Chapter 33
By the time Gain finished her last appointment, the lawyer she had been introduced to called her.
“The other side says they'll withdraw their complaint. All of the assault charges.”
“What do they want in return?”
“They want you to withdraw yours too.”
“Why?”
“Attempted indecent assault by three people acting together. This won't end with a simple fine.”
The lawyer continued.
“On top of that, the statement already includes who told the others to ‘scare you.’ They've realized that if this reaches court, they won't all be treated the same way.”
“I'll accept their withdrawal, but I won't withdraw mine.”
“I thought you'd say that. I'll tell them.”
The lawyer chuckled softly.
“The stationery store owner and the ramen-shop owner have already matched their statements. They're both saying, ‘Song Yeonggon called us, so we only followed him.’ Those two backed away first.”
He continued calmly.
“Mr. Song is being treated as the main instigator, so he's likely to face the most serious consequences.”
After ending the call, Gain looked down at the market alley through the window.
The rice shop's shutter was closed.
“Tsk.”
What a foolish, petty man.
Near the end of lunch break, a familiar voice came from outside the examination room.
“Um, is the director here?”
It was Park Mansu.
He was holding a paper box filled with white rice cake.
When Choi Yuri guided him inside, he stopped at the doorway and adjusted his shoes twice.
“Please sit down, Mr. Park.”
Gain offered him a seat, but he remained standing and held out the box first.
“This isn't much, but please accept it.”
“What happened?”
“Well, about what Yeonggon did... I really didn't know. I swear. I didn't think he'd go that far.”
Park Mansu's voice cracked.
As vice chairman of the merchants' association, he seemed bothered by the fact that he had initially taken Song Yeonggon's side.
Ever since word about the CCTV footage at the entrance to the alley had spread across the market, Song had barely been able to open his store.
“We should formally apologize in the name of the merchants' association, but the chairman is still keeping his head down. I thought I should at least come first.”
“You weren't the one who ordered them to do it.”
“Even so... That day, when people were complaining about the clinic's line, I should've stepped in more strongly and stopped them.”
Park Mansu lowered his head.
Gain studied him quietly.
Park Mansu.
Ever since she had first seen him standing beside the rice-cake steamer, something about him had seemed overly cautious.
After speaking with him in the examination room, she understood why.
He was the kind of man who watched everyone else's mood until he could no longer say what needed to be said.
“You don't need to apologize for something you didn't do. But...”
Gain paused.
“If something like this happens again, don't just stand there looking uncomfortable. Say something.”
Park Mansu's eyes widened.
“If you had stepped in earlier, things might not have gone this far.”
He had expected to be scolded.
Instead, she was telling him something else entirely.
“...Yes. I'll remember that.”
“I'll gladly accept the rice cakes. But you don't have to bring things like this next time. I'll share them with the staff.”
When Gain smiled, Park Mansu finally gave an awkward smile of his own.
“Our merchants' association is also planning to help organize the alley around your clinic. Maybe we'll put up some shade where people wait.”
“That would help us a lot. Thank you.”
“Then I'll be going.”
Park Mansu set the box down, bowed several times, and left.
Choi Yuri opened the box with sparkling eyes.
“Director, should I put these out at the desk?”
“Go ahead.”
Gain smiled faintly and picked up the next chart.
There were still many afternoon appointments left.
Yet she could hear the nurses happily whispering over the rice cakes even while they worked.
The next patient was visibly pregnant.
Thirty-two weeks.
A single ultrasound image from another hospital had been tucked beside her registration card.
“Last week, the hospital near my house told me my placenta was low and that I should go to a big hospital for another checkup. But they didn't explain why, so I came here after reading about you online.”
The pregnant woman gave an awkward laugh.
Her tone was light.
Gain placed the ultrasound probe on her abdomen.
At one point, her hand stopped.
This isn't just low.
The placenta completely covered the opening of the uterus.
Complete placenta previa.
The placenta was blocking the baby's exit.
If labor began in this condition, massive bleeding could occur.
