Chapter 47: Death Note

“P-President.”

“You lost a case to a wimp like Ahn Gyeong-hun. And you can still sleep soundly?”

“Please forgive me! But I couldn’t help it then.”

Everyone said it was a losing battle.

The case itself was a swamp.

Once you fell in, you were bound to die.

If you wanted to live, you shouldn’t have taken that case.

Because even though it was destined to be lost, all responsibility would fall on you.

Moreover, even Lee Han-woong had implicitly condoned passing on the case.

After that incident broke, and before Cha Kang-hyuk arrived at Lee & Yeon, there were no instructions even after he was briefed on the meeting’s purpose.

‘But now he’s reprimanding me?’

Of course, I know what Director Cha Kang-hyuk means to Lee Han-woong and to me.

‘Cha han Construction.’

A leading large corporation, ranked within the top 10 in construction capability.

And also a long-time client of President Lee Han-woong.

Given the nature of construction companies, their interests are complex, making them a VVIP with many cases and consultations.

And I also know what it means that such a client was transferred to my charge.

“I will dedicate myself to you, grinding my bones, so that you, President, will undoubtedly become the sole owner of Lee & Yeon. So please, be magnanimous regarding this mistake.”

“People make mistakes in life. I’m not such a rigid person.”

In fact, since it was something President Lee Han-woong allowed, it couldn’t really be called a mistake.

But I couldn’t say that.

Because any negative outcome was solely my fault.

More than anything, the reason I could reach this position was largely due to valuable clients like Cha han Construction being pushed my way.

Therefore, instead of debating the cause and effect of the matter, I simply had to beg for forgiveness.

Go Jong-tak, if nothing else, knew better than anyone how to handle such situations when they arose.

That was one of the reasons Lee Han-woong chose Go Jong-tak.

“Especially to someone who regrets their mistakes.”

“Yes. I will thoroughly reflect and ensure such a thing never happens again.”

“Now that’s more like Lawyer Go.”

He nodded with a kind smile.

Anyone seeing Lee Han-woong for the first time would believe him to be a person of excellent character.

That was the image of Lee Han-woong seen by people outside Lee & Yeon.

It was an optical illusion created by his image, appearing as noble as a scholar, unlike the firm impression of the Yeonji-gun representative.

And Lee Han-woong was someone who knew how to utilize that to his advantage better than anyone.

“Besides, Cha and I have known each other for so long. While this case is painful, I won’t change the team right away. You can do that too, can’t you, Lawyer Go?”

“Of course. More importantly, the verdict hasn’t even been delivered yet, has it? It’s not completely over yet.”

“Haha. Anyone would think Lawyer Go is praying for a bad verdict for Director Cha.”

“That’s impossible. I’m just hoping for an appropriate outcome.”

With the victim currently in a coma, an acquittal is impossible.

However, given the public opinion and the court’s attitude, a suspended sentence might be possible.

‘And with a high probability at that.’

After the truth was revealed on broadcast, sympathetic public opinion towards Cha Kang-hyuk even arose in South Korea.

They thought he was a complete scoundrel, but it turned out to be the opposite.

‘To think Cha Kang-hyuk broke up the fight.’

And with such a strong physique, instead of throwing the first punch, he even took hits.

It was truly an incomprehensible situation.

‘So, when he was shouting and claiming innocence back then, it was true.’

Go Jong-tak felt relieved but also had a bitter taste in his mouth.

Even if he wasn’t in charge of the case, no father would laugh while watching his son dragged from the courtroom to the detention center.

Even if he wasn’t responsible for Director Cha’s case, as the lawyer for Cha han Construction, he should have apologized.

Of course, the ultimate responsibility would have fallen on Ahn Gyeong-hun, and he would have been fired from Lee & Yeon.

“If it’s an appropriate outcome, there shouldn’t be much difficulty. But there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“What is that, President?”

“Why aren’t they ending the trial quickly? If they win this, the success fee will be substantial. More importantly, it would be better to get the results while public attention remains, even if just a little.”

A lawyer who won a case that the entire nation was watching.

No one would refuse such an exhilarating title. Their fame would skyrocket.

Before they were completely forgotten from everyone’s memory.

To do that, it’s right to push hard and end the trial quickly.

However, looking at how Ahn Gyeong-hun is conducting the proceedings, he shows no such intention.

He’s already changed the trial date twice.

“I’m also a little curious about that.”

Why?

A common question arose in both their minds.

“The victim isn’t going to wake up just by waiting, are they?”

“That’s what I’m saying, Lawyer Go. If they were going to wake up, they would have already.”

This person has been unconscious for almost half a year.

Such a person waking up?

Wouldn’t that be a miracle worthy of TV?

Lee Han-woong and Go Jong-tak, both were people who didn’t believe in such things.

“Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun is a bit eccentric, isn’t he? So there’s no need to worry too much, President.”

“Indeed. Instead, focus more on the Cha han Construction case and consultations.”

“Yes.”

The victim waking up? If that happened, I’d eat my own hand.

Go Jong-tak bowed to the President and left the room.

In fact, he wasn’t unaware of why Lee Han-woong had called him today.

It was because for the first time this month, a consultation had been transferred to a different team than his own.

And that it happened to be Lawyer Ahn Gyeong-hun.

‘It’s only one, though.’

Considering how many Cha han Construction cases and consultations his team was currently handling.

That amount could be dismissed as nothing.

But isn’t the first time always the hardest?

Depending on the verdict, a worse situation could arise.

President Lee Han-woong was expressing concern about that.

‘He means to reassure me, I suppose.’

As soon as Go Jong-tak returned to his office, he called in the associate lawyer under him.

“Lawyer Park, arrange a meeting soon with the head of Cha han Construction’s legal team and Director Cha’s secretary.”

“What’s the pretext for the meeting?”

“Inquire about the young master’s well-being.”

If he said this, Lawyer Park would surely package it well.

Sure enough, Lawyer Park Je-hak bowed respectfully and left.

‘I’d like to just call Director Cha directly.’

Because cleaning up after Cha Kang-hyuk would be the fastest way.

But how could a mere lawyer like Park Je-hak order a noble chaebol young master around?

That was not easy even for President Lee Han-woong, let alone himself.

Go Jong-tak gazed at the monitor on his desk with a bitter heart.

Unaware that he would soon easily encounter that noble Cha Kang-hyuk.

I didn’t expect to be called into Lawyer Seo Il-hwa’s office on a Monday morning.

Not that I couldn’t guess why, though.

It was about Lawyer Yoon Yi-hoon’s great-uncle’s case.

Last Friday, during the success fee meeting for the food sanitation law violation, he said he’d review it over the weekend, so I expected it to come up today.

Still, I didn’t expect to be called in first, alone.

“Did you call for me, Attorney?”

“Surprised to be called in as soon as you arrived at work, right?”

“Yes, it’d be a lie to say no.”

“Haha, I was in a hurry. As I reviewed the case over the weekend, I just felt so antsy.”

It seems Lawyer Seo Il-hwa is just as much of a workaholic as Lawyer Ahn, like two peas in a pod.

Especially when it comes to his specialty, the tax department, he’s truly dedicated.

‘He’s a perfect fit for our team.’

They’re what you call “workaholics.” People obsessed with work.

Lawyer Ahn, in particular, even has case law research as a hobby. He gets completely lost when a new precedent comes out.

I gazed at Lawyer Seo, who was sitting at his desk, with a pleased look.

“That look… it’s as if you’re blaming me…”

“Oh, that’s an unfair misunderstanding. Lawyer Seo Il-hwa, you’re a wonderful person who promised me a salary increase and bonus.”

“Hahaha, right? If we take this case and get good results, I’ll definitely compensate you again.”

“You don’t have to go that far.”

“Oh, are you serious this time?”

Instead of answering, I quietly pulled the chair next to Lawyer Seo Il-hwa’s desk.

It was a silent protest.

Then Lawyer Seo clutched his stomach, laughing with hiccups.

“Ah, this is really fun. Yoo-hee, you would have done well even if you weren’t a secretary.”

“Actually, I did get an offer from a broadcasting station writer.”

“As expected, talent seems to be recognized everywhere.”

Hehe, that’s right.

I am that talent.

I straightened my shoulders with a proud expression.

It was at that moment.

“You received an offer to be a comedian? That’s truly amazing! After all, these days, beautiful comedians are not uncommon…”

Watching him wipe away tears from laughing, I quietly wrote the ‘S’ of Lawyer Seo Il-hwa’s name in my Death Note.

Feeling my cold gaze, Lawyer Seo stopped laughing and pointed to the chair next to the desk.

“Don’t be like that and sit down quickly. This conversation doesn’t seem like it will end soon.”

“Yes.”

As I sat down, Lawyer Seo pushed some printouts and memo pads from his desk toward me.

“Before we all meet to discuss Lawyer Yoon’s great-uncle’s case today, I wanted to talk with you first, Yoo-hee.”

I had a hunch, but it was still a bit surprising.

‘During the An-eum case, he didn’t even want to listen to my case briefing.’

It’s not that I don’t understand.

I was in a position where I had to prove my worth.

But this time, he called me first, even without me bothering to make a separate PPT.

‘It feels like I’ve been recognized.’

I’m struggling to do that.

Because for others, it’s just a path to walk, but I have to sprint at full speed to get an opportunity.

But.

“Is there a reason you wanted to talk to me first?”

“It’s because of this.”

Lawyer Seo pulled something out from the stack of documents he had given me.

It was the materials I had handed over in the meeting room last week.

“You know well that this has no precedent, so we have to create one.”

“Yes. That’s why I prepared related materials, hoping they would be helpful.”

“Exactly. How does a secretary create such a leading case?”

Lawyer Seo Il-hwa slammed the documents down with an incredulous expression.

“Something my own associate can’t even do.”