Family

Before sending the data to Baek Soeun, I shared everything with Nam Eunsuk.
Without revealing that it was from me, of course.
Information without a disclosed source is bound to cause confusion.
But sometimes, there are days when you willingly drink from a poisoned chalice.

‘Besides, Nam Eunsuk has already confirmed its authenticity once. He saved his life thanks to it.’

How many people can maintain their composure when their life is on the line?
I gave Nam Eunsuk exactly one hour to think.
If I had given him any more time, he would have tried to make a judgment.

‘He would have tried to make a deal with Chairman Jo, pretending he was the only one with that information.’

I had no intention of letting that happen.

“Reporter Baek, I’ve checked the article you sent. Please make this the main story in an hour.”
[I did a good job with the headline and content, right? Your wish is my command. Sir!]

And so, exactly one hour after my call with Baek Soeun, her headline was on the main page.
At the same time, I spread the bait through Im Suho to all the online communities.
It was something that couldn’t have been achieved without any one of the three.

[I think that was a good choice. Especially since it ended up on the public broadcast news.]

‘The government will likely show a reaction soon.’

The relentless stream of new information was enough to excite the public.
I looked at Won Youngoh and spoke again.

“The public’s reaction right now is, literally, more explosive than ever. Because something they’ve only seen in dramas and movies has happened in real life.”
“So you’re saying we need to add fuel to the fire right now, is that right?”
“Yes.”

As expected, Won Youngoh understood what I was thinking in an instant.

‘Nam Eunsuk’s house was bombed by Chairman Jo Hyeokjun.’

This could have been seen from the simplistic perspective of a chaebol harming public authority.
On the contrary, there was a high possibility that Nam Eunsuk would use this situation as his stepping stone.

“If the incident ends here, Prosecutor General Nam will declare war on the chaebols and wear the mask of a righteous public official who sacrificed his body.”
“Yes, as you said, Attorney Cha, this case has a narrative. It would have given him wings not only to the position of Minister of Justice but also to the presidential election.”
“Yes, I can’t let that happen.”

Jeong Donghyeok, who had been nodding at our conversation, checked his watch and moved his lips.

“It should be starting soon.”

Lee Ilwoo quietly changed the channel.

Click.

[Hello. This is Choi Haeyoung from JTS.]

On the current affairs program that had just begun, the announcer, with an expressionless face, brought up the words we had been waiting for.

[Just a few days ago, an unprecedented incident occurred where a chaebol chairman carried out a terror attack on a high-ranking public official.]
[However, we have obtained different information.]
[The information is that ‘the reason Prosecutor General Nam Eunsuk raided Korea Defense was because of a ledger containing his own bribery records’.]

Did they say everything has its use?
The details of Nam Eunsuk’s bribery, which I had posted throughout the communities via Im Suho, spread like an established theory through the internet news.

‘And now it means the broadcast stations have finished their calculations.’

Because the subtitle for today’s special program was ‘The Nam Eunsuk Gate’.

[As Prosecutor General Nam Eunsuk’s house exploded, several supercars worth a fortune exploded with it, but these were not found in his asset records.]

The image of Prosecutor General Nam’s disappeared container garage appeared on the screen.
Soon, the scene switched to pictures of supercars that matched the fragments of the burned cars.
The scene then changed again to a mosaic-covered high school.

[That’s not all. Reports have been pouring into the broadcast station that the two siblings, known as Prosecutor General Nam’s children, have been bullying students at school.]

Students with their faces mosaic-covered poured out their testimonies.

[“There’s no one who hasn’t seen — hit other kids.”]
[“Last year, when the homeroom teacher tried to stop him, he asked if she wanted to get fired. But he never got disciplined once…”]
[“And then, during the break, the homeroom teacher really did change.”]

The screen showed the studio again.
The announcer now moved her lips with a solemn expression.

[The rumor that Prosecutor General Nam Eunsuk intervened twice in his son’s ‘School Violence Committee’ has also been revealed to be true.]

A dam that has cracked once will flow without stopping.
The current Nam Eunsuk was just like that.
It was a scandal so big that, let alone the ‘honest public official’ he always proclaimed to be, he would be left wandering the streets with nothing.

[…The entire nation is on edge, watching to see how the government will decide on Prosecutor General Nam’s treatment.]
[Is there justice in the Republic of Korea? Can the tyranny of the haves be carried out like this?]
[Now, it is the nation’s turn to answer the people’s question.]

The short, thirty-minute program ended with a final comment.

‘They did a pretty good job.’

This was enough to expect a greater impact than I had thought.
I stood up from my seat and smiled brightly.

“Then shall we get to work?”
“Let’s.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be back from upstairs in a moment.”

Won Youngoh and I went to our respective rooms, and Jeong Donghyeok stayed at the table to organize the case files.
In the meantime, Lee Ilwoo headed to Aegis.
I checked my clients’ cases and prepared for trials as usual.
Because the arrow I had shot was flying forward with great effort.
Not long after we started focusing on our work, the government quickly made a decision.

Knock, knock.

As the bright day turned into a dusky evening, Jeong Donghyeok knocked neatly on my door.
I put down my documents and looked up.

“I think you need to come out, Attorney Cha.”

Jeong Donghyeok called me out of my room where I was working.
When I came out, everyone was gathered around the table again.
Won Youngoh gestured towards the news screen with his chin.

Above the bold letters, a woman in a neat navy suit was visible.

“This is the new government spokesperson.”
“So she’s making her first official statement after the election like this.”
“I expected it, but the decision was unusually fast. Suspiciously so.”

Lee Ilwoo spoke in a very cynical voice.

“Yes, they’re quick to cut off their tails. Even though everyone knows that Prosecutor General Nam was a contributor to this administration.”
“Right now, not long after being elected, a case like this is an opportunity that won’t come again to gain the public’s trust.”

Jeong Donghyeok’s sharp words represented all of our thoughts.
Soon, the Blue House spokesperson bowed to the numerous reporters.

[We apologize for causing the public concern. The government expresses deep regret over this incident.]

The spokesperson stood up and continued with an expression and tone devoid of any emotion.

[We have already dismissed Prosecutor General Nam Eunsuk according to procedure, and as of yesterday morning, we have formed a special investigation team for the ‘High-Ranking Public Officials Bribery Gate’.]

One of the many reporters raised their hand and threw a question.

[Who is the special prosecutor for the investigation team?]
[It is Prosecutor In Yuyeong of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. We promise the public that we will thoroughly uncover the corruption through the special investigation.]

Nam Eunsuk was just one of many who had committed similar acts.

‘If all the details in Chairman Jo’s ledger are revealed, not many will be able to keep their positions.’

The goal was to reveal not only the Ministry of Defense officials involved in the defense industry corruption, but also all the illegal acts Chairman Jo had committed using bribes as his weapon.
When I turned my head, my eyes met Won Youngoh’s, who was looking at me.

“I’m relieved. That the result is so clear.”

Now that the situation was somewhat resolved, it was time to take care of the people next to me.
I bowed my head once to Won Youngoh, Jeong Donghyeok, and Lee Ilwoo.

“I know I caused a lot of worry with my reckless methods. And the trouble too. Thank you always, everyone.”
“Not at all, Attorney Cha.”

Jeong Donghyeok and Won Youngoh accepted the apology and thanks I had carefully chosen over several days plainly.

“It was a strong move, as always. I won’t deny that you were reckless, Attorney Cha. But let’s be clear about one thing.”

He lightly raised his index finger as if to emphasize, and added once more.

“That was just worry. Not trouble.”

Swoosh.

Won Youngoh bent his finger, let out a deep sigh, and rested his arm on the table.

“…Actually, I feel uncomfortable because I don’t think I was much help this time. I’m sorry.”

I slowly shook my head at Won Youngoh.

“No, Attorney Won, your help was always more than enough. You especially pushed yourself this time.”
“Haha…”

Won Youngoh slowly stroked his cheek with a bitter expression.
Won Youngoh’s help this time was a little different from usual.
He had supported and backed me up materially and mentally, that hadn’t changed, but he had poured out even greater support.
The proof of that was now appearing on the screen.

[This is In Yuyeong, the special prosecutor for the ‘Nam Eunsuk Gate’ special investigation team. I will now brief you on the progress of the investigation so far. We have obtained the original ledger with the list of high-ranking officials…]

In Yuyeong.
She was one of the few prosecutors I trusted, and Won Youngoh’s sister-in-law.

At the time Cha Yohan and Lee Ilwoo were heading to the Hite Hotel, Won Youngoh was knocking on another door.

Ding-dong.

[Who is it?]

Hearing the response, he opened his mouth heavily.

“…It’s me.”
[Oh my, come in, quickly.]

Unlike Won Youngoh’s heavy voice, the voice over the intercom welcomed him.

Clank.

The large gate opened to reveal a yard as green as ever.
Instead of stepping on the stepping stones, he walked on the grass next to them and headed inside the house.

“Uncle!”

As soon as he opened the door, Won Doyeong popped out and hugged him.

“Our Doyeong, have you been well?”
“Yes.”

Won Youngoh smiled faintly and picked up Won Doyeong.
His nephew wasn’t the only one who had come to greet him.
Won Hayeop scanned him with his hands behind his back.

“…You left as if you would never come back. What’s with your appearance, coming home after several years.”
“Don’t misunderstand. I have no intention of having a long and affectionate talk, nor have my thoughts changed.”
“You really! Youngoh, have you been well? Are you sick anywhere?”
“…Yes, Mother.”

Won Youngoh couldn’t push away the arm of his mother, Joo Yeyoung, who was carefully holding his arm.

“Tsk, you’re still as rude as ever after all these years.”
“They say personality is genetic.”

In the bloody atmosphere, Won Doyeong silently wrapped his arms tightly around Won Youngoh’s neck.
He could feel the tension in the child in his arms.
Won Youngoh closed his eyes tightly and then opened them again, speaking.

“…Haa. I came here to ask a favor.”
“What kind of shameless favor?”
“If it wasn’t for this, I would have never come to this house on my own two feet. This is a favor for my sister-in-law, not for you, Father.”
“What? For me?”

Given the time, he couldn’t call In Yuyeong out, and the story was too heavy to discuss over the phone.
He had wanted to turn back countless times before entering this house, but he couldn’t ruin things because of personal feelings.
At that thought, Won Youngoh nodded and headed to the living room with Won Doyeong in his arms.

“Let’s sit down first. Doyeong, uncle will hold you again later.”
“Okay.”

Won Youngoh summarized what had happened so far, focusing only on the key points.

“I’m sure you know about the assault last winter, as it was reported so noisily.”

Won Youngoh laid out everything from the mastermind of that terror attack, K, to the current Prosecutor General Nam case, in chronological order.
In the house he had come to after several years, he got straight to the point.
Even if they were family, he couldn’t trust them, so he cut out what needed to be cut out.

‘It’s best not to mention Attorney Cha as much as possible, other than this.’

His father might try to win over Cha Yohan.

“…I was saved thanks to Attorney Cha Yohan then, but I don’t know if it will be possible next time. Given the circumstances.”

It was a story that would surprise anyone.
A short silence followed.
Joo Yeyoung held Won Youngoh’s hand and stroked the back of it for a long time.
In the meantime, Won Hayeop had a strange expression.

‘Why does he have that expression?’

Before Won Youngoh’s suspicion could deepen, Won Hayeop opened his mouth.

“So what’s the favor you wanted to ask your sister-in-law after leaving, saying you would disown us?”

Won Youngoh looked at his sister-in-law, In Yuyeong, across from him, not at his father, and answered.

“Chairman Jo Hyeokjun’s bribery ledger will be revealed soon. I would like you to take this case, sister-in-law.”
“…Do you mean I should bring the case to me?”
“Yes, that’s right.”

After a moment of thought, In Yuyeong nodded coolly.

“Yes, I’d like to try. But you can’t get all the cases you want just because you want them…”

Especially this time, the pie was big.
And there would be a lot of crumbs falling off.
No one here was unaware of that fact.
Won Hayeop, who was watching the two of them talk quietly, added as if it were no big deal.

“Why are you worrying about such things in front of me?”

With those words, he stood up and headed for his study.
Won Youngoh watched his receding back for a moment.

‘…I hadn’t thought this far.’

He hadn’t expected his father to stay while they talked.
On the contrary, he had thought it would be a relief if he wasn’t chased out or if his father didn’t interfere after hearing the story.

‘Why is he helping? There must be a few people connected to Father.’

His thoughts began to tailspin.
Instead of being swayed by his emotions, Won Youngoh stood up from his seat.

“Then I will be on my way. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Already? Why don’t you stay the night. Your room is still the same, Youngoh.”
“…I’ll contact you next time.”

In the meantime, everyone except for the sleeping Won Doyeong and Won Hayeop, who had gone to his study, saw him off.
Won Youngoh knew that Won Ojun had been repeatedly swallowing his words next to In Yuyeong.
The first words he uttered once again defied Won Youngoh’s expectations.

“…Take care of yourself.”

Instead of answering, Won Youngoh met his brother’s eyes for a moment and then stepped onto the grass again.
Deliberately ignoring the soft sensation that tickled his ankles.