AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 95

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"How can a person be run down on a busy street, and no one clearly see what happened?" -- Yoon Jong-Ki

 

 

MUN-YUNG HOSPITAL, SEOUL...

 

"Actually, it's a mystery to me..."

 

The doctor expresses bewilderment as he goes over the charts again. "All the tests came back normal. With no serious head trauma or loss of oxygen or blood, there's no discernible reason for him to be in a coma."

 

"But witnesses at the scene said he was still conscious when the ambulance arrived, just minutes after the accident," Sun-Dal points out. "What could have happened?"

 

Deep lines crease President Yoon Jong-Ki's face as he looks down at his elder son, unconscious in the hospital bed. "Is there anything more which can be done, Doctor?"

 

"All we can do is wait. Cases like this are difficult to predict, but a long-term condition is rare," the doctor replies, trying to impart hope.

 

"Thank you for stopping by, Doctor," Jong-Ki expresses his gratitude.

 

"I'll check on Director Yoon regularly," the doctor promises. "Don't give up hope."

 

 

After the doctor leaves, Jong-Ki sits down on a chair beside the bed, weary from grief. He looks to Sun-Dal for the latest news...

 

"Police still have no leads on the green van that witnesses reported, and there's no consensus on exactly what happened," Sun-Dal reports. "Some claim the van swerved, others that the van took no evasive action, suggesting that the driver never saw him."

 

"How can a person be run down on a busy street, and no one clearly sees it?" Jong-Ki grumbles.

 

"Once the police find the van and driver, we'll get the full story," Sun-Dal predicts.

 

"I'm not so sure. The timing is just too coincidental, with the Board voting in a few days," Jong-Ki speculates. "Actually, I'm not convinced it was an accident at all."

 

"Are you saying Hyung-Chul was hit deliberately?" Sun-Dal is shocked. "Attempted murder? ... by Director Kim?"

 

"I have no proof, but people have killed for less," Jong-Ki states flatly. "Regardless, the outcome is certain... It's been two days since the accident, and with Hyung-Chul still in a coma, Director Kim is pressing the Board for a decision. We can't keep the Company in limbo by delaying the vote any longer.

 

"So as the only remaining candidate, Director Kim, wins just like that," Sun-Dal expresses his frustration.

 

"We have no other choice, do we?" Jong-Ki answers with dismay.

 

"But even if the Board has no choice in the vote, you and Hyung-Chul still control a majority with Director Yoo. That will keep Kim in check for now, until Hyung-Chul is recovered and can challenge him again."

 

"But in the meantime, Kim will have opportunity to place his people in management across the Company, extending and entrenching his grip on power," Jong-Ki observes. "Eventually that will put pressure on you and Joo-Hee, and if he swings Director Yoo to his side..."

 

"Don't worry, we won't betray you," Sun-Dal promises. "I'll quit before I join up with Kim!"

 

"Actually, I'd rather you stay and work with Kim if possible," Jong-Ki requests. "I'll need a man I can trust inside his organization."

 

"Me? A spy?" Sun-Dal is amused, as his mobile rings...

 

He takes it out of his suit jacket, and after checking the caller ID, says immediately, "Jin Sun-Mi?"

 

"Uncle, I've been trying to call Senior, and he's not picking up. Do you know where he is?" she asks anxiously.

 

Sun-Dal signals to Jong-Ki that he is taking the call, and leaves the room.

 

 

In the corridor, he asks her, "You didn't know?"

 

"Know what?"

 

"Hyung-Chul was in a hit-and-run accident. He's in Mun-Yung Hospital right now... in a coma," Sun-Dal gives the bad news.

 

Sun-Mi catches her breath before the questions tumble out... "What happened? Was he driving? Is he hurt badly? How long has he been in the coma?"

 

"Hold on, one at a time," Sun-Dal reins her in...

 

"It was a hit-and-run; his right arm and leg were broken and several ribs cracked from the impact, and he's on oxygen for a collapsed lung. He was lucky he was spared from more serious internal injuries, or wasn't killed outright," he reports on Hyung-Chul's condition. "The doctor says he's stable, and could return to consciousness at any time and recover fully."

 

"Thank God!" Sun-Mi sighs with relief. "But how could something like this happen? Senior is usually so careful."

 

"Witnesses at the scene said Hyung-Chul was on his mobile and totally oblivious, and didn't see the van coming," Sun-Dal explains the circumstances.

 

She asks warily, "Did the accident happen about five PM, the day before yesterday?"

 

"Yes, but how did you know?" Sun-Dal wonders.

 

 

He waits, but she doesn't answer...

 

 

"Sun-Mi? Are you there? ... Sun-Mi?" he says worriedly... "Sun-Mi?"

 

Finally she replies in a weak, tremulous voice, "Sorry, I... I dropped my phone..."

 

"You sound faint..." Sun-Dal wonders if it wasn't the phone that dropped. "Are you all right?"

 

 

Then he hears faint sobbing. "Are you all right, Sun-Mi?" he repeats his concern.

 

"Yes... Actually, no..." she whimpers as she cries. "Senior... was talking... with me... at that time..."

 

Surprised, Sun-Dal blurts out, "You're saying that..."

 

Sun-Mi can barely choke out a whisper as she confirms, "Senior... almost died... because of... me..."