“So that’s what happened.”
I nodded vigorously and continued speaking in as calm a tone as possible.
Because at this moment, appearing emotional would only be a disadvantage.
“I was like that too! I even came to the office to work during holidays. It’s no wonder my field sleeping bag is still at the company!”
“Oh, is that so? I actually failed once. I only passed the first round of the bar exam.”
“What? You even passed the bar exam? This person wasn’t just an ordinary employee.”
“Haha, I can’t say I passed since I failed the second round. That’s why I wanted to be compensated more, I guess. Through people’s recognition.”
“Oh my.”
At my words, not only CEO Yoon Kyung-joon but everyone became solemn.
Because everything I’m saying right now is the truth.
In my past life, I burned my life to gain recognition.
Thinking that if I did, our family could live a better life.
But it was exactly the wrong answer.
My hard work led to all of us dying.
“To be honest, I haven’t been recognized yet. But, I’m working hard, thinking that if I keep trying like this, someday people will recognize me. Truly… sincerely.”
This time, I will definitely make it happen.
I finished speaking and stood before the CEO. And bowed politely.
“So, would you please give us a chance? Even if you don’t trust me, the lawyers here are truly recognized at Lee & Yeon. I’m confident we will never disappoint you, CEO.”
“Haha. Well, well.”
The CEO, who was seated, quietly closed his eyes.
My mouth felt dry because I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
But I tried hard not to show my true feelings outwardly.
“Today’s meeting was truly impressive. It felt like watching a movie. Most importantly, the content of the meeting was impeccably good.”
“Thank you.”
“No, there’s no need for that. I should be thanking the people who prepared their best.”
“Uncle.”
“Even so, I wasn’t 100% committed to entrusting it to Lee & Yeon. As I said at first, it’s not too late to hear Aso’s opinion and then decide.”
That’s right.
If we can prepare for the meeting, Aso can too.
Above all, there’s a high possibility that Aso will receive proper company data.
Unlike Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon, who was only given rough information.
It was because they didn’t intend to entrust it to us in the first place.
“But I guess I’m getting old. I want to give you a chance.”
“CEO…”
“It’s not easy to rise from the bottom. I’m living proof of that.”
CEO Yoon Kyung-joon cleared his throat, as if his voice was hoarse, and said.
“For me, someone who barely got into a university in Seoul, to rise to the CEO position at the company, means that I endured an enormous amount of time.”
This time, everyone except CEO Yoon became solemn.
It was because they couldn’t possibly fathom the weight of it.
“So, give it a try. It seems like it will work if you keep doing this. This time, I am the proof.”
“CEO…”
“Uncle…”
“After listening to today’s meeting, it doesn’t seem like you’ll lose. That’s enough.”
“I will work hard… truly hard.”
“No, if you work harder than this, you’ll die. I’ve been hospitalized a few times too. So just do as much as you’re doing now.”
“Thank… you.”
This time, I sincerely bowed in greeting.
Looking at CEO Yoon, I had that thought.
That perhaps what I needed was ‘proof’.
Because I was running with all my might down a path I couldn’t be certain of.
With the sole thought of getting revenge on Go Jong-tak.
That’s why I had to ask myself repeatedly.
‘Is this really right?’
I walked and walked a path where no one could answer me.
‘But it works.’
And that too, from someone who had already reached my goal, the CEO position.
“Oh, and about what you said earlier.”
“Yes?”
“Even if you don’t trust me, the lawyers here won’t disappoint you.”
“Yes, our lawyers are truly the best in Korea…”
“I know they’re the best because our Yi-hoon works at that firm. But I also trust Secretary Kim.”
“Somehow, I don’t think Secretary Kim will be wrong. Even though I look like this, I have a good sense, so trust me.”
I was not mistaken.
Those words resonated deep within my heart.
The next afternoon.
Woonseon Engineering’s legal team visited Lee & Yeon.
It was to draft the case retainer agreement.
Of course, before their visit, we first sent the litigation plan by email.
Even though we briefed the CEO, the ones who would handle the practical matters of the lawsuit moving forward were the legal team.
“You didn’t have much time, but you sent a quite impressive plan.”
“Thank you.”
“We intend to match the retainer and success fees to the amount presented to Aso.”
A retainer of 30 million won and a success fee of 10% of the economic benefit.
Since the corporate tax imposed in this case is about 1.55 billion won, if we win entirely, it will be a little over 150 million won.
‘Even this much is comfortable.’
For your information, this is the fee for the first instance.
A retainer is paid for each instance, and a success fee is paid according to the amount won.
In short, if we assume we win all the way through the 2nd and 3rd instances, it means we’ll receive 150 million won three times.
‘Not just comfortable, but enough to burn up.’
This much makes all the effort put into securing the case more than worthwhile.
‘Sleep? I can sleep when I’m dead!’
Furthermore, according to the Supreme Court rules, the winning party in a lawsuit can claim a certain percentage of litigation costs, including attorney fees, from the losing party.
In short, if we win, Woonseon Engineering can claim a portion of the litigation costs from the National Tax Service.
So, for everyone to benefit, we must work hard and win.
“The CEO and the legal team have high expectations for Lee & Yeon. We kindly ask for your best efforts.”
“Yes, we look forward to working with you too.”
The legal team leader stood up and offered a handshake.
Attorneys Seo Il-hwa and Ahn then stood up together, shaking hands vigorously.
‘Attorney Yoon decided to step out of this lawsuit.’
It seemed to be due to the burden of being the CEO’s nephew.
Instead, if they won the case, he would receive 20% of the success fee as his performance bonus.
This was the same percentage Attorney Seo Il-hwa received when he won the food hygiene law violation case.
Anyway, if it weren’t for Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon, they wouldn’t have even gotten this case, so if they win, they can give as much of the success fee as needed.
It was Attorney Seo Il-hwa who said it, no one else.
Attorney Ahn Gyeong-hun, of course, agreed without a second thought.
Attorney Yoon liked it, saying it was like watching a good show and getting free food.
‘It would be nice to get paid for doing nothing.’
I wish money would just come in even if I just breathed.
Anyway, Attorney Ahn had already secured half of the retainer as his performance.
The rest, naturally, went to Attorney Seo Il-hwa.
In this exceedingly warm atmosphere, Attorney Ahn immediately got to the point.
“First, we would like you to secure and send us the ‘Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Small Business Support and Joint Cooperation’ drafted by Jindeok and the former CEO.”
“Yes, most of Jindeok’s employees are still working, so finding the employee who handled the MOU shouldn’t be difficult. We will secure and send it as soon as possible.”
“Yes, thank you. While you’re securing that, let me ask for one more thing.”
“Please speak.”
While Attorney Ahn continued speaking, the legal team leader and the accompanying employee wrote down the materials to prepare.
He paused for a beat, allowing the employee enough time to write, then continued.
“The core of this case is to prove that the donations were operated according to their purpose as a trust, not a gift. Therefore, it must also be proven that they were operated separately from Jindeok’s inherent assets, according to the MOU, and that they were not used for Jindeok’s benefit.”
“Yes, and it also needs to be proven that it was not accounted for as Jindeok’s assets.”
Following Attorney Ahn, Attorney Seo also requested accounting records.
At that, the legal team employee’s hand moved even faster.
“Then, besides the MOU, we’ll need to find the team that managed the donations and dig through their records.”
“Yes, team leader. It might be troublesome, but please.”
“No, it’s our job, of course.”
The legal team leader chuckled good-naturedly and leaned back.
After all, the practical work would likely fall to the employee next to him.
I quickly glanced at the employee who was busily taking notes on the meeting content.
The employee, who had organized the content to some extent, then looked up.
“Do you have something to tell me?”
“Yes.”
I smiled shyly at him and said.
“Is the employee who managed Jindeok’s finances still working there?”
“Hmm, I’ll have to look into that. What is it about?”
“It’s probably about the accounts. To see if the money was managed separately, looking at those would be the quickest way.”
“Attorney Seo has said everything I was going to say.”
“Ah, I see. Understood. Then I’ll look into that directly and send you the contact information.”
“Thank you, team leader.”
I bowed in greeting. The team leader waved his hand, as if to say it was no big deal.
Actually, I know there’s an employee who managed the donations related to this case.
After all, if that part hadn’t been proven, we wouldn’t have won this case.
‘But I can’t say, ‘I know she’s there, so send me her contact information,’ can I?’
I’d be treated like a crazy person, wouldn’t I?
If I knew something that even an employee of the absorbed company didn’t know, the picture would become too strange…
I thanked them, saying, “We look forward to working with you,” then quietly typed on my laptop.
Organizing today’s meeting content wasn’t only the task of Woonseon Engineering’s legal team employee.
I also had a mountain of work to do from now on.
After the meeting, I stopped by the archive room and carried a stack of books.
Although Attorney Seo Il-hwa was there, I still needed to understand things properly to do my part.
Moreover, I had gotten a very good opportunity this time.
‘If you have any questions while preparing for the Woonseon case, feel free to ask anytime.’
It’s not easy to find a mentor of Attorney Seo Il-hwa’s caliber.
He could be considered the top instructor in the tax field.
I should learn as much as I can with this opportunity.
I placed the books on my desk with a satisfied expression.
“Yoo-hee is always so hardworking.”
“Manager!”
“Oh, the workday’s over, what’s with ‘manager’? Just call me unnie.”
“Still.”
Even though I said that, I was already calling him unnie in my mind.
She was one of the few people at the company I could confide in.
Manager Jang Yi-eun.
Although we had less than six months left to see each other like this.
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