will find a way."

Chae Sang-Woo kept his plan to board the deep-sea fishing boat a secret from Lee Mi-Ri until the end because he knew better than anyone that his wife would oppose it. But there was no other way to save both his daughter and wife.

As Chae Sang-Woo spoke and thumped his chest, Lee Mi-Ri wiped her tears and took her husband’s rough hands.

"Okay, honey."

As Lee Mi-Ri held his hand, Chae Sang-Woo tried to pull away. "Let go, honey. They're dirty because I haven’t washed them."

"Dirty? There couldn’t be hands more clean and precious than these," Lee Mi-Ri said with tearful eyes.

The couple never snapped at each other even in tough situations.

"Let's go. Our daughter is looking for us. I have to go to work right after seeing Eun-Byul."

"Okay, honey."

Lee Mi-Ri fought back her tears and headed to the hospital room with her husband.

Click.

The door to the six-bedroom slid open, revealing the pale-skinned and bright-eyed Chae Eun-Byul sitting up in bed.

Whenever Chae Sang-Woo visited, Chae Eun-Byul tried her best to hide her pain and put on a brave smile, stretching out her arms toward him.

"Dad~"

"Oh, my sweet princess. You've become even prettier while I was away."

The other families in the six-bedroom deliberately turned their heads away to avoid greetings because they knew Chae Sang-Woo was too busy working three jobs, unable to waste even these short moments.

After wiping his hands and face with the wet wipes his wife handed him, Chae Sang-Woo finally hugged Eun-Byul.

Chae Eun-Byul hugged her father and said in a cheerful voice. "

He he

. Dad, I'm not sick anymore. I think I'm all better."

"Really?"

Eun-Byul wore a bunny hat over her bald head and smiled brightly. "Yes! So I can be discharged now! I want to eat the food Mom cooks. Mom's kimchi stew is the best."

But Chae Sang-Woo knew why his daughter was saying these things. She knew her parents were struggling because they didn't have money.

Holding back a surge of emotions, Chae Sang-Woo spoke with difficulty, "I also think you're doing much better. But when the doctor allows it...then...then we can go home, okay?"

Chae Eun-Byul pouted her lips in disappointment. "Dad, you always say that. I'm telling you I'm okay. Look at this!"

Chae Eun-Byul raised her hands high. But at that moment, Chae Eun-Byul's complexion quickly worsened. She hunched over, gasping for breath, and started to grimace in pain.

"

Huff...huff

..."

"Eun-Byul. Eun-Byul! Are you okay?"

"

Huff, huff

. I’m okay...Mom."

Lee Mi-Ri supported Chae Eun-Byul's back as she struggled to breathe heavily.

"Eun-Byul. Mom's here, okay? My baby. I'm...so sorry."

The side effects of the chemotherapy were making it hard for Chae Eun-Byul to breathe.

Seeing his daughter trying not to show her pain while he was looking, Chae Sang-Woo could no longer hold back his tears.

Just then, a doctor and a nurse on rounds entered the six-bedroom ward.

Chae Sang-Woo rushed desperately toward the doctor, grabbing his gown and clinging to him.

"Doctor, please. I'll have the money ready soon, so please do something. Please."

Doctor Kim Sung-Tae shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir. There's nothing more we can do for Miss Chae Eun-Byul."

Chae Sang-Woo snapped back. "What are you talking about!? My daughter is sick right now! I'll bring the money. I'll bring it, so please do something for her first!"

The doctor clenched his fists and bowed his head. Despite being a doctor whose job was to save lives, he couldn't ignore the hospital's orders. After all, the patient had been behind by as much as thirty million won for several months.

A nurse nearby grimaced and added, "Sir, I'm sorry. But there's nothing more we can do for Miss Chae Eun-Byul. It's because of the side effects of the chemotherapy, so she will calm down if you wait a bit."

"Are you serious right now? I'll sell my organs or do whatever it takes to bring the money. So please do something for her! Please!" Chae Sang-Woo pleaded.

"Getting upset won't change anything. The head of administration has specifically instructed this, so don't blame us."

With that, the nurse clamped her mouth shut.

Other patients in the same room added their bit resenting the doctor and the nurse, but they couldn't loudly support Chae Sang-Woo. Everyone was in a tough situation themselves, worried about paying their own hospital bills.

All Lee Mi-Ri could do was cry as she watched her husband's pleading. All she could do was pat her daughter's back, hoping her pain would subside quickly. Seeing her husband beseech the unmoved doctor with folded hands felt like her heart was tearing apart.

That's when a man in a suit entered the room and shouted, "I will pay Miss Chae Eun-Byul's hospital bill in full right now. So please start the treatment immediately!"

The voice of the angry man resonated loudly throughout the room.

***

An absurd scene unfolded upon entering Chae Eun-Byul's hospital room.

Seven-year-old Chae Eun-Byul was clutching her chest in pain and Lee Mi-Ri was holding her daughter with a distorted expression.

And even though Chae Sang-Woo was clinging to the doctor begging to save his child, the doctor and nurse were shaking their heads with their eyes tightly shut.

'

Don't they understand there are more important things than money?

' I felt a surge of anger rising within me.

Just a short while ago, I found out from the administrative department that the overdue hospital bills amounted to 32.12 million won. I knew it was a huge amount, but I didn't expect that the doctors would refuse to give treatment because of it.

"Didn't you hear what I just said? I am going to pay the full medical expenses, so please start the treatment!" I yelled.

I had negotiated with Kang Ji-Yung and had secured a promise to provide up to 20 million won for medical expenses besides Lee Mi-Ri's salary. Furthermore, if Chae Sang-Woo also joined, it would add another 10 million won to make it a total of 30 million won in medical support for the couple.

However, I hadn't yet signed a contract with Lee Mi-Ri. Using the corporate card could lead to complications, so I offered my own card instead.

"Ran-Hee, pay the bills with my card."

"Will it not exceed the limit?" Do Ran-Hee asked.

"I increased the limit before coming here, so it should be fine. Charge it as a lump sum."

"O-okay. Got it."

Do Ran-Hee took my card and immediately ran off.

I shouted at the doctor. "Are we settled? Please go check on the child now!"

Only then did the doctor finally begin to move.

"Just a moment, let me check."

The doctor gently pushed Lee Mi-Ri aside who was supporting Chae Eun-Byul's back.

After using the stethoscope and checking a few things, the doctor put an oxygen mask on her and administered an injection.

A little while later, Chae Eun-Byul's face began to relax gradually.