Chapter 8 - Flirtatious Escape and the VIP Retribution

The heavy wooden door of the orthopedic ward clicked open with a sharp rattle, and Ma Ha-rin marched straight inside the room, an incredibly wide, energetic grin plastered across her face."I'm finally back, everyone!" Ha-rin announced loudly, waving her handbag in the air.Kim Seo-ah snapped her head around from her bedside seat, her brow furrowing in deep suspicion. "What on earth took you so extraordinarily long just to ask a simple administrative question, Ha-rin?""Actually..." Ha-rin stammered for a microsecond, looking slightly hesitant as she carefully adjusted her shopping bags. "I was just checking the logistics regarding Junu's formal discharge from the main desk, so the paperwork conversation took a little while longer than expected."Junu instantly bolted upright against his pillows, his eyes lighting up as he waved his arms dramatically. "What?! Hey, tell me right now—when is my absolute discharge finally going to happen? I am completely, entirely bored to death of staying inside this sterile room!"Seo-ah rolled her eyes playfully, patting his arm. "Yeah, go ahead and tell him, Ha-rin. He's been whined all afternoon.""Yes, I'm telling him right now!" Ha-rin cheered, stepping up to the edge of the mattress. "Junu, you will officially be discharged from this medical campus by the day after tomorrow!"Junu let out a massive, breathing-heavy sigh of pure, unadulterated relief, falling back against the cushions. "Phew! I will finally be entirely free from this hospital prison! Just one more day left to endure!"Seo-ah shot him a highly warning sisterly glare, crossing her arms tightly. "Yeah, but you only ended up trapped in this hospital bed because of your own reckless motorcycle antics in the first place, you brat. Don't get too arrogant or cocky; your bone structure isn't fully recovered yet. Just take a good look at your legs—they are still completely wrapped in thick medical bandages!""Yeah, yeah, I know that," Junu muttered, making a thoroughly sour face as he waved her off. "Just drop the subject now."Ha-rin burst into a loud, joyful round of laughter, stepping between the siblings. "Yeah, you two—that is completely enough bickering for one evening! And Seo-ah, aren't you heading back home to the apartment now? The twilight is fading fast.""Yeah, let's move," Seo-ah nodded, grabbing her designer coat. "It's getting exceptionally late. I'm off now, Junu. Alright, bye!""Yeah, bye, sis," Junu nodded.Ha-rin bent down, a highly mischievous, teasing spark hitting her dark eyes as she whispered loudly toward the bed. "Bye-bye, Junu! From now on, you can relax, because Dr. Hyun-woo will be able to treat you even better than before!"Junu wrinkled his forehead in total, absolute confusion. "What exactly do you mean by that?"Seo-ah froze dead in her tracks near the threshold, her face turning a sudden shade of deep pink as she whirled around. "What exactly are you trying to say to my brother, Ma Ha-rin?"Ha-rin's heart skipped a panicked beat as she realized her mouth had moved faster than her thoughts. 'Oh no... what on earth did I just blurt out out loud?' she thought frantically, quickly waving her hands to cook up an excuse. "Oh! I just meant that the doctor was incredibly stressed out because of his heavy hospital work shift, which is exactly why he was acting a bit strangely and rigidly earlier today. I noticed he seems completely fine and relaxed now, so that's the only reason why I said that. You just rest properly, Junu; we're leaving right now!""Alright, goodnight," Junu muttered, still thoroughly puzzled.The two girls exited the orthopedic ward, shutting the heavy door firmly behind them. The second the metallic lock clicked, Seo-ah cornered Ha-rin against the cool corridor wall, her eyes burning with suspicion. "There was definitely, absolutely something else going on inside that private cabin, wasn't there?"Ha-rin stammered, looking highly hesitant as she backed away a step. "What exactly are you talking about, Seo-ah?""Don't you dare try to play innocent with me, Ma Ha-rin!" Seo-ah hissed, lowering her voice into a harsh, frantic whisper. "Just tell me straight right now: What exactly were you talking about with Dr. Hyun-woo inside his private office? And why on earth did you tell Junu that the doctor would treat him even better from now on? Speak up this instant!""Oh, it was completely nothing like that!" Ha-rin protested, laughing nervously. "The truth is, it was exactly what I just explained to Junu!"Seo-ah narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. "Huh? I know for a fact that you lied through your teeth to Junu. Just tell me the absolute truth, quietly, before I lose my temper."Realizing she was completely cornered by her best friend, Ha-rin threw her hands up in defeat. "Yeah, alright, fine! The truth is, Dr. Hyun-woo honestly thought Junu was your romantic boyfriend, which is the exact reason why he was treating him like a criminal for the past two days! So, I went inside his office to personally clear up his massive misunderstanding."Seo-ah's jaw dropped completely to the polished floor tiles. She stood frozen in absolute, paralyzing shock. "What?! Has that guy completely, entirely lost his mind?! He thought my blood brother was my boyfriend, and that's the ridiculous reason why he was acting like a jealous lunatic? What am I supposed to do now? Is he going to keep acting this dramatic way around me?! Fine—I will endure it just until Junu leaves this hospital; after that day, I am never seeing his face ever again!""Why on earth are you saying something so absolute?!" Ha-rin whined, shaking her shoulder. "He is so incredibly sweet and devoted! Honestly, if a handsome billionaire doctor did something that fiercely protective for me, I would say yes to his proposal without a single second thought!"Seo-ah's face turned a violent shade of burning red with sheer anger. "Yeah, really? Then go tell him that yourself!""Oh, come on, cut it out!" Ha-rin giggled loudly, backing away toward the lobby. "How could I possibly do that? He is completely yours—how could I say a single thing to him?""Hey! He is not mine!" Seo-ah shouted, her voice echoing slightly through the quiet wing as she stomped her foot. "You—""Hey, what on earth are you doing?!" Ha-rin interrupted frantically, pointing a finger down the hall. "This is a quiet medical hospital, Seo-ah! Look over there right behind you!""Where?!" Seo-ah gasped, spinning around in pure panic to check the empty corridor.The exact microsecond Seo-ah turned her back, Ma Ha-rin swiftly rushed ahead down the hallway, sprint-style running toward the main glass exit doors with a loud, triumphant laugh."Hey!" Ha-rin called out from a distance, waving her hand. "There is absolutely no one there—I totally tricked you! Catch me if you can!"Seo-ah snapped her head back around, her eyes widening in pure frustration. "Huh?! Ma Ha-rin! You brat!"Seo-ah immediately burst into a fast run, chasing her roommate straight out past the sliding glass doors into the cool Seoul evening.Meanwhile, inside the university hospital staff wing, the shift bells finally chimed. Dr. Choi Hyun-woo removed his medical coat, hanging it up smoothly inside his locker as he prepared to head home. He adjusted his sharp, dark formal shirt, his posture radiating a sudden, intense energy."Alright, I'm heading out of the campus now," Hyun-woo announced, nodding to his junior colleague at the desk.Junior Min looked up from his medical logs, blinking in utter surprise. "Yeah, okay, Doctor. Have a good evening. By the way... why on earth do you look so incredibly pumped up and dangerous tonight? Did a successful surgery happen?"Hyun-woo let out a sharp, confident smile, his eyes burning with a dark, determined light. "Actually... I have to formally 'fix' a certain someone today... or rather, 'teach a massive lesson' to a certified coward."Junior Min scratched his head, thoroughly puzzled. "But you're leaving the hospital property—so who exactly are you planning to fix out in the city?""Just someone who crossed the wrong line," Hyun-woo answered smoothly, grabbing his car keys. "You focus strictly on your board studies; I'm off. See you tomorrow.""Yeah, bye, Doctor!" the junior called out.Hyun-woo walked firmly out of the hospital entrance doors, stepping onto the concrete parking lot like a true hero. He unlocked his luxury sports car, slid into the leather driver's seat, and stepped on the gas, driving smoothly toward his destination.A short while later, the car purred to a stop right outside the grand residential street. Choi Sun-woo was already standing outside the penthouse gates, dressed immaculately in his tailored dark suit, his executive expression perfectly sharp. Sun-woo walked over, opening the passenger side car door smoothly."Hey!" Sun-woo greeted, sliding onto the leather seat.Hyun-woo shifted the gears, glancing at him. "What's up, bro?"Sun-woo inspected his younger brother's intense profile, letting out a rare chuckle. "Wow... you look completely, entirely different from your usual gentle doctor persona tonight! The corporate wrath suits you.""Oh, never mind that professional outfit," Hyun-woo muttered, his eyes locked onto the dark city road ahead as he stepped on the accelerator. "Come on, let's move fast—that gluttonous bastard is bound to be hanging out at his usual nightlife spots down this sector.""Haha, let's hunt," Sun-woo grinned.The two billionaire brothers headed straight toward 'Danbam Pub,' a popular, flashing neon lounge in the heart of the entertainment district. Hyun-woo parked the sports car smoothly along the curb. They stepped out, opened the grand front doors of the pub, and stepped straight inside the dimly lit, booming room. Upbeat electronic music began playing heavily in the background, filling the air with a dense crowd.Sun-woo scanned the lounge floor, his eyes narrowing through the flashing lights. "Where exactly is he hiding?""He must be around here somewhere," Hyun-woo replied coldly, his eyes tracing the room. "Come on, let's check the main bar counter first."The brothers marched firmly toward the counter, ordering two straight drinks as they casually scanned the perimeter. Suddenly, Hyun-woo's sharp vision locked onto the far end of the VIP dance floor.There he was—Goo Kyung-min, the gluttonous former interim CEO. He was thoroughly drunk, holding a glass as he danced carelessly and laughed loudly, surrounded by a group of young girls.Sun-woo followed his brother's gaze, his jaw tightening in absolute disgust. "Look over there! He's dancing with those girls. That miserable bastard is really having a massive blast, completely oblivious.""That fun won't last much longer," Hyun-woo answered, his voice dropping into a razor-sharp whisper. "Come on, Sun-woo. Time to initiate the operation.""Yeah, let's go," Sun-woo nodded coldly.The two tall, powerful brothers stepped away from the counter, marching side-by-side through the crowded dance floor straight toward the unsuspecting target. They stepped right into his circle, and Sun-woo tapped his shoulder firmly, speaking in a loud, clear voice."Hi there, Kyung-min!"The gluttonous former manager spun around, a drunken laugh on his lips, but the exact second his eyes took in the sharp, imposing figures of CEO Choi Sun-woo and a furious Dr. Hyun-woo, he froze completely. The alcohol evaporated from his system in an instant, his face turning entirely pale. He stepped a panicked step backward, his voice shaking violently."You... Sir?! Mr. Choi?! How on earth are you here at this pub right now?!"Sun-woo stepped a fraction closer, a deadpan, terrifying smile playing on his strict lips. "What exactly is the matter, Kyung-min? Why on earth do you look so paralyzed and surprised to see my face? Oh, right—if I remember correctly, you were supposed to be moving permanently back to your native village to look after your critically ill grandmother, weren't you? So how come you are living it up here on a Seoul dance floor?"The glutton stammered frantically, a cold sweat breaking across his forehead. "Sir... actually... uh... it's a huge misunderstanding, I can explain—""It's completely alright," Dr. Hyun-woo interrupted smoothly, stepping up right beside his brother, his expression fixed into a warm, utterly deceptive medical smile. "There is absolutely no need to explain yourself or panic, Mr. Goo. These little life coincidences happen all the time. We already know the absolute truth that you lied to our board."Kyung-min trembled in pure, absolute fear, looking at the two powerful men cornering him. "Please, I beg you, forgive me! I didn't intend to cause any corporate harm! I am truly, deeply sorry—but please, I beg you, don't hand my name over to the police headquarters! I promise on my life I'll never step near your office floor ever again!"Sun-woo let out a loud, reassuring laugh, casually patting the coward's trembling shoulder. "Hey, don't be so incredibly scared, man! We are absolutely not going to do anything legal like that to you tonight. Just chill out. The truth is, we just came down to this pub to have a relaxed drink after a heavy shift. Relax."The glutton blinked, his breath catching. "Really? Is that absolutely true, Sir?""Yes, of course," Dr. Hyun-woo nodded warmly. "So just relax your posture and enjoy the evening."Hearing this, Kyung-min let out a massive, foolish sigh of pure relief. Believing he had just successfully escaped a corporate prison sentence through pure luck, a greedy, happy grin broke across his face. "Wow! In that case, please, come along with me to my table!"He gestured enthusiastically toward the lounge floor. "Come along and have a premium drink with me—sorry, I mean, if you'd both formally like to join my circle, it would be my honor!""Yes, absolutely! Why on earth not?" Dr. Hyun-woo answered with a bright, charming smile. "But let's not stay here; this specific pub floor isn't a very good or private spot for a real conversation. The truth is, I happen to know a magnificent, exclusive place just over the next block—they have a wide, endless variety of premium options available."The glutton's eyes lit up with greed. "So, shall we head out to your spot right now, Sir?""Yes, let's move immediately," Sun-woo agreed smoothly."Right—just give me a single minute; let me quickly grab my winter coat from the lounge locker," Kyung-min nodded rapidly, rushing off toward the back of the pub floor.The exact microsecond the glutton walked away out of sight, the two billionaire brothers turned their heads toward each other. A dark, perfectly coordinated look passed between them, and they both smiled coldly, winking in absolute family unity.Sun-woo leaned closer, lowering his voice into a fierce, rapid whisper. "Hyun, what exactly is the real plan here? Are we actually taking this piece of garbage for a casual drink, or is the physical 'operation' starting right now?"Dr. Hyun-woo's face twisted into a wicked, terrifyingly sharp smirk as he checked his watch. "Oh, the surgery is definitely happening tonight, Sun-woo... but this time, there will be absolutely no anesthesia allowed. That gluttonous bastard had the absolute audacity to harass and disrespect innocent girls on our office floor, didn't he? Well, tonight, I am going to personally satisfy his hunger once and for all."Hyun-woo rapidly explained the exact details of the trap to his older brother. Hearing the brilliant, brutal coordination, Sun-woo's eyes widened, and he let out a low, amazed exclamation. "Wah! What a magnificent plan, Hyun! He won't know what hit him!"Right then, Goo Kyung-min returned to the counter aisle, wearing his heavy winter coat, his face glowing with foolish excitement. "Sir, I'm completely all set! Shall we head out to the car now?""Yes, let's go," Dr. Hyun-woo smiled warmly, gesturing toward the exit doors. "We have actually booked a special 'VIP Table' entirely just for you tonight, Mr. Goo. You are going to get more food and drink than you have ever imagined in your wildest dreams."Sun-woo grinned sharply, opening the passenger car door as they stepped out onto the cool street. "Exactly! Think of this evening as your official 'Farewell Party'... especially after that sudden, emergency leave you took from our architecture company."Kyung-min's greedy smile faltered for a brief microsecond, a small prickle of uncomfortable tension hitting his neck at the choice of words. But looking at the two smiling, handsome brothers, he quickly forced a loud laugh, thinking he was just getting incredibly lucky with elite connections. The three of them walked out past the curb, slid into the luxury sports car, and drove straight into the dark night, heading toward the ultimate trap of family vengeance.