RB - 59

Chapter 59: A Long Wait, a Desperate Reunion

Seo-yeon asked calmly,

“Because of my job, I meet a lot of reporters. Someone as famous as Professor Sung must get bombarded with interview requests… Is there a reason you rarely accept them?”

She added, her face lighting up with a beautiful smile,

“I think it would be great to see someone like you—someone with such a pleasant voice and impressive presence—on TV more often.”

Flattered by the sudden compliment, Professor Sung relaxed and laughed heartily.

“Haha!”

With a deep gaze, Professor Sung admired Seo-yeon. She was Han Seo-yeon—a stunning woman with dark, night-like eyes, an arrogantly high nose bridge, and red lips brimming with curiosity about the world. His voice softened as he answered her question.

“Well, I’ve declined in the past because I simply didn’t feel inclined. But if a beautiful reporter like you were to request an interview, perhaps my mind might change. Haha.”

Such overtly tone-deaf remarks made Seo-yeon instantly doubt his competence as a psychiatrist. She discreetly suppressed a smirk, hiding her disdain.

---

Later that night, alone in his office, Professor Sung tenderly caressed his swollen groin with his bare hands.

“Haa, the more I look at her, the more she resembles Park Yeo-wan when she was young. What a shame.”

He fantasized about using hypnosis as an excuse to drug Seo-yeon, stroking himself vigorously until he climaxed with a groan.

---

The Rescue Operation Begins

The moment Seo-yeon had prayed for—”Rescuing Shin Joon-hyuk”—had finally arrived.

It was past 11 p.m., and Jung-hyuk was preparing to move from Seo-yeon’s hospital room.

“Han Seo-yeon, you’re sure Shin Joon-hyuk is locked in the supply room at the end of the hallway?”

Seo-yeon, tense with anticipation, pinched her arm hard to stay focused. Suddenly, hearing footsteps approaching, she snapped to attention and whispered urgently to Jung-hyuk.

“It sounds like they’re coming to my room. Shin Jung-hyuk, hide quickly!”

Jung-hyuk reflexively ducked behind the curtain just as the footsteps stopped in front of the door. A knock followed. Seo-yeon cleared her throat.

“Hmm, who is it?”

A nurse’s professional voice came from outside. Seo-yeon opened the door slightly, revealing only part of her body. The nurse flipped through a chart before staring directly at Seo-yeon.

“The light was on, so I wanted to check, Patient Han Seo-yeon. You’re currently hospitalized due to overwork, correct? Adequate sleep is one of the key aspects of our VIP clinic’s care. As you know, our clinic…”

Anticipating another long lecture, Seo-yeon interrupted with an exaggerated smile.

“Haha, you’re always so thoughtful. Thank you for your concern. I was just about to sleep.”

The nurse peeked into the slightly open door but saw no one else—naturally, since Jung-hyuk had already concealed his large frame behind the curtain.

The nurse spoke again, her tone still professional but tinged with barely concealed irritation.

“Patient Han Seo-yeon, please turn off the lights and go to bed immediately. If the lights remain on, I’ll have no choice but to report insomnia. As you know, our clinic…”

“Yes, I understand. Please leave now. I’m sleepy.”

Seo-yeon couldn’t help but wonder if this was truly a VIP ward or some kind of military base, but she focused on sending the nurse away.

Click—the door closed, and Jung-hyuk emerged from behind the curtain. Seo-yeon exhaled deeply in relief, checking the time once more before sending a text to Jin-hyuk.

—It’s time. Keep the on-duty nurses busy.

There was no rule saying only women could use their beauty as a distraction, and Jin-hyuk was undeniably gorgeous.

Jin-hyuk would soon arrive at the nurses’ station with sweet late-night snacks. He’d say something along the lines of, “I happened to pass by. Thank you for taking such good care of my mother, Mrs. Park Yeo-wan.” It was a flimsy excuse, but it wouldn’t matter—Jin-hyuk’s charm was enough to paralyze the nurses’ senses.

Minutes later, seeing the empty hallway, Seo-yeon instinctively knew Jin-hyuk’s plan had succeeded. She and Jung-hyuk swiftly moved down the deserted corridor.

“Shin Jung-hyuk, over here. Hurry.”

Seo-yeon pointed to the supply room at the end of the hallway while pulling a key from her pocket—it was a copy of the supply room key she’d obtained yesterday through the male nurse who was helping them.

Jung-hyuk gently brushed Seo-yeon’s trembling shoulder before inserting the key into the lock. Click—the door opened.

What greeted Jung-hyuk’s eyes was the pitiful sight of his twin brother, Shin Joon-hyuk, bound hand and foot, dried saliva crusted around his mouth.

Jung-hyuk froze, overwhelmed by despair, but Seo-yeon pushed him aside. She stepped boldly into the room and began unfastening the leather belts binding Joon-hyuk’s limbs. Jung-hyuk quickly regained his composure and joined her, his breathing growing heavier.

Joon-hyuk greeted Seo-yeon with a dazed expression, saying, “Hello, Your Majesty,” then smiled at Jung-hyuk, murmuring, “You’re my younger brother, you’ve come to see me.” A tear trickled down his cheek as he spoke. At the same time, a torrent of emotion exploded within Jung-hyuk.

Over two decades ago, Joon-hyuk had been dragged away like livestock, sobbing, “My siblings, Jung-hyuk, Jin-hyuk, save me!” Young Jung-hyuk, powerless and just a preschooler, could do nothing but cry alongside him. Watching his identical twin being taken away filled the young Jung-hyuk with terror.

‘I’m sorry I’m late, Brother. I’m sorry I didn’t realize sooner.’

Swallowing the words stuck in his throat, Jung-hyuk helped his brother to his feet.

“Brother, you need to change clothes. Can you do it?”

“Younger brother, I can dress myself now. I’m the older one.”

“Right, Brother. Let’s switch clothes and get out of here. Let’s go home.”

At the mention of going home, Joon-hyuk flinched, curling into himself. Fear flashed in his eyes.

“If we go home, I’ll get in trouble. They said they’d give me injections five times a day.”

Seo-yeon noticed the glimmer of tears in Jung-hyuk’s eyes, and her own eyes welled up with emotion. Jung-hyuk reassured his frightened brother in a calm voice.

“I’ll deal with that bastard Professor Sung. Don’t worry, Brother. Hurry and change clothes. How disgraceful does this look for the eldest son of the Taesung Group? My blood is boiling.”

While Seo-yeon turned away, Joon-hyuk and Jung-hyuk swapped clothes. When she turned back, she looked at Joon-hyuk, now dressed in a neat suit, with mixed emotions. She wiped the dried saliva from his lips and tidied his disheveled hair. Thanks to their identical appearance, Joon-hyuk could easily pass as Jung-hyuk—a perfect disguise.

“Han Seo-yeon, it’s your turn now. Take him to Jin-hyuk. He’ll handle the rest.”

“And you? Will you be okay staying here for at least three days?”

Jung-hyuk kissed Seo-yeon’s cheek with his trademark relaxed smile.

“Who’s worrying about whom? Didn’t you tell me to take his place? Once I’m out, you’ll owe me for this.”

For the next three days, while Jung-hyuk pretended to be Joon-hyuk, Attorney Shin Seung-min would trace Professor Sung and Park Yeo-wan’s accounts, and Ethan would gather evidence of their misdeeds. Hope and worry flickered simultaneously in Seo-yeon’s eyes.

---

Shin Joon-hyuk first showed signs of autism at the age of four. The fact that the family’s eldest son was autistic filled Chairman Shin Tae-myung with unbearable shame. Joon-hyuk became the shameful secret of the Shin family. Originally quiet and timid, Joon-hyuk’s fragile mind shattered under Professor Sung’s relentless gaslighting and hypnosis.

Professor Sung took Joon-hyuk to Boston’s autism community, and Park Yeo-wan brought him home every few years. Each time, instead of improving, Joon-hyuk exhibited worsening symptoms—hallucinations, destructive behavior, and animalistic cries.

It was all part of Professor Sung and Park Yeo-wan’s scheme. Turning a wounded autistic child violent wasn’t difficult. Through prolonged hypnosis, Joon-hyuk had been conditioned to react violently whenever he heard the “beep, beep” sound of Professor Sung’s electronic watch, like Pavlov’s dog.

Finally, upon reaching adulthood, Joon-hyuk was diagnosed not only with autism but also with schizoaffective disorder.

“Chairman Shin, I’m doing my best, but his condition remains severe. To explain, Joon-hyuk’s violence surpasses imagination… Even this is slowing the progression of his illness. Currently, renowned doctors in Boston are working tirelessly on his treatment.”

Schizoaffective disorder often leads to emotional detachment, social withdrawal, and bizarre behaviors. In severe cases, patients may pose a threat to themselves or others. The prognosis is notoriously poor, leaving Chairman Shin devastated.

“Professor Sung, I trust you completely. He’s my son—I can’t sever ties, but I can’t show him publicly either. This is the burden of being the chairman of Taesung. Our eldest son—I leave him in your hands. Use whatever funds are necessary; I’ve already informed my wife.”

The more Chairman Shin relied on Professor Sung and Park Yeo-wan, the deeper Joon-hyuk sank into their control. Unable to abandon him due to blood ties but unwilling to expose him publicly, hiding him in Boston seemed the best solution.