Chapter 477: Go An-Na (3)

Click.

The moment I opened the front door to Go An-Na's house, Hong Sung-Beom presented a bouquet of flowers from behind his back.

"Miss An-Na. I heard the club was closed, so I thought...Huh?"

Hong Sung-Beom's voice trailed off as his expression twisted upon seeing me instead.

"Why... Why are you here?"

With a calm smile, I took the elegantly wrapped bouquet of thirty red roses Hong Sung-Beom was holding. "Looks expensive. I'll make sure An-Na gets it later."

Hong Sung-Beom's face turned beet red with anger when I sniffed the flowers. "What are you doing here, you bastard?!"

Hong Sung-Beom, the fourth son of HK Inc and soon-to-be head of HK Apparel, had been targeting Yoo-Jin before. Now, he has set his sights on my childhood friend, Go An-Na.

That alone was reason enough for me to provoke him.

"Why do you think I'm here?"

Hong Sung-Beom's face turned red and then purple. I could almost see the thoughts racing through his mind.

He barked, "You piece of shit!"

"My, my. Such language from someone of your esteemed background in HK Inc."

I was willing to take his punch if he was to throw one. After all, my phone was still recording from the shoe cabinet, pointed directly at the doorway.

As expected, Hong Sung-Beom raised his fists and lunged toward me. But just as he did, Kim Seung-Moon threw himself between us and grabbed onto Hong Sung-Beom's arm. "Sir! You can't do this!"

No matter how strong Hong Sung-Beom was, he couldn't shake off a man in his 40's clinging to him with all their strength. Unfortunately, this meant I didn't get the dramatic punch I had prepared for. I was even ready to execute a perfect backfall if needed.

But that's when something unexpected happened. Hong Sung-Beom turned his rage toward Kim Seung-Moon and punched him square in the chest.

Thud.

The force of the punch sent Kim Seung-Moon stumbling backward into the hallway before collapsing onto the floor.

Crash.

Then, Hong Sung-Beom stormed out into the hallway and began kicking his fallen secretary.

Thud, thud, thud.

Hong Sung-Beom screamed with each word punctuated by another kick. "You fucking bastard! How many times have I told you not to touch me?!"

Even for someone as reckless as him, treating his own secretary this way was beyond belief.

I stepped out into the hallway and grabbed the back of Hong Sung-Beom's jacket to yank him off balance.

At that moment, Hong Sung-Beom's foot in the middle of the kick swiped uselessly through the air.

Hong Sung-Beom snarled, now turning his fury on me."You son of a bitch! This is all your fault!"

As he threw a punch at my face, I tugged his jacket slightly again causing his swing to miss.

Whoosh!

Hong Sung-Beom had put so much force into the punch that he stumbled over his own feet and crashed to the ground.

Crash!

Hong Sung-Beom ended up sprawled in a humiliating heap in the narrow hallway of the apartment building.

I stared down at Hong Sung-Beom with disdain. "Why don't you just stop now?"

Dust covered Hong Sung-Beom from head to toe, leaving him looking utterly disheveled. "Fuck you! You're dead, you bastard!"

Hong Sung-Beom got up and clenched his fists in the attempt to lunge at me again.

But before he could move, a strange sound came from behind us. "Ugh... ugh..."

When I turned around, I saw Kim Seung-Moon's face pale as he clutched his chest.

'Could this be because of the punch to his chest earlier?

'

Hong Sung-Beom froze mid-motion with his raised fist hanging awkwardly in the air. "Wh-what's going on? Secretary Kim! Hey, are you okay?"

Despite Kim Seung-Moon being Hong Sung-Beom's subordinate, I couldn't let him suffer like this. I quickly crouched down to check on his condition. "Mr. Kim! Can you hear me? Are you okay?"

But Kim Seung-Moon couldn't respond and continued to clutch at his chest with both hands while struggling for breath. "

Huff

...

Huff

..."

'

It must be a heart attack!

'

I glanced toward my phone, still recording from atop the shoe cabinet. While contemplating whether or not I should grab it, I noticed Kim Seung-Moon's phone sticking out of his pocket.

I pulled it out without hesitation and bypassed the lock screen to press the emergency call button to dial 119.

"This is Gangnam..."

When I quickly gave them the address, the dispatcher promised to send paramedics right away.

-Understood. They'll arrive shortly. In the meantime, could you perform CPR?

"Got it."

I put the phone down and interlocked my hands, pressing hard and fast in the center of Kim Seung-Moon's chest. Having performed CPR once before when saving Jang Joon-Hyuk, the process came more naturally this time.

The dispatcher's voice came through the phone again.

-They'll be there in five minutes. Keep going and switch with someone nearby every two minutes.

I continued compressions and looked up at Hong Sung-Beom. "You. Switch with me in two minutes!"

CPR was physically exhausting and I couldn't keep it up alone for long. But Hong Sung-Beom stood frozen in place with shock.

I yelled. "Hey! Snap out of it!"

At that moment, Hong Sung-Beom backed away while shaking his head frantically. "I-it wasn't me... It wasn't me..."

'

Damn it.

'

Realizing he was useless, I barked an even simpler order at him. "Hong Sung-Beom! If you won't help with CPR, go downstairs and clear the stairwell! There's a bike blocking the second-floor landing. Move it against the wall and guide the paramedics when they arrive!"

"Uh... uh... I...I..."

Seeing Hong Sung-Beom stutter made my blood boil. "Get a grip! Go downstairs, move that bike, and guide the medics! Now!"

At last, Hong Sung-Beom clenched his teeth and stormed past me.

Clack, clack, clack.

I could hear the sound of him running down the stairs. But instead of stopping on the second floor to move the bike, he kept running.

Clack, clack, clack, clack.

'

No way... That bastard!

'

Moments later, I heard the sound of a car engine roaring to life.

Vroom.

Hong Sung-Beom had fled.

A curse slipped from my lips without realizing it. "That son of a bitch is worthless to the very end..."

Just then, the door to the apartment swung open.

Click.

Go An-Na and Go Yoo-Na came rushing out, both armed with frying pans.

Go An-Na asked with a worried expression, "Yoon-Ho, what's going on? Why is this man... why is he like this?"

"It's that bastard Hong Sung-Beom's fault. Help me out, will you?"

"Okay!"

The two set the frying pans aside and rushed over.

Go Yoo-Na, a pre-med student, quickly assessed the situation. "It looks like an acute myocardial infarction. How long have you been doing CPR?"

"I'm not sure... about thirty seconds? A minute?"

"Alright. Switch with me in thirty seconds, then we'll alternate every minute."

Since everyone had had a bit to drink, Go Yoo-Na suggested we switch every minute instead of every two.

I agreed. "Alright."

Go Yoo-Na pulled out her phone and started a timer. Thirty seconds later, she called out. "Oppa, let's switch!"

"Got it."

I quickly stepped back and Go Yoo-Na swiftly took over, interlocking her hands and pressing on Kim Seung-Moon's chest with all her strength.

As I stretched my arms to loosen up, I turned to Go An-Na. "An-Na, can you move the bike on the second-floor stairs? Either push it against the wall or move it to the second-floor hallway."

Go An-Na said yes and dashed downstairs to take care of it. "Got it!"

I glanced at the time after catching my breath. Once the minute passed, I shouted, "Yoo-Na, let's switch!"

Sweating profusely and breathing heavily, Go Yoo-Na quickly stepped back. "

Huff... huff

... Okay!"

Shortly after, we heard Go An-Na calling out from downstairs. "Over here!"

Around four minutes later, the paramedics arrived on the third-floor hallway.

One of the paramedics said as they set down their AED, "You've done great. We'll take over from here."

The paramedics unbuttoned Kim Seung-Moon's shirt and placed the AED pads on his chest. "Everyone back away! Clear!"

Bzzzt. Thunk.

The electric shock made Kim Seung-Moon's body jerk off the floor.

Another paramedic started CPR again and shouted, "Continue compressions!"

Two minutes later, they used the AED once more. "Clear!"

Thunk.

Kim Seung-Moon's body jerked again. And this time, the paramedic called out, "We've got a pulse!"

At the same time, a faint groan escaped Kim Seung-Moon's lips. "

Ugh

..."

Go Yoo-Na stood up and gave instructions. "Please take him to Yonseo University Hospital. It's where I study."

A paramedic asked, "Are you a doctor?"

"No, I'm a second-year med student. The doctor on call tonight specializes in cardiology, so it's the best option!"

"Understood."

Before leaving, Go Yoo-Na turned to me. "Oppa, please take care of unnie for me."

"Will do."

Go Yoo-Na headed down with the paramedics and helped to guide Kim Seung-Moon to the ambulance.

I couldn't help but marvel as I watched her. The timid little kid I once knew was growing into a capable doctor.

I said, "She's really grown up, hasn't she?"

Go An-Na replied with a faint smile. "Yeah, she has."

The ambulance's siren wailed loudly as it sped away, leaving me utterly drained.

When I leaned against the wall. Go An-Na crouched down beside me with a concerned expression. "Are you okay?"

"No. I feel like I'm dying."

My muscles screamed in protest after the sudden exertion.

Go An-Na asked, "What even happened?"

"That bastard Hong Sung-Beom lost his temper and beat his own secretary, then stomped on him with his shoes."

"You didn't get hurt, did you?"

I smirked. "Why would I let myself get hit?"

But Go An-Na looked me over as if checking for injuries.

"Oh, right. Wait a second."

I stepped back inside and grabbed my phone from the shoe cabinet to stop the recording. But since the phone had only been recording the doorway, the events in the hallway were captured as audio instead of a video.

I muttered, "Ah, damn it. There's no witnesses or clear footage... What now?"

Go An-Na followed me inside and said, "We have a security camera in our hallway."

I blinked. "What?"

She pointed to the end of the hallway. "The club guys installed it for me. It's over there."

Unexpectedly, I now had an even stronger card to use against Hong Sung-Beom.

"An-Na, can we check the security camera footage?"

"Sure."

"And call Yoo-Na for me. Tell her I'm on my way and to stay close to the patient."

"Why?"

"Because I have something to propose to Secretary Kim Seung-Moon."

My initial plan was to use the video I recorded to expose Hong Sung-Beom's violent tendencies. After that, I was going to use a few events left in my planner to drag him into ruin. But if I could get Kim Seung-Moon on my side, things could move along much faster.

Go An-Na nodded. "Got it. I'll get you the footage. But come with me. I'm too scared to go alone right now..."

"Alright."

Go An-Na quickly got up and copied the security camera footage onto a USB drive.

Together, Go An-Na and I headed to Yonseo University Hospital.

***

As soon as we arrived at the emergency room of Yonseo University Hospital located in Gangnam, I asked for Kim Seung-Moon and a nurse kindly directed us to bed seven.

There, Go Yoo-Na stood beside Kim Seung-Moon. She was chatting with a doctor in a white coat.

The doctor said, "Great job, Go Yoo-Na. You've really impressed me."

Go Yoo-Na replied modestly, "Oh, not at all. Someone else started the emergency care before I got involved."

"That's true, but the paramedics were full of praise for you. They said you provided detailed care during transport after ROSC [1]. Go Yoo-Na, you saved a life today."

Go Yoo-Na grinned shyly. "Thank you!"

The doctor said as he left to check on another patient. "There's no need for thanks. See you later."

As soon as he was gone, Go Yoo-Na clenched her fist triumphantly.

I called, "Yoo-Na?"

Go Yoo-Na's face lit up as she welcomed us. "Oh, oppa. You're here."

When we walked over to bed seven, Kim Seung-Moon lay motionless with his eyes closed. The oxygen mask was still in place.

"Yoo-Na, when do you think he'll wake up?"

"I'm not sure. He's really weak from overworking, so it might take some time."

"Alright. Let me know when he wakes up."

"Got it."

Leaving Go An-Na with Go Yoo-Na, I stepped outside the emergency room and made calls to Lee Soo-Chan, Seo Jae-Ill, and others.

My goal was clear: to pull Kim Seung-Moon onto my side and take Hong Sung-Beom down.

***

A bit later, I quickly returned to the emergency room after hearing that Kim Seung-Moon had regained consciousness.

A doctor came by to check on him, gave a few instructions, and advised that he remain hospitalized for at least a week to recover.

After the doctor left, Kim Seung-Moon, still breathing heavily, called out to me. "Mr... Jung..."

"Are you alright?"

Kim Seung-Moon nodded weakly. "Was... was it you... who saved me?"

"Did you see it?"

Tears streamed down Kim Seung-Moon's face.

Kim Seung-Moon muttered through gritted teeth, "No, I didn't... I just know there's no way that bastard would have saved me."

His bitterness and resentment were palpable, almost heartbreaking to witness.

"You're right. It wasn't him. But it wasn't just me, either. An-Na and Yoo-Na here helped save you too."

Kim Seung-Moon glanced at the two women before he squeezed his eyes shut as if too ashamed to face them. "I'm sorry, Miss An-Na. No matter what that bastard said, I shouldn't have brought him to your home."

Go An-Na frowned and replied in her usual blunt way. "If you're sorry, then just focus on getting better."

Kim Seung-Moon raised his hands to cover his face. His emotions visibly seemed to overwhelm him as he thought of what his boss had done to him.

I waited for him to collect himself before speaking. When he finally lowered his hands, I asked, "Mr. Kim, have you considered filing charges for what happened?"

Kim Seung-Moon sighed deeply and shook his head slowly. "As much as I would like to... I can't. I have daughters. I can't risk anything until they're married. But I promise I'll repay your kindness in another way, Mr. Jung."

Even after nearly dying from a heart attack, he still put his family first. It reminded me of how Go An-Na had sacrificed everything for Go Yoo-Na.

But I had anticipated this response. That was why I had an alternative prepared. "What if I offered you a position with the same salary, job security, and the assurance that your family would be safe? Would you consider it then?"

Kim Seung-Moon's eyes widened slightly. "Are you serious?"

"I am. We would even set the contract for a generous seven-year term and you'd retain your title as Chief Secretary."

Kim Seung-Moon hesitated before asking cautiously, "May I ask... where this position would be?"

"Have you heard of Reverse Entertainment? It's a mid-sized company with subsidiaries in entertainment, distribution, and capital industries. It's also one of the companies I consult for."

"I've heard of it..."

Reverse Entertainment was currently run by Lee Soo-Chan, who had cleaned out many of the organization's past connections to the Kanghan gang. Because of that, the company was short on capable executives.

Fortunately, Kim Seung-Moon had proven himself as a highly competent individual. He had played a key role in building HK Apparel into a company with annual revenues exceeding one trillion won, even under the ineffective leadership of people like Hong Sung-Beom. It was clear that the company's survival had been largely thanks to him.

I planned to introduce him to Lee Soo-Chan as a solution to Reverse Entertainment's management challenges.

But Kim Seung-Moon's face darkened with worry. "Even so, Reverse Entertainment doesn't seem like it could compete with HK Inc...."

I smiled faintly and shook my head. "It can."

"Huh? But how"

I glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot, then leaned in and whispered my plan.

1. Return of Spontaneous Circulation ☜