Chapter 125 - 125. Sold Off.

Paul stepped out of his office and headed to the board room for a meeting. He checked his watch to make sure he wasn't late or too early. 

"Right on time." He mumbled and he pushed the door open. The entire room was empty, did he miss the way? Was he in the wrong room? 

As he stepped backwards to leave the room the seat at the head of the long table turned around and he met face to face with his father. His eyes widened and he turned around to run out of the room.

"Paul!" His father's voice boomed and he halted in his track.

He turned back to face his father, bowing immediately. "Have you been well father? It's been a while." He said.

"Aren't you supposed to be having a meeting? Where are you going?" His father asked.

Paul stood up straight. "I know right, I'm going for my meeting, it appears I've come to the wrong place." He stated with a tight smile. "So then..." 

"Come. Sit, we need to talk." His father ordered firmly. 

Paul stood by the door hesitant. "You know I'm pretty comfortable right where I am." He said.

"That was not a request, don't not let me ask again." Paul pursed his lips and walked to the table, sitting directly opposite his father the farthest distance between them.

"It appears you're not so worthless after all." His father said. "I didn't expect the hospital to remain open this long, let alone bring the profit it is." He continued.

"Careful father, that almost sounds like praise." Paul replied. 

His father gaze narrowed at him. "If someone compliments you, you should say thank you." 

Paul gave him smug smile. "That didn't sound very complimentary to me, sorry I didn't realise it was one." 

His father pushed his lips with his tongue and spoke again. "Your mother sent me, you've been rejecting her calls."

"Of course, I was wondering when she would come barging in here, to think she would actually send you." He laughed.

"This is not a joke Paul. I heard what you did, insulting your mother in law like that." His father said.

"My mother in law? If I remember correctly I'm not married. And I didn't say anything that didn't need to be said. She was causing an unsightly scene in my hospital, aganist my more than competent staff. I would have reacted likewise to any other person." He stated firmly. 

His father rubbed his chin and nodded. "Well I don't expect any less. But you must understand, I've given you way too much freedom it's time you get married."

"I'm not even thirty yet, don't you think your being too hasty?" Paul questioned his father.

"Your older brothers married before thirty, and they are very happy. We only want the same for you Paul. Besides you will never get a family as good as the Choi family, considering you're the third son." His father stated bluntly. 

Paul shut his eyes and struggled to control his anger. "I'm grateful for your concern, but that wouldn't be necessary. I don't need to be sold off." He said, masking the ire he felt. 

"Is that what you think this is?" His father asked.

"What else? 'Let's get him married to a rich family, since he is such a failure. We can secure his future that way for when his older brother inherits the family business.' Is that not what you and mother think?" Paul said through clenched teeth. "I thought this hospital would be enough to stop you people from butting into my life but apparently not. I'm not my brothers, so don't treat me like them." 

His father scoffed. "Of course you're not, what child of mine chooses law over medicine?" 

"Yet I succeed in a hospital." He says. 

"You call this success, I call it luck. How long do you think you can keep it up?" His father asked.

"Well why don't you just take it back then. I never wanted to work in a hospital, I thought studying law would give you guys the gist." He spat.

"A profession you don't even want to practice, because you did it out of spite. Until when are you going to behave like this? You don't want to work, you don't want to get married? What do you want to do? Go around bedding women like some rake?!" His father yelled. "Enough is enough, if Choi Yuri will still have you then you will marry her. Do you understand me?"

Paul stared at his father with contempt, not saying anything. 

"Do you understand me damn it!" His father slammed his palm on the table.

He reluctantly nodded, biting his lip in anger.

"I have no problem with you marrying whoever it is you want. But since you refuse to pick out a girl you will marry the one we have chosen for you." His father stated. Getting up he walked over to his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. 

"Good job with the hospital, I am proud." He said, walking out of the room.

**************************************************

"Chairman Song?" Katherine gasped as she stepped out of the elevator. 

"Katherine, it's nice to see you here." He said plainly, with a small smile.

"Same here" Katherine smiled widely. "What brings you here?" She asked.

"Oh just talking some sense into my son, you seem to be heading to surgery?" He said eyeing her scrubs.

"Oh I was, but I postponed it. The patient was having a fever, it's a bone marrow transplant so I dare not." She shrugged. 

Bishop Song smiled at the young woman before him. He always wanted a daughter, he always said he would spoil her silly. Unfortunately he had Paul instead. And his two older brothers, and somehow when he imagined having one, Katherine's was always the face that would pop into his head. A talented and intelligent young woman.

"Well I'm sure your patients must be very lucky to have you as their doctor." He smiled at her.

Katherine laughed lightly. "Don't tease me, sir." 

He frowned, "what's with all the formalities. Call me Uncle, or better yet Father. Like you used to." He said.

"Come on now, of course I want to call you all those things." She smiled. "But I have to professional" she whispered. "What would those foolish interns think if they see me being chummy with the boss." 

He laughed, tapping her head lightly. "Uncle!" She whined. "You promised to stop doing that!"

"I can't help it, it's been a while. We should meet up for tea sometime." He offered. 

"I would love to, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline. Perhaps some other time?" She said. 

"Fine, I won't interfere in your work then. I will be waiting for your call then." He stated and she bowed as he walked into the elevator. 

"Should I be jealous? You seem to get along with my father a lot better than I do." Paul said leaning aganist the wall.

Katherine frowned at him, "well you broke his heart and went to study law, and you wonder why?" 

"Tch."

"I'm busy, don't disturb me. Goodbye." She said walking away.

"Hey!"