‘So now, the important thing is what kind of studying Cha Kang-hyuk will do.’
Of course, since it’s a Management class and all, I don’t really know much about that.
That’s why I called in Attorney Yoon.
“Attorney, do you happen to have any friends who majored in MBA or work in Consulting?”
The flower of Management.
That would be the MBA (Master of Business Administration).
“Of course I do. In fact, I know a guy who’s doing really well in that field. I’ll ask him for textbook recommendations. Or, if you want, I can even set up a class with him.”
“That would be great. If we’re going to do assignments or anything, we need to know the material.”
“To do it right, that’s the best way.”
“But, you know, that guy’s hourly rate is no joke.”
“Are you really talking about rates in front of me right now?”
“Ah, sorry. I just got distracted for a second, imagining the Head of Headquarters in a Grasshopper Suit.”
“…You’ll regret saying that.”
Oh, Cha Kang-hyuk’s eyes just changed.
Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon definitely has a natural talent for getting under people’s skin.
I watched the two of them with a satisfied grin.
“Well, since we haven’t even decided what we’re doing yet, why don’t you come next time and we’ll write up the Testament of Wager then?”
This wager isn’t going to end after just one round anyway.
Sure, we’re starting with a Test of Study in Management, but I’m sure Chairman Cha also has plenty he wants to teach about the company or construction field.
Until he gets used to studying, we’ll just have to keep running Attorney Yoon through the wringer.
Seeing how eager Attorney Yoon is, he probably thinks there’s nothing to lose by building a relationship with Cha Kang-hyuk.
‘If I’m not mistaken, once Cha Kang-hyuk puts on the Grasshopper Suit, he’ll lose his mind too.’
In other words, he’s the type who absolutely can’t stand losing.
If we keep making wagers like this, by the time someone finally loses, they’ll probably end up joining our company anyway.
‘I was wondering how to invite him, but this works out even better.’
And honestly, I’m a little curious.
Who will end up in the Grasshopper Suit?
Whoever it is, it’s going to be hilarious.
Just picturing the two of them in Grasshopper Suits made me burst out laughing without even realizing it.
“Hmm, don’t you think we’ve both just been played by Secretary Kim?”
“I agree. I’ve never seen Yoo-hee laugh so wickedly before.”
“So we can’t be the only ones making a wager, right?”
Excuse me?
Something about the mood was taking a strange turn…
“Head of Headquarters. I think this is the first time we’ve had the same thought.”
“Secretary Kim, you’re in too.”
Save me.
Unlike you two, I still have a long way to go to build up my social standing and reputation.
But a Grasshopper? Even what little status I have will fly away….
I shuddered, recalling Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon wearing that Grasshopper Suit.
Just thinking about it was humiliating.
“Too bad, but I can’t… I don’t have a green suit….”
“Saying that in front of me is pointless, isn’t it? If you need a suit, I can buy as many as you want.”
I heard something I really shouldn’t have.
I stood up from my chair and started backing away.
I felt like it was dangerous to stay here any longer.
That’s when an even more sinister voice rang out.
“Oh, I could easily pitch in for that as well, Yoo-hee. Don’t worry about a thing—just make sure you lose.”
“Why are you both so sure I’ll be the one to lose…?”
“In these things, the person who proposes always gets caught up too, you know?”
Ah, no.
This meeting—no, this study group—is going very, very wrong.
“This, this is invalid!”
“Says who?”
“Head of Headquarters, you said exactly what I was about to say. This is truly touching.”
Ughhh.
And so, I was dragged back to my seat.
Along with the notepad sitting on the meeting room table.
“Write it here.”
“If you could just remember all I did to help with your Case, I’d really appreciate it if you reconsidered just this once….”
I tried to time my escape, but a pen suddenly appeared next to me.
It was Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon.
“Come on, Yoo-hee. No cheating. Hurry up and sign.”
“Yun byunhosanim eun najunge dugo bwa-yo (Attorney Yoon, I’ll get you later).”
I gritted my teeth so hard my words came out all jumbled.
Attorney Yoon burst out laughing, clutching his stomach at the sight.
Honestly, if I could just land a solid punch, I’d have no more regrets in life.
And so, for the first time, I signed the Testament of Wager I had created.
[Choose whether Head of Headquarters Cha Kang-hyuk completes the assignment. If you’re wrong, you receive the punishment.]
Damn it!
My hand shook as I wrote in my part.
Somehow, I’d ended up in the same boat as Cha Kang-hyuk.
There was no way I could bet against a precious future client….
So Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon naturally became the one to take the punishment if Cha Kang-hyuk succeeded in his assignment.
“I believe in you, Head of Headquarters. You know that, right…?”
If I lose, I’m dead!
Well, except for Attorney Yoon.
I said it with a determined look, and Cha Kang-hyuk gave a small smile.
“Don’t worry. I’ve never lost a bet.”
I’m worried. I’m seriously worried.
He’s probably never studied properly in his life—where does that confidence even come from?
“If you need my advice on the assignment, just let me know anytime. I’ll answer day or night. I’m always working late, so I’ll pick up the phone whenever!”
“Hey, that’s cheating. If you help, I could do it too.”
“…Attorney Yoon, you’re already good at studying.”
“Heh. Well, that’s true, isn’t it?”
So irritating. Seriously, so irritating.
I really want to see him in the Grasshopper Suit.
I stared daggers at Attorney Yoon, pouring all my will into my gaze.
“Yoo-hee, it’s like you’re shooting lasers from your eyes.”
“Head of Headquarters Cha is going to win anyway, so there’s no need.”
“Heh, I have plenty to say, but I’ll save it for after I win.”
“There’s no way that’ll happen, so just make sure you’ve got your outfit ready.”
And so, sparks flew in the meeting room.
‘Let’s end this before they say anything weirder.’
If I can just avoid the punishment this one time, I’ll let those two go at it on their own next time.
Or so I thought.
Why is that in the past tense, you ask?
“Yoo-hee, I don’t know much about Management, but even if we just do a couple of basic textbooks, that’s a lot of material, you know?”
…I know.
I had a bad feeling about this.
I forced a smile and shook my head quickly.
“Right. I think so too.”
“Hmm, then one round of betting won’t be enough. Since Head of Headquarters isn’t used to studying yet, maybe we should split it up over several rounds?”
No, that’s not it.
I shook my head even harder.
“Alright. If it’s a competition, I won’t back down.”
Please back down.
You have every right to!
I’m shaking my head so much I think it might fall off.
“Wow, so how many times does that make the Grasshopper?”
“Do we really have to do the Grasshopper every time?”
“As expected of Secretary Kim. So you mean we should come up with other punishments too.”
Digging my own grave was way too easy.
“They got here from Ilun Construction faster than I expected.”
“Yes, Attorney. Since it’s a fatal Case, I’m sure they’re desperate.”
A construction site fall accident.
Go Jong-tak listened to the report from a second-year Assistant Attorney and picked up the file.
“This is basically our first Case with Lee & Yeon. So stay sharp.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Tsk. Go Jong-tak frowned as he looked at the Assistant Attorney and the Lawyer who had just been made a partner.
He was in a bad mood these days because of Cha han Construction.
Today’s client wasn’t a small company, but compared to Cha han Construction, their construction capabilities weren’t even a quarter as good.
“Why is the appointment with Cha han Construction dragging out like this?”
“Well… They said that until the result of Head of Headquarters Cha Kang-hyuk’s Case comes out, they’re laying low and it’ll be hard to move for a while.”
“That’s going to end in a Suspended Sentence, so what are they waiting for?”
It’s not quite self-defense, but there was no intent.
With everything exposed to the public, the outcome is obvious.
Go Jong-tak was frustrated beyond words with those idiots.
“Yes, I told them as much, but they still said it would be difficult for now.”
They’re not even asking to see Cha Kang-hyuk—just to reassure the executives.
But even that has them flustered.
“If I told them to bring Head of Headquarters Cha Kang-hyuk here, it’d be chaos.”
“That would be impossible.”
“Stop telling me things I already know.”
“…Understood.”
At Go Jong-tak’s scolding, the Assistant Attorney fell silent.
“I know it’s impossible to just order Head of Headquarters Cha to come and go as we please.”
If even the executives can’t manage it, how could they with Cha Kang-hyuk?
He entered the meeting room hallway, irritation written all over his face.
Then, a very familiar figure came into view.
“Head of Headquarters Cha?”
“Go Byeon, it’s been a while.”
He’d just turned thirty, but Go Jong-tak didn’t mind the informal speech.
He was just glad to see him at all.
‘This isn’t right.’
Even calling the executives was nearly impossible, yet the one person he thought he’d never see, Cha Kang-hyuk, showed up at Lee & Yeon.
‘The Case is practically over—what business does he have here?’
He had so many questions, but he wasn’t in a position to ask.
After all, he was Lee & Yeon’s—and CEO Lee Han-Woong’s—VVVIP.
Besides, he could always find out who he was meeting through the information desk.
It wasn’t hard to guess the general purpose.
Go Jong-tak, who had been frowning just a moment ago, instantly put on a polite smile and greeted him formally.
“It’s such a pleasure to see you, Head of Headquarters. You must have had a hard time coming all the way here. If you don’t mind, I’d like to treat you to a meal.”
Compared to Cha Kang-hyuk, the meeting he was supposed to attend was nothing—he could leave it to the team Lawyers.
Go Jong-tak took out his phone, ready to text his Secretary to reserve the best restaurant.
“I didn’t have a hard time.”
“Excuse me?”
Go Jong-tak’s hand froze as he was about to open his phone.
Cha Kang-hyuk replied lightly, as if it was nothing.
“How long does it really take from our company to here? And are you really that glad to see me?”
How could I not be? I’ve always served you with the utmost sincerity, Head of Headquarters. Of course I’m glad to see you.
“Sincerity.”
He repeated Go Jong-tak’s words, twisting his lips.
“Is ignoring me when I need you most what you call sincerity?”
“You misunderstand. Attorney Ahn Gyeong-hun specializes in unfair Cases and was the perfect Lawyer for your Case. Everything was for your benefit….”
“Ha, ha, ha.”
Cha Kang-hyuk laughed right in his face.
“There’s a Lawyer even funnier than a Grasshopper.”
“A Grasshopper?”
“Yoon Yi-hoon. He’s the Lawyer who jumped into my Case without hesitation. Unlike some people.”
“If you see it that way, it’s truly unfair. As I said, I’ve always done my best for you, Head of Headquarters!”
“Then you should go see Attorney Ahn.”
He and Ahn Gyeong-hun were about the same age, but he used honorifics for Ahn.
Go Jong-tak bit back a curse.
He couldn’t risk offending him, not when he should be trying to placate him.
“What do you mean, go see Attorney Ahn Gyeong-hun?”
“Didn’t you say Attorney Ahn specializes in unfair Cases? If you’re that upset, make sure to pay him a visit.”
Cha Kang-hyuk returned Go Jong-tak’s words right back at him, patted his shoulder, and walked away down the hallway.
Leaving Go Jong-tak behind, unable to contain his humiliation.