The sleek, high-end sedan was cruising down the Gyeongbu Expressway.

Secretary Oh Sang Jae, in his mid-30s, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around.

He had a somewhat lean build and an intelligent face.

“Director, did the hamburger suit your taste?”

San Ha, with his arms crossed and eyes closed, replied.

“No. I didn’t eat it.”

Secretary Choi Seung Hoon, in his mid-20s, sitting in the driver’s seat, asked while looking at the rearview mirror.

He was tall and well-built.

“Then why did you reorder?”

Next to San Ha was a paper bag with the burger shop’s logo.

“Didn’t you say the burger was so delicious?”

“That’s what I’m saying. The meat patty with three layers and cheese overload was really tasty. It’s too good to throw away just because it’s cold.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t throw it away.”

Both secretaries asked simultaneously.

“But you said you didn’t eat it?”

“There’s someone else with better luck to eat it. A plump magpie was eating it so deliciously that even I felt hungry. That’s why I reordered.”

Secretary Oh asked.

“A magpie eating a burger?”

“Yeah.”

“A magpie?”

Secretary Choi also had a confused expression.

“That’s what I’m saying. A chubby magpie was eating it well.”

San Ha laughed at the two bewildered secretaries.

San Ha’s gaze, now with eyes open, turned to the back of his left hand.

Seeing the character band-aid Yeo Reum had put on, he couldn’t help but smile more.

At that moment, all three of their phones rang simultaneously with a short tone.

The two secretaries’ expressions hardened as they checked the group message.

“Appointment: Gu I Seok, Executive Director of Daesin Electronics Strategic Planning Office.”

San Ha also checked the message but spoke as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“I Seok became an executive director. Should we stop by a flower shop on the way?”

“How can you talk about flower shops at a time like this?”

Secretary Choi burst out.

“Shouldn’t we congratulate my younger brother for becoming an executive director?”

“I’m about to burst with anger, and you’re talking about congratulations? This is why employees call you a watered-down director.”

“What’s that?”

“They say you deal with everything like it’s watered down. Hum for water, hum-hum for alcohol.”

San Ha laughed and said.

“Whoever came up with that named it right.”

“Director, this is not something to laugh about,” Secretary Choi said again.

“What is?”

“Aren’t you upset? Don’t you have any ambition?”

“Having such things only leads to stress. I’m happy as I am now.”

In response to San Ha’s answer, Secretary Choi spoke more frustratedly.

“This is Daesin Group, known as the best in Korea. Especially you, sir, you’re the eldest son among the three siblings. The legitimate heir at that.”

“What era do you think we’re in? What legitimate heir?”

“No, but still. It’s frustrating enough that you lost the head of department position to your two-year younger twin sister, Gu I Dam. Now you’ve lost the strategic office, which is a direct path to becoming a representative director, to Gu I Seok. You’re stuck in a formal management support director position without any real power. On top of that, they’ve sent you out on a nationwide factory inspection tour just to make this appointment. I really think this is not right.”

“Wow, I didn’t know Secretary Choi had such big ambitions.”

“Honestly, when I was told I’d be the personal secretary to the eldest son of the Daesin Group, how excited do you think I was? My peers envied me, saying I was on the path to success. But these days, my peers look at me with pity. Even the cafeteria ladies give more food to me, Senior Oh, and Manager Lim because they feel sorry for us.”

Secretary Choi sighed, which didn’t suit his large build.

“If you hate it so much, why don’t you quit?”

“Who said I hate it? It’s great for us to get paid while doing nothing, but don’t you have any pride, sir? Aren’t you angry about being constantly disrespected by your ill-mannered twin siblings? If they were my siblings, I would never tolerate it. I’d teach them a lesson.”

“Wow, Secretary Choi, you’re scary?”

“I may not be the smartest, but I’m second to none when it comes to driving and physical strength. Sir, you’re supposed to be a special forces veteran, why are you so weak? Where did all that special forces spirit go? Did you eat it?”

“Does being in special forces put food on the table? Secretary Choi, you should know your place. I’m perfectly happy as I am now.”

“Didn’t your friend already become a CEO? How can you be like this?”

“There’s an old saying that a child without a mother is pitiful. Always the black sheep wherever I go.”

“…Why do you have to say it like that?”

Secretary Choi’s voice trailed off, sounding apologetic.

“Besides, I made a crucial, major mistake.”

“But that was just an accident. I don’t think you did it intentionally like people gossip about.”

“Thanks for saying that. But the conclusion is still that because of me, someone is still fighting for their life.”

San Ha turned his head towards the car window.

He heard a loud noise, and a train appeared on the distant tracks.

“…I’m sorry.”

“What does Secretary Choi have to be sorry about? My life has been messed up from the start.”

Feeling like he had said something unnecessary, Secretary Choi turned to look at Secretary Oh in the passenger seat.

He punched his own head once.

Secretary Choi, with his nose twitching, focused on driving.

Secretary Oh checked the back seat through the rearview mirror.

San Ha had closed his eyes again.

The Seoul-bound KTX train passed by quickly.

*

―It’s Kyungdong Hospital. Call mom when you arrive.

Although she had expected it, Yeo Reum’s heart sank at the confirmation to come to the hospital.

She took a taxi to the hospital and called her mother again from the lobby.

―Yeo Reum, don’t be shocked and come to the ICU.

She went up to the ICU following the guidance signs.

She saw her mother sitting on a nearby chair.

“…Mom!”

Se Jin looked up at Yeo Reum’s call.

“You’re here?”

She stood up.

She was a woman with a pure face and slim figure that was hard to believe she was in her late 40s.

There was a large band-aid on her pretty forehead.

Seeing Yeo Reum’s surprised look, Se Jin said,

“It’s okay. Just a light scratch. But your dad’s condition isn’t good.”

Since it wasn’t visiting hours, they couldn’t go into the room.

Yeo Reum saw her father Jung Hyun through the ICU glass window.

He was attached to an oxygen respirator and various complicated machine devices.

For a moment, she felt like crying but held it back.

Se Jin, standing beside her, said,

“A drunk driver’s car charged towards the taxi we were in. Your dad noticed it, unbuckled his seatbelt, and hugged me tightly. Because of that, I’m fine, but your dad took more of the impact. He’s in a coma now, and the doctor says his condition isn’t good.”

“Mom…”

“The detailed test results will be out soon. But honestly, mom is so scared right now…”

Despite her calm words, Se Jin was trembling all over.

Yeo Reum hugged her mother.

She barely breathed out and said,

“What if something happens to your dad…”

“It’ll be okay. Dad wouldn’t go anywhere without you.”

Yeo Reum hugged her mother, who was barely holding back tears, even tighter.

“How much does Jung Jung Hyun love Kim Se Jin? So don’t worry. Our dad will wake up soon.”

Just then, a doctor in a gown approached.

It seemed the test results were out.

“Jung Jung Hyun’s organ damage is severe. Especially his heart. In this state, the chances of recovery are slim.”

As the death sentence fell from the doctor’s lips, the mother and daughter’s faces turned pale.

Se Jin was worse.

If Yeo Reum hadn’t been holding her hand, she might have collapsed.

Struggling to gather her thoughts, Se Jin asked,

“Doctor, doesn’t ‘slim’ mean there’s still a slight chance?”

“Ah, well.”

Instead of answering, the doctor paused for a moment.

“…Is there? Is there a way for him to survive? Please tell us!”

“There is one way, but it’s impossible.”

“What is it?”

Se Jin and Yeo Reum asked simultaneously.

“There’s a hospital called Sprina in the United States. It’s the world’s best cardiac center. Recently, a clinical paper on treating a case similar to Jung Jung Hyun’s was published in a medical journal.”

“What do we need to do to go there?”

Yeo Reum asked urgently.

“You can’t go. It’s impossible from the start.”

“Why?”

“Jung Jung Hyun’s heart is in a state close to rupture. Therefore, he can’t board a regular plane. He needs to be carefully transported to the U.S. in a special aircraft equipped with medical devices. Moreover, as Sprina Hospital is the world’s best, it’s impossible to schedule a surgery, and even if you’re lucky enough to get one, the surgery cost would exceed 3 billion won. And the monthly treatment cost is at least 1.5 billion won.”

The doctor looked at the mother and daughter standing with their mouths open, as if pitying them.

“I understand how you feel, but it’s impossible. Jung Jung Hyun has about a week left, I estimate. So, please stay by the patient’s side for his final moments.”

He turned away apologetically and walked down the corridor.

Yeo Reum held her mother’s hand tightly, seeing her struggling to breathe.

“There must be a way. There definitely will be. So, mom, stay strong.”

“…Ah, Yeo Reum. Mom needs to make a call now. Please watch your dad for a moment.”

“Mom?”

Se Jin hurriedly ran down the corridor.

Yeo Reum was worried she might be having bad thoughts due to the shock, but she shook her head.

She approached the ICU again.

She looked at her father through the glass door.

Dad isn’t someone who would leave mom alone.

And mom is the same.

‘I need to find a way. A way.’

Yeo Reum fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, Se Jin left the bustling hospital and stood in a quiet place nearby.

She took out her phone and searched for a contact.

“Manager Ahn Seo Jun.”

After taking a deep breath, Se Jin pressed the call button.

―Young madam? Is it really you?

The voice on the other end asked again in surprise.

“Yes. It’s me. Kim Se Jin.”

―It’s been so long. Is it 20 years?

“That’s right. You haven’t changed your number, Manager.”

―Yes.

“But Manager.”

As Se Jin’s voice lowered, he asked.

―Has something happened to young master Jung Hyun?

Se Jin swallowed a hot breath and answered.

―Yes.

He was silent for a moment.

“We’re at Kyungdong Hospital ICU. Jung Hyun is in critical condition now. Please tell the madam that we desperately need her help.”

―I understand.

He answered simply and hung up.

Se Jin exhaled a shaky breath.

Her hands were trembling.

*

“Where are you taking our dad now?”

Yeo Reum asked as suddenly arrived medical staff started to wheel Jung Hyun’s bed out of the ICU.

“We just received orders to move him to a VIP room immediately.”

“What? From whom?”

“It’s the director’s order.”

They pushed the bed towards the elevator.

Yeo Reum followed behind, and Se Jin appeared.

“Mom, they’re moving dad to a VIP room.”

“It’s okay.”

Se Jin smiled slightly and held Yeo Reum’s hand.

Then they stood next to her husband’s bed as it entered the elevator.

Although confused about the situation, Yeo Reum didn’t say anything as her mother remained quiet.

Her face just looked somewhat downcast.

Unlike the busy atmosphere earlier, the VIP ward was quiet.

Jung Hyun’s bed was wheeled into a room.

It was so spacious and luxurious that it was hard to tell if it was a hospital room or a hotel.

The medical staff were also excessively kind and polite.

“Mom…?”

While Yeo Reum was bewildered and unfamiliar with the whole situation, Se Jin remained calm.

She just smiled softly, rubbing her face against her husband’s.

Yeo Reum also carefully held her father’s arm.

“No matter how many times I look, our dad is so handsome.”

“That’s right.”

They both chuckled softly.

Just then, the door to the room burst open roughly.

The elderly woman wore a crisply ironed red pantsuit with short, snow-white hair that was striking.

She walked with unparalleled confidence in red high heels.

Especially her sharp, gleaming eyes showed she was no ordinary person.

‘Where have I seen her before…?’

She was definitely someone familiar.

Very familiar, in fact.

Suddenly, Yeo Reum exclaimed.

“Chairwoman Kang Ju Hwa!”

This made the woman look at Yeo Reum.

The woman with snow-white hair and a haughty demeanor was undoubtedly Chairwoman Kang Ju Hwa of PR Group.

As if to prove this, about a dozen people followed her into the room.

Yeo Reum tilted her head for a moment, wondering why a CEO she had only seen on the news was here, but soon thought of Kang Ha Eun.

‘Impressive. Even the chairwoman has stepped in?’

Yeo Reum quickly composed herself.

However, Se Jin approached the woman and bowed her head in greeting.

“It’s been a long time, Mother.”