Chapter 33, Part 2: The Situation (3)

‘I did think it was a bit too hostile from the start.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

I knew from the beginning that my actions could be seen as rude and disrespectful.

Who would welcome a third party who questions the death of a family member?

Still, I felt that Mr. Guo’s reaction was particularly aggressive.

It turned out there was a reason for it.

Who would have thought that Professor Myeongtae and Mr. Guo’s father were university seniors.

Honestly, I never imagined it.

Encountering such a significant obstacle, I felt restless.

A guy who disrespected his own mother and a senior from the same school.

A bratty, disrespectful kid who hasn’t even dried the blood on his head.

Mr. Guo’s father must certainly think of me that way...

In such a situation, how could persuasion even be possible?

Perhaps it would be better to retreat today and come back when the opportunity arises.

‘No. Today is the only chance!’

I steadied my wavering heart, which was trembling like reeds.

Avoiding the immediate discomfort might feel good now.

But it’s questionable whether a similar opportunity will arise again.

-Don’t associate with that bastard. Don’t even let him step into the house again.

If I leave, Mr. and Mrs. Guo might declare that.

So if I retreat now, the chance to persuade Mr. and Mrs. Guo will never come again.

I knew this instinctively.

‘Then I can’t back down.’

The wrongful death of Grandma Guo.

The grievances of countless patients who might lose their lives to Professor Myeongtae’s hands.

I have to resolve these issues here.

I was a doctor, and I had returned to prevent the tragedies of the past.

What tragedy, you ask?

The tragedy of losing a father during surgery and living in grief.

Although I have overcome this tragedy now,

I don’t want others to experience it.

“You must be very upset, and I probably seem like a terrible person. I would feel the same if I were in your shoes.”

“You’re the top scorer in the national mock exam, and you sure know how to talk.”

Mr. Guo snorted and gave me a look that dared me to say more.

“The only thing I can offer is an apology. I know you must be deeply hurt, and I feel terrible for stirring up your pain.”

For about five minutes, I berated myself.

Why?

If you want to persuade someone, you must first say what they want to hear before saying what you want to say.

Unlocking the heart’s lock was one of the best skills I had, even as an intern.

100% success rate in getting patients to sign surgery consent forms.

Even convincing guardians who refused blood transfusions or surgeries.

This was my moment to showcase my special skill.

“Hmm... I thought you were a complete brat, but at least you know how to behave.”

After I spent five minutes berating myself, Mr. and Mrs. Guo’s expressions gradually softened.

The real game was about to begin.

“I hope you can hear me out for just a moment. I have a relative, Dr. Philip Lee, who works as a thoracic surgeon at a U.S. university hospital.”

“...”

“While we were on the phone, we talked about Grandma Guo, and my relative mentioned some suspicious points and asked if he could see the chart.”

“...”

“So, I took the liberty of doing this regrettable thing.”

“So, what did your relative say?”

“First, I apologize for stirring up your pain again. My relative suspects a medical accident.”

“What? A medical accident?”

Mr. Guo’s eyes widened.

The calm expression he had regained began to harden like a rock.

Mrs. Guo’s mouth opened in shock.

“I will give you copies of the examination documents. Please look them over while I explain, and you’ll understand more quickly.”

I handed the copies of the examination documents to Mr. and Mrs. Guo and began to explain step by step.

The definition and method of drug-eluting stent procedures.

When drug-eluting stent procedures are necessary and when they should be avoided.

-Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD, left anterior descending artery), Stenosis 72%

-Right posterolateral branch (RPB, right posterior branch), Stenosis 40%

I also pointed to the parts highlighted in fluorescent color in the chart.

I added that Grandma Guo should have received coronary artery bypass surgery instead of a stent procedure.

“There’s no way... My senior couldn’t have made such a mistake with our mother.”

Mr. Guo denied the reality.

He didn’t know the true face behind Professor Myeongtae’s mask.

It would be hard for him to accept my words easily.

“Believe me, isn’t it too much for an elderly grandmother to undergo heart surgery?”

Mrs. Guo, who had been silent, spoke for the first time.

“Many people think that way. It’s natural to think that heart surgery for an elderly patient is risky. But the truth is different.”

I handed Mr. and Mrs. Guo a research paper I had obtained by visiting the National Central Library.

According to this paper, the survival rate of coronary artery bypass surgery in elderly patients aged 60 to 70 was not significantly different from that of younger patients, the control group.

The 5-year survival rate was an astonishing 88%.

So, there’s no reason not to perform coronary artery bypass surgery just because of age.

Professor Myeongtae probably used this common misconception.

He instilled fear in the guardian with the word ‘surgery’ and then performed a stent procedure to boost his own record.

“...”

“...”

As the persuasion neared its end, Mr. Guo sighed and put his hand on his forehead.

He must already know what I’m trying to say.

My explanation was simple enough for a primary school student to understand.

The important parts of the documents were all underlined with a highlighter.

It was like spoon-feeding medical knowledge.

“The doctor who performed the procedure on Grandma Guo clearly made a mistake. He performed a procedure when surgery was needed and never requested a consultation with a thoracic surgeon.”

“...”

“I know it’s hard to say, but... My relative said that Grandma Guo’s death was not an accident but a human error.”

I summarized everything, driving the point home.

The result of this long but logical persuasion—how would it turn out?

Now the ball was in Mr. and Mrs. Guo’s court.

“Ha, you’re quite something. You can explain such difficult medical knowledge so easily, even though you haven’t even entered medical school...”

“Well, it’s because I heard it from a doctor... sir.”

I barely avoided a mistake.

I got a bit excited while laying out my medical knowledge.

The important thing was that, unlike at the beginning, the conversation’s initiative had completely shifted to my side.

Mr. and Mrs. Guo no longer saw me as their mortal enemy.

They were listening to me intently.

“So, in short, it means that our senior performed a procedure on a mother who needed thoracic surgery?”

“Yes.”

“Ha... It’s so shocking that I can’t believe it. Did you want to solve it yourself because you’re a junior?”

Mr. Guo’s train of thought veered off track.

The shock of the truth seemed to trigger a psychological defense mechanism of denial.

“For your sake, it would have been even worse if he had performed the procedure himself. My relative clearly said this.”

“A normal internist would never perform a stent procedure in that situation.”

“...”

“I know it must be very confusing and shocking. You probably don’t fully believe me.”

“...”

“Please take your time to think about it and cross-check. Take the chart to a thoracic surgeon at another university hospital for a second opinion. They will likely come to a similar conclusion as my relative.”

After saying everything I wanted to say, I felt relieved.

When I learned that Professor Myeongtae and Mr. Guo were university seniors,

I was quite surprised, but I’m handling the problem wisely.

Now, Mr. and Mrs. Guo seemed to have accepted my persuasion to some extent.

“I apologize for the harsh words when you first came. I had a preconceived notion and was very angry at the time.”

“I understand. I would have done the same if I were in your shoes.”

“From now on, I’ll handle this matter. If there’s anything unusual, I’ll let you know through Doan. Since you’ve gotten involved this far, you deserve to see the conclusion.”

“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”

“Sure. Let’s meet again soon. I’m sure we will.”

With Mr. and Mrs. Guo’s farewell, I left the house with Doan.

“Hey, where did you learn to talk like that? I thought you were a real doctor.”

Doan put his hand on my shoulder and marveled.

“Being the top scorer in the national mock exam, you’re different. Anyway, thanks. Thanks to you, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my heart.”

“...”

“I’ve been worried about Grandma’s sudden passing.”

“It’s all because you were honest with me. And I didn’t do anything. It was all thanks to Dr. Philip Lee, my relative.”

“Still, it all started with you. Here, take this.”

Doan suddenly pulled out a prayer bead bracelet from his pocket.

“Grandma said to give this to a close friend. It will protect you from bad luck.”

“Thank you.”

I put on the prayer bead bracelet in front of Doan and said goodbye.

The bracelet jingled as I walked.

I once operated on a Buddhist patient who wore a prayer bead bracelet into the operating room.

It was originally not allowed in the operating room,

but due to the patient’s earnest request, it was sterilized and allowed in.

-When you’re anxious or restless, counting the beads one by one will calm your mind.

I remembered his words and held the prayer bead bracelet on my wrist.

I began to roll the beads one by one.

One bead for my family.

One bead for Grandma Guo.

One bead for the patients who might suffer at the hands of Professor Myeongtae.

Acknowledging and accepting my worries brought me peace.

* * *

Guo Junho, who had taken a rare day off, visited the thoracic surgery clinic at Shinwon University Hospital instead of a law firm.

A few days ago, he heard a shocking story from his son’s friend.

The story that his mother died not from post-surgery complications but from a medical accident.

Even now, when he thinks about that moment, he gets chills and his hair stands on end.

To think that his senior, Professor Myeongtae, did such a despicable thing to his mother...

But as time passed, Guo Junho began to lean towards the criticism.

No matter how many times he reviewed the chart,

No matter how much he tried to doubt Imjin,

The suspicion fell on Professor Myeongtae.

After today’s consultation, the long period of anguish would finally come to an end.

“Mr. Guo Junho, please come in.”

“Yes.”

When it was his turn, Guo Junho entered the consultation room.

“Where are you feeling unwell?”

“Sorry, doctor. I’m not here because I’m sick. I need a medical consultation.”

Guo Junho briefly explained his purpose and handed the doctor his mother’s chart.

The doctor scanned the chart for a long time and clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“Why did a patient who should have been seen by a thoracic surgeon end up in cardiology?”

“Do you think so too, doctor?”

“I can’t think otherwise. This patient should not have received a stent procedure. Any thoracic surgeon would say the same. Professor Myeongtae is a well-known professor, so why did he make such a ridiculous mistake...”

The doctor shook his head in disbelief.

Guo Junho was convinced by the doctor’s confident tone and puzzled expression.

Imjin and Dr. Philip Lee were right.

His mother died not from complications but from a medical accident.

As his trust and respect for Professor Myeongtae crumbled,

A hot rage, like lava, surged within him.

Unable to control the heat, Guo Junho took off his suit jacket.

“Doctor, can you write an opinion that the stent procedure was medically inappropriate?”

“That... Writing an opinion would mean starting a fight...”

“My mother died unjustly. Please help us. I beg you.”

“...”

“Even the dead have their wishes granted, don’t they? And isn’t an opinion something that insurance companies often request?”

Guo Junho’s relentless persuasion made the doctor agree.

A few minutes later, Guo Junho left the hospital lobby with the opinion from the thoracic surgeon at Shinwon University Hospital.

Senior, I don’t know why you did it, but you picked the wrong person to mess with.

As soon as he left the hospital lobby, Guo Junho called Imjin.