Chapter 55: The Secret to Success

“Wh-why are you here?”

“…Am I somewhere I shouldn’t be?”

“It’s not that. Uh, let me escort you to a meeting room first.”

Startled by Cha Kang-hyuk’s sudden appearance, I hurriedly shoved him into an empty meeting room.

I was worried that my voice might attract attention.

Our law firm splits the secretaries’ desks by area, so just from a shout, no one would immediately know what was going on.

Besides, until Hyun Ah-jin was reassigned, I was practically doing the work of two people, so the secretary’s seat next to mine had been empty.

‘Some teams have multiple secretaries, depending on their size, but… I don’t even have a team right now…’

Of course, if I left my desk even a little, it would be obvious, but everyone already knew that both Byeon and I were Cha Kang-hyuk’s defense lawyers.

All I needed to do was get away from my seat quickly.

After that, I just had to walk naturally, like I was escorting a guest.

“Whew…”

“Did you just sigh right in front of me?”

“Ah, no. That was—breathing. Yeah. I was just taking a deep breath.”

“If you say so.”

“It’s true, not just an excuse.”

Watching Cha Kang-hyuk sit down, I finally started to regain my composure.

“But why did you come here today?”

“You sure took your time asking.”

“Uh, well… I couldn’t leave someone as important as you standing outside, so I rushed to bring you in…”

“Pfft.”

Excuse me, Head of Headquarters.

I admit my excuse was weak, but do you really have to laugh at me like that?

I screamed that silently inside.

After all, before we even reached the meeting room, I’d already made a fool of myself—jabbing his shoulder, screaming, and everything.

“I never knew Secretary Kim could move so fast. Your feet were barely touching the ground.”

“…That’s not true.”

“Sure. Let’s say it is.”

“No, really, I mean it.”

Seeing Cha Kang-hyuk settle into the chair finally brought my mind back.

“But seriously, what brings you here without any notice?”

“I have business with you, Secretary Kim.”

“M-me?”

What? What is it?

Did I mess up with this wild chaebol?

‘No, if I had, I’d already be buried somewhere.’

Just look at those arms—honed from years of training.

Not even a suit can hide them.

But his physique wasn’t bulky in a bad way—it was sturdy, almost athletic.

‘Well, he is a chaebol heir. Equipment does make a difference.’

So-called capitalist muscles.

I found myself nodding in agreement.

“Yeah, you. I remembered something you told me before. So I stopped by on my way.”

What the—

What did I say to make him barge in like this, using that as an excuse?

‘Think, think! If I mess up here, I’m dead.’

Even if Cha Kang-hyuk had mellowed a little since this case started, I couldn’t let my guard down.

He was fundamentally hot-tempered and straightforward.

If something went ‘boom’ here, no one would be able to stop him.

I racked my brain desperately.

‘But I can’t remember.’

No matter how much I thought, there was no reason for Cha Kang-hyuk to come here to bury me.

I almost tore my hair out in despair, but I managed to hold back.

After today’s embarrassment, I couldn’t add anything more.

Summoning all my courage, I finally spoke.

“What did I… say?”

“You said you weren’t good at studying.”

“Excuse me?”

What is he talking about?

Sure, I talked about studying to persuade him, but I never said I was bad at it.

I just mentioned I went to a local university.

“Not being good at studying isn’t a flaw. There’s no need to be ashamed.”

That sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience.

I swallowed that retort.

Cha Kang-hyuk’s fists had already proven they could knock someone unconscious.

Of course, I’d wake up eventually, but still.

“Ahem, but my father thinks a little differently.”

Uh, it’s not just a little, is it?

Would you want the heir to ChaHan Construction to spend all his time lifting weights?

I tried to convey that with my eyes.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Cha Kang-hyuk, not entirely clueless, stared right at me.

“Fathers and sons can have different opinions, you know.”

“I don’t think that’s what you meant…”

Yes, you’re exactly right.

But I shook my head fiercely, despite what I was really thinking.

Cha Kang-hyuk continued, looking a bit suspicious.

“Ever since this incident, my father’s been telling me to cut back on working out and focus on Successor Training. He always said it, but lately he’s been relentless. Especially this morning… Ha. I don’t even want to remember it.”

Ah, so he’s telling you to study.

Well, if you’re in Cha Kang-hyuk’s shoes, there’s a lot you need to learn.

Even this case proves it.

Sure, the victim tripped over a Cement Speed Bump and hit their head, but if Cha Kang-hyuk’s defensive punch hadn’t been so strong, the victim wouldn’t have staggered in the first place.

No wonder his father wants him to stop working out so much and study properly.

I totally understood Chairman Cha’s feelings.

Of course, if I said that out loud, I’d end up in the ICU.

“Anyway, you said you weren’t good at studying, but you still worked hard and made it here.”

That’s not true! I’ve never been bad at studying!

I just had terrible luck with exams, that’s all.

But I couldn’t say that to Cha Kang-hyuk, who’d just gotten chewed out by his father and come running here.

Besides, treating a chaebol heir who’d come to me for help like that would be amateurish.

We need to maintain a close partnership going forward.

…To put it simply, he’ll probably be my client someday.

And I don’t plan to stop with Cha Kang-hyuk.

He has many friends besides Woo Jin-gon, and a lot of them are third-generation chaebols.

Even if Cha Kang-hyuk only tells them a fraction of what I can do, I’ll be able to secure major clients after I become a lawyer.

Most importantly, I have to go up against Go Jong-tak and Han Jun.

The very person who ruined my life and my parents’—the pinnacle of corruption.

Even though Go Jong-tak only gave me selective information about Han Jun, the stench was overwhelming.

If I dig deeper, just how rotten will I find it?

Right now, I can’t even guess.

‘So if I’m going to fight them, I need to raise my status in both politics and business as much as possible.’

Of course, I have some plans for the political world, but that’s for later.

For now, I have to do my best with what I have.

I put on a serious face and started thinking.

Successor Training is Chairman Cha’s long-cherished wish, not just Cha Kang-hyuk’s, so if I can help, I absolutely should.

‘But he hates studying more than anything. I can’t force him. Maybe if I ask someone else for advice… Hmm?’

Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I slapped my palm.

If it’s hard alone, why not bring in an expert and brainstorm together?

“Head of Headquarters, are you asking how I managed to get this far despite not being good at studying?”

“That’s right.”

“Then how about I invite someone else to join us for advice?”

“Someone else?”

“Yes. There’s someone at Lee & Yeon who’s top ten when it comes to studying.”

“That doesn’t sound bad.”

With that, I walked over to the intercom.

A moment later—

“…That talent is Grasshopper?”

Cha Kang-hyuk’s familiar nickname rang out as he recognized Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon.

“Grasshopper? Head of Headquarters, I only wore that suit once.”

Seriously, who wears a green suit to a Club?

Remembering that day, I burst out laughing.

“Secretary Kim, you’re in no position to laugh at Grasshopper right now, are you?”

“S-sorry…”

I quickly apologized and sat down next to Cha Kang-hyuk, with Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon across from us.

“It’s shocking to hear that Yoon Byeon was good at studying.”

“…Head of Headquarters, you can’t get into Lee & Yeon without being more than just ‘decent’ at studying.”

“True. Then what about you, Secretary Kim?”

“Of course I was good. I’m the only secretary who passed the Bar Exam First Round.”

“What?”

Was that really so surprising?

I straightened my shoulders proudly in front of the dumbfounded Cha Kang-hyuk.

“How did you do it? How does someone go from ‘study idiot’ to passing the Bar Exam First Round?”

“Head of Headquarters, I wasn’t exactly an ‘idiot’…”

“Whatever. Just tell me your secret. I want to try it myself.”

That’s not going to work. Cha Kang-hyuk just hates studying.

And he’s already promised the successor position.

Getting scolded by his father isn’t enough motivation for him.

Studying and working out are fundamentally different… Wait.

“Head of Headquarters, why don’t you approach studying the way you approach exercise?”

“…That’s a refreshingly stupid idea.”

“No, seriously. I’m more serious than ever right now.”

“So you’re telling me that the instincts awakened by manly exercise are the same as those used for this wimpy Grasshopper’s studying?”

“Kuh. I’m not that wimpy, and I’m definitely not a Grasshopper…”

“Just go with Grasshopper, Attorney.”

“Even you, Yoo-hee…”

Is Grasshopper really the issue right now?

We need to get Cha Kang-hyuk to study.

Business is closely tied to economics, after all.

And for someone in management, reading a lot of books is a must.

I subtly nudged Attorney Yoon Yi-hoon aside and spoke.

“That primal instinct? You can awaken it with studying, too.”

“How?”

“How about a bet?”

“A bet?”

Cha Kang-hyuk doesn’t just lift weights at the gym.

He does all sorts of sports.

And what is sports, if not competition?

So how is a bet any different?

I continued in a serious tone.

“A light bet won’t be much of a motivator. Let’s make it a bit more intense.”

“How?”

“Why not do it with Attorney Yoon here?”

“M-me?”

“Yes.”

“Why would I make a bet with him?”

“Loser has to wear the Grasshopper suit to work.”

“Ugh.”

“Geh.”

Okay, I get why Cha Kang-hyuk is shocked—the suit is outrageous—but why is Yoon Byeon so surprised?

He picked it out himself!

Catching my look, Yoon Byeon hurried to explain.

“That was a Club outfit! How could I wear that to work? My social status and reputation would be at stake.”

“You have those?”

“…Head of Headquarters, how do you really see me?”

Judging by their dramatic reactions, this bet will definitely motivate them.

Maybe I should make the penalty even more specific.

“If you win, Attorney Yoon wears the Grasshopper suit for a day. If you lose, you wear it for a day, Head of Headquarters.”

“I’d rather jump out the window than wear that.”

“It’s not that bad, is it?”

“Hmm, so Yoon Byeon wouldn’t mind wearing it. No problem, even if you lose.”

“Head of Headquarters, studying isn’t that easy. Even when I was top of my class, my father scolded me for not getting every question right.”

“So you’re saying you’re not confident?”

“Of course not! Just pick the subject. I’ll take you on anytime.”

This overheated atmosphere is perfect.

After all, the best entertainment is watching a fight—so long as I don’t get caught in the crossfire.