Husband Role - Episode 40

“And where exactly did you spend the research funds!”

The Board of Audit and Inspection pressed again.

“…As I mentioned, it was an unavoidable expenditure for the smooth operation of the hospital.”

“Why would a mere professor care about hospital operations?”

As if to stop the sharp rebuke, the hospital director raised his hand.

“So, you’re saying you used this for entertainment expenses too?”

The hospital director, who had been listening silently, asked. He was Dae-hyuk’s uncle, Bong-cheol’s younger brother.

“You could say that.”

This was Dae-hyuk’s safety net. Even if others interfered, there was no backing as reliable as family.

“I cannot condone this, Director. It’s not just one or two cases. There have been many complaints about Professor Mok. There are even rumors that he’s biased in his treatment, favoring certain patients.”

“That’s just hearsay, isn’t it?”

The hospital director replied to the auditor in a gentle voice.

“However, there is clear evidence of repeated irregularities, such as improper settlement of research funds and violation of employee promotion review regulations…”

He pointed to the yellowish-brown document and continued.

“Therefore, our audit department does not intend to simply overlook this. The Ethics Committee shares the same view.”

“I understand for now…”

Mok Jeong-cheol, the director, politely asked the Board of Audit and Inspection to leave. The auditor gritted his teeth, bowed only to Jeong-cheol, and left the room.

“…I’m sorry.”

Dae-hyuk muttered with a heavy face.

Jeong-cheol, usually known for his kindness, stared at his nephew with a stern look.

He was lenient on most things, but he wasn’t oblivious to reason.

It would have been easier if he had an unyielding principle that could be swayed.

But Jeong-cheol was more meticulous than anyone when necessary. That’s why he was a very difficult person for Dae-hyuk to deal with.

Just as cold sweat trickled down Dae-hyuk’s back.

“I’ll try to keep this from leaking externally.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“Don’t thank me, it’s not for you.”

A cold response came back, and Dae-hyuk’s chest tightened with pressure. But he quickly put on a smile, using his quick wit.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

It meant he wanted him to help him out this time. Dae-hyuk was truly desperate. If he could just hold on for a few more years, that position would be his. Everyone thought so.

“Disciplinary action will be unavoidable.”

Dae-hyuk secretly bit his cheek at Jeong-cheol’s cold reply.

“I have one question.”

Jeong-cheol glanced at the door once and then spoke again.

“Did you perhaps get on Director Yoon’s bad side?”

“…Director Yoon, you mean.”

Dae-hyuk’s eyes darted around. He couldn’t think of anything, but he couldn’t say there was absolutely nothing.

For a moment, So-hee, who had been constantly anxious and flustered, came to mind.

Once he remembered, it was easy to connect the dots.

The story must have flowed in the order of Eun-seol, Yoon Jeong-hyuk, Seong Kyung-ha, and then Yoon Ilseong.

As far as Dae-hyuk knew, Yoon Ilseong wasn’t an old man who moved easily. He wasn’t particularly compassionate or righteous either.

So, his granddaughter’s past family affairs would have been just an episode to be dismissed as trivial.

That meant that Yoon Ilseong wasn’t the one who caused this mess.

Yoon Jeong-hyuk, that’s who it was.

Yoon Jeong-hyuk’s fierce gaze vividly came to life in Dae-hyuk’s mind.

Fucking bastard.

The only one who could calm him down was Eun-seol.

“…I don’t know.”

Just as Dae-hyuk barely managed to answer.

“Watch your step.”

Jeong-cheol continued his warning in a low voice.

“Considering my brother’s dedication, who devoted his entire life to Hocheon Hospital, do you think I should sink with you?”

It meant there would be no second chance.

“If you have any sense, you won’t tarnish your father’s reputation any further.”

Dae-hyuk’s anger surged at the continued scolding.

But all he could do was bow deeply with a flushed face and say, “Yes…”

“Get out now.”

Jeong-cheol’s order to leave was given.

Dae-hyuk bowed his heavy upper body deeply and left the director’s office. It was a day that made his blood boil.

“Apologize right now—!”

Dae-hyuk, who had left work early for once, was yelling at the top of his lungs. Min-seo was refusing, and So-hee was blocking her path.

Others were secretly eavesdropping.

Jun-seo was on the second floor, and Ms. Ma-san was on the basement stairs, with only her ears perked up.

“You’re not moving?”

Dae-hyuk said to So-hee with a fierce glint in his eyes. So-hee raised her outstretched arms even higher.

“You can’t, Min-seo’s father!”

“Mok Min-seo, come here. Are you not coming out?!”

Dae-hyuk grabbed So-hee’s waist and yelled at Min-seo, who was hiding behind her.

“I’ll explain it so you can understand! That’s enough, isn’t it! So, don’t touch Min-seo!”

“It’s because you’re like this that your children are all like this!”

“Yes, it’s all my fault, honey. So, calm down…!”

“Get out of the way!”

Just as the enraged Dae-hyuk raised his hand high in the air.

“Just try hitting Mom!”

Min-seo screamed as if in desperation.

“Oh, so you mother and daughter want to die together today.”

Dae-hyuk rolled up his sleeves as if he had made up his mind. And without hesitation, he slapped So-hee’s cheek.

Min-seo, who was hugging the fallen So-hee, cried out loud.

“You’re not a dad! Are you even a dad!”

“Ha.”

Dae-hyuk swept back his fallen bangs and approached the mother and daughter again.

“You have to beat both dogs and people from time to time.”

And the moment he raised his foot, So-hee quickly covered Min-seo. Min-seo also hurriedly shouted.

“I’ll do it!”

She continued, sobbing.

“I’ll do it—! I’ll apologize to Lee Eun-seol! So, don’t hit Mom… Don’t do it, please!”

Looking at Min-seo, who was covered in tears, Dae-hyuk squatted down like a gangster. And he stroked his daughter’s sweaty hair and opened his mouth.

“Yeah, it would have been nice if you had been cooperative from the start.”

“Sob… sob.”

“And Min-seo.”

Dae-hyuk gripped his daughter’s hair painfully and muttered coldly.

“If you act rudely to your father again, I’m telling you it won’t end with words.”

Eun-seol was called out to a quiet cafe in Hannam-dong.

It was because So-hee had called her early in the morning.

She wanted to refuse, but she wondered what was going on with the humble request, so she went.

Jeong-hyuk, who had heard Eun-seol’s story, was currently waiting in the parking lot.

“I’m sorry, Eun-seol.”

So-hee said first. And a moment of silence flowed.

Soon, So-hee pressed Min-seo’s side with her elbow.

Min-seo sighed with a nervous expression. Then she muttered sullenly.

“Me too.”

Eun-seol faintly narrowed her brows at the mother and daughter’s nonsensical apology.

Min-seo, who didn’t like that, put down her teaspoon as if throwing it.

“…Min-seo.”

So-hee quietly scolded Min-seo. Min-seo glared at Eun-seol as if she would devour her, then let out a sigh mixed with annoyance.

“Well, your aunt knows that your heart won’t be easily relieved, Eun-seol.”

“What… what are you talking about?”

“You don’t have to be so sharp.”

“No… why did you suddenly call me out and apologize out of the blue?”

“Hey, you fucking bitch. Enough is enough.”

Min-seo spat out as if chewing on her words.

“Why are you sorry to me?”

Eun-seol asked Min-seo.

“I’m just saying I’m sorry. What do you want me to do here? Do you want me to kneel and beg for forgiveness?”

“Min-seo, please.”

So-hee stopped Min-seo again and gave a troubled smile. And she held Eun-seol’s hand tightly.

“Please understand. Our Min-seo has been having a hard time in many ways lately.”

“So why are you apologizing?”

Eun-seol repeatedly asked the same question.

“That’s…”

So-hee couldn’t give a clear answer.

Eun-seol waited for a while. She hoped that the two mothers would give some explanation of the situation.

But.

“…Well, I was too sorry for everything.”

All that came back was a meaningless response.

So, it meant that there was no sincerity, let alone a minimum of awareness of wrongdoing.

“You must have too many wrongdoings to remember them all.”

“Yes, yes. We’re all sorry.”

Still, Eun-seol-ah, she continued.

“We may not have been affectionate, but we did our best for you. We fed you, gave you a place to sleep, and made you study. Isn’t that enough?”

So-hee continued in a pleading voice.

“Your trousseau was really really done with the best we could.”

Isn’t that enough… Can’t you let go of the past grudges? So-hee added.

That’s when it happened.

‘You beggar-like thing.’

Min-seo said to Eun-seol with her mouth.

At that, Eun-seol lowered her gaze and smiled.

“You did it all with Grandpa’s money, but you’re acting like you did something special.”

So-hee’s eyes widened at her murmur. Min-seo, who didn’t know the contents, looked at her mother with sharp eyes.

“I heard. From Jeong-hyuk. Lawyer Kim came to the company. So Aunt, you’ve been taking a hefty amount for years in the name of my alimony, right?”

Eun-seol scoffed, and

“Is it true?”

It was when Min-seo asked So-hee.

“Mok Min-seo. Now you know which side is the ‘beggar,’ right?”

Min-seo couldn’t stand it and poured chamomile blend on her with a firm voice.

Eun-seol didn’t back down and immediately sprayed iced tea.

“Kyaa—!”

“Lee Eun-seol!”

The surprised So-hee shouted, wiping Min-seo’s face with a handkerchief.

“When I was quietly moving on.”

Eun-seol stood up, wiping the tea water that had pooled at the end of her chin.

“If you had been self-restrained, I wouldn’t have thought of making a fuss either. But.”

After taking a breath, Eun-seol added.

“You can’t deceive me with Grandpa’s money and soulless apologies when Aunt, who had been neglecting me since Grandpa passed away, is using his money.”

“Eun-seol-ah.”

“So.”

Eun-seol emphasized the next word.

“First of all, I’d appreciate it if you returned the money.”

“—Hey!”

Ignoring Min-seo, who was screaming, Eun-seol continued.

“Otherwise, I’m going to file a lawsuit for restitution.”

“…A lawsuit?”

Dae-hyuk’s face, with his anger rising, flashed through So-hee’s mind for a moment. At that, she became devastated.

“Regarding the fact that my temporary guardian, Aunt, embezzled the alimony and education expenses that were paid in my name.”

“I, I’ll give you the money—! I’m going to give you that money, I’ve been saving it to return it in a lump sum, it’s the truth, it’s the truth, Eun-seol-ah.”

“It’ll be very difficult for Uncle if it gets noisy.”

It was when So-hee was muttering “please…” at Eun-seol’s sharp words that pierced the core.

“Then good luck.”

Eun-seol left her last greeting and left the place leisurely.

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