Emergency Instinct - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Ji-an no longer felt it was worth dealing with her.

 

She quickly stepped back and picked up her phone to dial the emergency number.

 

“I want to report something. This is Han-young Nursing Hospital. I’ve been threatened and assaulted. Please come right now…”

 

“Hey! You crazy bitch! How dare you report me?”

 

Smack!

 

Grandmother roughly snatched Ji-an’s phone and threw it. Then instantly, putting strength into both hands, she reached out to grab Ji-an’s hair.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

As if it were natural, a familiar shadow blocked her path like a coincidence.

 

Warm warmth enveloping her entire body.

 

Shoulders as wide and solid as the Pacific Ocean.

 

The distant scent of my man that made her chest ache.

 

It was Tae-jun.

 

He easily caught Grandmother’s hands that were flying toward her roughly.

 

Blocked by him who emanated tremendous intimidation, Grandmother trembled like a dry branch that seemed ready to break at any moment.

 

She could no longer spew out her fierce roars or curses. She just became a frightened old woman, trembling with confusion and fear.

 

Why at this moment of all times.

 

Ji-an’s nose stung, and the tears she had been barely holding back welled up.

 

She really didn’t want to be caught looking like this.

 

She felt ashamed. She hated how pathetically small she became in front of him.

 

“Ugh! It hurts. I said it hurts. Let go!”

 

The frozen old woman suddenly screamed that it hurt.

 

But Tae-jun didn’t loosen his grip at all and turned his head to look down at Ji-an.

 

“Are you okay? Your face…”

 

Tae-jun, who had been expressing concern, froze in place.

 

Ji-an quickly averted her gaze and lowered her head, but it was useless.

 

He had already seen it. Though he thought he had blocked it, there was already a clear red handprint swollen on Ji-an’s pale cheek.

 

She’s already been hit.

 

His heart burned hot as if scalded.

 

Tae-jun’s hands naturally tightened.

 

His eyes grew fierce, having no intention of going easy just because she was an old woman.

 

“Ah, it hurts! Let go! Mr. Seo Tae-jun! Calm down. I, I’m Ji-an’s grandmother! Really, her real grandmother!”

 

Real grandmother? Not a stranger, but a grandmother hit her granddaughter?

 

She didn’t just hit her face.

 

She dared to tear my woman’s heart too.

 

Would it be forgiven because she’s old, because she’s blood?

 

No, it’s even more unforgivable because she’s blood.

 

Enraged, Tae-jun gripped her wrist even more fiercely.

 

“Ahhh! Help! Someone help! Ugh! Oh no, I’m dying! Seo Tae-jun of Hanyeong Group is killing me!”

 

“…Stop, stop it!”

 

As if startled by Grandmother’s screams, Ji-an grabbed his arm tightly and quickly shook her head.

 

“You can’t. You can’t do more. Please…”

 

Ji-an looked at him with tearful eyes.

 

“I’m begging you.”

 

Don’t dirty your hands. She’s not worth it.

 

She couldn’t let Tae-jun fall to the bottom because of her.

 

At Ji-an’s desperate gaze, Tae-jun reluctantly loosened his grip.

 

Ji-an looked at Grandmother who was released and staggering, then spoke coldly.

 

“Leave. Get out of here right now.”

 

“Yes, yes. Today, I think I should.”

 

Grandmother muttered while reading the situation. True to her quick calculations, she quickly put on a mask and even feigned an affectionate voice.

 

As if doing that would make all her previous rough treatment and words disappear, how shameless.

 

It was truly hypocritical.

 

Far from being angry at Tae-jun’s rough behavior, Grandmother was wearing a kind smile as if she understood everything.

 

She might have been overwhelmed by his intimidation, but more than that, she seemed to have judged that she needed him.

 

“Ji-an, if you had contacted Grandmother, you wouldn’t have suffered like this, right? Why is the child being so stubborn? Just…”

 

“I told you to leave.”

 

Ji-an looked at her coldly.

 

“Never appear in front of me again. Next time won’t end like this.”

 

“You, this… Ha, fine. Let’s talk next time.”

 

As if barely holding back the curses that were about to come out, Grandmother held her breath and forced a smile.

 

“Ji-an, think carefully. Don’t regret it.”

 

At Ji-an’s attitude of turning her head without even responding, Grandmother’s face, who had been watching Tae-jun’s reaction, contorted with anger. Only then did she seem to realize that things wouldn’t go her way.

 

“Really, what a damn bitch! You’re ruining my life until the very end.”

 

Curses finally spilled from Grandmother’s mouth as she removed her mask.

 

At Grandmother’s murderous gaze, Tae-jun stepped forward again and spoke coldly.

 

“Leave. While you can still save some face.”

 

“Just because you’re Hanyeong Group, you treat me like this? I’m her grandmother. I’m that girl’s grandmother!”

 

His gaze, just watching silently, became even more chilling as if choking her breath.

 

“Just, just wait and see. You’ll regret this!”

 

Grandmother, trembling with indignation, grabbed her reddened wrist and stumbled out of the hospital room. Curses could be heard from outside the room, then gradually faded away.

 

Inside the hospital room that quickly became quiet as if it had never been noisy.

 

Thud. Ji-an’s legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor.

 

“Ji-an.”

 

Tae-jun was startled and grabbed Ji-an’s shoulders, then lifted her up and sat her in a nearby chair.

 

“Are you okay? You seem very shocked.”

 

“…I’m fine. I just need to rest for a moment.”

 

Just as Ji-an finally let out the breath she had been holding and shook her head.

 

The hospital room door opened and a male nurse and caregiver Mi-soon pushed in the bed where Mother was lying. The physical therapy seemed to be over.

 

“…Oh, uh, there were guests here.”

 

Mi-soon, who entered the hospital room, sensed the unusual atmosphere but tried to act nonchalant.

 

Mi-soon had been receiving money from Park Soon-ja and reporting to her.

 

There was no reason to refuse when she offered double the money. It wasn’t exactly illegal either. Instead, she took care of the patient sincerely.

 

But she was surprised when Park Soon-ja suddenly showed up today.

 

The work was easy and the treatment was good, so positions like this weren’t easy to find. Worried that Ji-an might notice and she’d lose her job, Mi-soon nervously watched for reactions.

 

Ji-an slowly got up from her seat and approached Mother.

 

Seeing peaceful Mother, she felt relieved but suddenly sadness washed over her.

 

After the nurse who had secured the bed in place left, Ji-an quietly held Mother’s thin, motionless hand.

 

It was warm.

 

Without knowing anything, yet as if knowing everything and comforting her, it was so warm.

 

Her chest suddenly tightened and tears welled up. But Ji-an fixed her gaze on Mother’s face and spoke as if composed.

 

“Ma’am. Why didn’t you tell me that Grandmother came?”

 

“Oh, I didn’t know. Really.”

 

“From now on, don’t let anyone except medical staff into the hospital room. Especially not Grandmother.”

 

“…Yes. I understand. I’ll be careful.”

 

Behind Mi-soon who was reading the situation, Tae-jun continued.

 

“I’ll station security guards. I’ll…”

 

“No.”

 

Ji-an cut off his words more firmly than ever.

 

“Miss Hong Ji-an.”

 

“Could everyone please leave?”

 

Ji-an’s voice flowed out low and quiet.

 

“Then, I’ll be in the lounge for a moment.”

 

Mi-soon hurriedly left the hospital room.

 

But Tae-jun didn’t move an inch and stared at Ji-an.

 

He couldn’t bring himself to take a step.

 

Despite her calm voice pretending nothing was wrong, her hand holding her mother’s was trembling. That small back looked so pitiful that he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

 

Seeing her reddened cheeks that had become even more pronounced, he couldn’t bear to just watch and approached her. He wanted to hold her tight, just once.

 

But Ji-an rejected him before he could.

 

“Right now, I want to be alone.”

 

Like someone without emotions, or rather, as if they existed in different worlds, Ji-an drew a cold line in front of him. Like a warning never to cross into this boundary.

 

“Let’s talk later. Please. Chairman.”

 

Watching her turn away until the very end, Tae-jun’s expression gradually hardened.

 

You could lean on me more. It would be better if you just complained that it’s hard.

 

Though childish disappointment washed over him, Tae-jun had no choice but to turn away. Her small shoulders, barely holding on, hurt him too much.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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