Chapter 12 – Success Fee is 5%

He lightly raised the thin wine glass, took a sip, and said confidently.

“You submitted the restraining order application yesterday, right?”

“Yes. What about it?”

“You probably didn’t know that you missed something more important while applying for that. I am teaching you because you seem to have just started learning litigation, Attorney Geum. At this stage, family, civil, and criminal dates can be confusing, right?”

Geum Nae-yeong narrowed his eyes, not understanding.

“It sounds like a rhetorical question, but is that your original way of speaking?”

“Pardon? Ah, to reply quickly? Hahaha!”

The man said mockingly.

“It was yesterday. The deadline for claiming property division.”

“Property division?”

“Yes. According to the Civil Act, the right to claim property division expires if 2 years pass from the date of divorce. Yesterday was the very last day of that 2 years.

Our side already filed the lawsuit yesterday afternoon, but your side… didn’t seem to have filed yet?”

“Yes, I didn’t.”

“As expected…”

When Geum Nae-yeong answered calmly, Bang In-su raised the corners of his mouth.

“I called to let you know that. The wife’s assets seemed to be quite something. She even has branches of the rice cake shop, and the sales are very good?

We calculated the husband’s contribution well and claimed property division. Maybe once the lawsuit starts, the amount could increase further, right?”

Bang In-su smiled triumphantly and added.

“‘One who sleeps on their rights is not protected.’ Didn’t you learn that during undergraduate school? Unfortunately, you said the wife’s side didn’t even file the lawsuit, and the exclusion period has passed. In the end, the wife’s right to claim property division has expired. How sad, to see it go to waste. Haha.”

Since they did not divide the property when they divorced, the period for claiming was still remaining.

The husband aimed for that gap, trying to grab a large share from his wife’s well-performing rice cake shop.

On the other hand, the wife’s situation was different. Just yesterday, the period for her to claim property division from her husband had ended.

But there was no agitation in Geum Nae-yeong’s expression.

“If you’ve finished speaking, I’ll be going.”

As Geum Nae-yeong suddenly stood up, the man smiled and raised his hand, gesturing for him to leave.

Watching Geum Nae-yeong’s back as he left the wine bar, the man muttered to himself.

‘Fleeing in surprise… but he must pretend to be calm in front of me, right?

But won’t he be unable to sleep at home because of worry? He must also wonder how much property division we claimed.

A novice jumping in without fear. By this point, I’ve suppressed his spirit enough.’

* * *

A few days later.

“Yes. Hello? The police station? Why from the police station? Documents are missing?”

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae was paying the price dearly for accepting the case against Law Firm Gankyeok.

Gankyeok picked on even the minor details in the opposing party’s documents, making them rewrite the documents several times, draining the energy of the opposing staff.

“Yes. Hello? The court? Correction order? What? The opponent says they can’t see something?”

Click.

“Sigh… They are truly wicked bastards.”

Swear words came out of Office Manager Ju’s mouth naturally.

“No, is it that Gankyeok case again?”

Office Manager Yeom, who was sitting next to him reading the newspaper, clicked his tongue.

“Gankyeok is completely drying out our staff… Shall I help you with something?”

Office Manager Yeom felt sorry and tried to do something, but Office Manager Ju waved his hand.

“No, I should do it… I’ll go to court. What on earth do they mean…”

Spending the morning frantically like that,

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae went to the consultation room to eat lunch.

Just then, Director Kim Mi-yeong and their daughter Ha-yul had just started eating.

“Sigh, I’m hungry after making a fuss in the morning. What is the side dish today?”

“Oh my, what do you care about the side dishes? When you never bring rice anyway. Do I even have to pack lunch for my divorced husband?”

When Director Kim Mi-yeong gave him a look and snapped, Office Manager Ju Yong-hae stroked his daughter’s hair with a thick face.

“Ha-yul, Daddy will send you to a K-pop… dance academy starting next month.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah, Daddy’s salary got raised.”

At those words, Director Kim Mi-yeong, who had been glaring, shut her mouth. And then she subtly pushed the grilled mackerel that was on one side in front of Office Manager Ju Yong-hae.

“Mackerel was cheap lately. Have some.”

“Wow, looks delicious. I should eat this as a wrap.”

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae took out lettuce that had been washed from the small refrigerator in the consultation room. He deboned the fish, placed a large piece on top of Ha-yul’s rice, and for himself, placed rice, mackerel, soybean paste, and sliced chili on top of the lettuce, wrapped it large, and put it in his mouth at once.

“Ah… delicious.”

At that moment, knock, knock.

Along with the sound of knocking, the consultation room door opened.

“Could I eat lunch together as well?”

It was Cha Ra-ri holding a small three-tiered lunchbox.

“Ra-ri-ssi, you didn’t go out to eat? Sit here.”

Director Kim Mi-yeong made room.

“Since you are a young lady, I thought you would eat something simple outside, but do you carry a lunchbox?”

“I bought and ate outside a few times, but the food nearby didn’t suit my taste. Oh. This is my side dish, let’s share it together.”

“Oh my, what is this?”

Nicely grilled zucchini pancakes, pollack roe egg rolls, crisply grilled meatballs, burdock root glazed to a shine, and even white kimchi. Cha Ra-ri’s side dishes were neat yet splendid.

“No wonder you aren’t satisfied with outside food when you eat like this, your mother must be very skilled. The side dishes are easily an eight-course meal.”

“Wow, the pretty unnie’s side dishes are super delicious.”

The three, including Ha-yul, making four, continued eating while sharing various small talks.

Looking at the clock, it was already a little past 1:00 PM.

At that moment, the sound of someone calling was heard from outside.

“Excuse me? Is anyone here?”

“Hmm? Who is it? I’ll go out, so keep eating.”

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae stood up from his seat.

“Registered mail has arrived. Please sign here for receipt.”

It was the postman.

“Ah, yes.”

Ju Yong-hae received the mail from the postman and categorized them by attorney and office manager in charge. Then, his gaze stopped at one envelope.

Recipient: Min Gyeong-suk (Teum Law Office Attorney Geum Nae-yeong)

“Hmm? Is there a lawsuit that came to us?”

Rip—

He tore the envelope and spread the document.

—————————————————

Lawsuit

Claimant: Han Deuk-su, litigation representative Law Firm Gankyeok (Attorney in charge Bang In-su)

Respondent: Min Gyeong-suk

Claim for Judgment on Property Division

Claim Purpose

1. The respondent shall pay the claimant 1,000,000,000 won as property division.

2. Litigation costs shall be borne by the respondent.

3. Paragraph 1 can be provisionally executed.

We seek such judgment.

—————————————————

“Huh… What… How many zeros are there? …O… One billion??”

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae was startled by the 1-billion-won lawsuit. Feeling a chill down his spine, he hurriedly returned to his seat and began to review the litigation materials.

Rustle, rustle—

“Wait… You said the divorce was 2 years ago?”

The moment he checked the mutual agreement divorce documents, his pupils shook violently. The exclusion period for claiming property division had already passed by a few days.

Thud.

Office Manager Ju slumped in his seat, and cold sweat poured down.

“Sigh…”

A short sigh leaked out.

Day after day, Min Gyeong-suk’s husband called the office and poured out curses.

Law Firm Gankyeok made them go back and forth to the court on strange pretexts, such as documents being missing or materials being hard to see, keeping them frantic.

“…What should I do…”

Only then did Office Manager Ju realize.

“Those Gankyeok bastards… They knew the period for claiming property division hadn’t expired yet.”

It was certain they did it on purpose. Knowing that the claim period was imminent, they made Geum Nae-yeong’s side hang onto only the restraining order application, stabbing them in the back.

On top of that, instead of using electronic litigation, which has fast service, they deliberately served it by mail, preparing meticulously so that our side would realize late after the time had passed.

‘…Intellectual.’

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae’s face was pale as he returned to the consultation room holding the lawsuit. Director Kim Mi-yeong, who was eating lunch deliciously, threw a joke seeing him pale as a sheet.

“Why again? Did your stocks drop?”

But Ju Yong-hae was silent. He slumped on the chair, remained silent for a moment, and then opened his mouth.

“Sigh… Something that law office staff must never forget… I forgot the arrival of the deadline.”

“Daddy, what do you mean?”

Ha-yul asked back, but he didn’t answer.

Instead, Director Kim Mi-yeong snatched the lawsuit from his hand.

“What? A 1-billion-won lawsuit came in? Are we the defendant?”

In shock and worry, their lunch hour ended heavily.

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae, who barely ate, ultimately went to Attorney Geum Nae-yeong’s room to confess first.

Knock, knock—

“Yes.”

“Attorney, are you busy…”

Office Manager Ju Yong-hae, with his shoulders slumped, poked his head through the door.

“Yes, come in.”

Ju Yong-hae started speaking haltingly.

“Um… I am sorry. …About Min Gyeong-suk-nim’s case. The lawsuit has arrived.”

As he subtly pushed the documents on the desk, Geum Nae-yeong said indifferently.

“Ah, it has arrived already. I was waiting.”

“Pardon?? You were… waiting?”

Ju Yong-hae was surprised by the tone as if he already knew.

“Yes. Gankyeok let me know as if doing a ‘favor’ that they would enter a property division lawsuit.”

“Is that so? Oh my… I thought I forgot the deadline date for claiming property division…

No? Then Attorney, did you know that the deadline passed? Then why did you stay still all this time?”

Geum Nae-yeong replied expressionlessly to Office Manager Ju’s question.

“I’ve already written all the preparatory documents to use on the pleading date. Do not worry.”

“It is a 1-billion-won lawsuit? They probably claimed it after checking all of Min Gyeong-suk-nim’s assets, and if they go into asset investigation, more could come out.

Min Gyeong-suk-nim would have her hard-earned wealth taken away with her eyes wide open…”

“Yes. I know. …By the way, for this case, our success fee was 5%, right? In the contract.”

“Yes, retainer fee of 2 million won and 5% of the total success fee is correct.”

At Ju Yong-hae’s answer, Geum Nae-yeong grinned with his unique dry expression, as if he liked something very much.

At Geum Nae-yeong’s smile, Ju Yong-hae left the office in bewilderment.

“No… What on earth is he thinking? What is he going to do…”

* * *

The pleading date for the property division judgment case.

Attorney Bang In-su of Law Firm Gankyeok, the claimant’s litigation representative, looked at Geum Nae-yeong with a face full of confidence.

The claimed amount is 1 billion won, and they even plan to increase it after the asset investigation.

Thinking of Geum Nae-yeong’s face being startled upon hearing the amount, he felt good already.

“Now, the judgment case begins.”

At the presiding judge’s instruction, Attorney Bang In-su began his pleading.

“Our claimant paid part of the deposit, 20 million won, on behalf of the respondent around the time she started the rice cake shop. Since then, he worked 5 days a week carrying goods, etc. He dedicated himself body and soul to the prosperity of the respondent’s rice cake shop throughout their 10 years of marriage…

Therefore, considering the current profits of the rice cake shop, we claim the amount stated in the claim purpose first, and plan to increase the amount after finding out the assets later.”

Finishing his pleading, Attorney Bang In-su smiled gleefully and looked at Geum Nae-yeong.

“Yes… Then, the opposing side.”

The presiding judge turned his gaze, but Geum Nae-yeong only looked at his documents and made no response.

“Respondent’s representative?”

When the judge called again, Geum Nae-yeong raised his head.

“…Please give me 3 seconds.”

“Pardon? Th… Three seconds?”

To ask for time when given a pleading opportunity, and only 3 seconds at that. The judge was momentarily flustered.

At that sight, Attorney Bang In-su confirmed his victory in his mind once again.

‘Even if they give you 30 minutes instead of 3 seconds, you can’t win.’

“Done. I’ve reconfirmed the exact amount.”

Geum Nae-yeong packed his documents and prepared to start his pleading.

‘People who consider only offense as the best forget that defense is also a technique of offense.’